A most unusual Antelope hunt THE END!

Killdeer · August 23, 2009, 07:08:00 PM

Just concentrate and don't freak out next time.

Just kidding! I am enjoying the heck out of this thread, this is real hunting! As has been mentioned, you have had one spectacular season already. I wish I could have taken half of the pics that you have posted already!

Killdeer

steadman · August 23, 2009, 07:14:00 PM

SO I gather what's left of my arrow and head on down the road. Throughout the day I had no less than 7 more stalks. Some ended as soon as they started. Some ended when I busted a doe that I didn't see. But a couple others, were a little more entertaining.

After a couple stalks I head down another road(theer are roads EVERYWHERE on this unit) looking for goats when I run onto this guy.He's also the one at the beginning

He is a real pretty goat, and I ended up getting within forty yards, but couldn't close the deal. I then headed to another canyon and found a buck with 5 or 6 does. So I make the loop to get within a hundred yards or so. The does bust me and head up through the pines and over the top of the ridge. Undetered, I head up after them. The goats don't get a lot of pressure, so I figured they would calm down on top. I get to the top and go into stealth mode. I catch the buck just on the lip of the ridge headed back down. I get on hands and knees, keep a pine between us and close to 25 yards. I nock an arrow and send one towards his ribs. 5 yards before the intended target, my arrow gets swatted out of the air like a blocked punt. Only on this antelope hunt do my arrows get deflected by pine trees. The rest of the day was a ball, including one stalk on 4 bucks that kept within 50 yards for an hour, but no shot. And another stalk on hands and knees, blowing out the 2 bucks I was after, only to turn around and see 2 more bucks walk right by where I started.

The next pic is the one I went after where the unseen doe spooked. This is a good goat for out here.

steadman · August 23, 2009, 07:17:00 PM

Thanks Killie! Yea I need my son to remind me!

steadman · August 23, 2009, 07:21:00 PM

To finish up this instalment, I got to take pics of my favorite subject: Big Mulies! As I mentioned before this unit is coming back, and I got some pics of a toad. Of course my batteries ran out while taking pics of this guy, so I don't have pics of the side view, but they are forever burned into my mind. Enjoy!!

fatman · August 23, 2009, 07:37:00 PM

Ryan, you're certainly gettin' your money's worth! Keep at it, and good luck on the elk next week....

Kevin

Joseph · August 23, 2009, 07:37:00 PM

Sweet hunt so far, thanks for sharing!

Guru · August 23, 2009, 09:43:00 PM

Stick with it buddy, you'll get one!

When do you get together with the rest of the crew?

steadman · August 23, 2009, 09:59:00 PM

Head out Wed evening Curt. To bad you couldn't get out here. It's a real bummer about Charlie, was looking forward to meeting the legend and hearing the stories.

Man I might need to get some more arrows, or improve my shooting skills!!

Head back out for labor day weekend look for an update after that....til then

Steve O · August 23, 2009, 11:02:00 PM

What happened to Charlie?

Ryan--we've got faith in you

steadman · August 24, 2009, 06:32:00 PM

Thanks fro the comments guys. Steve sent you a pm.

Guru · August 25, 2009, 06:13:00 AM

Have fun bud, they sure are into a lot of game!!

Drive safe

Smallwood · August 25, 2009, 11:10:00 AM

Good luck Ryan

IndianaBowman · August 25, 2009, 12:10:00 PM

Amazing thread and photos Ryan. Can't wait for more. Thanks for your time in sharing.

steadman · August 30, 2009, 01:14:00 PM

Well I'm back from driving all over the state this past week. I took some time to go meet and hunt with some of the finest guys I've met. But that will be on a different thread.

I'd planned to stay and hunt on the LaSal's till Sat, then come home Sun. When plans changed for the boys from the midwest, so did mine. They ended up leaving a bit earlier than planned, so I elected to drive 5 hours over and hunt goats for the day. After sleeping, or trying to sleep inbetween bugles all night, I elected to try to intercept the elk in the morning.

At first light, I headed to where the elk have been moving back to their bedding areas. On the way I ran into a nice antelope buck, but was not able to get closer than 50 yards. I waited for the elk that never came, then headed out to look for goats. The first buck I ran into was a nice buck, and I was able to close the distance to 30 yards. I then proceeded to send another arrow over his back. Dang it man! I had just discussed this problem of not picking a spot on the animal with Tracy (KS Trapper) the day before. After relating a similar experience that happened to him he says," Tell yourself to just shoot the bow. Just shoot the danged thing!" So after this miss, I had another talk with myself.

After a quick lunch and some more stalks that amounted to nothing more than seeing the amazing speed of antelope, I ran into a couple more bucks. While studying how to get onto them, I noticed the bucks kept looking back. I decide to work my way around, when I ran into a small buck in a very stalkable position. Now he wasn't the size I was after, but he was bigger than the last one I shot.

The buck above is the one from 3 years ago.

steadman · August 30, 2009, 01:26:00 PM

So I made the decision to try for him. A good arrow would be a lot better than some extra horn. So I slowly make my way toward him. Everytime his head went down, I moved closer. And so it went until I was 20-25 yards away. This time I didn't freak out and I did concentrate. I sent an arrow throught the bucks shoulder. At the sound of the loud crack, the buck tore off. I watched as he sped 100 yards then slowed to a walk as he topped a ridge, and then out of sight. I sat down and let the shakes take over, he wasn't the biggest buck I shot at, but the arrow placement was worth it all. As I waited 25 min I couldn't help but think how easy that shot was, i picked the spot, and hit anchor, and sent the arrow where it was supposed to go. But I know it will be an ongoing battle.

I took up the trail, and was able to follow the tracks of a unsteady animal pretty easily. What was concerning was the lack of blood. Did my eye's play tricks on me? Man if I loose this animal, I'm done! All thoughts that raced through my mind. I made it to where I had last sight marked him and looked down the valley.

steadman · August 30, 2009, 01:31:00 PM

To tell you I was relieved and elated would be an understatement! As I walked up to the goat, all the thoughts of the hard work, countless hours scouting, and time away from my family overtook me. This was a great hunt, one of my best. From the time we found out we drew tags, to the grilling of the tenderloins, this will forever be one of the best.

steadman · August 30, 2009, 01:33:00 PM

So now I will wait for 3-4 years to draw this tag again. You can bet I will be holding out for something bigger, and working on my shooting. Thanks for following along, It's been a blast.

Shinken · August 30, 2009, 01:45:00 PM

CONGRATULATIONS on a terrific stalk, awesome shot, and final recovery!

WOW! What a GREAT hunt!

Thanks for sharin' and I hope that the rest of your season goes just as well!

WAY TO PICK A SPOT!!!

Shoot straight, Shinken

Guru · August 30, 2009, 01:50:00 PM

Awesome buddy, I knew you'd do it!! Congrats on a fine hunt

Charlie Lamb · August 30, 2009, 02:20:00 PM

Congratulations Ryan!! That's a special antelope for sure.

Sorry to miss out on the sharing a campfire with you this time around. We'll just have to make it happen somewhere down the road.