Official Legends 2012 hunt

curlis · April 01, 2012, 11:34:00 AM

Well Larry,
I think that brings me to my story. I wasn't sure if I was going to write about mine or not. I think maybe this story may help others so here it goes.

After Ben shot his goat he and Rod continued to help me on my hunt. Let the walking begin! We walked all the way to the top and back of the ranch. I had been recovering from being sick the week before but soon found out that I could not breath very well. Rod on the other hand is part goat himself and pushed the pace with out even breathing hard. after getting all the way to the back of the ranch we spotted a herd of goats going up and over a pass back toward the front of the ranch. Yes, back toward where we had just come from. It was a different side of the ranch so down and back up we went.

Finally we were in a position where we thought the goats were so we spread out and slowly moved over the crest of a ridge. Ben saw them first and motioned to me to move his way. They were in a gorge. If you stayed low they were blocked from site so the stalk was on. The problem was the footing. Fairly steep but very loose soil. I was trying to go slow, be quiet, and not slip all at the same time. I made it to a large bush that gave me cover and stepped out. There they were. The largest of the bunch was the closest to me. How much better could this get? I picked a spot drew and shot. I watched the arrow sailing toward the goat only to see it fall short and crash through the grass under and behind the goat. I had peeked to try to see the arrow hit the goat and I missed!

larry · April 01, 2012, 06:21:00 PM

missed!?!

curlis · April 02, 2012, 10:13:00 AM

MISSED!!!!!
The goats didn't even react to the shot. They even turned towards me and started working up the gorge. I had another arrow nocked and ready but the goat I had missed was acting a little off. He was favoring one leg.

curlis · April 06, 2012, 12:12:00 PM

The goats started moving to my left around the bush that I was using for cover. I started moving around to get into position. I was stuck. Below me was the rest of the goats and they were looking at me. I could have shot any one of about 6 or seven other goats including a very nice black one and an increadable white one. I just kept thinking that I needed to wait on that brown and black one that I had missed. He was on the other side of the bush and just never came across to the other goats. eventually they started to move away. I had to get back to the original side of the brush. They were moving out!

After they had moved down the HILL, we went to look for my arrow. we found it and it was clean but as I was looking around I found blood and lots of it. I had hit the off leg.

I hate to admit to a poor hit but they do happen. How you react to a hit like that makes all the difference. With blood on the ground we decided to just take it slow and try to work out whatever kind of trail we could find. With a not vital shot the blood most likely would fade out and we would have to depend on tracks and general knowledge of the land.

curlis · April 06, 2012, 12:20:00 PM

To our surprise the blood did not fade out. In fact, it kept getting better as we went. It got to the point that you didn't even have to look for it. It looked as if some one was pouring red paint on the ground. I started thinking that I must have hit an artery. as we were cresting the next hill into a little valley our heads were down on the trail when I heard Ben say "there he is". He had bedded right out in the open.

We moved in slowly but he wasn't in the mood to try to move.I was trying to get an arrow out of my back quiver and kept hearing Ben say" do you want me to shoot?". by the time I got an arrow that didn't have a judo on it Ben's arrow was off. He hit it right in the shoulder area and the goat tried to gain it's feet but couldn't. It fell to it's back and I put a finishing shoot through the chest.

curlis · April 06, 2012, 12:28:00 PM

You never want a hunt to go like this but with motivation and determination we worked out the trail. Also a close inspection of the shot scene, even though I was sure that I had missed, revealed a different scene altogether.

I always hear guys that say they've never lost an animal or never had a bad shot on one and I have to think to myself how many times a simillar situation may have been the case.

I am very thankful that things worked out well and I am also very thankful to have had a couple of experienced guys with me to help work out the trail.

The results of staying positive and willing to work out a trail speak for themselves.

curlis · April 06, 2012, 12:32:00 PM

Sorry this story took so long.

Doc Nock · April 06, 2012, 01:54:00 PM

Wow...I'm so glad you chose to share!

Long, long ago, I quit hunting with some gun hunters at varied "camps" in our northern tier because they'd NOT follow up gun shots if the animal didn't "react hit!" What? :confused:

There are so many variables that "anything" can and sometimes WILL happen.

You sir, have my admiration for not accepting the shaft as the only indicator of a "hit or miss" and then following up.

Razor sharp heads can do serious damage... I've made a few quick trips to ER myself over the years messing with heads and sharpening.

Excellent trophy and the more sweet for the extra effort to not let a wonderful animal be left for carrion!

Cudos!

rxhntr · April 06, 2012, 06:58:00 PM

Bill, it was definately a good blood trail to follow. All I could think of was this sucker was going to bolt away and we would be standing there thinking why didnt we get a shot into him quicker. I have seen it where the goat gets away because of that. We had a good time chasing them around.
I hear your going back, do you have anything in mind to go after? I expect to hear the story on it. Have fun and be safe. Ben

curlis · April 06, 2012, 08:38:00 PM

Ben, you were absolutely right on to shoot. I'm glad you were with me for that hunt.

I don't know what I'll be looking for.

mike g · April 06, 2012, 08:48:00 PM

So....
Bill the one with the horns is the goat..Right..?

curlis · April 07, 2012, 01:17:00 AM

Here you go Cat.

curlis · April 10, 2012, 12:32:00 PM

Here is Russ with his Corsican Ram he got on Sat.

curlis · April 10, 2012, 12:33:00 PM

Here are a few pictures of the ranch.

Gapmaster · April 10, 2012, 08:33:00 PM

Nice shooting Russ. Great pictures.

curlis · April 11, 2012, 09:09:00 PM

He sure looks happy!

legends1 · April 11, 2012, 11:12:00 PM

Come on Russ,where is your story??????

legends1 · April 14, 2012, 12:13:00 AM

I'm so proud of my Texas Dahl Ram - I usually have my animal, within the first hour, of the trip, but this one I didn't get until the third trip. It took lots of sweat, frustration, and patience,(which I have very little of) to get this animal. I can not even begin to tell you how many miles I hiked to track this guy. But he is a beauty!

legends1 · April 14, 2012, 12:16:00 AM

I'm so proud of my Texas Dahl Ram - I usually have my animal, within the first hour, of the trip, but this one I didn't get until the third trip. It took lots of sweat, frustration, and patience,(which I have very little of) to get this animal. I can not even begin to tell you how many miles I hiked to track this guy. But he is a beauty!

Gapmaster · April 14, 2012, 12:36:00 AM

That is a beautiful animal. I see you got him with a wood arrow too. Awsome!