First Antelope Buck!! (photo heavy)

[mireland62887]

For the last 5 years, a group of us have been putting in for Wyoming antelope. We'd been drawn for doe tags twice, but this was the first year we were drawn for buck tags. While hunting does has been a good way to get meat in the freezer, we were excited to finally get to chase some bucks. There would be 8 of us total; 6 adults plus my boy and another buddy's boy. Three of us had buck tags, and we all had two doe tags. My dad had been with us once before, but he always screwed up the application online and this was his first year of ever drawing tags.

The ride out was eventful. My buddy's trailer literally started peeling apart on the road. Thankfully, the standard first option...duct tape....saved the day.

We rolled into camp early on the day before the season. Two guys in our group drug trailers out. My Dad, boy and I were fine in a tent. I STILL say that's a whole lot of extra time and fuel to drag their second home with them, but then again, they forked out the money for them, so why not use them.

We spend most of the day before the opener scouting. We saw a couple hundred antelope, including 20-25 bucks. Of those, two were what I would consider a shooter. Granted, I know very little about judging antelope, but I was after a certain 'look'. For me, I wanted one with a heart shape and nice curls at the top. I also wanted decent mass. The area where we were drawn isn't considered a trophy area. While I'm sure there are plenty of big bucks in there, I was hoping for something around 14".

cont.....

 

[mireland62887]

First and foremost, I wanted my Dad to get a buck. He's 72 now, had two heart attacks and prostate cancer. He's a tough, former marine SOB, and I was excited to help him get his first antelope. I asked him what he was looking for; a wall hanger or a good representative buck from the area. He said he wanted any buck and wasn't going to hold out for a wall hanger.

I had put this buck to bed the night before the opener. We found him first thing opening morning and went after him. It was a tad chaotic. I think my Dad was a bit excited and miffed a 150 yard shot...twice. We found him again a mile or so further on and he smoked him at 250. He was happy, I was happy, the boys were happy, and it started our day off right:

Our group had stayed together so they could see my Dad get his buck. After getting it back to camp, quartered, and put on ice, it was my turn. I'd looked for the two bucks from the day before, but they were in the wind.

Here's where things get interesting.

We had watched a herd come up out of a river bottom and feed into the sage. They were about 500 yards away when I first saw the buck. At first glance, he was everything I was looking for. He was the biggest buck we had seen yet, had great curls, and looked like he had enough mass. Again, I'm not great at judging antelope, but I had seen plenty in this area from our previous hunts. This was as good of a buck as I've seen.

Just as I'm planning to bail out of the truck and start my stalk, I see a black truck coming at us. As it gets closer, I see it's a warden. It put me in a weird position, as I was literally just getting out of the truck when he rolled up. Seeing this, the warden stopped short. He realized his time was bad and was trying to be respectful.

We ended up driving down to meet him. We spoke for a few minutes and I asked him to give me his opinion on the buck. He said, "Good tops, decent prongs, great cape. That's as good of an antelope as you'll find around here." That's all i needed to hear.

With my Dad, a couple of buddies, and a Warden watching, my son and I began our stalk. It wasn't overly difficult, as there was a dry creek bed that we used. I got to 270 yards and took the shot. He dropped in his tracks.

The Warden validated the tag, aged it for us (older than 4 years), and even helped load it. This is how all Wardens should be. Helpful, informative, and not over bearing. It was a great contact.

 

[mireland62887]

The rest of our hunt went well. We all tagged out in three days. It was an endless cycle of hunting, shooting, field dressing, quartering, and putting on ice. We all went home with a years worth of meat. It was a great trip. This was both the boys third trip out, and they love every minute of it.

Our last day....it got ugly. A 20 minute downpour like I've never seen. My Dad's tent was in the middle of a lake!! Stayed dry inside though.

 

[colonel00]

Very nice. Love when people get the kids out to hunt.

 

[bikerdavet]

What a great story - thanks. and the picture of you and your boys - priceless man. Making memories buddy - that is what it is all about - 3 generations of conservationist. Doesn't get better than that.

 

[DWarcher]

Great story and thanks for sharing!

 

[2rocky]

You had the same experience I've had with the Wyo G&F. As long as you are upfront and honest, the wardens I've met in Western Wyoming are more than helpful.

Your dad and mine are about the same age. I see more antelope hunts in our future. I have a 10 year old nephew that needs to go on some thing like that where the action to hiking ratio is a little higher than B zone deer hunting!

 

[BigSurArcher]

That's pretty cool Mike, nice photos.

 

[Tuffy]

Nice story and great photos. Your boys look like they're diggin' every minute.
I hope to be living back there next year.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[breacher]

Those pictures with the kids are priceless. Cool story!

 

[handwerk]

Could of it gone any better? what a great hunt for you guys, wonderful to see the kids along...congrats on some beautiful animals.

 

[elkmtngear]

Great pics, congrats to You and your Dad!

 

[paddlehead]

Great story. Can't wait to take my kid on his first antelope hunt in about 10 years when he is old enough.

 

[Warren1726]

That's fantastic! Can't wait for my 2 year old boy to hunt with me.