Tagged out!

**snoopdogg** · 08-30-2002, 08:30 PM

Okay folks, here's the lowdown on last Saturday's opening day Pronghorn hunt.

My brothers, first-time hunter Felix and veteran hunter Edgar drew Likely Tables, period 1 rifle tags. This was their first attempt at drawing for Pronghorn Antelope. I had told all of my hunting buddies that no matter who drew, I would tag along and guide them. Well, Saturday morning, opening day and we begin hunting a lake right by camp.

We hunted the fast-drying lake and spotted 3 bucks early. They looked good and were feeding, but constantly shifting and moving. While glassing them, we were treated to two of the bucks going full on in battle. They were thrashing about, engaging their horns and generally kicking up a fuss. Outstanding! Since they were distracted, I decided we needed to get behind them, otherwise we'd have to swim to get to them with no cover -- NOT!

We spotted them again at about 400 yards and waited to ambush them. The ambush happened and both brothers fired, Edgar made an excellent shot and the veteran dumped his goat at 125 yards. First-timer Felix tried for a running goat (since the veteran fired first) and he hit it high and we went chasing it. However the 2 remaining bucks, including the injured one, swam across a piece of the lake back to where we first spotted them in the morning! Well, we dragged the first buck and Felix and I went back looking for the injured buck.

About an hour later, we found the uninjured buck and let him pass. About a 1/4 mile later, we finally made a loop to where we figured the injured buck would want a nice vantage point to rest and keep his eye on those fellers who were chasing him and flinging hot lead. Sure enough, we bounced the injured buck (I confirmed he had blood high on his shoulder), and then Felix shot his goat at 205 yards, dropping him.

The hunt was picture perfect, from the research, glassing, stalking and the finished product; two filled tags by 12:00 of the first day. What could be nicer, especially for a lucky first-timer?

Hell, I didn't even hunt and had a blast. God bless Mom, Dad and the Oakland Raiders (and those swingin' A's).

Thanks Ranchwife, thanks everyone else. I also picked up lot's of info from reading prior posts.

P.S. Since I only have pictures on my computer, and apparently I can't import them without first shooting them out to a server, I'll describe them. Both were 10 inchers, however, one was fairly long in the tooth and the other a youngster, meaning one would probably never exceed his current length by much. The pictures are very nice and my brothers were ecstatic.

Okay, I've added pictures. Antelope Pictures

**DKScott** · 08-30-2002, 09:46 PM

Congratulations on your Bucks! I drew that hunt and had a blast, though I had period 2 and it took a little longer. Most bucks in CA don't get much bigger than what you got, but I'm told they have good mass and that helps in scoring. Mine ran about 11 1/2 " and I was pretty pleased. He tasted good too.

Scott