Is it time to go hunting again yet!

[6mm Remington]

Sorry to do this to you guys, but I cannot wait to go hunting again. Spring bear and turkey open here again pretty soon though so I'm looking forward to that. I also enjoy the opportunity when out in the spring to come upon some shed antlers. It's like finding morrel mushrooms. Each is a treasure!

These pictures are crappy because they are pictures of pictures. I do not have these loaded on the computer as most were taken with a 35 mm camera. I was just hoping that I might make someone else feel as antsy as I do right now! :grin:

This is just for Guy and his upcoming antelope hunt next year. I got this on my grandfathers ranch a few years after he passed away. It was the first time my father and I had been back together to hunt on the ranch. The buck is 16" long on both sides exactly when I got him. 6mm Remington & 100 gr. Nosler Partition at about 60 yards after a nice belly crawl.

Guy I carried him (different buck) like this for a couple of miles to the truck. My buddy shot him with a 6mm Remington and 100 gr. Nosler Partition at about 450 yards from the prone with a bipod. One shot!

Biggest mule deer I have ever taken. 26 1/2" spread .280 Remington & 140 gr. Nosler Partition

My friend Jeff's Missouri Breaks buck from Central Montana. WOW! 270 Winchester & 130 gr. Partitions I loaded for him.

Me and my dog Koko (Norwegian Elkhound) and a ram he/we found shed antler hunting. 15" base, 38" long horn, scored about 176 B&C Got to hang him in the office at work.

I hope you all have nice dreams now tonight! :mrgreen: And I hope you enjoy the pictures.
David

 

[JD338]

David,

Those are some real nice animals!

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Outstanding! Except that now I want to go hunting... :grin:

Don't know much about pronghorns - but isn't 16" pretty exceptional?

Great photos.

 

[widgeon]

Is there ever a time when we don't want to hunt? :wink:

Great photos of beautiful animals.

 

[DrMike]

David,

Those are some fine looking animals. Your mule deer is a beauty; and you honoured him by taking him with a great cartridge loaded with a classic bullet.

 

[cloverleaf]

Wow! OK, you got me. Hunting the Missouri River breaks is just about as close to paradise as it gets in this life. Makin me home sick to boot. Nice, Nice animals. CL

 

[6mm Remington]

Outstanding! Except that now I want to go hunting... :grin:

Don't know much about pronghorns - but isn't 16" pretty exceptional?

Great photos.

Guy I don't claim to be an expert on any animal, let alone antelope. 16" is an awfully nice buck and probably more so for Montana versus Wyoming which can and does grow some whoppers. There are many bucks that are 14 and 15 inches long that score higher than a 16 or even a 17 inch buck because of real heavy massive horns and great long prongs. I never had him scored after the 60 days and I probably should have right away Guy because he does have some whopper prongs and decent mass below the prong, but he's a little light above them. Still he is the prettiest buck I've ever taken. If he would have been scored right away he might have pushed the awards minimum of 80" for antelope. Still he's just beautiful and a great memory and a special hunt with my dad.

Thanks for the kind comments guys and it sounds like I got the old fires burning again! I just had to do it.
David

 

[SJB358]

Great pictures David. Your not helping my fever!

 

[Elkman]

Great pictures, great country. And yes that is a "very" nice antelope, as well as the deer, ram, deer. I am always ready to hunt !!!!

 

[DrMike]

I am always ready to hunt !!!!

Ain't that the truth! :grin:

 

[cloverleaf]

Outstanding! Except that now I want to go hunting... :grin:

Don't know much about pronghorns - but isn't 16" pretty exceptional?

Great photos.

Guy I don't claim to be an expert on any animal, let alone antelope. 16" is an awfully nice buck and probably more so for Montana versus Wyoming which can and does grow some whoppers. There are many bucks that are 14 and 15 inches long that score higher than a 16 or even a 17 inch buck because of real heavy massive horns and great long prongs. I never had him scored after the 60 days and I probably should have right away Guy because he does have some whopper prongs and decent mass below the prong, but he's a little light above them. Still he is the prettiest buck I've ever taken. If he would have been scored right away he might have pushed the awards minimum of 80" for antelope. Still he's just beautiful and a great memory and a special hunt with my dad.

Thanks for the kind comments guys and it sounds like I got the old fires burning again! I just had to do it.
David

No expert either...not by a long shot, but just for comparison, my goat measured 16 1/4 in length but Remmingtons Buck would out score mine. (If I understand correctly) One of the measurements for the record book is distance between the tips. His are high and wide and Mine curl over an in, almost crossing over the middle of his head. I think the current BC record runs somthing over 18 inches in length. Those really big ones used to come out of AZ. Conversely 16" would be big in NW South Dakota. at least from what Ive seen. They can be tough to judge because an inch in lenght or curl is the differnce between average and good. At lot of length can come in the curl and that dosent show up at long range as easy. The really big ones do tend to jump out at you. Make a trip to your local cabelas, and check out the ones on the wall. They dont usually put up the small ones. CL

 

[sask boy]

Thanks David for the photographs some great trophies
Look forward to a bunch more photos in the future.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[6mm Remington]

Thanks Dan. I believe I've been very blessed and fortunate on some really nice animals. It's not all about size though because I'll take a nice cow or doe anytime to help keep things in balance and mainly just to eat! I love wild game.

 

[Guy Miner]

David - agree - it's funny, but I'd really rather just take cow elk now. I've got a big ol' set of antlers on the wall, but it's been a long time since I had fresh elk backstraps... Drawing the cow tag has proven remarkably difficult!

Really looking forward to the Wyoming pronghorn hunt this coming fall - assuming I get drawn. It's funny, I remember wanting to hunt them 40 years ago, and for one reason or another I've never managed to put it together. Hopefully I'll draw the tag and get a chance to go after pronghorn this year with Steve (Roysclockgun).

Guy

 

[6mm Remington]

David - agree - it's funny, but I'd really rather just take cow elk now. I've got a big ol' set of antlers on the wall, but it's been a long time since I had fresh elk backstraps... Drawing the cow tag has proven remarkably difficult!

Really looking forward to the Wyoming pronghorn hunt this coming fall - assuming I get drawn. It's funny, I remember wanting to hunt them 40 years ago, and for one reason or another I've never managed to put it together. Hopefully I'll draw the tag and get a chance to go after pronghorn this year with Steve (Roysclockgun).

Guy

So this is your first time after antelope ever Guy? :shock: I thought there were a few permits around your area? They are a kick in the pants to hunt. You usually see a lot, the weather is nice, and they are wonderful eating. I sure wish you luck on your hunt.
David

 

[Guy Miner]

Washington doesn't have a pronghorn season, yet. Some have been imported, and released in the vicinity of Yakima, on the reservation, within the past two years. Someday with luck we'll have an antelope season...

I understand there were some years ago, but that they were killed off long ago. Oregon still has a decent herd, but nowhere near as many as Wyoming. Yup, I've wanted to hunt them for a long time, just never made it happen. I think that's going to change now!

Guy

 

[6mm Remington]

Outstanding! Except that now I want to go hunting... :grin:

Don't know much about pronghorns - but isn't 16" pretty exceptional?

Great photos.

Guy I don't claim to be an expert on any animal, let alone antelope. 16" is an awfully nice buck and probably more so for Montana versus Wyoming which can and does grow some whoppers. There are many bucks that are 14 and 15 inches long that score higher than a 16 or even a 17 inch buck because of real heavy massive horns and great long prongs. I never had him scored after the 60 days and I probably should have right away Guy because he does have some whopper prongs and decent mass below the prong, but he's a little light above them. Still he is the prettiest buck I've ever taken. If he would have been scored right away he might have pushed the awards minimum of 80" for antelope. Still he's just beautiful and a great memory and a special hunt with my dad.

Thanks for the kind comments guys and it sounds like I got the old fires burning again! I just had to do it.
David

No expert either...not by a long shot, but just for comparison, my goat measured 16 1/4 in length but Remmingtons Buck would out score mine. (If I understand correctly) One of the measurements for the record book is distance between the tips. His are high and wide and Mine curl over an in, almost crossing over the middle of his head. I think the current BC record runs somthing over 18 inches in length. Those really big ones used to come out of AZ. Conversely 16" would be big in NW South Dakota. at least from what Ive seen. They can be tough to judge because an inch in lenght or curl is the differnce between average and good. At lot of length can come in the curl and that dosent show up at long range as easy. The really big ones do tend to jump out at you. Make a trip to your local cabelas, and check out the ones on the wall. They dont usually put up the small ones. CL

CL that is a whopper buck you took also. He sure is a pretty one. I think antelope are one of the more elegant and beautiful looking game animals.
David

 

[cloverleaf]

Thanks for the compliment- they are my favorite thing to hunt, period. CL

 

[brianwyo]

David,

Great pictures. The smile on your face shows you are living the dream. Thanks for sharing

Guy,

I am rooting for you and the Wyoming Antelope tag. Curious where you are applying. Antelope hunting is a real blast. Always many antelope seen so you never get bored. Good Luck. Brian

The only thing that keeps me going this time of year is applying for tags in many other states its
like the lotto you cant win if you dont buy a ticket. Brian