Muley Bucks and Pronghorns from last weeks Wy. hunt

Steven, grab the IMG link and post them.. It is on the bottom of the selection on Photobucket.
 
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There ya go! Great stuff Steven. Am so glad that you and Storm let me share this hunt. Very cool.

You and I look like typical hunters - a little rough around the edges. How did Storm manage to look so classy on the same hunt? :grin:

Guy
 
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That is a fine harvest of pronghorn and muley bucks. You each did very well. Congratulations.
 
Very nice. Congrats! Is that a browning rifle?

What is it?
 
The story behind the photos:

Climbing the steep slope after first light of my fifth day of hunting, the skyline, close ahead, was covered with brambles and sage. Suddenly, one of the bushes appeared to have branches that were too balanced and as I raised the scope to my eye, I saw the buck’s eyes peering at me underneath what I had first thought was brush................But, I really should tell the story as it unfolded, with wife Storm drawing first blood!

Since my first trip out to Wyoming in 1991, I had hunted twelve times with this same rancher/guide.
We made the 2300 mile road trip, stopping over two nights to visit friends in Breaux Bridge, La., and another night over in Moberly, Mo. to visit wife, Storm’s Mom and Dad.
Arriving in Montana a day early, on the 15th of Oct., we were invited by the rancher to move in and go hunting that evening. Officially, our hunt was to be Oct. 16-20.

We moved into the 1890's log, one story “cook shack”, while our hunting partner, Guy, stayed in the two story ranch home, also constructed of logs in the 1890s. We had agreed to all eat together in the large, middle room kitchen of the cook shack, which had bedrooms on either end. Both log houses had hot water, flush toilets, gas stove and heat, and a refrigerator. Everything was in the houses except for food, which we bought at the IGA, only 20 miles north.

Guy took off with his guide, while Storm and I checked our rifles, firing at a target set up at 100 yards. Neither zero had changed, so we went hunting. We glassed from a number of high ridges along Little Powder River, but viewed only antlerless deer and bucks with small antlers, along with a good number of pronghorn herds. I felt grand, being back in the big country with game all around and Storm was over the top excited.

Until three years ago, Storm had fired nothing but a BB gun. I had gotten her a 243Win. Handi-Rifle which she liked. I hated the Handi-Rifle’s trigger and wanted to move Storm up to a 7mm-08 rifle for a western hunt anyway. I had gotten her a Howa, which she much covets! Since last year, when she took a doe with her 243Win. I had her put more than 200 rounds through her Howa, so she was ready for anything out to 300 yards, having done well on the range shooting from various positions, at various ranges.

We rose next morning at 5:00 A.M. to leave for the hunt at 6. Guy and I went with Tony the guide, while Storm went with Dick.
I will let Guy tell you of that morning of 16 Oct. as we had decided that he have first crack at any trophy bucks.

At around noon, we came back to the camp where we found Storm with a mile wide grin, jumping up and down and pointing. We saw on the ground, Storm’s 5x5 buck, which she and Dick had been unable to get up on the game pole without more help. Dick had hurt his back loading the buck and I made him promise to use a battery powered winch in the future. Dick at 65 years of age, still ropes in rodeo, but as with myself, he is passed his peak, in terms of physical condition. Storm had been on a high bluff, when at 8:20 A.M. she spotted a good buck with seven doe at 180 yards. Getting her shooting rest steady, she took out both the buck’s lungs, but did not realize that she’s made a killing shot, as the buck only had less than 20 paces to walk before he was gone, into heavy cover, with the doe. Holding her rifle at the ready, Storm waited while Dick climbed down to find the dead buck just inside the cover.

We were all happy with the performance of the Nosler 7mm 120gr. BT, as the exit hole was golf ball size. The bullet had penetrated some bone and then exited the far side.
We celebrated Storm’s kill and Guy left quickly to hunt more, as he’d seen a big one.

MORE TO FOLLOW IN MY NEXT POST!
 
Steven and Storm,

Congratulations on some beautiful animals.
Glad you had a successful and safe travels.

JD338
 
Second part of our story:

Storm had scored her buck on the morning of the 16th of Oct.
That afternoon we glassed some herds of antelope but saw none with good horns. In the evening, I hunted many drains and draws, where I had a good number of deer sighted, feeding on sunny slopes, out of the wind, in scattered stands of pines and junipers. All were either antlerless or small bucks. Shooting light was gone by 6:30 P.M. After that long day, we all slept soundly, falling asleep to the sounds of bawling cows, missing their calves, recently taken away to market!

Third day: Hard hunting and a lot of walking. Guy again saw a good buck, but the buck won and gave Guy the slip. I also saw a good many deer, but no trophy size bucks. Storm and I also glassed pronghorn to fill her tag, but did not stalk up on any..

In late afternoon, while pushing through the brush on a ridgeline, I glassed a large herd of pronghorn only 150 yards below my position. They had not spotted me, but were milling about, so maybe they knew that something was up. I got into a good prone position and scoped out two of the larger bucks. Twice I began get ready to feel the recoil but doe moved in front or back of the buck and my shot was spoiled. Suddenly they all took a notion to move out as pronghorn often do. They ran perhaps 500 yards and stopped again. I eased backwards and over the ridge, putting higher ground between myself and the speed goats. I walked perhaps 600 yards, keeping high ground between myself and the herd. Bellying up to what I thought would get me within range, I again glassed and found the two bigger bucks. The range finder said 240 yards. I was zeroed at 200, so I held a tad high on the buck’s shoulder and touched off the round. Either my bullet did not drop at all, or I made a bad shot, as the bullet took the buck pronghorn high, breaking his back and causing him to go “bang/flop”! Dick and Storm had been watching from afar and pulled the truck up to dress and load the antelope. Again, we were all impressed by the performance of the 7mm Nosler 120gr. Ballistic Tip bullet.

Fourth day: Guy got his muley and pronghorn, but again, I will let him tell you his tale.
We now had Storm’s deer and my pronghorn hanging on the game pole, but needed to hunt up a buck for me and a pronghorn for Storm.

Hunting all day, we came up empty, after again glassing many deer not to include a good buck.

Fifth day: This was when I spotted my buck looking at me from behind a rise on the knob and I had my rifle up to shoot. As usual, I never felt the recoil or heard the rifle’s report, as the buck went down. Neck shots usually will anchor any animal and this buck was no exception. The measured range was only 85 yards and this buck was far from my best mule deer buck, but into my fifth day of the hunt, I was glad to bag him. After getting up to him, I stood on the knob and looked at my buck and at the great expanse of western turf that I now, for a moment, felt as if I was ruling. The sun’s glare bore into my eyes and I felt it’s early morning warmth on my face. I thanked God for giving me another great hunting experience, as Dick rolled the truck up to dress and load my buck.

Since it was still early, we rolled the truck back through lots of rough country, but saw only small deer and no worthy more bucks. After two hours of riding and glassing we went back to camp to hang my buck and have lunch.

Late that same afternoon, we were able to let Storm out in order work her way around and get her to a position to kill a buck that we saw in a herd on the plains. Storm took up a solid position 140 yards from a buck and got a good lung shot. The buck went only a little ways before folding up, dead. This was the fourth kill for Storm and me, so after dressing the pronghorn we headed back to hang him for photos on the pole with the others.

Both being tired, we managed to go the 20 miles north to dine out before taking our final night in camp. Early next morning, Guy bid us farewell and Godspeed and left for his home. We chatted briefly with Dick, before he went to meet some hunters coming in for the opening day of the Montana deer season. I idlly wondered if I would come back this way again.

We were blessed to drive home without incident, save for me getting a speeding citation in Ga., on a duel lane road, as I drove along talking and not paying attention.
Storm was already planning on taking some wild Florida pigs as we pulled into our hometown.

Best,
Steven and Storm
 
Again, a superb and enjoyable account of a successful hunt. Thank you, Steven.
 
Great story of the hunt! What a great hunt for everyone. Now that is how you do it!
 
Steven - looking back on the hunt - there were some really great things that I truly enjoyed:

All the kidding at the dinner table w/you, Tony & Storm. That was good stuff.

Hot coffee at 0530. Much to be said for that.

Incredible sunrises and sunsets.

Just seeing, and having the pleasure of hiking miles through that prairie area - I wasn't too surprised at how tough some of the terrain is, pleased in fact. Not mountain climbing, but some good, rough country. My favorite parts of the hunt itself was stalking on foot through those deep ravines. Almost tagged a good buck only a couple of hours into the hunt, at the preposterous range of 20 yards! The deer and I were both surprised when we saw each other.

Listening to Dick tell the history of the ranch and the surroundings. That was neat, and put it all in perspective.

The ride with Tony in the Suburban, through the river bottom area... Wow. That was cool. I don't think I've ever seen so much wildlife in one area.

Tagging a couple of good animals was real nice, and I'm glad that happened, but there was much more to the hunt.

Regards, Guy
 
Good going all around.
Good hunting with good friends or new friends.
It don't get much better.
Russ
 
Thanks to all for the kind words. I was going to put more photos in that Photo section, but got the reply that the box was full.
Guy; so glad that you enjoyed your hunt and liked guide Tony. At 73 years of age, Tony is quite a hunter, guide and WALKER. He does find deer for sure.
Next time I go, I will likely fly instead of making the long road trip. Problem is getting the frozen meat home without mortgaging the farm to pay for the shipping. Anyone have any ideas for less expensive meat shipping?
Steven
 
A couple of years ago, I shipped home a 425# processed NM bull elk to the St. Louis, MO area for $175. I used FedEx bulk-Air shipping as they delivered it right to my front-door, on the same day I shipped it. I had gone-on to another state to continue a hunt there and FedEx even helped the wife to get the boxes in the freezer-room. I will use them again.

Jim
 
"Next time I go, I will likely fly instead of making the long road trip. Problem is getting the frozen meat home without mortgaging the farm to pay for the shipping. Anyone have any ideas for less expensive meat shipping?"

Steven - you could just let me take it home for you! As I cook it, I'd be happy to post photos of it on the grill, in the fry pan, or in the crock pot.

Could even take some action shots of me with those great steaks on my plate and send them to you... :mrgreen: Hmmmm. No? I don't understand... :grin:

Shipping the meat does seem like a bit of a hassle, but possibly worthwhile. The meat processor was great about getting it all cut, wrapped and frozen quickly!

Same thoughts about the skull mounts I'm having done - it was simpler to leave the heads at the taxidermist there in town and have them shipped later, instead of trying to drive home with the heads, given todays CWD restrictions.

Guy
 
You men check with the folks that process the meat, sometimes they know a good way to ship it.
 
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