My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
#91596
09/11/2011 1:10 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 204
Buttermilk
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 204 |
Just returned from a hunting trip. Used my T/C Encore 30-280 Ackley Improved to take this buck at 287 yards. The Nosler 165 Accubond did the trick at 2700+ fps. I'm pretty happy. Regards Rog
Regards, Rog
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Buttermilk]
#91597
09/11/2011 1:15 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105
Russell
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,105 |
It's not the gun, but the man behind it.
Sheriff Russell Cottle, Ret. USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Russell]
#91598
09/11/2011 1:32 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 779
Okie Hunter
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 779 |
Congrats! You're living my dream hunt. Someday but can't now.
With God all things are possible. Matt.19:26
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Okie Hunter]
#91599
09/11/2011 2:10 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,755
johnwilliams
Shooting Master
|
Shooting Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,755 |
H.H.I.#8190 Colossians 1:17 And He is before all things,and by Him all things consist!
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: johnwilliams]
#91606
09/11/2011 3:12 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 570
huntkng
addict
|
addict
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 570 |
I've been lucky enough to have taken 15+ antelope, one w/ a rifle, two with M/L rifle and the rest with handguns. They are not easy. And that is some FLAT country you're hunting in, that couldn't have been an easy stalk?.
Great trophy and congrat's!!
Bill in OR
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: huntkng]
#91607
09/11/2011 3:29 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 204
Buttermilk
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 204 |
While the land looks flat it really isn't. Lots of roll to the land. Just so happens that spot in the pic was a bit flatter than the surrounding area on the place I had permission to hunt.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Regards Rog
Regards, Rog
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Buttermilk]
#91609
09/11/2011 4:56 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,461
pab1
Distinguished Expert
|
Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,461 |
Experience is the best teacher, hunger good sauce. Osborne Russell Journal of a Trapper
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Buttermilk]
#91610
09/11/2011 4:56 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 249
PythonHunter
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 249 |
Congrats on the nice antelope. I head to Wyoming in 36 days, not that I'm counting, for goats as well. Hope I'm as successful as you.
PH
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: PythonHunter]
#91612
09/11/2011 5:25 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 976
doc with a glock
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 976 |
Nice goat, great shot!
Doc
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: doc with a glock]
#91616
09/11/2011 11:35 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725
500WE
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,725 |
Congratulations on the pronghorn. Nice shot!
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: 500WE]
#91619
09/11/2011 1:15 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,378
Darrell H
veteran
|
veteran
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,378 |
Congratulations Buttermilk, that's a beautiful pronghorn! Sounds like you made a great shot on him too!
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Darrell H]
#91621
09/11/2011 2:06 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
Distinguished Master
|
Distinguished Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512 |
Rog, Congrats. Explain how you first spotted him and how you set-up or made your stalk. E
Ernie the Un-Tactical
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Ernie]
#91622
09/11/2011 2:15 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 493
wyote
addict
|
addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 493 |
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: wyote]
#91632
09/11/2011 3:56 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 88
Charlie Young
journeyman
|
journeyman
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 88 |
Congrats on the fine "speed goat".
NRA Benefactor life member
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Charlie Young]
#91636
09/11/2011 4:22 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836
Whitworth
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,836 |
Congratulations! That's a fine trophy!
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Whitworth]
#91652
09/11/2011 7:52 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
Congrats! Beautiful animal and a great shot!
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: KRal]
#91658
09/11/2011 10:18 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 711
racksmasher
old hand
|
old hand
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 711 |
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: racksmasher]
#91660
09/11/2011 10:26 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,825
MIHunter
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,825 |
Congrats, nice Antelope!!
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: MIHunter]
#91671
09/12/2011 1:15 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359 |
Rog,
Congrats on your goat! Looks like you had some extra ammo handy, just in case!
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: SChunter]
#91681
09/12/2011 3:29 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 204
Buttermilk
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 204 |
Thanks for all the comments.
Ernie, I'll try to do that sometime tomorrow.
SCHunter, I was afraid I wouldn't have enough...:)
Regards, Rog
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Buttermilk]
#91689
09/12/2011 1:04 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,276
cfish2
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,276 |
Life Member NAHC HHI Member #7149 NRA Member
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: cfish2]
#91700
09/12/2011 7:51 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 204
Buttermilk
OP
enthusiast
|
OP
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 204 |
Details of the hunt....
Thursday morning came after a somewhat sleepless night. During the night, I'd awaken repeatedly, tossing and turning, all during the night. I awoke at 6:30 AM, and realized that the wife and I needed to get up and get around if we were going to do any hunting that opening day of the Antelope Season.
We rolled out of camp shortly after daylight, and headed south to the landowner property we had permission to hunt some twenty miles south of the Black Mesa State Park where we were camping for the week.
Arriving at the destination roughly half an hour after sunup, we began our search for antelope. I was looking for the buck we'd seen the previous two days while scouting that seemed to be hanging out in the same location on those days. This buck had horns that had some decent mass at the base, with length that was well above the ear, and curled in towards the center reminiscent of a heart shape.
As we continued on our trek, I suddenly saw movement. Quickly stopping, I grabbed my binoculars. Two bucks. Both young with one having horns shorter than the ears, and the other having horns just longer than the ears. I decided to pass on these two young whippersnappers, since they were young. Although it was tempting, since I wasn't seeing many antelope in the area. Not near the numbers from my previous trip in 2008. But pass I did.
We continued on, still searching for the buck we had seen the previous two days. Finally arriving in the general area where he'd been spotted the two previous days, I carefully scanned the area with my binoculars. Much to my disappointment, I could not locate him. Apparently, he'd moved on.
As my wife and I continued on further into the property, we suddenly saw a group of antelope several hundred yards away. Of course, they saw us about the same time we saw them. They turned and headed away from us. I watched them thru my binoculars. There was one decent shooter buck and several does.
The terrain we were in had quite a bit of roll to it, and the animals went over a rise and out of site. I continued to watch thru my binoculars, hoping to see what direction they were headed and perhaps try to intercept them or head them off.
As I observed the antelope, I realized they were seemingly headed to the southern portion of the property I had permission to hunt and if they stayed on the same travel vector they were on, I might be able to arrive at the same general area they would be in about the same time.
Hurriedly, we scrambled get to the area I thought the antelope were going to. Shortly, we arrived. Scanning the area, I could not locate any animals. Disappointed, I just sat there, pondering my next move. Surely, I must have overlooked them. Suddenly, my wife pointed and said "There they are." I looked the direction she was pointing, and sure enough, they were there, 5-600 yards behind us. Somehow, they'd turned and slipped behind us.
As I observed the antelope, it became apparent that the buck was "herding" six does, trying to keep them all close to him. One would take off from the group, and he'd round up the doe and keep her in check. We watched this behavior for several minutes. It was pretty amazing watching the buck herd the doe antelope like a border collie herding cows.
We doubled back, finally getting abreast of the animals. The does seemed intent on trying to run from us, while the buck was intent on keeping the does rounded up. It became apparent that every time the does would attempt to flee from me and my wife, the buck seemed to think they were attempting get away from him.
Having come to that conclusion, I decided to change my angle of approach and veer more towards them, finally heading almost straight at them. This caused a flurry of activity from the does and buck. The does attempting to flee, the buck scurrying about rounding them back up. I realized my tactics may just work.
My wife and I cut the distance to 400 yards. Then to about 300 yards. The small herd of 6 does, and one buck seemed rather confused. The busy activity of does attempting to flee and the buck aggressively rounding them up seemed to stall out, with a lull in the activity.
My wife asked "Do you think you can hit him from here?" I replied, "Yes, I think so, although I'd rather get closer."
Realizing that my window of opportunity was probably now or never, I hurriedly set up my camera tripod with my homemade rest attached to the top of it. I'd used the exact same rest to shoot an antelope buck in 2008, so I would again put it to use on this buck.
Without any wasted movement, I hurriedly placed my T/C Encore 30-280 AI on the rest and lined up the Burris 3x-12x scope. Looking thru the scope that buck looked like it was a long ways away to me. I reached up and turned up the scope from 3x to 12x. Again reaching up I turned it back down some to help me eye relief and giving me some more forgiveness in eye placement. Later, I realized I'd set it to 10x. I quickly put my ear plugs in. Gotta protect that hearing.
Knowing the antelope buck was about 300 yards or so away, and realizing I have a tendency to overanalyze things, I tried not to think too much about what I was doing. If I did, I'd certainly mess things up :).
I knew my bullet would drop about 8" at the distance the buck was probably at. Carefully lining up the crosshair of the scope on the point of the bucks shoulder, I held about what I estimated to be 2" over the back of the antelope, which was quartering hard towards me. I told my wife I was ready to get the shot off so that she could get the video camera going. I heard her say something. Thinking she was telling me she was ready, I proceeded to start squeezing the trigger. So focused on the buck, it didn't register with me that she was telling me there was something wrong with the camera. Maybe next time.
As the trigger broke, the sound of the shot seemed faint to me. I don't recall the gun recoiling and kicking the snot out of the palm of my hand. As the sound of the shot's percussion faded, I distinctly heard the sound of the bullet hit the animal. That was a first for me :).
Does scattered, but the buck just stood there. Uh oh, I must have missed. No I heard the bullet hit the buck. What seemed like a long time to me, but was probably just 2-3 seconds, the buck finally bowed up his back, reared up on his hind legs, and fell over on his left side.
Then it hit me. I really did just kill my second Oklahoma antelope! The shakes began to set in.
I told the wife, I had to step this one off. That was a long shot for me. So, I began to pace off the distance with some long manly strides, trying to step a full yard. 287 paces later, I arrived at the buck. He sure looked nice to me.
I had really done it! Taken my second antelope from the panhandle of Oklahoma! Something I wasn't sure would ever happen again since the Controlled Hunts are a one-in-a-lifetime draw. Thank God for landowner tags! Thank you Jesus! I was happy.
Regards,
Roger Carlton
Last edited by Buttermilk; 09/12/2011 8:22 PM.
Regards, Rog
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Buttermilk]
#91703
09/12/2011 9:52 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,642
BBwheelgunner
Pooh-Bah
|
Pooh-Bah
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,642 |
good looking goat! congrats!
"If you are going to go through all the trouble to put a hole in something, why not make it a big one?"
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: BBwheelgunner]
#91705
09/12/2011 10:10 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512
Ernie
Distinguished Master
|
Distinguished Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,512 |
Roger, Thanks for sharing. Great story. Next best thing to being there. It is also nice to hear the excitement and all the other emotions in the hunt as well. E
Ernie the Un-Tactical
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: Ernie]
#91713
09/13/2011 12:38 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359
SChunter
Shooting Expert
|
Shooting Expert
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,359 |
Rog,
Awesome hunt! And by the way, you can never have enough ammo (or too many guns)! Congrats again.
|
|
|
Re: My second Oklahoma Antelope :)
[Re: SChunter]
#91780
09/14/2011 2:00 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715
jamesfromjersey
Shootist
|
Shootist
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,715 |
Life member-NRA-SCI Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067 Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s "I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
|
|
|
|
0 registered members (),
62
guests, and 2
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|