pushin_30
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When the cards started being hit back in May I honestly was not expecting to draw anything this year had already started to make plans to hunt other states. So when a hit came through on the card I was ecstatic to find out that I would be hunting proghorn for the first time. However that all changed when my 12 year old daughter did not draw out either. Thank goodness for Utah mentor program. Best $10 dollars I've ever spent! During shed hunting trips we started scouting the unit for goats. Knowing the unit is not in the upper tier for trophy quality we were out to just turn up a good looking all around beautiful goat! However in our many scouting ventures we were turning up some great goats (65-70") and a couple slammer goats (75-80"). Knowing the the dry summer would be having the goats frequenting water sources we had to keep our fingers crossed that the archery hunters wouldn't take out the big dogs! After setting up a few trail cams and touching base with a good buddy (who happened to have an archery tag). We patiently waited for opening day to arrive! Luckily after arriving to camp mid day Friday we set out to check the cams and see if we could turn up one of the 3 target bucks we were hoping to pursue. The bucks were rutting pretty good by now and most of the does were be followed closely by a buck if not multiple bucks. None of the cams showed any of the giants hitting for a couple weeks now. So we were off to glass and cover as much area as possible. Right before dusk we spotted what looked like our number 3 buck (Fredo) and tall heavy really blonde(almost white albino looking) buck with small prongs but he just had that look. We decided that opening morning we would be back there in hopes that he would stay close.
Day 1 Opening morning
The next morning we found ourselves covered up in goats. The bucks were chasing the does all over. It was just a matter of time before the big guy showed himself. Out of nowhere I glassed over to a small draw about 1200 yards out and there he was tended 4 does. We had to get closer but moving was difficult because there were eyes everywhere! What seemed like an eternity later really only about 45 minutes we were getting into range of where we had last seen the buck. As we crested the last small ridge and turned the corner there he was a mere 200 yards out all alone but only a couple short steps away form crested the next ridge. I threw down the tripod and clamped the gun in. Just as my daughter found him in the scope he busted out of sight hot on the tails of his does. Our hearts sank we were so close to having a shot. Off to the truck we went. As we continued up the road I caught glimpse of another good buck working his way right to us. We approached the ridge with caution and as we crested the we were amazed to see we were only 115 yards from the group 12 does a small buck and the good wide buck. With all the time in the world due to them not even knowing we were in the area we set up for the shoot. After a few minutes of him checking doe to doe he was finally clear for a shot. She drew down and I waited for the shot. To my surprise she looks over at me and says he's not big enough! Im in shock she's only 12 and this is her first big game hunt. But its her tag and I'm just the guide
We continued on down the areas checking on the groups of does after taking a short break for lunch we were off to see if we could turn up one of the shooters again. We ended up going to an area we had wanted to try and few weeks ago but ran out of time and to our surprise the area was loaded with goats we ended up seeing about 50 does and a hand full of smaller bucks. As we were there watching a large herd of does with a couple bucks out of no where comes the buck charging in from about a 1/2 mile out. Turns out our #1 buck (Brutus) we had scouted and made his way over to the area about 6 miles crows flight and there he was tearing up sage and putting on a rutting show. However due to the wind 15 mph and the range 450 yards we opted to just watch and hope the might come closer before light faded. With no luck we new we had to be back here in the morning.
Day 2 Sunday
The morning started out extremely slow with very little antelope sightings and what does we did see no bucks were to be found. This was a little discouraging knowing that just a mere 12-24 hours earlier we were covered up in goats. Finally just as we were approaching the end of our day noon (was the wifes bday)
we turned up a small group of 5 with a good buck. After stalk 1 to 300 yards and no shot before they ran off we were on to stalk 2 again get into 300 yards no shot the buck was completely covered up in the does or facing away or towards us. As the does became impatient they decided to bust out of the area. We were out of time to pursue the 3 stalk and would have to return next weekend for the final 2 days.
Luckily with my work schedule changing up I was able to pull the girls out of school Thursday afternoon and head out for the evening and the remainder of the hunt if need be.
Day 1 Opening morning
The next morning we found ourselves covered up in goats. The bucks were chasing the does all over. It was just a matter of time before the big guy showed himself. Out of nowhere I glassed over to a small draw about 1200 yards out and there he was tended 4 does. We had to get closer but moving was difficult because there were eyes everywhere! What seemed like an eternity later really only about 45 minutes we were getting into range of where we had last seen the buck. As we crested the last small ridge and turned the corner there he was a mere 200 yards out all alone but only a couple short steps away form crested the next ridge. I threw down the tripod and clamped the gun in. Just as my daughter found him in the scope he busted out of sight hot on the tails of his does. Our hearts sank we were so close to having a shot. Off to the truck we went. As we continued up the road I caught glimpse of another good buck working his way right to us. We approached the ridge with caution and as we crested the we were amazed to see we were only 115 yards from the group 12 does a small buck and the good wide buck. With all the time in the world due to them not even knowing we were in the area we set up for the shoot. After a few minutes of him checking doe to doe he was finally clear for a shot. She drew down and I waited for the shot. To my surprise she looks over at me and says he's not big enough! Im in shock she's only 12 and this is her first big game hunt. But its her tag and I'm just the guide
We continued on down the areas checking on the groups of does after taking a short break for lunch we were off to see if we could turn up one of the shooters again. We ended up going to an area we had wanted to try and few weeks ago but ran out of time and to our surprise the area was loaded with goats we ended up seeing about 50 does and a hand full of smaller bucks. As we were there watching a large herd of does with a couple bucks out of no where comes the buck charging in from about a 1/2 mile out. Turns out our #1 buck (Brutus) we had scouted and made his way over to the area about 6 miles crows flight and there he was tearing up sage and putting on a rutting show. However due to the wind 15 mph and the range 450 yards we opted to just watch and hope the might come closer before light faded. With no luck we new we had to be back here in the morning.
Day 2 Sunday
The morning started out extremely slow with very little antelope sightings and what does we did see no bucks were to be found. This was a little discouraging knowing that just a mere 12-24 hours earlier we were covered up in goats. Finally just as we were approaching the end of our day noon (was the wifes bday)
we turned up a small group of 5 with a good buck. After stalk 1 to 300 yards and no shot before they ran off we were on to stalk 2 again get into 300 yards no shot the buck was completely covered up in the does or facing away or towards us. As the does became impatient they decided to bust out of the area. We were out of time to pursue the 3 stalk and would have to return next weekend for the final 2 days.
Luckily with my work schedule changing up I was able to pull the girls out of school Thursday afternoon and head out for the evening and the remainder of the hunt if need be.
