Well another NM Unit 52 antelope muzzleloader season has come and gone. Sorry for the late posting. I can't wait until next year. My wife and I and all that came along had a blast. She took her first pronghorn with the muzzleloader on the first day, last Saturday (August 20th). I am a very proud husband. Not a bad goat. My guess without putting a tape on it...he scores in the high 60's or low 70's...maybe better. I thing he will go 14". I took a meat buck on Sunday evening. I was not sure if I would be able to hunt on Monday and Tuesday...so my predator instincts took over and decided to get some meat. Did not get pictures of mine. It got dark on me and forgot the camera in the truck. It does not bother me a bit that she got a bigger goat than I.
On both days we saw plenty of antelope and lots of hunters running, hiding, and driving all over the place. That Saturday both of us passed shot opportunities on smaller bucks until she decided to take her goat. Sunday the 21st was a little slower. Just like every other year antelope were spooked pretty good. I passed shots on the smaller bucks, hoping to have a chance at a 80 incher like I took last year (I will try to get those photos up now that I think I figured out how to post pictures). I really didn't see many "super bucks" like I see other years. Maybe one or two way out of range or being chased by other hunters. Lots of average 60 to 70 inch goats...and lots of "dinks"...those 1 1/2 year old bucks. Oh, ya we ran into 5 different prairie rattlesnakes...pretty scary when trying to sneak up onto antelope if you know what I mean.
Overall, I think harvest was a little below average. I only heard or saw a few other buck taken. Those who hunted or know someone who hunted...what kind of success did you have? Share some pictures. I will try to upload some photos. Hopefully I won't crash the system. Again, I can't wait until next year.
JDS, congrats on the nice buck. Patience often pays off. If I am not mistaken you were hunting just below me. Did you see that funnel cloud Sunday afternoon behind San Antonio Mountain. Got me running to the truck. Any snakes. Drop me a email to talk about the hunt.
On both days we saw plenty of antelope and lots of hunters running, hiding, and driving all over the place. That Saturday both of us passed shot opportunities on smaller bucks until she decided to take her goat. Sunday the 21st was a little slower. Just like every other year antelope were spooked pretty good. I passed shots on the smaller bucks, hoping to have a chance at a 80 incher like I took last year (I will try to get those photos up now that I think I figured out how to post pictures). I really didn't see many "super bucks" like I see other years. Maybe one or two way out of range or being chased by other hunters. Lots of average 60 to 70 inch goats...and lots of "dinks"...those 1 1/2 year old bucks. Oh, ya we ran into 5 different prairie rattlesnakes...pretty scary when trying to sneak up onto antelope if you know what I mean.
Overall, I think harvest was a little below average. I only heard or saw a few other buck taken. Those who hunted or know someone who hunted...what kind of success did you have? Share some pictures. I will try to upload some photos. Hopefully I won't crash the system. Again, I can't wait until next year.
JDS, congrats on the nice buck. Patience often pays off. If I am not mistaken you were hunting just below me. Did you see that funnel cloud Sunday afternoon behind San Antonio Mountain. Got me running to the truck. Any snakes. Drop me a email to talk about the hunt.
