duck911
Member
Well, after going oh-fer bowhunting for antelope for the last few years, I finally had enough Colorado preference points to cash in for a rifle tag.
So, yesterday I headed out to the Pawnee Grasslands in search of my first antelope.
I had a few early opportunities but each time it just wasn't quite right. I made a nice sneak on a buck at first light that I didn't get a shot at because right as I was ready to pull the trigger, he mounted a doe
When he dismounted, he ended up behind her and I never had a clean shot as they walked away.
I had a few other opportunities that didn't pan out because of the other hunters in the area. (to that end, I was shocked at the number of hunters in the unit - It'd have been less crowded going duck hunting and it was opening day of duck season, too...) 'Nuff said about the overcrowding and rampant road hunting...........
So after some near misses, at 1 PM I spotted a small herd of goats about a mile and a half out into a section of national grassland, and more importantly, no one else around. I carefully studied their position and figured out a plan.
The plan took me about 2 miles out of my way, getting to the north side of the antelope so that the wind would be in my favor and so I could work up to the goats from behind a small ridgeline that would block their view of my position. After 45 minutes of careful walking, I eased up over the ridge, only to find out that I'd overshot the antelope by about 100 yards. Not too bad for a mile and a half spotting scope plan of attack! But, the antelope all saw me (18 antelope eyes in the field...) so I eased back slowly and sat for about 10 minutes to let them calm down. I've done this with rutting deer before, and the bucks get curious and come to take a look at the intruder. This little heard had one buck and 8 does so I thought it was worth a chance.
No dice though, and as I sat there I figured out my plan B - I backed off and headed for a draw that was in line with the herd. I spied a small rise that I could use as cover, and eased on up. I covered the last 100 yards over the course of 20 minutes, taking my time to be as quite and low as possible. I peeked up over the little rise and there were 9 antelope. A doe spotted me and became agitated. I wasn't in a position to shoot at the buck as I was surrounded by cactus and the little ridge was blocking me from a decent prone position shot. (he was too far for me to shoot off-hand anyway at 175 yards)
Right then, the heard broke into a gallop and headed to my 3 o-clock towards a little valley, but quartering towards me. I saw a patch of clean soft ground about 15 yards to my right that would offer a good shooting position, and also broke into a run towards that spot.
I tossed my backpack down and dropped my .270 on top of it. Looking into the scope, I saw 4 does streak past. I was sure the buck would only offer a running shot and I was not going to take it, but then he came into view and stopped. He was a half a step away from being down into the valley and gone forever, so when he turned and faced me perfectly head on at 100 yards, I put the crosshairs of my scope right in the middle of his neck.
Side note: I always prefer a double lung/heart shot and truthfully, have never attempted a neck/head shot. But at this angle, I decided it was a low risk proposition: Too high and I hit the head. Too low and it was going into the breastbone and to the heart/lungs. Left or right the trauma would cause a quick bleed out - I would never take this neck shot broadside, but I quickly made the decision to take the opportunity.
The trigger broke to my surprise, and the recoil of the .270 kept me from seeing the impact, but I could clearly hear the CRACK - it sounded like a Todd Helton line drive. By the time the rifle settled down and I looked into the scope, I could see a motionless goat piled up in the sage brush!
total stalk time from leaving the truck until the shot was about an hour and 20 minutes.
I walked up to him and he was Dead Right There. The .277 bullet hit dead square into his neck from the front, and upon later examination, caused mass trauma, including 2 shattered vertebrae.
I quartered him out and headed home a happy camper!
Not the biggest goat in the world but my first and I am really proud of the hunt and the stalk. To get a 100 yard shot at an antelope running with a herd is a good hunt in my mind!
--Duck911
So, yesterday I headed out to the Pawnee Grasslands in search of my first antelope.
I had a few early opportunities but each time it just wasn't quite right. I made a nice sneak on a buck at first light that I didn't get a shot at because right as I was ready to pull the trigger, he mounted a doe
When he dismounted, he ended up behind her and I never had a clean shot as they walked away.I had a few other opportunities that didn't pan out because of the other hunters in the area. (to that end, I was shocked at the number of hunters in the unit - It'd have been less crowded going duck hunting and it was opening day of duck season, too...) 'Nuff said about the overcrowding and rampant road hunting...........
So after some near misses, at 1 PM I spotted a small herd of goats about a mile and a half out into a section of national grassland, and more importantly, no one else around. I carefully studied their position and figured out a plan.
The plan took me about 2 miles out of my way, getting to the north side of the antelope so that the wind would be in my favor and so I could work up to the goats from behind a small ridgeline that would block their view of my position. After 45 minutes of careful walking, I eased up over the ridge, only to find out that I'd overshot the antelope by about 100 yards. Not too bad for a mile and a half spotting scope plan of attack! But, the antelope all saw me (18 antelope eyes in the field...) so I eased back slowly and sat for about 10 minutes to let them calm down. I've done this with rutting deer before, and the bucks get curious and come to take a look at the intruder. This little heard had one buck and 8 does so I thought it was worth a chance.
No dice though, and as I sat there I figured out my plan B - I backed off and headed for a draw that was in line with the herd. I spied a small rise that I could use as cover, and eased on up. I covered the last 100 yards over the course of 20 minutes, taking my time to be as quite and low as possible. I peeked up over the little rise and there were 9 antelope. A doe spotted me and became agitated. I wasn't in a position to shoot at the buck as I was surrounded by cactus and the little ridge was blocking me from a decent prone position shot. (he was too far for me to shoot off-hand anyway at 175 yards)
Right then, the heard broke into a gallop and headed to my 3 o-clock towards a little valley, but quartering towards me. I saw a patch of clean soft ground about 15 yards to my right that would offer a good shooting position, and also broke into a run towards that spot.
I tossed my backpack down and dropped my .270 on top of it. Looking into the scope, I saw 4 does streak past. I was sure the buck would only offer a running shot and I was not going to take it, but then he came into view and stopped. He was a half a step away from being down into the valley and gone forever, so when he turned and faced me perfectly head on at 100 yards, I put the crosshairs of my scope right in the middle of his neck.
Side note: I always prefer a double lung/heart shot and truthfully, have never attempted a neck/head shot. But at this angle, I decided it was a low risk proposition: Too high and I hit the head. Too low and it was going into the breastbone and to the heart/lungs. Left or right the trauma would cause a quick bleed out - I would never take this neck shot broadside, but I quickly made the decision to take the opportunity.
The trigger broke to my surprise, and the recoil of the .270 kept me from seeing the impact, but I could clearly hear the CRACK - it sounded like a Todd Helton line drive. By the time the rifle settled down and I looked into the scope, I could see a motionless goat piled up in the sage brush!
total stalk time from leaving the truck until the shot was about an hour and 20 minutes.
I walked up to him and he was Dead Right There. The .277 bullet hit dead square into his neck from the front, and upon later examination, caused mass trauma, including 2 shattered vertebrae.
I quartered him out and headed home a happy camper!
Not the biggest goat in the world but my first and I am really proud of the hunt and the stalk. To get a 100 yard shot at an antelope running with a herd is a good hunt in my mind!
--Duck911
