South Dakota Antelope, cooperjd and Dad

[cooperjd]

I haven't written up everything we did, I'll get that long post up later. The gist of what happened was, antelope -2, Coopers - 0!

but man, what a blast! I screwed up and missed 2 shots, so I have no complaints. well, i missed one, and shaved ones leg just under his chest. Early season antelope hunting with a bow is tough. when you add in record rainfall, abundant water and food sources, it makes hunting them very difficult. we tried sitting in blinds, making blinds, spot and stalk, decoying, everything we could think of. we worked very hard from before sunup to sundown every day, i feel like i went on a 2 week hunt. for bowhunting the speedgoats, one really needs to hunt the rut, but Dad's schedule didn't permit us to wait 3 more weeks.

Dad didn't get a shot, and the shots i had were long... 52 (thought he was 60 and shot over his back) and 57 (no excuse, just shot too low) yards. i had a couple more close encounters that i couldn't get a shot on, but i can clearly see why my guide said lope hunting is highly addictive.

i would have no problems recommending these folks for a lope hunt if anyone is interested. we will be going back, probably in 2 years... though i think dad will be waiting until rifle season. we saw TONS of goats and many were in easy range of a rifle. we saw a couple big ones too. maybe not booners, but P&Y for sure. The one i missed would have put me in the P&Y book. emoBang

I'll get the entire thing typed up and post on here, right now i have work to catch up on, and i really really need some sleep!

 

[minner]

57 Yds huh? Are they bad about jumping the string? Maybe ya need 90lb limbs. LOL

 

[cooperjd]

they don't really jump strings from what i have been told. if they are really spooky they will whirl like an elk. neither of these flinched... i practice a ton out to 60 and 70 yards, no reason i should have missed. my guide has shot them at close to 70yards with his bow. you can get them in close sometimes, but one needs to be proficient at longer ranges to hunt them. i thought i was...

 

[josh.schreiber]

tough luck! glad yall had fun though.
i've (sorta) struck out before my trip even begins! neither my older brother or myself drew bucktags. gonna have to settle for a femals. my little brother was the lucky one. My stepdad and step brother were both fortunate and got elk tags.
hopefully we'll bring something home.
props to ya for attempting a bow 'lope hunt. thats though enough w/ ideal conditions. with yours, pretty much impossible. better luck on your next trip.

 

[mshipman]

I'd love to go out and hunt pronghorns. I think they are great animals.

 

[Fish Hunter]

Sounds like some tough goat hunting! I can't imagine bowhunting them right now! emoGoofy

 

[cooperjd]

got a call from my guide yesterday. with no new hunters in camp yet, he went out to try and fill his own tag. he ended up finding the goat i nicked in the leg, watched him go down in a draw, and snuck to within 52 yards and killed him. apparently he can shoot better than me! he didn't score him, but was 12 3/4" in length... a goat i would have been very happy with. oh well, next time. i'm just glad there is no longer a wounded animal out there because of me. he said i cut through some muscle on his leg, no bone damage, about 5" below his chest. full story to come later when i get unpacked and catch up on my sleep and work load.