Good questions-
I was hunting with a 30.06, 165 grain Barnes lead-free bullets, using a Nikon Monarch scope. This is the first time using this scope, which has the reticules for shooting at 100 yard increments, and I'm glad that I had it. We were basically hunting on leased properties that the outfitter has access to (IIRC, we hunted the bucks from Zone 72, and does from Zone 74). We primarily drove access roads and glassed a bunch till we saw promising animals to creep up on. For my buck, it was a 50 yard jaunt from the truck, 10 yard low crawl to the top of a rise, and a 225 yard shot. The animal was hit hard, ran 20 yards and dropped. For the does, similar situation driving access roads, but much easier. We (three hunters with two tags each) shot six does from the same area in about 45 minutes. My shots were at 250 and 325 yards.
We gutted them in the field, then took them to Riverton to Reneg's game processors. They charge $90 for a standard cut (steaks and burger), but we all got some jerkey and sausage made. Reneg's has a deal with the outfitter (since he brings them so much business) for quick turn around, so we brought them nine antelope Thursday night at 9 PM, and were picking up frozen meat Saturday 1:00 PM. They have a blast freezer, and promise to give you your own meat back to you, with the exception of sausage and jerky, which takes a bit longer to prepare it may be a mixture of other folks.
I would still consider myself a slightly better than Novice hunter, given how much I still feel like I need to learn! These were the longest shots I've ever taken, but given the open country and incredible eyesite they have, I couldn't imagine that you get a lot of close shots. It wasn't a particularly difficult hunt, but was fun to check them off the bucket list of hunts I'd like to do.
