Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: Yankee on October 03, 2011, 07:48:56 PM

Title: My Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt 2011(Yankee)
Post by: Yankee on October 03, 2011, 07:48:56 PM: New to the forum, just got back from an antelope trip myself near Hiland, WY (went through Hiland Outfitters). Myself, my uncle and his friend all tagged out the first day (we each filled one buck and two doe tags, as we're interested in the meat in addition to the antlers). Here's my buck:
Title: Re: My Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt 2011(Yankee)
Post by: seth30 on October 03, 2011, 08:00:55 PM: Nice! So what method did you use for the hunt? How far was the shot? Congrats on a succesful hunting trip :tup:
Title: Re: My Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt 2011(Yankee)
Post by: Wea300mag on October 03, 2011, 08:20:27 PM: Good looking buck Yankee, congrats and welcome to the site. :hello:
Title: Re: My Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt 2011(Yankee)
Post by: Widgeondeke on October 03, 2011, 11:10:49 PM: Nice buck. Good 1st post.
Now the important stuff.
How long were your shots? Near water hole? In a blind or spot & stalk? Public or private lands? Approx how much did that run? Did they butcher or only gut it? did you use a local processor?
Welcome to the Forum :hello:
Title: Re: My Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt 2011(Yankee)
Post by: Yankee on October 04, 2011, 08:35:16 AM: 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.
Title: Re: My Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt 2011(Yankee)
Post by: bigdave on October 04, 2011, 10:26:51 AM: Thanks for posting!! Welcome to the site. This hunt is on my list as well. Time to get her done.
Title: Re: My Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt 2011(Yankee)
Post by: Hyde on October 04, 2011, 10:24:40 PM: Nice prongs on that guy. Congrats, and welcome!
Title: Re: My Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt 2011(Yankee)
Post by: JohnVH on October 05, 2011, 10:34:48 AM: Good job, we went last year, some of the most fun hunting Ive done!
Title: Re: My Wyoming Pronghorn Hunt 2011(Yankee)
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on October 05, 2011, 11:00:46 AM: Good looking speed goat! Congrats.