Bluffgruff
Well-known member
People miss out on a lot of hunting pronghorn by getting itchy trigger fingers. Looks like a ton of fun, and I'm envious!
2024 - Season of Good Fortune and Financial Ruin
- Thread starter Clarq
- Start date
Dad and I made it out for one more quick antelope trip. Same story - a few decent bucks, one blown stalk, and another return home empty-handed. Lots of fun.
By the end of that trip, I had probably set my personal record for miles traveled while hunting in one season, and it wasn't over yet! Not even close...
My next trip took me to the Black Hills of South Dakota. This is the first time I've ever been here. Super neat country.
Mom and Dad joined me for the trip. We arrived at a a nice rental cabin and settled in for the night as I wondered what I was in for when morning arrived. I knew before applying that it was going to be a fairly easy hunt, but I was hoping it would feel like a sporting endeavor. I decided I would just take it for what it is and have a good time however it turned out.
We arose early and hit the road as the sun was coming up.
Our drive to the hunt area took us through Wind Cave National Park. We were excited to see a handful of bull bison off the side of the road along the way.
I arrived at the park and met my up with the guide for my non-trophy bison hunt. We hopped in his truck and got to it.
The hunt was fairly straightforward. We looked over some animals, I decided which bull I wanted to go after, and we made the approach. They weren't wily wilderness bison, but they didn't exactly want me getting too close either. They would typically turn tail and walk off as we approached. They also stubbornly stayed skylined for quite awhile.
After playing cat and mouse with the herd for some time, I got a clear shot at my target bull. The shot flew true and the bull went down quickly. His horns were quite a bit bigger than I expected I would find on a "non-trophy" bison. He looks like a trophy to me!
I was grateful to have the opportunity to see and handle one of these magnificent creatures up close. I also can't say enough good things about the park staff. I appreciated my guide's expertise, helpful attitude, and unhurried manner. It was a neat experience.
The rest of the day was spent taking care of business. By late afternoon, we had the animal dropped off at the butcher and the skull and hide delivered to the taxidermist.
Next on the agenda: enjoy the Black Hills for a few days.
By the end of that trip, I had probably set my personal record for miles traveled while hunting in one season, and it wasn't over yet! Not even close...
My next trip took me to the Black Hills of South Dakota. This is the first time I've ever been here. Super neat country.
Mom and Dad joined me for the trip. We arrived at a a nice rental cabin and settled in for the night as I wondered what I was in for when morning arrived. I knew before applying that it was going to be a fairly easy hunt, but I was hoping it would feel like a sporting endeavor. I decided I would just take it for what it is and have a good time however it turned out.
We arose early and hit the road as the sun was coming up.
Our drive to the hunt area took us through Wind Cave National Park. We were excited to see a handful of bull bison off the side of the road along the way.
I arrived at the park and met my up with the guide for my non-trophy bison hunt. We hopped in his truck and got to it.
The hunt was fairly straightforward. We looked over some animals, I decided which bull I wanted to go after, and we made the approach. They weren't wily wilderness bison, but they didn't exactly want me getting too close either. They would typically turn tail and walk off as we approached. They also stubbornly stayed skylined for quite awhile.
After playing cat and mouse with the herd for some time, I got a clear shot at my target bull. The shot flew true and the bull went down quickly. His horns were quite a bit bigger than I expected I would find on a "non-trophy" bison. He looks like a trophy to me!
I was grateful to have the opportunity to see and handle one of these magnificent creatures up close. I also can't say enough good things about the park staff. I appreciated my guide's expertise, helpful attitude, and unhurried manner. It was a neat experience.
The rest of the day was spent taking care of business. By late afternoon, we had the animal dropped off at the butcher and the skull and hide delivered to the taxidermist.
Next on the agenda: enjoy the Black Hills for a few days.
CPAjeff
Well-known member
Congrats!
Valley1320
Well-known member
That's cool!
Here are a few more photos from the trip.
Bison on the range:
Sizing them up:
A cool photo on the wall of the Mt. Rushmore visitor's center:
Saturday was a long day. I picked my meat up from the butcher and then drove home, taking a detour in Wyoming to check out a unit I've been wanting to learn more about. I had planned to grab a motel room when that was done, but ultimately decided I'd rather push through and sleep in my own bed.
I ended up with about 330 lbs of meat. Getting it out of the coolers and down to the basement was quite a chore by itself. It was about midnight when I finally finished that task.
The aftermath:
It's been an unforgettable fall, and I'm very grateful for everything I got to do and the meat that I'll be enjoying for the next year at least. That being said, I'm exhausted. It's been nonstop since mid-September. Every moment not spent hunting has been spent taking care of my obligations at work and at home so I can clear the schedule for the next trip. One puzzle I am still trying to figure out is what the optimal "hunt-life" balance looks like. If I overdo, it starts to feel more like work and less like fun. I am going to take it easier the next few weeks.
Next up: the Utah swan hunt. They should be here in good numbers soon. Wish me luck!
Bison on the range:
Sizing them up:
A cool photo on the wall of the Mt. Rushmore visitor's center:
Saturday was a long day. I picked my meat up from the butcher and then drove home, taking a detour in Wyoming to check out a unit I've been wanting to learn more about. I had planned to grab a motel room when that was done, but ultimately decided I'd rather push through and sleep in my own bed.
I ended up with about 330 lbs of meat. Getting it out of the coolers and down to the basement was quite a chore by itself. It was about midnight when I finally finished that task.
The aftermath:
It's been an unforgettable fall, and I'm very grateful for everything I got to do and the meat that I'll be enjoying for the next year at least. That being said, I'm exhausted. It's been nonstop since mid-September. Every moment not spent hunting has been spent taking care of my obligations at work and at home so I can clear the schedule for the next trip. One puzzle I am still trying to figure out is what the optimal "hunt-life" balance looks like. If I overdo, it starts to feel more like work and less like fun. I am going to take it easier the next few weeks.
Next up: the Utah swan hunt. They should be here in good numbers soon. Wish me luck!
txco
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2017
- Messages
- 285
Awesome fall so far! Congrats
Hopefully this answer is better late than never...
.30-06 at about 100 yards. I used a local processor and taxidermist. We dropped the bison off Wednesday afternoon and they had it frozen and ready for me to pick up at 8:00 AM Saturday morning. Had to pay a rush fee.
I'll admit that this thread hasn't been nearly as "live" as I had intended. It has been the busiest period of my life in quite some time. The Christmas season has finally given me an opportunity to slow down a bit and regroup.
The Utah swan season was difficult this year. I had one good day in early November where I missed a few shots I definitely shouldn't have. After that day, the weather stayed calm and the birds weren't moving very much.
I decided to attempt to increase my odds by using some decoys. With the annual hunting budget more-or-less obliterated, I decided I'd try to do it on the cheap and convert some old snow goose decoys.
Some white tape on the wing tips...
And some black tape on the bills...
And I had myself a handful of budget swan decoys.
I took them out for their maiden voyage, but there were scarcely any swans even flying to test them out. The sun began to set and it looked like it was going to be a bust.
With about 5 minutes of legal shooting light remaining, I heard an unmistakable call and looked up to see a flock of about a dozen big white birds floating into the decoys. I was able to bring one down.
Evidently, my attempt to turn the snow goose decoys into swan decoys didn't work. Oh well...
I know they're numerous enough to be a nuisance in many parts of the country, but snow geese are a pretty rare find where I live. I've gone entire seasons without seeing one. I was grateful for a neat opportunity and felt fortunate that I just so happened to give these decoys a try on the right day.
The Utah swan season was difficult this year. I had one good day in early November where I missed a few shots I definitely shouldn't have. After that day, the weather stayed calm and the birds weren't moving very much.
I decided to attempt to increase my odds by using some decoys. With the annual hunting budget more-or-less obliterated, I decided I'd try to do it on the cheap and convert some old snow goose decoys.
Some white tape on the wing tips...
And some black tape on the bills...
And I had myself a handful of budget swan decoys.
I took them out for their maiden voyage, but there were scarcely any swans even flying to test them out. The sun began to set and it looked like it was going to be a bust.
With about 5 minutes of legal shooting light remaining, I heard an unmistakable call and looked up to see a flock of about a dozen big white birds floating into the decoys. I was able to bring one down.
Evidently, my attempt to turn the snow goose decoys into swan decoys didn't work. Oh well...
I know they're numerous enough to be a nuisance in many parts of the country, but snow geese are a pretty rare find where I live. I've gone entire seasons without seeing one. I was grateful for a neat opportunity and felt fortunate that I just so happened to give these decoys a try on the right day.
A few more attempts and I was finally able to punch my swan tag on Black Friday. Or maybe "White Friday" in my case.
The decoys worked well enough to pull a pair in for a look. They didn't seem intent on landing, so I took a shot and connected.
The swan hunt has definitely been one of my favorites over the years. I'm already looking forward to my next tag, probably in 2026.
The decoys worked well enough to pull a pair in for a look. They didn't seem intent on landing, so I took a shot and connected.
The swan hunt has definitely been one of my favorites over the years. I'm already looking forward to my next tag, probably in 2026.
Besides the swan hunt, my November/December also got a little more interesting when I found out I was an alternate for a returned cow elk tag in a neighboring state.
I wasn't sure I even wanted it. I certainly didn't need more meat, and had used a lot of vacation time. On the other hand, though, the hunt took place in a neat area that I've been wanting to hunt for awhile, but that I will almost certainly will never get a chance to hunt a mature bull in. And, I had a long season. The hunt opened in early November and extended through January 1st.
I called a few family members to talk it over. I found a cousin willing to join me on the hunt and several family members eager for some elk meat, so I began making plans.
I planned a 3-day trip with my cousin. It would most likely be my only chance to hunt on this tag. Even though the season itself was long, my available time away from work at this point was limited.
We had a close call on day 1. A different group of hunters pushed a herd of elk my way. The herd ended up trotting by at about 250 yards, but I didn't want to take a shot at a running animal, and they didn't want to stop running.
The forecast changed and we found ourselves in the path of a big snowstorm. We made the difficult decision to cut the trip short and head home. A cow elk is not worth the risks involved with traveling hundreds of miles on icy roads, at least not to me.
Not quite how I was hoping things would go, but I guess that's what I get for trying to hunt elk out of state in the late season. I took a gamble on the weather and lost.
I wasn't sure I even wanted it. I certainly didn't need more meat, and had used a lot of vacation time. On the other hand, though, the hunt took place in a neat area that I've been wanting to hunt for awhile, but that I will almost certainly will never get a chance to hunt a mature bull in. And, I had a long season. The hunt opened in early November and extended through January 1st.
I called a few family members to talk it over. I found a cousin willing to join me on the hunt and several family members eager for some elk meat, so I began making plans.
I planned a 3-day trip with my cousin. It would most likely be my only chance to hunt on this tag. Even though the season itself was long, my available time away from work at this point was limited.
We had a close call on day 1. A different group of hunters pushed a herd of elk my way. The herd ended up trotting by at about 250 yards, but I didn't want to take a shot at a running animal, and they didn't want to stop running.
The forecast changed and we found ourselves in the path of a big snowstorm. We made the difficult decision to cut the trip short and head home. A cow elk is not worth the risks involved with traveling hundreds of miles on icy roads, at least not to me.
Not quite how I was hoping things would go, but I guess that's what I get for trying to hunt elk out of state in the late season. I took a gamble on the weather and lost.
Thank you very much. I am thinking about applying this fall and I appreciate the info
Nice. mtmuley
Right before Christmas, I was able to slip away from work and fit one more two-day elk hunt in.
I woke up very early for the drive, arriving just as it was beginning to get light. I'd been in the hunt unit about 5 minutes when I spotted a herd at a distance. I got a brief look before the herd crested a hill and disappeared from view. I was familiar with the area they were in (having been there the previous trip) and I thought I knew how I could get in on them undetected.
For once, the stalk went according to plan. I crested a hill behind some brush and put eyes on the herd, about 300 yards away. 7 elk. All bulls.
I backed out and continued on.
I found another herd with some confirmed cows shortly before dark. I didn't have time to get to them. They were out in an open area and would be difficult to sneak in on, but if I could cover the first mile or so of ground undetected, I figured I'd have a pretty good shot at getting the rest of the way there.
I arrived early the next morning and crossed the open ground in the darkness. I set up a blind in some brush with the intention of spotting the herd and then backtracking a bit to sneak in on them undetected.
I was greeted with a beautiful sunrise and chilly temperatures.
I soon detected movement and put eyes on 3 elk. Bulls again. Where was the herd from last night?
Long story short, they vanished. I had hoped they would stay put for the night, but they clearly had other plans. I tracked them for a few miles before determining they were most likely going to be on private ground by the time I caught up to them.
I tripped on something on the way back and soon discovered it had been set there to grab a different kind of foot a long time ago. It was mostly buried and looked like it had been there for many years, possibly decades. I wondered how old it was and what its backstory was. Cool souvenir.
The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful, except for a few more sightings of bull elk. The weather was incredibly mild for late December, and I think that should be good news for the herds going into next year. All the animals I saw appeared to be in great shape.
As the year comes to a close, I find myself with a few more unfilled tags than I'd hoped for, but a lot of great memories made. So it goes. I have a lot to learn yet, but I'm grateful I've had so many opportunities to go out and give it a try. It's been a great season.
One more hunt to go...
I woke up very early for the drive, arriving just as it was beginning to get light. I'd been in the hunt unit about 5 minutes when I spotted a herd at a distance. I got a brief look before the herd crested a hill and disappeared from view. I was familiar with the area they were in (having been there the previous trip) and I thought I knew how I could get in on them undetected.
For once, the stalk went according to plan. I crested a hill behind some brush and put eyes on the herd, about 300 yards away. 7 elk. All bulls.
I backed out and continued on.I found another herd with some confirmed cows shortly before dark. I didn't have time to get to them. They were out in an open area and would be difficult to sneak in on, but if I could cover the first mile or so of ground undetected, I figured I'd have a pretty good shot at getting the rest of the way there.
I arrived early the next morning and crossed the open ground in the darkness. I set up a blind in some brush with the intention of spotting the herd and then backtracking a bit to sneak in on them undetected.
I was greeted with a beautiful sunrise and chilly temperatures.
I soon detected movement and put eyes on 3 elk. Bulls again. Where was the herd from last night?
Long story short, they vanished. I had hoped they would stay put for the night, but they clearly had other plans. I tracked them for a few miles before determining they were most likely going to be on private ground by the time I caught up to them.
I tripped on something on the way back and soon discovered it had been set there to grab a different kind of foot a long time ago. It was mostly buried and looked like it had been there for many years, possibly decades. I wondered how old it was and what its backstory was. Cool souvenir.
The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful, except for a few more sightings of bull elk. The weather was incredibly mild for late December, and I think that should be good news for the herds going into next year. All the animals I saw appeared to be in great shape.
As the year comes to a close, I find myself with a few more unfilled tags than I'd hoped for, but a lot of great memories made. So it goes. I have a lot to learn yet, but I'm grateful I've had so many opportunities to go out and give it a try. It's been a great season.
One more hunt to go...
On the last trip of the year, I left bright and early to beat a snowstorm blowing in. By the time the sun came up, I was a few hours into my journey and greeted with a nice sunrise.
The drive down through red rock country was nice, but soon gave way to monotony as I crossed into New Mexico. The sky was overcast and the winter landscape didn't give me much to look at. Most of the trip looked about like this.
It took a few power naps, but I got myself from northern Utah to southern New Mexico in one day. Today has been a day of preparation. Tomorrow, the hunt begins.
The drive down through red rock country was nice, but soon gave way to monotony as I crossed into New Mexico. The sky was overcast and the winter landscape didn't give me much to look at. Most of the trip looked about like this.
It took a few power naps, but I got myself from northern Utah to southern New Mexico in one day. Today has been a day of preparation. Tomorrow, the hunt begins.
