My antelope season

[ElkRx]

This was the first year for me to try and hunt an antelope buck. I had two tags in different units and spent a large part of my free time this summer scouting and trying to spot and stalk with a bow. I came extremely close several times, but was never able to seal the deal. However, I went into the rifle season feeling very confident about finding a nice buck on public land, plus my neighbor offered to let me hunt on the ranch where he worked.

My first buck. Had him down just after shooting light on the first day, then cut up and in the freezer by noon. I have never had a hunt go so smooth

 

[hornart]

Congrats on your first speedgoat, they are quite a challenge

 

[ElkRx]

Second buck

This buck was not as smooth as the first. I spent the first part of the season hunting elk and waited to go after this guy. By the time I made it out to my spot that I usually find antelope, I found nothing but gut piles. I got skunked two more trips after that. Then with a little encouragement from another hunt talker I decided to venture out and try some new spots. Finally on the last day I was going to able to hunt I found this guy, and couldn't be happier!

 

[ElkRx]

My try at Taxidermy

Not great but it saved me $150.

 

[1_pointer]

Well done! Congrats. Hunting pronghorns is about as good as fun gets.

 

[sbhooper]

Good job on the skull.

 

[wyoming556]

Nice work from the hunt to the taxidermy job

 

[huntbux]

very nice

 

[fishing4sanity]

Congrats! Your euro mounts of the antelope and elk all look very good.

 

[JohnCushman]

Congrats! Welcome to the addiction

 

[bowhuntmontana]

Great bucks!

 

[chuckyd313]

Of course its Wyoming haha. I have to get there. Next year i may need some guidance on how and where to go. Just looking for some freezer meat. Dont need the horns.
Congrats by the way on some nice goats.

 

[singleshot1]

Well done on the hunt and the taxidermy.

 

[Bwana]

Looks like your time was well spent.

One suggestion I might offer is to either buy a lighter colored jacket or sit to the side of your critter when taking pictures. At least on my screen I cannot see the horns on either buck.

Just a suggestion and worth what you paid for it.

 

[Brandenbowhunter]

congrats man, very nice, and what he said, skyline the head...

 

[mdunc8]

Great buck and nice job with the skull. Looks like he's got some nice mass. It looks like you might have had a little trouble with nasal passages. If so, you may take a look at Buzz's instructions in http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=244793 (Post #22). Mine have turned out great following the direction he provided.

 

[ScottP]

Great buck and nice job with the skull. Looks like he's got some nice mass. It looks like you might have had a little trouble with nasal passages. If so, you may take a look at Buzz's instructions in http://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/showthread.php?t=244793 (Post #22). Mine have turned out great following the direction he provided.

thanks for posting that link. I have a few in the freezer that need attention.

With the goats, do you take the horn sheath off the base? If so, any tricks to that? I have a goat head to do.

 

[Southwind]

Great job on all accounts.

What method did you use on your skull cleaning?

 

[mdunc8]

With the goats, do you take the horn sheath off the base? If so, any tricks to that? I have a goat head to do.

Stick the whole skull in the water for about 15 minutes and you should be able to pull the horns off. I Gorilla Glue mine back on and finish them with a light coat of WD-40.

 

[ElkRx]

cleaning method

Great job on all accounts.

What method did you use on your skull cleaning?

I used pretty much the same method that Buzzh uses. There is a link to it a few posts above yours. You can also buy the Sal Soda from walmart. Sal Soda is Sodium Carbonate and is also the same thing as Arm and Hammer brand "Super Washing Soda". I did not degrease the two antelope skulls, but did degrease the elk and still ended up with some yellowish spots. I think one key aspect is to heat the water so that it is hot and you can see the little bits of flesh moving around, but not to the point of a boil. For removing the sheaths I put them in the hot water for about 20 min and they pulled right off.