A-Hunt

By BC

Actually, for the sake of accuracy, A-hunt II is the current year's hunt in 2007. A-hunt(I) was an elk hunt in Montana in 2006. Whatever, so what's an A-hunt? That would be an Alex hunt. It was pointed out to me, six years ago, that the most important responsibility that lay in front of me, was the mentoring a young city kid (aka my son) in the ways of hunting and fishing. Thus the commencement of our A-hunt agenda. This year's sage offering would include an Antelope hunt in Wyoming.

Our initial outing in the attempt at hunting, was a late season Elk hunt near Gardner, Montana.

This was a private ranch hunt for elk that are migrating out of Yellowstone Park and promised limited traffic, an abundance of wildlife, and accommodations that are appropriate for those untrained in open-air living. The plan was for me to hunt the mornings on foot and then return with Alex in the afternoon, for another shot at the moving herds. A workable plan, the afternoon pace balanced out the morning exertions.

Unfortunately, the Elk had their own strategy. Just over the boundary, were hundreds of herded animals that managed to stay off the same ridge with this hunter. We saw Elk, we saw Mule deer, a few Whitetails, many, many Buffalo, several Antelope and several herds of Bighorn Sheep. Wildlife was everywhere! And about seeing, I got a lesson in seeing. On several occasions, I'd point out several does, only to be informed in a seriously hushed whisper of the buck I didn't see, or that there were 3 deer instead of the 2 I found. We'd still hunt into a spotting position and stalk from there. This was a fun hunt, we were batting 100% at figuring out where the Elk "aren't now" and an equal 100% at deducing where they "were not" going. Other hunters in camp did not share our consistency and there were several nice bulls taken.

Another highlight of this trip was the shooting. My eagle eyed companion and guide discovered the concept of "The pellet rifle". At lunchtime, all tin cans, bits of paper and /or dead leaves were fair game for the budding marksman. Often, a stealthy stalk and careful shot produced a satisfying whack, as another adversarial desperado was smitten. All in all, this initial hunt was rated a winner and requests for another were duly noted. A-hunt II would have to include a bunch of wildlife, some shooting and a successful hunt.

While chatting with friend, John Harris at the Wild Sheep Foundation convention, a Wyoming antelope hunt was suggested. John gew up on this ranch and still runs the hunting program. It sounded perfect. Numerous small herds of antelope, mule deer on the side hills, whitetails in the creek bottom, and the occasional elk in the meadow were present. The trout in the river and a prairie dog (or 2) could provide unlimited adventurous possibilities. A-hunt II was a "Go" and all references to the Montana doings also included many anticipating questions about Wyoming

In early October the herds of Antelope below Laramie Peak, begin to break up as dominant bucks set up their territory and start to gather does in anticipation of the rut. A good pair of binoculars and a spotting scope is required to determine the quality of the buck without disturbing the group. The day prior to the season's opener. was spent with my ever observant guide and "now" driver trying to determine where to start the next day. The morning began with a bull elk bugling below us and the sighting of mule deer heading to their beds. On the way down to breakfast we bumped some whitetail in the bottoms. By lunchtime, we'd seen several Antelope bucks that would qualify for a stalk, and a couple of dog towns that needed investigating that afternoon. Last years pellet rifle has been replaced with a rebuilt Stevens Favorite .22 that is surprisingly accurate with a tang sight.and our eagle eyed shootist worried several prairie dogs out to 50 yds. A late afternoon fishing and creek wading expedition rounded out the preparations for the next days challenge.

Again, the bugling elk, the mule deer and whitetails greeted us at dawn. It was cloudless and windless. We decided that a solid breakfast was needed to keep us going till noon and after consulting with my guide, it was determined that an approach from the East would facilitate our stalk. A round about route brought us to a gate in the fence line that overlooked a small mesa that was the bedding area of a small group with a good buck present. As I was opening the gate, my guide informed me that the buck had just stood up and was watching us. I back peddled a bit to get my rifle and set up for a shot. The buck elected to challenge the intruders and advanced toward us. My guide commanded, Shoot! Shoot!. The buck piled up in three steps

By 9:00 am we were back at the barn, had the processing done and were after the prairie dogs again. A-hunt II was a success. My new hunting companion, guide, driver & prairie dog (almost) slayer is talking about a scope for the .22 and where we are going next. He has submitted several proposals. A-hunt III is calling and I think Texas is listening.