whitetailtrax

Just got back from an awesome antelope hunt in the Sweetgrass Hills of north-central Montana. Took my three boys up there and had a blast! Austyn harvested his first big game animal with one shot from the trusted 7mm-08 - a very handsome buck in the first picture below. I was very proud of him! Then it was Tanner's turn and although he would have liked to take a bigger buck, we were all thrilled with his terrific shot on his buck, which was bedded down and never got up. This was his third antelope buck from the same area in four years. Brett still has a couple years to go before he's hunting, but he did manage to slay a trophy gopher with the .22, catch a few rainbows, find a cool antelope sheath and 2 nice mule deer sheds. Beautiful weekend to be outside with the kids. We're very blessed.

I've hit a strange point in my life, where hunting has taken on a different feel...a different meaning. I have three sons who are developing the same passion for the outdoors as their dad - for this, I am so thankful and so very pleased. The thing is, I have little enthusiasm right now to actually pull the trigger. All I want do is teach my kids as much as I can and help them every step of the way as they become outdoorsmen. I've quit carrying a gun in the woods at times, and like this last weekend, where three of us had antelope tags, I had no intention of filling mine, but was overwhelmed with joy and pride as my two sons of hunting age each filled their tag with beautiful bucks. I so enjoy the role of father, guide, mentor and pulling the trigger myself is second fiddle right now. I suppose when they are grown and own their own, the fire will be re-lit. Can any of you parents, grandparents, etc. relate to this? I'd be curious to know.

Here are a couple that my son Tanner has killed in the Sweetgrass Hills of northcentral Montana. First pic below is from 2007 and the second is from 2006. Both bucks killed within a 1/4 mile of each other. I am loading up the boys and heading back to this spot 10 days from now. It will be Austyn's first big game hunt (as a hunter). We each have a buck tag. Cannot wait!!!!!!!!!! Will check back in when were done.

Finally checking in for the first time....man I have been busy. Working in North Dakota this week and finally found time to check in while sitting in my hotel room. I probably won't deer hunt till November. Will be busy chasing elk and antelope for the next month and half - had an awesome hunt with the kids on Sunday morning - bulls screaming all around us and son nearly got a shot!!! Good luck to everyone - I will check back in when I can. Mark

Was this right off the highway or did you find it on a hike or something? Just curious as to cause of death?? Think it was hit by a car and moved off the road onto the rock? If you have anymore info I would be really curious. If you have more details, I might pass them along to a fellow wildlife biologist down that way to investigate. They keep tight records on roadkill in the park too and would be interested to record this if it is a roadkill. They might have other ideas on how it died. American marten (pine marten) are beautiful critters and fairly common in western Montana forests - not sure of their distribution in Wyoming. Thanks for posting. Mark

I wish Jim Everett would have put a smack down on that loser years ago when he was on Rome's ESPN show. Oh that would have been sweet!! Can't stand the dude and never watch his show.

Listen to your outfitter and trust in what they say - they should be well versed in chasing elk around. Is that a bowhunt you are on? My first advice to new elk hunters is to always be aware of the wind direction. An elks greatest defense is its sense of smell. They can bust you from hundreds of yards away if you aren't careful. Your guide should be doing all the calling - so you shouldn't have to worry about that too much - I would have a simple cow call on you to stop an animal for the shot - often times a guide set up behind you will not know the exact spot to stop an animal - so you may have to do that. A hands-free diaghpram is the best...but also the hardest to master. Hopefully you have been preparing yourself physically for the hunt - the high altitude Colorado Rocky Mountains will kick your butt if you aren't ready for it! Work hard the next 4 weeks - you won't regret it. You will fall in love with elk hunting the rut - I can just about promise you that!! Have fun, take lots of photos, shoot straight, and let us know how you did. Good Luck! Mark

whitetailtrax 41 September 5 - End of November

Hey Cole - the kids and I drew antelope tags for the Sweetgrass Hills north of Chester. That is always an amazing hunt - can't wait. Other than that, just a mule deer doe tag for Tanner (15) - we will try to fill that with his bow - it's his first year bow hunting. Other than that, we will just get after the elk and deer with our general tags and see what happens. Good luck this season! Mark

Moose, sheep, and goat tags are out (yesterday) - my kids did not draw anything. I'm not eligible for moose and sheep (I've drawn both in last 7 years) and don't apply for goats. The boys and I all put in for antelope in the Sweet Grass Hills (district 401). Aside from that, we mostly put in for stuff around Helena. District 380 bull tag - I really want to draw one some day!! Kids put in for some doe tags and permits. Good luck to you and your family!!!

All good suggestions and advice above. One route that might serve you well is to look into an apprenticeship. Start out by visiting your local taxidermy shops and let them know you have a strong desire to pursue taxidermy on a part time basis now and to make a living at it down the road. See if they will let you come in evenings and weekends to help flesh out capes, or do some basic skinning, skull cleaning, things like that. They have all the tools, space and the specimens for you to get started learning the trade. As you get better, they might increase your responsibilities and workload to include some more glamerous duties. You could volunteer this time or ask for a small compensation (minimum wage). Whoever you approach with this idea might require that you take a class or classes - be prepared to do this if you are serious. I wish you all the best!!!!

Thanks to everyone for the comments. I had him officially scored and he does make the book. I'm not sure if I will officially enter him or not - I suppose I should, just to have one critter in the book. He will automatically be listed in the Montana record book at no charge to me and no additional paper work.

Thought I would share a couple pics of my bighorn mount - got it back from the taxidermist on Friday. I'm very pleased with the mount and was reminded when I got it back just how dark his cape and horns were. I was very forunate to shoot a beautiful critter. Looks nice hanging over the stairway. What a beast to hang up - those horns are HEAVY! A 2-person job for sure. Brings back wonderful memories of that November hunt:). Mark

What a tough year looking for sheds. Didn't get out much and when I did, the antlers were tough to find. Had one good morning with the kids as we hit the Clearwater Game Range on May 15th - the annual opening of the range to the public. The place was swarming with shed hunters but I stumbled onto one good antler. This antler is unique, as it stands perfectly on its 1st, 2nd, and 4th tines. The first pictures below is an ATL with my three boys crouched behind it - pretty cool! Great antler for display on a shelf or something. Some kid found the match almost a mile away. This was off a 320 class bull.

Hey Todd, Not only did I have a terrible year finding sheds, I found no time at all to enter the few that I did find! I did find one nice elk shed though and the really good news........my sheep will be done this week!!!!!! I will post some pictures as soon as I get him on the wall. I've been checking in regularly with the taxidermist and he is looking awesome! Mark

I'm sorry gang - I had a terrible year finding antlers and have not had any time at all to spend on the forums as of late. I ended up with just 9 antlers and only brought home 3 as the other 6 were old and not worth hauling out of the woods. I have photos of all of them, but since I left them lay, I have a slew of photos I would have to post of individual antlers and just don't have time for that right now. I will post a picture of my one nice find sometime soon )

Thanks for the wishes everyone - I really appreciate it! Mark

Try this guy in Montana - he might be heading your way - I have sold to him in the past - good guy and honest.

I don't know about the encore either. Hard to beat the .243 for a youngster though. FYI - my son's first rifle was a brand new Remington Model 7 youth rifle in 7mm-08. I fell in love with this gun from the get-go. So much fun to shoot and very light weight! In fact I borrowed it for my bighorn sheep hunt last fall. He has harvested three deer, two antelope, and a cow elk in three years of hunting with it. The 7-08 is a really good caliber that doesn't kick much. Factory loads are easy to come by in most sporting goods stores or even Wal Mart.

Sorry to hear about your buddy's mom....may she rest in peace. As for shed hunting, I'm not having much luck this year. Went on two monster hikes last weekend and came up with one little mule deer antler that is a match to one I found last year. Still lots of young bull elk still packing their antlers around. I've got a couple more hikes left in me, but not looking good. Good luck to everyone else! Mark

You obviously are a seasoned shed hunter and have been successful in the past, but one little bit of advice I give people is to SLOW DOWN! I have to tell myself that all the time!!!! Last year I walked right past a nice 5-point elk shed (10 yards away) and for some reason glanced over my shoulder just in time to see it before I totally missed it. I was walking way too fast! It is possible also that other shed hunters have stumbled onto your honey holes - competition is fierce anymore. Good luck to you the rest of this spring!

The poor bears - sure gave a lot away to get a little. Bottom line is Mike Shannahan was/is an offensive genious who could turn average offensive skill players into pro bowlers. My opinion, Cutler will do ok in Chicago, but will be far from the savior they think they just traded for. He's arrogant, childish, and not the brightest kid on the block. I'm anxious to see what Denver does with Orton and those picks - good opportunity to beef up the defense with a couple first round picks. Or perhaps they aren't done dealing this off season.

Sorry to hear about your friends mom - sure makes you realize the important things in life, and shed hunting is far down that list. Good luck if you do get out. I am going to try to take a hike this weekend and then hit it hard the following weekend. The elk are only about half done shedding and we have been getting pounded with snow! Will make for some difficult hiking.

That's awesome Todd! Hannah is sure a cutie and I like that little camo jacket. Some nice sheds there bud - good score!

Got out for the first time this weekend and tried a new spot - found 4 old antlers and only brought 1 home. Took ATL's of the rest so I can enter them. Hope to start getting out more in the coming weeks when the elk finally shed.