Antelope Dreams....and Dancing Queens


JJL

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Here's the story from Gillette..........as best I can remember.

Let me start by saying Thank-You to the Beilgards. Their hospitality and generosity are second to none. The dinners and conversations that we shared in their home were truly memorable and will last a lifetime. Combine that with the fact that we were in some of the finest antelope country in the world and you have the start of an opportunity of a life-time. Thank-You once again Steve and Rilda for allow me to have this opportunity.

We arrived in Gillette Sunday at noon, and spent the afternoon glassing and spotting antelope in the area. Steve wanted to show us what quality bucks looked like and help teach us how to judge trophy quality on the hoof, not always an easy task. We probably saw 300-400 antelope that afternoon and retired to our room with visions of "Antelope and Dancing Queens" in our heads.

Monday brought clear skies, light winds and cool temps to my blind at waters edge. I'd had several does with fawns come in for a drink, but as of yet, had yet to see a buck. At 11:30 am HE came over the hill. Now Steve had told me not to shoot the first buck that I saw, be patient and wait for a good one. Well at 11:33 am my Montec found his vitals. His need for water was his down-fall. He trotted of 30 yards and expired. I looked up to the highway and saw Steve sitting in his truck with binoculars to his eyes, he had witnessed the whole thing from about a 1/4 mile. While he brought the truck around through the fields, I walked out to see my P&Y antelope. I found my arrow, sat down by my buck and said a prayer of thanks. Then, as it always happens with me, a few tears rolled down my cheeks. Tears of joy, tears of emotion, tears of happiness I'm not really sure what they are I just know that I'm not ashamed of them. It's part of who I am..........a Bowhunter.......God I love this stuff.

Now I owe Mr. Beilgard an apology. He had told me not to shoot the first buck that I saw. Sorry Steve, I just couldn't pass this guy up. 15 5/8 horns with 6 7/8 bases and 4 5/8 prongs. I'm no official scorer by any means, but, I printed off a P&Y scoring sheet and tried my best. This buck is pushing the 80" mark with only 4/8 worth of deductions that's green, so hopefully he will dry down and stay above 75. With 67 being the minimum, I couldn't be more satisified. Sorry again Steve, I just couldn't resist the "First one I saw".

I spent the next couple of days playing birddog for Charles. Many miles of bumping antelope from their beds in hopes that they would find their way to the waterhole that Charles was sitting near. Thanks for telling me about the rattle-snakes Steve........It made it that much more enjoyable..............NOT.

Well that's about it. Oh yeah......."Dancing Queens" your probably wondering about that. Well.........what happens in Wyoming....stays in Wyoming.

Thank-You once again Steve. You have helped create memories that will stay with me for the rest of my life. For that I am deeply grateful.

Now.....let's go get some Whitetails....

Have a Good Day.

JJL

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Re: Antelope Dreams....and Dancing Queens

I am absolutely jealous now..... GREAT story and super pictures of some truely great animals...

I sure would have had a hard time passing on such a great looking goat myself.... wink.gifwink.gif

Way to go Steve,,, you surely have some great looking country..... It's awsome how you share it with those that have the passion for the outdoors.... cool.gifsmile.gif

Again CONGRATS on a TROPHY Antelope... smile.gif

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Re: Antelope Dreams....and Dancing Queens

That is one fine lookin speed-goat Jim. Way to go man.

When Steve said "don't shoot the first one you see", he should have added, "unless of course it's a monster" grin.gif

Great story, and you've got me wondering about the ......."Dancing Queens" grin.gif

[ QUOTE ]

Well that's about it. Oh yeah......."Dancing Queens" your probably wondering about that. Well.........what happens in Wyoming....stays in Wyoming.

[/ QUOTE ]

My guess is you guys got a bit carried away with the congratulations, and did a little Wyoming tango together in the wild grin.gifgrin.gif

See what happens when you don't tell the whole story.....rumors get started....LOL grin.gif

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Re: Antelope Dreams....and Dancing Queens

[ QUOTE ]

Congrats Jim on a fine trophy....I really didn't think you ever killed anything...lol Sounds like a great trip and I'm jealous...wish I would have taken you up on your offer to go way back when you won this hunt!

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Greg, I only kill things that I can eat. 10 year old sheep and hogs from the sale barn are not on that list.

And NO.there wasn't any "Wyoming Tango" between me and Steve...........He's a little too tall for my dancing needs.

Have a Good Day

JJL

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