Leo Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 I've needed a couple days to compose my thoughts and get this together. We just lost a dog who was the best faithful friend for us for 11yrs. It hurts. At any rate. Here is the hunt portion of my visit with the Beilgards. I met Mike (Ruttinbuc) on the flight over from Denver. We instantly hit it off and I knew I'd have another friend there at this hunt. We got there and picked up our baggage. We got to visit some more before Steve got there to pick us up. On the way in, we picked up Vermonthunter(Luke) it was raining and he was pretty wet. We started getting acquainted. We made it to Steve Beilgard's. This is the view from Steve and Rilda's lovely hilltop home. http://users.hargray.com/mstrick/wideopen4e.jpg Jim's son Joe had taken a great antelope with some great character bumps on it. It was his first archery harvest. Wow, his first harvest a P&Y animal. Don't spoil the kid too much Jim! Jason took one that was real heavy horned. We suspected this was the one Steve had hoped Buckee would connect with. Turned out to be a little shy on the hook length. Still a fabulous antelope. Jim got a great photo of what I believe was Buckee's intended victim. Kathleen and Buckee showed up the same time. They saw plenty but had no luck. Buckee didn't know I was coming. Thankfully, this did not give him another heart attack. Buckee brought buttertarts and coffee crisps from B.C. I was one happy dude. I like that stuff. Rilda had salmon for us that Kathleen brought. It was an outstanding start of a landmark adventure. Next morning I spot one antelope as I get in the blind. I see no more antelope the entire rest of the day. So I take this picture holding the hat in the blind which explains why I'm there in the first place. Steve and company pick us up that evening. Vermonthunter is merely 150yds away and sees plenty of antelope. Unfortunately these were all out the blind side of the blind I was in. Well tomorrow could be worse I knew but odds were good it would be better. Next morning back to the same blind. The sign is there. I have absolutely no doubt the antelope had been all over this area recently. Tracks and droppings outnumbered the sage plants. I knew this area was recently hot for action but not for me. I see one antelope getting in the blind and one after. 300 yards away in the dawn light. This is the best look I got at him through my 36x camera lens. 10:00am rolls by. Steve, Tony, Steve (Bowtechhunter) and Mike (ruttinbuc) show up and I lose my release on the way to the truck. Ruttinbuc comes to my rescue and finds it in the sage. Needle in the haystack find my friend. I am incredibly grateful. I owe you one. Ruttinbuc has taken another solid P&Y buck. He's along for the ride to photo document. Tony and Steve (Bowtech) are there to lend their eyes. Let's go put a stalk on one or two Steve B. suggests. After 16hrs of almost complete inaction I'm game. We take off deeper into the ranch. When it's not raining the terrain looks like this. http://users.hargray.com/mstrick/wideopene.jpg It doesn't take long. A good buck is spotted just topping a ridge. We get out and put on a sneak. "55 yards" says Steve B. "Can you take that poke?" I could and would try. I rise up and two previously unseen small bucks bark and it was game over. This buck was immensely heavy. Paddles wider than my hand. And anything bigger than my meat paws is pretty darn huge I promise. Steve B. estimated the cutter measurement would be about 6 1/2". He's a pretty conservative guy I was finding out. My nerves were on fire. We spot a doe grazing behind an oil rig. I have a doe tag and use it as cover to put on a sneak. By the time I make it there I draw and turn the corner. The doe is out of range but a small buck is 35yds away. Good thing I remembered about the dark cheek patches or my dreams for a trophy antelope may have ended right there. Tony spots a whopper bedded in a ravine. Ideal location for a stalk but a long walk. Steve (Bowtech) puts the spotting scope on him. Yep, he's good. Steve B. takes a look. The hunt is on. It's gonna be about a half mile stalk. That's really pushing it for me. The adrenaline of the moment helps. Steve and I are dropped off, the rest of the crew makes it to a tall butt for a view of the action. We make a wide circle of the area and come in the back side. The edge of the ravine is sharp like a table edge. Steve B. says 11yds. I sneak up to the edge draw in crouched position and rise up. It's a gimme shot except for one thing. I can only see neck from top of the second white spot on the neck up. The rest of the antelopes body is obscured by tall grass laying against him. The angle is such that it is like shooting out of a treestand. I know I'll have to aim low. I guess he is facing me and I have a frontal shot. Letting down and checking out the shot further is not an option. At that range a frontal shot isn't nearly as risky. I knew my set up would penetrate end to end. I let the arrow fly. It went exactly where I aimed. His body was off to the left. I guessed wrong. We quickly found my arrow. I didn't even cut a hair. Steve B. says antelope always bed with their butt to the wind. I have just learned a lesson I will never forget. I ranged the shot, 13yds. Steve B. was certainly close enough in his estimation. Not as big as the first antelope I was on but still an outstanding specimen. Oh so close! We spot another. This time we pull out the decoy and call. I'm crawling like a baby. Ouch! I check him out. Yep, I want him. He's not really interested in challenging the decoy. The rut is just trickling in. A couple more days and it's gonna be intense with the decoy. One more stalk for the day. A good one on a fence line. We stalk close enough to check him out. He's good but now I want better. Steve B. agrees. We cut off pursuit. We have sweet and sour halibut and Ohio venison from Whiskyswamp. The Randy's are there. Senior and Jr. Oitkers. We hit it off. Kathleen, Luke, Jack and Buckee have toughed it out in the blinds. They saw plenty but had no opportunities. What a day! Next morning it's raining. Again! So much for Wyoming being super dry. We head out. Spot some mule deer right off the bat. Everyone is checking those out and Mike (ruttinbuc) not forgetting why we are there, spots a good buck bedded down. I go for this one. Mike gets a picture of the buck when he stands up. We get close enough I range him at 53 yards on my Bushnell. Steve B. says that's too far. The buck starts walking to my right at an angle towards me. I draw I figure the distance has closed to 47 yards. I put my 45 yard pin on him and drill right into the white corner on his shoulder. The 2 inch cut Rocket Stricknine sails through him like he was a sheet of paper. He runs 100yds in seconds and crumples stone dead. The arrow went thru the front shoulder and exited the opposite side hip. We never found the arrow. It made a hole like a cannonball. Field dressing I find I've punctured one lung and cut off the bottom of the heart. I'm ecstatic! The rain makes for really tough picture taking but we endure it. Not as heavy horned as the first buck I tried for but probably the second heaviest. A solid P&Y antelope. I am absolutely thrilled. Not to be out done, Jack makes an outstanding poke on a great antelope at 50yards just 30 minutes later. I'll let him tell the story. That night we dine on some smoked sausage and silver queen corn I brought with me. After having Salmon and Halibut I was concerned folks might be disappointed with this tablefare. But not to worry, hunger is the best seasoning and everyone devoured this with relish. I certainly have more to tell and more pictures to share. This post covers my hunt. There will be more later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Great post Leo! It reads just like I remember it. The stalk on the antelope on the bottom of that ledge was something I'll always remember. And how could I ever forget that fantastic shot you put on your trophy...my only regret is not getting to movie mode on my camera fast enough... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Thanks much, and fine job, + pics. We all went on the hunt with you guys, and girls, just wasn't quite as close, and love the stories. Fine job hunters too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 I need to add, some of the photos are linked instead of embedded because they are so wide it disrupts the flow of text. Click the links for a feeling of the wide open of Wyoming!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Sure glad to hear that you all had a great time, wish I could have been there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted September 13, 2008 Report Share Posted September 13, 2008 Stalking these goats is a treat to be had .. Still haven't figured out what happened on my 40 yrd. shot after Steve B. got him out of his bed ... :confused: But man what a stalk that was ... absolutely perfect right up to the point I missed .. Great job on the story line and pictures Leo, it sure was great getting to meet you, and you are definately one big boy .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wyohunter Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 great billy leo.... was a treat to meet you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Well dang, now that I seen the cap I REALLY feel that I didnt make it up there. Oh well maybe next year( a guy always needs a good camo hat). Nice pics Leo. Thx for sharing with those less fortunate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Great story and pics Leo. Again congratulations on a nice goat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Great story and pics Leo. Again congratulations on a nice goat. Definitely! Enjoyed reading your story and seeing your pic's Leo...Congrats and Thanks;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 I feel blessed for having this great hunt. God guided my arrow. I'll give credit where credit is due. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Here are the pictures of your stalk on the one that was "Oh, so close" Leo. It is something that I will never forget. What a birds eye view. You just never know sometimes... Steve and Leo,making their way to the bedded buck Right there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Man Ruttinbuc my friend that picture sure makes it look like it should have been easy. What you can't really tell from the photo is the area that is clear of vegetation is almost straight down! It was like shooting out of a treestand. Plus there was just enough grass between me and him to make it even tougher. Trust me folks what looks like a gimme wasn't. It was still one heck of a stalk. It was as close to perfect as you can get without succeeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coorsdrifter Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Dang,I'm going to have to get a bow and learn to shoot,so I can go on something like that.Looks like everyone had a great time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted September 14, 2008 Report Share Posted September 14, 2008 Man Ruttinbuc my friend that picture sure makes it look like it should have been easy. What you can't really tell from the photo is the area that is clear of vegetation is almost straight down! It was like shooting out of a treestand. Plus there was just enough grass between me and him to make it even tougher. Trust me folks what looks like a gimme wasn't. It was still one heck of a stalk. It was as close to perfect as you can get without succeeding. I should have mentioned that we had a lot better angle than you did. I would beg t o differ on the success part...just getting that close without him blowing out of there was a success. Just wasn't meant to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 I for one know all about that so close but yet so far away thing .. :o I'm just glad to hear that most everyone go to tag a goat ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 great read and pics. Leo thanks for sharing your hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted September 15, 2008 Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 excellent read and great hunt... congrats again on your goat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2008 great read and pics. Leo thanks for sharing your hunt. I can't take credit for all the picts. Ruttinbuc got the picture of my antelope before I got it plus snapped the after shot. He spotted my antelope first. Got a picture and took a few after. An awesome guy to hunt with I guarantee it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 you sure did put it well, leo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Leo, you are an awesome guy to hunt with, too... It was a great hunt and you will certainly be in my reflections of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted September 16, 2008 Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 Leo is an awsome person ,, I'm glad I got to meet him in person ... He's definately a world of knowledge, and what a charachter he can be .. Everyone that attended this hunt was awsome ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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