buckee Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 The Eye-ball buck The name says it all really, but this Antelope hunt has been the ultimate experience for me. I want to start off by saying there are few close-up shots, with a bow, at a nice Speedgoat buck, unless the weather is cooperating and you are sitting in a blind or manage to make that perfect stalk. It was Sept 10, 2008. I was supposed to be leaving for home today, but, I had a Buck and Doe Antelope tag, that hadn't yet been filled. It wasn't from lack of trying, that's for sure. I had already lost one arrow in some tall grass, and had more than a couple "long-range" guessing shots at a few nice bucks. I never thought I'd take a shot at anything over the range of pins I had set on my bow, but this hunt was different. Our guide, Steve, had prompted and assured us that we were either going to miss them, or hit them, and if we hit them, they really had no place to go, without eventually being tagged. He had a very valid point, because this country in Wyoming is wide, wide open. No trees anywhere, as far as the eye can see, with nothing but red rock, buttes , grass and small cactus. My hunting partner and I had spent the last 5 days sitting in a blind, over a make shift water-hole, in the pouring rain. There was some action there, and we did pass on a few bucks, and many does, but we wanted the big boys, and they were nowhere near where we were hiding in wait. The rain, had quenched their thirst, without them having to search out water, which made for long, wet, cold, rather redundant wait, even though we sat in hope and anticipation all day long. I managed to pick up a bad cold, sitting in the cold rain, by day 5, and the weather started getting nicer. We finally decided we would go out to the mining property, and try a new method. Spot-N-Stalk, or Stop-N-Shoot was on the agenda, and the first day was fun, making many stalks, on some really nice animals. The only trouble was, after doing the stalk, the Antelope would disappear quickly, either because we screwed up, The antelope got tipped off from another lope, over on another Butte, or they would just decide to move, without the courtesy of letting us know .. LOL We had driven by so many nice Antelopes, either because they were out of range, or because there was just no feasible way of putting a good stalk on them. This last day started out hopeful, but by noon, after a lot of great stalks by both I and my great hunting partner, I was beginning to think my tag or tags, would never be filled. It was about mid afternoon, and we were both getting played out making stalks. We were both sitting in the back of the truck, glassing the Buttes, and the surrounding hills, when the knock came from inside the truck, pointing ahead of us. There they were, a nice group of Antelope, grazing fairly close to a pipeline cut. If we drove up the cut, maybe, just maybe, the big guy with his Harem would stand there long enough for a shot. Kathleen and I had been taking turns ranging yardages for each other all week. It was my turn to try for a shot, and he looked closer that so many others we had seen. He looked nice, but I didn't really notice how nice. I had been practicing for this hunt, and had a 20, 30 and 40 yrd pin on my bow. I've never made a shot more than 30 or 35 yrds at blacktailed deer, so I was unprepared for these critters and this open range. When Kathleen said "52, no ... 53 yrds" instead of 80 or 100 yrds, I flt hope all of a sudden. I was excited, and yes, I was shaking a bit too, like a youngster shooting his first buck. I drew back my bow, with my exturkinator arrow cocked and guesstimated 53 yrds. I was starting to squeeze the trigger when I heard Kathleen say, 45, 45 yrds. I made a quick adjustment, and fired, only to see the buck turn, with an arrow protruding from the skull. I had sunk the arrow deep into his eye-ball, instead of his vitals. I suddenly felt ill, and remorse about the shot, until his knees buckled, and he laid down. He sat there with his head up, and I knew I had to finish him off. After shooting another arrow over his back, from where I was, I knew I had to get closer and do the job right. I started to stalk up on him for the finishing shot, but Steve called me back. Him and another fella called Dave wanted to video-tape it all. So we got out the "shadow shield" so we could get in close, without my antelope being the wiser. Sneaking up for a Finishing shot VIDEO Dave has the rest of the footage with the beautifully placed 20 yrd finishing shot. I guess the one good thing about my poor first shot is that the buck didn't go anywhere. It was an easy tracking job...and once he was in the truck, I felt much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Cool story and pics Steve! Sure wish I could have made it out for that hunt, sounds like I missed out on a ton of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Knives, eyeballs, what next? LOL!!! Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Happy that you achieved your goals and experienced such a great hunting camp! Thanks for the video and pic's...just like we were there with you;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Now that a great story, too bad I had to leave so early in the game. CONGRATS on a great goat buddy .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 I was happy when you got that antelope. Good work. I gotta ask. Did you sneak up for the follow up shot using the Shadowshield on his "BLINDSIDE"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 I gotta ask. Did you sneak up for the follow up shot using the Shadowshield on his "BLINDSIDE"?LMBO! Sounds like a great hunt bud... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Been great following all these stories, wish I could have been there. Congratulations again Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHISKEYSWAMP Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 great story Buckee... takes good aim to nail one in the eyeball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Very cool.............my question though.....what does the other side of that shadow shield look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 it's worth looking up the shadow shield. it's a mirror, angled down. what the other side shows is the terrain 10' in front of the stalker. they are great for spot & stalk, but are mostly used by our military snipers. they can literally crawl right up on a person or animal. pretty cool, overall. good story, steve. i had a blast. the weather was all rain for the physically challenged hunt, so the results were pretty dismal. our worst year ever. 7 bucks for 25 hunters. just too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig mack Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 I was happy when you got that antelope. Good work. I gotta ask. Did you sneak up for the follow up shot using the Shadowshield on his "BLINDSIDE"? LMBO!!!!! Great story Buckee. Congrats again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 the weather was all rain for the physically challenged hunt, so the results were pretty dismal. our worst year ever. 7 bucks for 25 hunters. just too bad. That's a real shame Steve. I was hoping it would smarten up. It sure has been nice and sunny here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Here is what the Shadow Shield looks like from the front http://www.theshadowshield.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 cool story Steve and it was fun to see you again. i sure wish we could have all climbed a hill and had a pic. but i will remember the great time i had. next time i will be hunting. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Here is what the Shadow Shield looks like from the front http://www.theshadowshield.com/ I admit it has some potential. I just couldn't resist making a wry comment that was so choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Great story on a great buck, Steve. Your getting that buck made the whole trip for me. (well, that and a whole lot of other stuff ) No one is going to tell me it is easy to kill an antelope with the bow. I was with Dave on a stalk with the Shadowblind. We were not so fortunate as we got picked off as soon as we got over the first little rise. However, I don't think we were on that animal's "blindside" LOL, Leo! The device does have potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest outdoorgirl Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Knives, eyeballs, what next? LOL!!! Congratulations! LMAO.....bare hands of course :) Congrats Steve :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 great story Steve! And Congrats again That shadow shield looks awesome!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 ...This was one of the most memorable hunts of my life....to get the opportunity to go- (especially given the fact that I had not been out of the state of Alaska for 8 years)....to meet all the wonderful forum members that were there...to meet Steve B., and his amazing wife Rilda; -to learn more about bowhunting in one week there, than I could have in ten years, up here....the extraordinary stalks up the draws and buttes that I will never forget....and, the treasured time spent, hunting with a truly great hunter, and friend... -Ive been slow uploading pictures and video clips...but, here are some more, from his hunt.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 ...This was one of the most memorable hunts of my life....to get the opportunity to go- (especially given the fact that I had not been out of the state of Alaska for 8 years)....to meet all the wonderful forum members that were there...to meet Steve B., and his amazing wife Rilda; -to learn more about bowhunting in one week there, than I could have in ten years, up here....the extraordinary stalks up the draws and buttes that I will never forget....and, the treasured time spent, hunting with a truly great hunter, and friend... -Ive been slow uploading pictures and video clips...but, here are some more, from his hunt.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Cool pics and clips Kathleen. Welcome back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksheephuntress Posted September 19, 2008 Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted September 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2008 I was happy when you got that antelope. Good work. I gotta ask. Did you sneak up for the follow up shot using the Shadowshield on his "BLINDSIDE"? I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me ...LOL:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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