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Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 8:02 am
by bobw
Like to get this thread back on track. I have only drawn 2nd choices so far which are antlerless. The west river antlerless tags I will hunt in October for a nice 3-4 day Indian summer hunt.Maybe use my 50 or 45 cal Shilohs or an old M94 in 32 Win Special I've just done some loading for. Another antlerless whtail doe tag in the Black Hills. When you have a "doe " tag there is no pressure and can pursue it anyway you want equipment wise, I think an iron sighted rifle will probably get the nod for these hunts.The hunts will include setting up a camp and some upland bird hunting. Not gonna do a hurry up deal at all. I usually put 4-6 deer or antelope in the freezer every year because its what I eat.Yeah I buy pork , beef and get some bird and fish as well.I enjoy hunting and get real satisfaction putting up the meat myself. I like eating well. Horns? you bet I like them to. I allways figure the bigger the horns the bigger the steaks.I still have some applications out there and some yet to apply for,I will come up with a buck tag yet. I like to hear about how others do things for themselves. bobw

Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:09 am
by GST
Had a couple of Aoudads show up on a game camera in the back pasture. That may be a worthy hunt for one of my Shilohs or even my Hawken. It's going to have to cool off first. But what to do with one if I accidentaly shot it? I think it would be a success if I just saw them. The back pasture is one big cedar brake that either runs uphill or downhill rather steeply.
Best thing about it is that it don't cost too much to go there, just grab a rifle and start walking.

Scott

Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 2:49 pm
by bobw
Aoudad would be a great set a horns to hang on the wall. I remember pictures posted of them by Rdnk and Scott Tshirhart a few years ago, sounds like a first class opportunity to me as simple as one can get.Anymore I have a much greater appreciation for life's simpler joys. I'll bet that Aoudad would make fair chili eating. :) bobw

Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 9:29 pm
by pete
Bob;
We went to S.D in June and had a great time. First the Blackhills staying in Custer and then over to Rapid and on to the Badlands. We saw quite a few deer in the Hills mostly whitetails but a few mule deer too and I called up a couple of does with a predator call. That whole area is great as you obviously know and I'm sure you'll have a good time.

Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:19 am
by bobw
Back to the the hunts. Got to get rid of these eastern European Moron spammers as well. Antelope numbers have not been as low in NW South Dakota in many moons (like the 86 & 87 seasons from monumental winter kill and poor management on the part of the GFP.The winter of 09 and 10 was a rough one in Harding,Butte and Perkins Counties. most of the informed hunters I know believe that there was a 65-80% loss from the bad weather. some believe that a signicant number of antelope moved south and east as in a migratory movement. Too many tags were offered in the fall of 2010 and many hunters from the east end of the state showed up to hunt and couldn't fill a tag never mind the double tags they were sold by the GFP. This fall the GFP let about 1300 tags in Harding and Butte counties where 2 years ago there were 8-9000 tags. I drew a Any Antelope tag for the West half of Harding county for, a hunt on private land where the ranch owner controls all his access and is a much better steward of the wildlife than our GFP has been.I will shoot a mature buck or none,with the populations as down as they are, I can't follow the rational of doe harvest. Maybe someday when our GFP is no longer funded totally by license sales they will just manage wildlife again. bobw

Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 9:18 am
by Kodiak
bobw,

thanks for catchin' us up on your up-coming hunts. I have an any-antelope tag for the Oct. 1st. season in Wyo.

I plan to hunt for a mature buck. I will be using the Shiloh 45/70 with BP. When is your season?

I hunted in SE Montana for years, always took a good buck down there. Usually saw 20-30 bucks a day. Now the land-owner says he's only seen one good buck this year. The F&G used to let non-res. buy one extra doe-tag, then changed it to four. Right after that the numbers started to drop.

Good luck on your hunt,

Jim

Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 4:35 pm
by Marathonman
I have a mature buck tag also and 4 doe tags. I remember years ago refusing to take does to the point of thinking it to be almost being a crime. I now however agree with the Wyoming Division of Wildlife and no longer feel awkward about it in the slightest. Most of what I take every year feeds hungry people and I WILL NOT feel bad about it!! :| Of course no one here suggested that I should. I'm just saying...

Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 5:17 pm
by bobw
Dan, Jim a holier than thou attitude about not shooting does I do not have. The shape the herd population is in now I feel we can only afford to shoot the older bucks. The absolutely fastest way to rebuild our herd is to leave the twin producing does alone. When the herd levels are high I also shoot extra does. Like our deer herd right now. The season runs 10-1 to 10/16 here, Jim so we will be at it at the same time. best of luck guys. bobw

Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 10:16 pm
by Stephen Borud
My two Older boys and I went to my pards ranch today. Antelope look to be in good condition. SB

Re: Interesting hunts coming up?

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:47 pm
by pete
Yea Bob I think the Colo. DOW is doing the same with antelope. There have been Dec. seasons the last 2-3 years and we don't see nearly as many antelope in general as we used to. The other thing is that ranchers are complaining about antelope and when you go out to get permission to hunt it's tough to get on :roll:. I think the does are being overhunted too.