Hunt: Pronghorn Antelope; firearm season
Date: October 1st & 2nd 2011
Outfitter: Royal Mountain Adventures
Agent: Aaron Neilson
Guide: Erik Schell
Rifle: Weatherby Mark V in .280 Remington
Cartridge: Federal Premium w/140gr Barnes TSX
POI: 225 yards
Area: east-central Colorado

Having only taken Elk in Colorado before, I was discussing the super massive deer that eastern Colorado is known for with Aaron Neilson. I hope to draw a tag in one of their areas for trophy Mule Deer in the future. I casually mentioned Antelope to him and he replied, "Why, do you want to hunt them?" I quickly replied yes, as they are one of my favorite western game animals and I consider them as the best venison you can get in north America. I told him I might have another friend or two interested so within a few days, 3 of us booked the hunt. We sent in our application but I was the only one to draw a tag. Not a problem Aaron advised me, they could get landowner vouchers. The summer dragged along and not soon enough myself and a friend left home for Colorado. Our third member would fly in from Canada. After arriving at our destination, we checked into the motel, unpacked our gear and went next door to grab a bite to eat. After lunch we met our guide, Erik Schell. He introduced us to some of the other guides and deer fanatics including one of our own, Drummond Lindsey. I found each of them to be great guys with a ton of experience on hunting western game and absolute professionals. Each had the passion for hunting trophy deer and elk, along with the other wild game of the west. Erik had spent time in Africa and we enjoyed talking about our experiences. After a sound nights sleep, we left early the next morning in search of pronghorn. I was amazed at the endless miles of corn, milo and sunflowers. No doubt the reason this area grows some giant deer. Soon after first light we began seeing a few antelope here and there. The rut was obviously in full swing. In fact, I'd never seen so many bucks chasing off rivals and fighting. Usually, the rut is winding down by this time but these bucks were full steam ahead. We soon found a suitable buck and off went Erik and Roy in pursuit. After a long stalk on a small herd and still being about 500 yards away (using a cow decoy as cover) the herd began to move away as the dominant buck chased a young rival off. As they turned back, another good buck entered the field and began trailing a doe headed right for the hunters. Eventually the doe passed within 100 yards but the buck stalled at 300 yards, not sure what to make of the lone cow decoy. Roy, having to use my rifle took a shot but missed. The buck ran away at full steam. We watched him travel for a long distance before he stopped and began to walk and graze. Roy felt he pulled the shot but anytime you use a strange rifle your not familiar with.....
Around noon we found another buck so we bailed out of the truck, grabbed the decoy and headed for some trees near a windmill. Cows were in the field and they came running. I thought they would spook the antelope, the nearest one was just over 200 yards away. I glassed two bucks and decided to pass on both of them. We had seen a small herd west of us in the same field so we headed up the sloping ridge to see what was on the other side. What we saw off in the distance was a dominate buck standing alert, stretched forward as his body could be, watching a satellite buck which was bedded down on the hillside. Again, the cows followed us. Our decoy covered our approach and the cows continued to run circles around us. The buck paid no attention to us as we closed the distance to around 400 yards. The next thing I know, another satellite buck comes running from behind us to our right. He was within 80 yards as he ran past and paid no attention to us. Erik said to get on the sticks, the big buck was coming, and he was coming in fast! I sat on the ground, open the Bog-Pod bipod and as soon as I looked through my scope Erik said "Take him!" He was 225 yards and just turned broadside when the 140 grain TSX dropped him in his tracks DRT. He is an old, heavy necked buck with multiple prongs on his left horn and sticker points on both. Very massive body, even had some fat left on him. I'm very pleased with this hunt and although we did not size this buck up for trophy considerations, I'm very pleased overall with this fine antelope. This makes my 28th antelope but my first from Colorado. Anyone looking for a good hunt antelope or deer hunt should consider these guys. They are hard core about hunting. The area is remote, your going to be about 30 miles from Walmart or the commercial restaurant scene. The motel is adequate but suitable with friendly management. Next door is a family style restaurant. I'll be glad to discuss any details with anyone considering this hunt or their outstanding deer hunts. This is THE place to find a 200 inch whitetail or mule deer in the United States and it's all 100% fair chase. I want to especially thank Aaron for handling all the details for us. He did a fine job. LDK

I'm diggin' the moo cow decoy!

Might be more meat on the cow!

Congratulations on a memorable hunt. Wish it was me.

Ski+3

Thanks guys

David, it was great to meet you on the hunt, congrats on the pronghorn!

Congrats on the pronghorn!

great buck! Ron

Thanks guys. I love those speed goats!

Drummond, it was my pleasure. I highly respect a man with your dedication to our sport and pursuit of big game with a passion. I look forward to hunting with you guys again in the future. We had a great time! Good hunting, David