Hunting is tough this year. The numbers in NV are down from the prolonged drought, and the Feds have designated large areas where I hunt as "wilderness study areas". They blocked off a road I had used to get into my hunting spot since I was 12...54 years of hunting that spot. I had a 4-5 mile walk from an atv trail I found. There were FEW antelope! There were none in the more accessible areas, where I always saw decent numbers. It wasn't unusual to see many small herds. I saw only two this time.

Since I have a couple of wall-hangers already I wanted one for the freezer. This very average one was the fattest antelope I've ever taken. I cut the head off at the base and took the bottom jaw off to lighten it, and I cut off the shoulder that was gelatin after a hit from the 257 Weatherby, cut off the ribs and shanks, then packed out the rest the 4-5 miles back to the end of the trail.

He'd better be a good eats!

I also figured out the REAL reason the herd is so far down...SHARD ROCKS!!

Any antelope hunting is a good trip.

quote:

Any antelope hunting is a good trip.

Plus 1000 o0n that thought and I will add this one: Any antelope killed is a good animal.

I love to hunt them. I love to eat them.

BUT, I like the little speed-goats and actually feel somewhat sad when I kill one. They're great animals.

quote:

Originally posted by luv2safari:
I love to hunt them. I love to eat them.

BUT, I like the little speed-goats and actually feel somewhat sad when I kill one. They're great animals.

My favorite North American game (so far). Nicely done sir.

I'd say that is still a respectable goat. Not a giant but still must be around 70, eh? He's got short cutters but everything else looks pretty good. Nice work.

Luv2safari

Nice goat! I have to agree on antelope as excellent table fare. It's close to Dall sheep and Dall sheep is truly gourmet.

Mark

Great speed goat! Hate the rock graffiti however. Funny, but a sad commentary on some individuals' respect for the wild places. Must have been some real idiots, as they have the shark teeth on both jaws upside down!

Nothing wrong with that old boy!!! Congrats!!!

No flies on that goat!

We don't grow-em any bigger over in Missouri

He's a dandy

It used to be the norm to read articles about deer, antelope, elk, and bear hunting and see "just average" animals in the photos. But today, all the writers seem to think that they need a "trophy" animal or nobody will be impressed with their story.

Regardless of today's trophy-itis, there is nothing wrong with a spike buck or a forkhorn if it's legal and the meat is good. And there is nothing wrong with your average antelope.

Good hunting.

I'd be pleased as punch with that one come October 5th. Congrats!

quote:

Originally posted by Grenadier:
It used to be the norm to read articles about deer, antelope, elk, and bear hunting and see "just average" animals in the photos. But today, all the writers seem to think that they need a "trophy" animal or nobody will be impressed with their story.

Regardless of today's trophy-itis, there is nothing wrong with a spike buck or a forkhorn if it's legal and the meat is good. And there is nothing wrong with your average antelope.

Good hunting.

I agree completely. I have always taken what I was offered and am a firm believer that a cross section of the animals should be harvested to keep herds in equilibrium. Taking only the biggest and the best in time changes the gene pool for the worse.

By the way, this goat is some great fare. I've made some small "schnitzels" from the better scrap pieces, and he is wonderful tasting.

We make what we call Bambi-McNuggets. I slice small medallions about 1/4" thick and put in a bowl, then squeeze a fresh lemon over then and mix around. After ten minutes I dredge them in beaten egg, then dredge in a mixture of cracker crumbs and grated parmigiana. I fry them relatively fast in olive oil or a light oil until they are golden. Do it fast, because they can get dry fast,

This is fantastic side dish with pasta dishes. A good Pinot Noir is perfect with everything...one with some spice and berries in it.

LUNCH TIME!!

Antelope are one of those great creatures on the earth. They look nice, they eat well, and you can hunt them pretty much all day and you usually don't have to freeze your butt trudging through snow covered mountains after them.

Nice buck, can't imagine what your idea of a wallhanger is if that is just "average."

For here he is very average, but thanks.

Here is a bad photo of a much better one I took years ago.






This second one is a pretty average NV antelope, but he was very symmetrical, and he led me on a 4 hour stalk.

Nice goat! I didn't get a tag this year, Pronghorn is how I love to open up the hunting season every year.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Great speed goat! Hate the rock graffiti however. Funny, but a sad commentary on some individuals' respect for the wild places. Must have been some real idiots, as they have the shark teeth on both jaws upside down!

Was is it any more graffiti then when the natives use to do rock paintings.

The Shark Rock is a landmark these days and is a fun break from miles of sagebrush and range cattle.

Farther down south on the road to Gerlach from Fernley there's a Snoopy Rock. It is shaped just like Snoopy's head, and it gets eyes, a nose, and ears painted on it. The locals keep it up, and it's often photographed.

As to gratuitous graffiti, I don't encounter any up in this area, just the Shark Rock, which also gets a freshening up from time to time. I use it as a mile marker to an obscure turn off.

Love to hunt them speedgoats
Always disappointed when I don't draw a tag