Just back from antelope hunting out west. My first stop was Montana. I book for an outfit which has access to reservation antelope, although these animals are unhunted they are just as wary as any other! Because these antelope belong to the reservation there is no draw, we are allocated tags each year and this was the first year this particular tribe allowed sport hunting. I also have good bison here. The reservation is 2 million acres in size.

Here's my buck, I did a lot of hand and knee crawling. The terrain is unforgiving and very flat and VERY open. We stalked and passed on a few others before I settled on this guy.



I have no idea what he measured, probably just an average goat with good mass. One of his ivory tips was busted off. These guys were all fighting hard and quite scarred up.

Watch where you put your hands!



Some other Montana views:

A mulie 5x5 buck who wanted to play tag with my car (I missed him).





Sunset



Some scenery




I think the rock formations were ancient algae beds. Anyone know for sure?

From this hunt I went to Wyoming for another.

Some familiar on-the-way sights:





I also saw plenty of bison and some big horn ewes. On the local news some kid was reported to have fallen into one of those hot springs. He and his daddy went off the boardwalk for a closer look. He got burned pretty bad according to the news report.

My Wyoming antelope. Again, I have no idea on the measurement, he was taken on BLM land and is probably a good average buck. He had some really swept back hooks and was fully rutting and on a hot doe when I shot him.





The fishing was good too!





Typical mountain stream.



Wyoming sunset



Both were challenging hunts since I had bright moon the entire time. The weather was excellent and very sunny. Antelope are very plentiful. Most of these animals had excellent grazing opportunities on alfalfa and other crop fields.

I saw a lot of bigger antelope bucks but they were on private property where no hunting was allowed. <<< As usual! >>> Both antelope were shot with my .300 WM, a Savage I customized. Accommodations were a private room in a hunting lodge at the Montana location and in Wyoming in a private cabin. Both very nice with en-suite bath facilities.

If you are looking for a good antelope hunt drop me a line. Again, no draw for our Montana reservation antelope so no guessing as to when you can hunt. Both outfits offer mule deer, whitetails, elk and bear.

aspenhill@triton.net

Great report, Ann. Sounds like you a heck of a trip! Double Weidmannsheil on your goats!

- mike

Well done Ann, I love hunting lopes, reminds me of Africa.

You don't know grief until you drop down for a quick sitting shot and land in a patch of prickly pear. Then you find out who your real friends are.

Ann

Nice pics. I really like your "Outside the Box" trophy snapshots.

Mark

Ann,
Great photos and a terrific 'lope. Fall fishing in the Yellowstone area can't be beat - it might even be better than hunting.

Ann-

Looks like you had a great hunt. Isn't crawling through cactus-filled pastures a joy?

Pete

Ann,

Great pic's!! Excellent goiing on the pronghorns!! Seeing the photo of the Prickly catus made my palms and knees hurt!! I picked them out of me for weeks after the hunt!! thanks for the memory!

What camera do you use? The photo's are incredible!!!!

Fantastic Ann! What did you shoot him with and how far? Fish for dinner?

Very nice indeed Annie, kudos on the pics!

Thanks for the comments, guys!

I did get a few small spines in one hand but wore knee pads and then got the leather gloves out. I never sat my butt down out there to avoid getting into a compromising situation. My guide is a very good friend but not good looking enough for me to let that happen! Plus he told me stories of how he likes to extract spines from buttocks. Trust me the details were pretty gorey.

That cactus photo shows just how camouflaged the plants are! Some of the dead dried sections did like to try rolling up my leg when I was hauling and crawling.

Thanks Ann. Love the pictures. You done good girl!

quote:

was fully rutting and on a hot doe when I shot him.

What a way to go! Sort of like when you read about old guys who die with a smile on their face while in bed with their young mistresses.

Thanks for the great pictures Ann. I'm always amazed at how beautiful those parts of the US are. The deserty plains kind of reminds me of Africa actually.

Ann:

As usual, you've done a fantastic job!!! Loved the photos and scenery too!!!

Regarding cactus: I'm still picking that stuff out of my husband's arms.

Way to go girl, best regards, D. Nelson

Beautiful photo's, looks like a wonderful hunt, great antelope and a good looking 4 point Muley. Super Job.

Thanks all, it was my first time hunting speed goats. It was quite the experience. All of my cactus spines have been removed now!

Grilled tenderloin on the menu tonight!