MERGANZER
10-04-2006, 01:32 PM
Antelope Hunt September 2006
I started on the road for Bridgman, MI after dropping the kids off at my parents house in Lansing. It was really raining hard and there was lightning everywhere as I listened to the high school football games being cancelled one by one. I reached the home of Glenn Lange around 10pm and we loaded his truck and pointed it west to begin the long trip out to Wyoming.
This was a special hunt to me for many reasons, first, I wanted to see my friend, my very good friend who I hadn’t seen in a few years and had not hunted with in 6 years. Second, it had been a real tough 2 years with a divorce and seeing the pain the children have endured as well which was the only thing that made it difficult to leave, saying goodbye to the children on my week with them. Finally I needed to get away and be by myself for a bit under the western sky where nobody knew my name and what I had endured recently. This was by no means a trophy hunt I was going to hunt for a buck antelope and be successful and enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the last frontiers. It was about seeing and old friend and catching up with one another and reliving some old better times while we ate well and sipped whiskey under the seemingly never ending sky.
As the night grew older and older and the sun begin to come up I began to realize one thing that I knew may never change, I HATE NEBRASKA at least when I am driving through it and not watching the Cornhuskers on tv. 7.5 hours after entering Nebraska we see it……..”Welcome to Wyoming” what a wonderful feeling as I had chills run down my spine. Not long after that I saw the first antelope of the trip grazing in a field bordering the freeway. What a rush I thought Monday would never arrive because it was only Saturday and we would be pulling into meet Tim in Cheyenne before too long. Not too much longer the phone rang and I answered it, “where the hell are ya?” asked Tim and I told him where we were. He was amazed at the time we had made and he told me what exit we were looking for. 1 mile from his house were were pulled over by one of Wyoming’s finest and after the ticket for speeding was issued he made us feel better when he told us we were hunting a great area on Monday.
We pulled into Tim’s driveway and were greeted by the howling Wyoming wind that cut right through me as Tim tossed a beer to Glenn and me as we began to immediately get the things ready for the trip and load the camper ASAP. A quick run to the store for our conservation stamp and some micro brew beers for the trip and we were on our way!!!!
Our area (32) is a pretty large one and we looked for some time for a place to hunt and camp while we were there. We finally settled on a camping area on the Alcova Res. We simply ignored the sign that said “NO FIREARMS OR GLASS BOTTLES” we had numerous glass bottles of whiskey and beer and obviously we had firearms but we needed a place to camp too. That night we ate homemade burritos prepared by Tim’s wife Liz and they were great with the Moose Drool beer. After a few drinks we went to bed to get the first hours of sleep we had seen in over 40 hours. Being tired didn’t mean we slept in I woke up with the sun and the brisk air at sunrise and stepped out of the camper to a group of mule deer staring right at me, what a sight with the mountain as a back drop, mule deer close enough to hear and see them breath the steam out of their noses as the sun begins to warm the area up. We ate a small breakfast and headed out with Tim’s Duramax Diesel truck to scout out where we were to hunt the following morning. We drove for hours glassing hills and valleys with binoculars and a spotting scope as we charted where we saw goats and where we thought we may check again later. Then we spotted a group of elk and a truck approached us asking us what we were looking at. When we told him he was thrilled and reached for his phone to ask the rancher permission to pursue the elk. We then asked for the ranchers number and name so we could ask for permission as well. When we contacted the rancher he said we could access his land for $25 so it was a done deal we met him at his house and paid him after filling out some general paperwork.. Thrilled with this find we cracked a few longnecks and celebrated at the campsite. When the sun went down we headed to a small bar for dinner and a burger and then to the camper for some more needed sleep for the big hunt.
I remember clearly I didn’t sleep well that night. I tossed and turned the whole time not knowing what to expect of the next mornings chase. I was elated when the alarm went off “ITS GAME TIME!!!!” I thought and I was up and ready to go License, Gun, Ammo, Orange, Pen Yep lets get out there. Glenn and I flipped a coin for who would have rights to the first stalk and I won. I had a penny in my wallet I saved that I picked up in Medicine Bow on the ground. I thought it was a good luck sign, I took it out of my wallet and rubbed it for good luck then returned it to the wallet for safe keeping.
When we arrived at the first place to glass it took us 5 minutes to spot a group of goats with a decent buck in it. Tim and I headed off to see if we could get into range or not as the sun was hidden by the horizon but fighting to rise. We went about a mile and crested a ridge. I saw nothing but a large coyote where the antelope once stood. Tim motioned to me that he saw the goats to our right but still off a little too far to shoot. As I tried to look I hear Tim say “ADAM! Behind you look it’s a buck!!!!’ I turned to see a buck on a ridge 324 yards away and I raised my gun as it vanished over the ridge. I ranged the bottom land where we thought it may come out of and it was 220 yds. Just then the goat came trotting out in the open and I raised my gun and told Tim I was taking him.
Tim was looking at the goat as it trotted and he whistled a few times to get it to stop but it wouldn’t. Just as I start to pull the trigger I hear Tim say don’t shoot! But it was too late the hit was low and the goat was hit in the leg. It began to run away and in the excitement with cold numb fingers and leather gloves on I touched another round off before I was totally ready. Now the goat was really alert and on the run I fired one more time and the goat kept going then stopped. I placed the crosshairs on the antelope’s lungs and pulled the trigger…….CLICK! My gun was out because I only loaded the magazine when we started out for safety reasons. Now the antelope is on high alert and glassing as I fumble through my pockets for another cartridge I grab a pen (you must sign kill tag immediately) and frantically try to load it into my gun till I look down and notice I reach and secure a cartridge and slam it into the rifle and close the bolt. The antelope is looking at me now broadside and I again place the scope behind the shoulder and squeeze………… the crack of the rifle echoed like thunder over the hills and the white belly of the animal was on the ground facing us 204 yards away. It was over 20 minutes after the season had begun and after 17 hours of driving my hunt was concluded in 20 minutes.
We approached the animal and looked it over, took some photos and tagged him. Tim went to look for Glenn while I field dressed the buck. I sat down and took some moments to enjoy the sunrise and reflect on this successful yet short hunt. It wasn’t a shooter buck in many peoples eyes but I accomplished what I wanted to and I did it with my best friend. For the first time in a long time I felt free ….truly free from stress, sadness, or responsibilities. I missed the hell out of those kids who I knew would be thrilled to get the next phone call from Dad but at the same time I felt like I hadn’t in 2 years and that was worth the 17 hour drive all by itself. After taking some time for myself to enjoy the sunrise I packed up the knives and made sure I had everything all together in the backpack and I began to drag, a drag that was over a mile and a half back to the truck up and down the foothills. Tim took over from time to time to lend a hand and he laughed at me as I tried to catch my breath due to the elevation changed that I was not yet use to.
It took awhile but we could finally see the truck where we left it a few hundred yards away. As we approached another buck ran up behind us and stared at us for a few minutes not sure where he should go for certain. I stopped and enjoyed watching him until he finally disappeared over the next hill at a slow trot. The sun was up now and the chill of the early morning was retreating to give way to the warm sun beating down on my face. I could still see my breath but it felt so much warmer than it did just an hour ago when I was standing over my first antelope.
Tim took a few more photos and we loaded the buck into the back of the Chevrolet. Tim said “well you wanna try to find glenn or what now?” and I responded with “I just want to sit here for a minute”. It was a strange moment and an emotional one for me as was much of this trip since my arrival in Wyoming. I grabbed a Moose Drool beer and removed the cap with my leatherman tool and sat on the tailgate. Still trying to catch my breath from the long drag and lack of oxygen I couldn’t help but think of how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful place, a place so few get to visit and witness the sun rise and fall in. I was elated with my success but upset that the hunt was over. I couldn’t help but stare at the bucks horns and the crooked snout he sported that I just noticed on the tailgate I held the empty casings from the .300 Win Mag and smelled the powder residue taking it all in wanting to continue the hunt but knowing I may have to wait a year to do so. I finished the longneck of dark beer and grabbed another and removed the cap and jumped in the truck I said to Tim “well lets find Glenn and get his goat too!” Tim agreed and we fired up the truck and started looking on the horizon for orange.
We spotted Glenn off in the distance and waited for him to return to the truck. When he did we exchanged stories and the events of the early morning. He checked out the buck and we came up with a plan for our next move. We decided to go to the cliff where we spotted some nice ones the day before. When we arrived on the cliff it took only minutes to spot the goats and one was a shooter so we continued to work down the cliff for a mile or so before we could get on him. I crawled to the edge with binoculars and spotted him. “Glenn!!!! He’s right here hurry up and you can get him!” Glenn got into position and Tim asked the range. I ranged and said 130 yards. Glenn was ready when all the sudden the goats bolted and headed away. We were all upset and had no idea why they ran but then they turned and headed back. The buck was chasing the does all over and he finally stopped broadside I ranged again……101 yds. “kill him Glenn” I said and the rifle cracked. The goat was on its side right where it stood moments earlier and there were high fives all around. The time was 10:10am and two tags were filled. Now it was time to get them skinned and quartered and on ice before the sun warmed the air too much.
We dragged Glenns buck to the truck that Tim went to drive around to an accessible spot and we loaded him up. We went strait to the camper and lowered the tailgate to begin the skinning and quartering right after a few whiskey and cokes were mixed and glasses had touched. An hour later the goats were on ice, the guns put away and we were preparing some very needed lunch.
Not long after we realized we were done and there was no point in staying another night in the campground so we packed it up and headed for Cheyenne. This was a downpoint for me I could have stayed at that campground and enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells for days. We headed south and were greeted by some groups of elk, mulies and of course antelope. I watched and stared at the sun as it slowly sank behind the mountainous background that were a black silhouette with a beautiful pink and orange sky above it. Then it was gone and the sky was black and the air was bitter cold again. Goodnight Casper I thought to myself “you will be missed, but see you next year hopefully”.
We finally arrived in Cheyenne and it was getting late but we all celebrated one last time with some Crown Royal, and Gentleman Jack. We were thinking od dove hunting in the morning before heading for home. When we woke up the next morning the winds of Cheyenne were once again howling and Glenn and I decided it best to head home while we were rested. I missed those kids like crazy and if I got home Wednesday morning I would be able to spend a few days with them and surprise them at school.
The hunt was indeed too short and I thanked Tim and we shook hands and one of those one armed hugs. It had been a long time and he said “it had been too long Adam” and I replied “yeah …… back next year though”. It was all I could say and he couldn’t say much more either. We knew this moment was coming and we both hoped it wouldn’t be 6 years again before we could go afield with one another again. I took a few deep breaths and gave a good look around the Cheyenne landscape then got in the truck. We pointed that truck to the east and were off towards the hell hole known as Nebraska another 7.5 hours till Iowa. It was quiet at first in the truck and then I said “Damn I can’t wait till next year”.
Ganzer
I started on the road for Bridgman, MI after dropping the kids off at my parents house in Lansing. It was really raining hard and there was lightning everywhere as I listened to the high school football games being cancelled one by one. I reached the home of Glenn Lange around 10pm and we loaded his truck and pointed it west to begin the long trip out to Wyoming.
This was a special hunt to me for many reasons, first, I wanted to see my friend, my very good friend who I hadn’t seen in a few years and had not hunted with in 6 years. Second, it had been a real tough 2 years with a divorce and seeing the pain the children have endured as well which was the only thing that made it difficult to leave, saying goodbye to the children on my week with them. Finally I needed to get away and be by myself for a bit under the western sky where nobody knew my name and what I had endured recently. This was by no means a trophy hunt I was going to hunt for a buck antelope and be successful and enjoy the sights and sounds of one of the last frontiers. It was about seeing and old friend and catching up with one another and reliving some old better times while we ate well and sipped whiskey under the seemingly never ending sky.
As the night grew older and older and the sun begin to come up I began to realize one thing that I knew may never change, I HATE NEBRASKA at least when I am driving through it and not watching the Cornhuskers on tv. 7.5 hours after entering Nebraska we see it……..”Welcome to Wyoming” what a wonderful feeling as I had chills run down my spine. Not long after that I saw the first antelope of the trip grazing in a field bordering the freeway. What a rush I thought Monday would never arrive because it was only Saturday and we would be pulling into meet Tim in Cheyenne before too long. Not too much longer the phone rang and I answered it, “where the hell are ya?” asked Tim and I told him where we were. He was amazed at the time we had made and he told me what exit we were looking for. 1 mile from his house were were pulled over by one of Wyoming’s finest and after the ticket for speeding was issued he made us feel better when he told us we were hunting a great area on Monday.
We pulled into Tim’s driveway and were greeted by the howling Wyoming wind that cut right through me as Tim tossed a beer to Glenn and me as we began to immediately get the things ready for the trip and load the camper ASAP. A quick run to the store for our conservation stamp and some micro brew beers for the trip and we were on our way!!!!
Our area (32) is a pretty large one and we looked for some time for a place to hunt and camp while we were there. We finally settled on a camping area on the Alcova Res. We simply ignored the sign that said “NO FIREARMS OR GLASS BOTTLES” we had numerous glass bottles of whiskey and beer and obviously we had firearms but we needed a place to camp too. That night we ate homemade burritos prepared by Tim’s wife Liz and they were great with the Moose Drool beer. After a few drinks we went to bed to get the first hours of sleep we had seen in over 40 hours. Being tired didn’t mean we slept in I woke up with the sun and the brisk air at sunrise and stepped out of the camper to a group of mule deer staring right at me, what a sight with the mountain as a back drop, mule deer close enough to hear and see them breath the steam out of their noses as the sun begins to warm the area up. We ate a small breakfast and headed out with Tim’s Duramax Diesel truck to scout out where we were to hunt the following morning. We drove for hours glassing hills and valleys with binoculars and a spotting scope as we charted where we saw goats and where we thought we may check again later. Then we spotted a group of elk and a truck approached us asking us what we were looking at. When we told him he was thrilled and reached for his phone to ask the rancher permission to pursue the elk. We then asked for the ranchers number and name so we could ask for permission as well. When we contacted the rancher he said we could access his land for $25 so it was a done deal we met him at his house and paid him after filling out some general paperwork.. Thrilled with this find we cracked a few longnecks and celebrated at the campsite. When the sun went down we headed to a small bar for dinner and a burger and then to the camper for some more needed sleep for the big hunt.
I remember clearly I didn’t sleep well that night. I tossed and turned the whole time not knowing what to expect of the next mornings chase. I was elated when the alarm went off “ITS GAME TIME!!!!” I thought and I was up and ready to go License, Gun, Ammo, Orange, Pen Yep lets get out there. Glenn and I flipped a coin for who would have rights to the first stalk and I won. I had a penny in my wallet I saved that I picked up in Medicine Bow on the ground. I thought it was a good luck sign, I took it out of my wallet and rubbed it for good luck then returned it to the wallet for safe keeping.
When we arrived at the first place to glass it took us 5 minutes to spot a group of goats with a decent buck in it. Tim and I headed off to see if we could get into range or not as the sun was hidden by the horizon but fighting to rise. We went about a mile and crested a ridge. I saw nothing but a large coyote where the antelope once stood. Tim motioned to me that he saw the goats to our right but still off a little too far to shoot. As I tried to look I hear Tim say “ADAM! Behind you look it’s a buck!!!!’ I turned to see a buck on a ridge 324 yards away and I raised my gun as it vanished over the ridge. I ranged the bottom land where we thought it may come out of and it was 220 yds. Just then the goat came trotting out in the open and I raised my gun and told Tim I was taking him.
Tim was looking at the goat as it trotted and he whistled a few times to get it to stop but it wouldn’t. Just as I start to pull the trigger I hear Tim say don’t shoot! But it was too late the hit was low and the goat was hit in the leg. It began to run away and in the excitement with cold numb fingers and leather gloves on I touched another round off before I was totally ready. Now the goat was really alert and on the run I fired one more time and the goat kept going then stopped. I placed the crosshairs on the antelope’s lungs and pulled the trigger…….CLICK! My gun was out because I only loaded the magazine when we started out for safety reasons. Now the antelope is on high alert and glassing as I fumble through my pockets for another cartridge I grab a pen (you must sign kill tag immediately) and frantically try to load it into my gun till I look down and notice I reach and secure a cartridge and slam it into the rifle and close the bolt. The antelope is looking at me now broadside and I again place the scope behind the shoulder and squeeze………… the crack of the rifle echoed like thunder over the hills and the white belly of the animal was on the ground facing us 204 yards away. It was over 20 minutes after the season had begun and after 17 hours of driving my hunt was concluded in 20 minutes.
We approached the animal and looked it over, took some photos and tagged him. Tim went to look for Glenn while I field dressed the buck. I sat down and took some moments to enjoy the sunrise and reflect on this successful yet short hunt. It wasn’t a shooter buck in many peoples eyes but I accomplished what I wanted to and I did it with my best friend. For the first time in a long time I felt free ….truly free from stress, sadness, or responsibilities. I missed the hell out of those kids who I knew would be thrilled to get the next phone call from Dad but at the same time I felt like I hadn’t in 2 years and that was worth the 17 hour drive all by itself. After taking some time for myself to enjoy the sunrise I packed up the knives and made sure I had everything all together in the backpack and I began to drag, a drag that was over a mile and a half back to the truck up and down the foothills. Tim took over from time to time to lend a hand and he laughed at me as I tried to catch my breath due to the elevation changed that I was not yet use to.
It took awhile but we could finally see the truck where we left it a few hundred yards away. As we approached another buck ran up behind us and stared at us for a few minutes not sure where he should go for certain. I stopped and enjoyed watching him until he finally disappeared over the next hill at a slow trot. The sun was up now and the chill of the early morning was retreating to give way to the warm sun beating down on my face. I could still see my breath but it felt so much warmer than it did just an hour ago when I was standing over my first antelope.
Tim took a few more photos and we loaded the buck into the back of the Chevrolet. Tim said “well you wanna try to find glenn or what now?” and I responded with “I just want to sit here for a minute”. It was a strange moment and an emotional one for me as was much of this trip since my arrival in Wyoming. I grabbed a Moose Drool beer and removed the cap with my leatherman tool and sat on the tailgate. Still trying to catch my breath from the long drag and lack of oxygen I couldn’t help but think of how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful place, a place so few get to visit and witness the sun rise and fall in. I was elated with my success but upset that the hunt was over. I couldn’t help but stare at the bucks horns and the crooked snout he sported that I just noticed on the tailgate I held the empty casings from the .300 Win Mag and smelled the powder residue taking it all in wanting to continue the hunt but knowing I may have to wait a year to do so. I finished the longneck of dark beer and grabbed another and removed the cap and jumped in the truck I said to Tim “well lets find Glenn and get his goat too!” Tim agreed and we fired up the truck and started looking on the horizon for orange.
We spotted Glenn off in the distance and waited for him to return to the truck. When he did we exchanged stories and the events of the early morning. He checked out the buck and we came up with a plan for our next move. We decided to go to the cliff where we spotted some nice ones the day before. When we arrived on the cliff it took only minutes to spot the goats and one was a shooter so we continued to work down the cliff for a mile or so before we could get on him. I crawled to the edge with binoculars and spotted him. “Glenn!!!! He’s right here hurry up and you can get him!” Glenn got into position and Tim asked the range. I ranged and said 130 yards. Glenn was ready when all the sudden the goats bolted and headed away. We were all upset and had no idea why they ran but then they turned and headed back. The buck was chasing the does all over and he finally stopped broadside I ranged again……101 yds. “kill him Glenn” I said and the rifle cracked. The goat was on its side right where it stood moments earlier and there were high fives all around. The time was 10:10am and two tags were filled. Now it was time to get them skinned and quartered and on ice before the sun warmed the air too much.
We dragged Glenns buck to the truck that Tim went to drive around to an accessible spot and we loaded him up. We went strait to the camper and lowered the tailgate to begin the skinning and quartering right after a few whiskey and cokes were mixed and glasses had touched. An hour later the goats were on ice, the guns put away and we were preparing some very needed lunch.
Not long after we realized we were done and there was no point in staying another night in the campground so we packed it up and headed for Cheyenne. This was a downpoint for me I could have stayed at that campground and enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells for days. We headed south and were greeted by some groups of elk, mulies and of course antelope. I watched and stared at the sun as it slowly sank behind the mountainous background that were a black silhouette with a beautiful pink and orange sky above it. Then it was gone and the sky was black and the air was bitter cold again. Goodnight Casper I thought to myself “you will be missed, but see you next year hopefully”.
We finally arrived in Cheyenne and it was getting late but we all celebrated one last time with some Crown Royal, and Gentleman Jack. We were thinking od dove hunting in the morning before heading for home. When we woke up the next morning the winds of Cheyenne were once again howling and Glenn and I decided it best to head home while we were rested. I missed those kids like crazy and if I got home Wednesday morning I would be able to spend a few days with them and surprise them at school.
The hunt was indeed too short and I thanked Tim and we shook hands and one of those one armed hugs. It had been a long time and he said “it had been too long Adam” and I replied “yeah …… back next year though”. It was all I could say and he couldn’t say much more either. We knew this moment was coming and we both hoped it wouldn’t be 6 years again before we could go afield with one another again. I took a few deep breaths and gave a good look around the Cheyenne landscape then got in the truck. We pointed that truck to the east and were off towards the hell hole known as Nebraska another 7.5 hours till Iowa. It was quiet at first in the truck and then I said “Damn I can’t wait till next year”.
Ganzer