Antelope & 6x45

[5spd]

So after practicing shooting mostly 300-400yds at the range the last month solid with my 6x45 Savage build for today Antelope opener the day finally came.
I was tossing up either the 95 Nosler Hunting BT or the Sierra 85 GKHP. Both shoot almost the same at 300&400 yds.
I loaded the 95gr shells in.
I am on WY School Trust Land and sure was glad I got there at 5am, (Until today I have never seen anyone out here ever.
I ran into 8 others and heard 6 more shots on the other side of this area).
I waited till dark 6am, hiked about 600 yards to my spot that I have been scoping a nice 13" buck with his group....well I snooze and wake to a shot about 6:30 am about 1/2 mile away.
Its time as sun is rising nicley.
I move to another hilltop and see a buck looking at me from about 500 yards off, its about 6:40 am.
Im bummed its not the BIG guy and his harem...but say Jim you better take what get and be happy.
I am in my APC kill suit with my florecent hat and flag on my back standing up, I get prone mighty fast, he trots right toward me...500/400/300/200/100 yds stopping every few seconds to look at me...course I blend in pretty well with that gillie on & wonder if my florecent hat is to glowing.
Im scoping him as he comes thinking heck its going to be 20 feet from me and I will miss since I practiced only at 300-400 all that time....hahahah
He stops nicley for me & broadside at maybe 100 yds of all things. I put it on his shoulder & shoot.......THHWWAAP!
It spins around and on a dead run goes 50' over the small crest and I see it waver & stumble and its gone. Its 6:44 am
& I say to myself, Man that was a solid sounding hit.
Its down Im sure. I walk down the hill and up to the crest and looking at it I almost miss it...blends in perfectly but there is a red blood trail about 10' long where it skidded.
Home at 9am, butchered & in the freezer by noon!
Shoulder bones & parts on the bbq for the dog to enjoy also.

 

[Bigriver]

Just got back from WY on monday. Didn't see near as many antelope as in previous years. Was this typical for most of the state? I was on the grasslands near Wright. Still awesome area to wake up and see in the morning.

 

[5spd]

Just got back from WY on monday. Didn't see near as many antelope as in previous years. Was this typical for most of the state? I was on the grasslands near Wright. Still awesome area to wake up and see in the morning.

The place was filled with them until this morning. I had counted at least 3 herds with 2-3 good bucks and from 4-13 does in each group, so about 40 in a 2 mile spot.
I had a nice 13" buck scoped out all last week and he & the harem & the others were no place to be found as well as most of the others that are normally in the same area. I shot this one coming down an arryo I was perched upon.
The ranch I shoot p-dogs on was shy this year over all. Last year I could count as many as 100 each time I went there for p-dogs, this year I only counted 40 or so during the same time period.

 

[bozo699]

Congrats 5spd and nice story I enjoyed it well it's 4:32 p.m here and raining like cats and dogs going on a afternoon elk hunt with my dad and his partner seeya
Wayne.

 

[Bigriver]

Nice to hear they weren't down in all areas. Will defintely return again. I just love the area out there.

 

[MrMajestic]

Well done and a nice read, Thanks. Makes me yearn to get back out.

 

[pwdrbrn]

Congrats, thanks for story. Love short , quick and easy hunts like that. Should be good eating, as wet as this year's been. They weren't forced to eat only sage.

 

[Preacher]

They had a lot of Methane gas problems in the Wright area that had effected birthing rates and such...
The annual HHI Handgun hunt was cancelled this year because of it on the Durham Buffalo ranch..