Camp guard

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With several days before our next hunt for antelope in Wyoming and the number of hunters in our party I decided, as the senior member, to possably stay very near camp and set up a portable shooting bench. I hope to combine my skills as a carpenter to the welding skills of my son and create a 360 bench that might serve a long range pistol or rifle.

Trying to steal a number of ideas from the search area of the forum. My first bench will be from left over race car tubing and counter top material, I have one rifle that is way too much for antelope but if I can gain confidence in the first shot zero I will give it a try. A 340 Weatherby loaded with Barnes 160's at 3562 FPS.

Six hunters, eleven doe antelope tags to fill in short order. Our goal is to bag only dry does, no fawns and for sure no baby bucks. I need bino's, spotting scope and a fresh cup of coffee close at hand as I spend a few hours above camp.

Bill

 

[zedsdead]

I guess there is no such thing as too much gun, but if you shoot an antelope with that 340 Weatherby you probably won't even have to skin it. Good luck on your hunt. Sounds like a lot of fun.

 

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We did survive a snowy and cold weekend in Wyoming on a quest for doe antelope. We did manage to set up our mini town of two Spring bar tents and a awning that covered the cooking area and the new shooting bench before the snow hit Friday night. Note: I did put in an hour or so "on guard duty" that first evening while Jr and Jeromy took a tour on the Rhino.

Saturday found three of us riding around in a light snow fall attempting to locate a few beasts of the high plains.Some time later the snow eased up and we took a pee break and I wiped the snow from the back of my glasses. Following one of the many ridge roads a small group is spotted. Jr stops the Rhino and Jeromy ranges 288 yards. I have put the earmuffs on top of my head but forget to put them all the way over my ears when I discharge the first round from the 340. The lead doe is slightly quartering to me, my 160 Barnes hits right behind the front shoulder and exits just in front of the hind quarter. She does not go down until a few steps later.

A small buck, a fawn and two does are confused but do not run off. Jr says watch out for the fawn when the three are all lined up, one in front of the other. One of the does makes a mistake and moves ahead presenting a perfect shoot. Again the big gun speaks, sending the copper bullet of destruction on its way. The heart is pulverized, the off shoulder broken and still she travels many yards leaving a river of red on the snow.

The animals are arranged for a group photo shoot with the big gun and the white bearded shooter. I demonstrate field dressing to the new guy, Jeromy, who stands well back from the proceedings.

Our buddy from Idaho is near camp when we return. Roger has driven in during the storm and avoided disaster twice in two off road ventures due to slick roads. While I work on the mess I have created, Jr and Roger head off in Rogers 4x4. While Jeromy attempts to warm his feet I skin the hocks of my two fallen ladies, assemble the 16 foot long lope rack and with the big guys help stand up the rack. It is near dark when Jr and roger return with thee does, big horned does I might add. Their little guns, a 243AI and a 25 270WSM have dropped their does in their tracks

All this time Gordo, the lone wolf, has been off in the snow by him self and not spotted an animal. After a lantern lit skinning session we feast on beef and pork steaks washed down by fine wine. The tent is filled with pipe smoke as Jr and Jeromy give us a lesson in pipe prep. I add to the smoke with a Punch cigar.

Sunday morning Roger is up and packing, he has an elk hunt to go on in two days . I help him put his two creatures in the back of the snow filled pickup and he is off through another big snow storm. I return to the warmth of the tent until Jr stirs us and says lets go hunting....

Summary, Monday brings clear Sky's after a very cold night. Glad I had two bags and a blanket. Jeromy bags his first big game animal after a tough up hill stalk. A perfect shot with a 243 at 201 yards. Gord fills his second tag on a squatting doe.
WE break camp late Monday and return to SLC in the wee hours Tuesday.

Sun burned faces, a bit snow blind and I wish I had pulled my ear muffs all the way down.

Bill