Blessings of THE GREAT HUNT-pics added page 5

[Charlie Lamb]

Terry and I had covered a lot of ground together this week.... a lot of really good ground. The end result was that we found hunting tough.

It's hard to tell if it's been the moon phase, the weather or what, but we sure haven't seen much for deer or deer sign.
     

I could tell from his words that Terry had fallen for the high country. He talked of it "luring" him higher and higher... I know the feeling.

It wasn't treating my knees all that well and I somehow found extra time to rest them. Terry was sent off into the mountains more and more.

I knew he'd sure get what he needed up there... whether I was there or not.  

I'd begun to spend more and more time at lower elevation, concentrating more on the antelope and less on the deer. It was no different than the deer hunting had been.

Where you would normally find groups of 10 and 12 animals, there now were only empty meadows. All the patterns and habits I'd picked up on a couple of weeks ago had vanished into the thin Wyoming air.

I tried several stalks that never quite brought me into reasonable range of the speedsters.

Tried the Double Bull at a waterhole that has always attracted goats...nothing! Finally I'd packed the truck and headed up country.

I knew there would be antelope up near the trees and I'd been thinking about taking one by stalking through the timber for some time.

Terry pulled away toward his date with a treestand and some aspen stalking and left me standing in the dark near a spot I'd often seen antelope feeding and bedding near the timber in the past.

I quickly tucked back into a thick patch trees to await the light which was building behind distant mountains.

[Charlie Lamb]

My plan was to wait in the cover of the pines for feeding antelope to wander by.
The spot was perfect. A ring of aspen and lodgepole pine, open in the middle and completely shaded.

I settled in to wait and watch.

In my kit was my ghillie suit. I didn't see a need for it in my present position, but figured I'd use it if the antelope approached the timber at a distance and didn't come my way.

My attention span was being tested when the first goats showed up. I was eyeing the nearby timber and thoughts of mulies danced in my head. I'd almost left my hideout a couple of times.

It looked like my patience and plan would soon be tested.  

Within the first hour and a half I could count 8 antelope within a hundred yards. By the end of the second hours they had fed off away from me along the aspen fringed pines.

 

As soon as they were out of sight, I pulled on the Shaggy suit and headed off into the dark timber above the antelope.

Even at a very slow pace I knew I could quickly outdistance the feeding animals.

Threading my way up through downfallen timber I swung much higher on the mountain than I really wanted to, but I was in slow mode and time meant absolutely nothing.

Finally I eased down from the dark timber and entered the even thicker edge growth of aspen and pine.

Just below me and in the direction of my hide lay the antelope. They'd bedded and would be that way for an hour or more. The closest doe was 50 yards. I was already to punch my permit.

I took the time to untie my boots and slip them off. Footing was pretty quiet, but not totally silent while wearing the boots.

Going forward in my sock feet, I moved silently as a ghost. Each step carefully measured and placed just so between twigs and scattered aspen leaves.

The wind was blowing steadilly up the mountain as it had since the sun first shown over the eastern mountains and warmed the hillside. It would present no problem.

At 30 yards I could see that this would come together just right. Just ahead a small alcove in the trees stood in deep shadow,ready for my shot. The screening pines barely touched limb tips, providing valuable cover. I'd be able to take my time with this shot.

I moved through one last sunbeam.

Out in the sage there was a commotion and the strange wheez of an upset antelope. Busted!!!

I knew Terry would be along soon with tales of his hunt and we'd formulate another plan in the P.M.  I headed back to my pack shooting a judo as I went.

 

It was a good morning.

[fredbear92]

       

[Guru]

Great stuff guys...luv'n every word            

How's Santa doin'?    

[Minuteman]

Ain't nothin harder than stalking pronghorns.

[Littlefeather]

Sometime it's the "almost" that invigorates the sences more than a kill. It's all about the infinite chess game called "hunting". Wish I was there! CK

[Murph From The Bay]

Really nice country you guys are in.  Beautiful pictures.  Makes me wish I were there also.

       Geoff

[robslifts]

sounds like a fun hunt

[Danny Rowan]

Git back on the front page. I know we have some more story tellin to do.

Danny

[IB]

Thanks Danny....I was just about ta fill in the days events, which was to say the least was exciting getting Terry to his SKY HOOK Tree Seat        

Everyone was up around here at the crack of dawn as has been the order for the past week with only one place left to go The AIRPORT in Jackson's Hole.

   

We were even able to BLESS Mr. Green with a FRESH GROUSE BREAST for his departing meal.

   

The trip to the airport was not without plenty of anxiety's for the Boss. We had left in plenty of time for a normal trip of 77 miles. I guess I had a senior moment forgetting that we still have "TOUROIDS" that really "LOVE" to drive that 77 miles doing PLANT STUDIES in their Motor Coaches. What had started as plenty of time was quickly turning into a Panic Attack for Terry, he VERY nicely kept reminding me about the security check and early arrival stuff.

His fight was leaving @ 11:15 am. Well we made it with time to spare like 14 Mins. ta spare. Lets just say weren't any LONG Drawn Out GOODBYES

   

Charles and I returned to the little ole cabin on the hill to face more days of the Dold Drums of HUNTING

[IB]

Getting back to the Ranch it was kinda Bitter Sweet, havin ta put a huntin Brother on a Plane, has for me always been an emotional moment, today was Not At All Different....Thank God. Hate to know how it feels to want someone to leave.

We decided to get out and punch some holes in the 3D. I've been feelin pretty well with the way my "MANTIS" has been handling the Trad Heavies. I was first up, as I made Full Draw touched Anchor the shaft was gone, the little red/yellow blur found it mark. What came after that was astonishing. Charlie was Speechless other than "DAM". I was very happy with the RESULTS. Won't be no Trackin fer this PILGRIM    

 

[vermonster13]

I guess not! LOL

[paleFace]

sure they wasn't explosive heads?  why is it that parting ways is so hard. i sure hate when a hunt comes to an end, only good thing about that is a new hunt is on the horizon.

throughly enjoying sharing the hunt with you guys, keep'er coming. love the pics    

[Guru]

I know the sadness that comes at the end of a hunt with good friends.....been known to shed a tear or two...

[hormoan]

Dang it is windy in more than one way out that away    

That skinny lady has not sung yet, and it ain't over til its over. And it ain't over.


               Brent

[JC]

Oh how I've missed this hunt....life has been too busy since my return.

Great pics guys, thanks for taking me back two weeks to that little piece of heaven. Maybe next year I will be able to time it better. After reading these tales this morning, I don't feel quite so bad as I did when I left in one regard though...I don't feel too bad I couldn't kill one in 3 1/2 days of off and on hunting if Charlie hasn't in a week. Man, those critters can sure see can't they Charlie?

Won't mess up ya'll's story with my paltry tale, needless to say, I learned a lot on my trip. 1) The ghillie suit is the real deal...gonna work hard at getting mine "shot in" so I can use it more, especially next year in WY    2)don't put an empty plastic waterbottle in your cargo pocket before a stalk    

Missin you Vance, give Miss Sandy a big hug for me. Your gracious hospitality could not be matched by the finest hotels in the world. Besides, none of them have your view or blue ribbon water a few steps from the front door.    Oh yeah, and the food was GREAT! I still have day dreams about those big sausage patties cooked on the grill...best sausage I ever had. Then there was the elk, the monster burgers, th hole-in-the wall mexican food...scuse me, got to go get some breakfast...

[IB]

Joe...You sure been missed round this camp, FO SURE. Don't weaken bout what y'all did when you was here. Ya ain't breakin no continuity a HUNTS a HUNT

[Whip]

Originally posted by JC:

.....Won't mess up ya'll's story with my paltry tale, ....

What are you talking about buddy?  :confused:   You ain't gettin' off that easy!  You think you have to kill something to have a story to tell?  Let's hear it now - we've been waiting on you long enough  

[Charlie Lamb]

OK! Lets see who's paying attention. A little drill in reading sign
   

[robtattoo]

Yep, that's definately the floor.
Someone's dropped a.....what is that?.....an arrow? Well, whatever it is somebody ought to pick it up! Honestly, the littering goingon nowadays!   :rolleyes:  


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