Ditto what Vance said!
I intended to put up a bunch of pictures tonight and it's just not happening for me as far as getting them uploaded. Maybe tomorrow the computer will cooperate.
Started out this morning early with varmint call in hand, my bow and a quiver of sharp broadheads.
I parked the truck in a wash where it couldn't be seen and far enough from the area I intended to call so that the noise of my arrival wouldn't mess things up.
Staying to the washes I made my way down to the creek bottom and along the willows that line the creek... out here it's pronounced "crik".
On the first stand 4 magpies resonded to my calling. I could see the black and white bandits coming from clear across the flat. Their black feathers shone irridescent blue in the bright morning sun.
The first one to arrive came within a few feet of my face. I'd set up in the shadow of a willow to help hide my camoflaged figure and turned my face away from the birds to keep from startling them... you never know if you frighten a bird if it will alert an approaching dog. It's better to play it safe.
But no coyotes appeared so after half an hour I left that position and eased down the "crik" a quarter mile and set up again.
This time my opening calls started 3 mule deer and sent them running up through the sage and rocks, no doubt looking for a quieter place to spend the day.
In just a few minutes I was surronded by no less than a half dozen kestrels. These cool little hawks were pretty sure there must be something to eat in that willow and circled repeatedly.
At one point I tried for a picture, but they were much too fast for my camera skills and I gave up on the notion.
No coyotes on this stand either and after an appropriate time on stand I moved toward the truck and a hot cup of coffee.
I kicked up a jackrabbit which took off like he had afterburners and offered no shot. I started to wing one at him at around 60 yards as he paused to look back, but he was on his way before I finished my draw.
During the day Vance and I looked over many antelope. I've told everyone before that we typically see a lot of antelope. Well, we must have looked over a couple hundred today... and that's a conservative guess.
Several were very nice and shooters for sure, but never in a place where we'd have had a chance for a stalk. Stalking antelope is about as tough as it gets and I don't care what kind of camo you have.
Often they are in groups of a half dozen or more. All those 10X eyes don't miss much.
One old buck in particular amazed us. His right horn was heavy and long. We guessed him at 16"... maybe more!
His right horn was around 10 inchs and had a weird shape.
All in all, I'd have to say that this will probably be that old timers last summer. He was gaunt and rough looking. His hip bones spoke of poor nutrition and age (probably due to worn teeth). They almost seemed as if they would break through his skin at any moment.
We'd have taken him in a heart beat for the unusual trophy he was, but also to put a merciful end to his suffering and what will surely be an unpleasant end when the cold finally gets him or a pack of coyotes catches up to him, or any one of a number of other miserable ways mother nature deals with age in the wild.
Vance and I got out for an evening varmint stand in the last minutes of light.
That we jumped two jackrabbits from the very cover we were heading for seemed to bode well for the area.
With thunder rumbling to the east of us and distant flashes of lightening puntuating my squeals and screams two red fox came at us on the dead run.
But they never got close enough for an effective shot and eventually worked around down wind of us and evaporated in the waning light.
We'll be off for Rock Springs in the morning. I need a couple of new tires... hadn't planned on that!
We'll no doubt have a nice lunch in the big city and see what other adventures await.
Topic: The Way West...a bowhunting journey. (Read 47363 times)
