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.