Just got in from my first ever pronghorn hunt near Springer, NM. I have a friend that gave me his landowner tag this year and said "you've got the ranch to yourself"! (I know- everybody needs a friend like that!).
I left the house about 3:45 this morning and got to his ranch in time to talk to his dad before he left for the week. He gave me some old time wisdom about antelope hunting since i'd never hunted them before, lol.
Got out in the pasture and saw probably 30-40 within the first hour, but wanted to wait until i had seen the other part of the ranch. I finally saw one that looked bigger than the rest, but i wasnt really positive, since i've never been up close to one i wouldnt know a big one from a small one! Anyway, had my eye on him but never had an opportunity for a shot. Drove around until about 11, then went to town for a burger. Got back to the ranch and drove around for about 30 minutes until i saw another herd. Stopped and got out with the spotting scope, just in time to see them go over the edge of the canyon. I SPRINTED to cut them off. Not sure how far, maybe a quarter mile or less, but any sprinting is too far for this fat boy. I was suffering, lol.
Snuck up to the rim of the canyon and they were grazing about 150 yds away. Picked out the biggest one and let him have the .270.
Even though i was by myself, it was a pretty fun hunt since i had never hunted those before and didnt know what to expect. Next time i'm definately trying with the bow.
Some pics...
Sunrise in far NW Texas
Abandoned building
Ranch backdrop
LDP's are difficult when you're alone...
I left the house about 3:45 this morning and got to his ranch in time to talk to his dad before he left for the week. He gave me some old time wisdom about antelope hunting since i'd never hunted them before, lol.
Got out in the pasture and saw probably 30-40 within the first hour, but wanted to wait until i had seen the other part of the ranch. I finally saw one that looked bigger than the rest, but i wasnt really positive, since i've never been up close to one i wouldnt know a big one from a small one! Anyway, had my eye on him but never had an opportunity for a shot. Drove around until about 11, then went to town for a burger. Got back to the ranch and drove around for about 30 minutes until i saw another herd. Stopped and got out with the spotting scope, just in time to see them go over the edge of the canyon. I SPRINTED to cut them off. Not sure how far, maybe a quarter mile or less, but any sprinting is too far for this fat boy. I was suffering, lol.
Snuck up to the rim of the canyon and they were grazing about 150 yds away. Picked out the biggest one and let him have the .270.
Even though i was by myself, it was a pretty fun hunt since i had never hunted those before and didnt know what to expect. Next time i'm definately trying with the bow.
Some pics...
Sunrise in far NW Texas
Abandoned building
Ranch backdrop
LDP's are difficult when you're alone...
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