2024-25 LANWR aka Laguna thread

[ShedHunter19]

Congrats guys!! Slow day for me today. Only saw one doe this morning, then only other action I saw was a tortious.

[Mr. Public]

Well, so far I’ve had some of the best most epic hunting ever here but my shooting has been far the opposite!

Maybe I’ll hit the 4th bull I shoot at because I have missed 3 now, 2 this morning, 1 the first morning. I also had 2 bulls yesterday morning, a good bull at 30yds broadside and a younger one that came within 10 yards and forced me to have to draw on him and he caught me as I was getting in my peep.

The first bull I shot at this morning was BIG BIG, I estimated 40yds knowing he was past a tree I ranged at 32yds. Shot was perfect left and right, arrow sailed just under his arm pit. Ranged right after, he was 50yds- NOT 40. I did not range before because I had to draw quickly while I was concealed, then hold back for longer than I want.

A couple hours later- I miss again. This bull was about the same size bull I’ve killed before, but he was on edge (so was I). I quickly picked a lane he was headed towards and ranged the opening at 55yds. Got drawn back, on the peep, stopped him and he did what they always do- hit the brakes and like they’re on suspension shocks, looked my way and—— I PULLED the shot left. I knew it when I let it go I was way off. Watch the nock go straight in front of him.

I admit- I suck. Should have had 3 bulls down now of the 5 bow range encounters.

Dad felt bad today, did not hunt this morning. I just walked him all the way in and set him up. It’s rough for him. Profuse sweating and heavy heavy breathing with lots of breaks. Wish I would have had him there this morning.

Very displeased with my shooting but this hunt has yielded more Nilgai sightings and encounters in 3 days then the last 7 years collectively!

Also, another partner found out headshots may actually not be a good choice the hard way. 18yard headshot, **** bull ducked it. Unbelievable. I’ve underestimated their agility and reaction timing.

It still blows my mind how a creature that heavy and big can SILENTLY slip in on you under 30yards and completely surprise you.

MAN I love this place!

[ShedHunter19]

Well, so far I’ve had some of the best most epic hunting ever here but my shooting has been far the opposite!

Maybe I’ll hit the 4th bull I shoot at because I have missed 3 now, 2 this morning, 1 the first morning. I also had 2 bulls yesterday morning, a good bull at 30yds broadside and a younger one that came within 10 yards and forced me to have to draw on him and he caught me as I was getting in my peep.

The first bull I shot at this morning was BIG BIG, I estimated 40yds knowing he was past a tree I ranged at 32yds. Shot was perfect left and right, arrow sailed just under his arm pit. Ranged right after, he was 50yds- NOT 40. I did not range before because I had to draw quickly while I was concealed, then hold back for longer than I want.

A couple hours later- I miss again. This bull was about the same size bull I’ve killed before, but he was on edge (so was I). I quickly picked a lane he was headed towards and ranged the opening at 55yds. Got drawn back, on the peep, stopped him and he did what they always do- hit the brakes and like they’re on suspension shocks, looked my way and—— I PULLED the shot left. I knew it when I let it go I was way off. Watch the nock go straight in front of him.

I admit- I suck. Should have had 3 bulls down now of the 5 bow range encounters.

Dad felt bad today, did not hunt this morning. I just walked him all the way in and set him up. It’s rough for him. Profuse sweating and heavy heavy breathing with lots of breaks. Wish I would have had him there this morning.

Very displeased with my shooting but this hunt has yielded more Nilgai sightings and encounters in 3 days then the last 7 years collectively!

Also, another partner found out headshots may actually not be a good choice the hard way. 18yard headshot, **** bull ducked it. Unbelievable. I’ve underestimated their agility and reaction timing.

It still blows my mind how a creature that heavy and big can SILENTLY slip in on you under 30yards and completely surprise you.

MAN I love this place!

Keep after it man, you will get one! Sounds like you are having a heck of a hunt, regardless on if you connect or not. Time well spent with your dad too which is an even better reward.

I have not seen any Nilgai since the first day, but will continue my pursuit until the end. I just feel blessed to have seen them at least one of my days while out here without prior experience haha. I expect to see a picture from you posted here within the next few days of a big blue bull down 😁

[TN_boy]

Yesterday was rough. Too many hunters around walking and talking. Dad and I moved spots. We found the A-Team trucks parked along unit 7, so we parked and hunt scouted....

This morning I had another spike and small 8 come by. We met for lunch today and made a game plan. During the plan I spot a bull with 7 bedded cows. We worked our way around downwind but couldn't find any cover. By that time they had already started to feed I to the wind opposite direction. While thinking about our options I find 3 more cows about 900 yards away. Thinking it's too late to try and cover that distance, we take note of location and decide to head there 1st thing in the morning.

This evening brings us to ambush spot C. Wind is whooping, gras and trees are swaying. Time well spent on this father/son trip.

[BigLou]

Good stuff TN. Got pics of that 9?

[Garrett Harlan]

Keep at it!

[ShedHunter19]

Had a fun evening. Had a yearling at 30 yards but I didn’t want to shoot it. It was two yearlings and a big doe. The big doe didn’t get close enough to me, if she had I would’ve probably shot her for some meat. After deciding to give the young one a pass, I just absorbed the experience, watching it and its behavior, then noticing the sunset over the trees, listening and watching some cool birds flying overhead- all in all just a super cool evening. Always great spending time in Gods creation. Good luck tomorrow everyone

[josephd19]

If anyone is missing something, Some guys I'm hunting with found a quiver in department 5. They put it on the gate post.

[TN_boy]

Targets acquired. Sneak attack initiated. Dad decided to man command post and call moves. He setup our chair and bino tripod on the road so he can watch the show.

[RiverRat00]

Targets acquired. Sneak attack initiated. Dad decided to man command post and call moves. He setup our chair and bino tripod on the road so he can watch the show.

Hope you get them

[TN_boy]

Scwhack! Boom shackalocka!

[TN_boy]

100yd stoop walk, 100yd belly crawling. Setup on my knees under a cactus. 2 calves 2 cows walked in straight at me from 127yds. Calves stopped at 10 yards. 30 min stare down. My legs numb, readjusting legs. They all got nervous with swirling wind. Cows ran and I shot a calf before they could bolt. 17yds, it dropped in its tracks.

150gr single bevel iron will out of my 70lb 29 phase 4

[solocam_aggie]

Yes sir! Congrats on the kill

[RiverRat00]

100yd stoop walk, 100yd belly crawling. Setup on my knees under a cactus. 2 calves 2 cows walked in straight at me from 127yds. Calves stopped at 10 yards. 30 min stare down. My legs numb, readjusting legs. They all got nervous with swirling wind. Cows ran and I shot a calf before they could bolt. 17yds, it dropped in its tracks.

150gr single bevel iron will out of my 70lb 29 phase 4

That's awesome, good , hard work with success!!!way to go man

[TN_boy]

Dad was texting me that the bull and 2 more cows were headed in, but I never saw due to the stare down. They ended up bolting when the 1st cows did.

This was same group from yesterday evening and in same place.