I feel bad for taking so long to post this! My new job in the outdoor industry somehow takes way too much time away from important things like hunting and writing! [emoji12]
I was able to sneak away for another epic trip to the Cowboy state though....
Back in the spring I hosted my first Western Hunting Boot Camp seminar at a northern Ohio Archery shop. Thanks to some generous sponsors and my awesome employer, we were able to make the event totally free for 40 guys and girls who attended. At the end of the seminar, everyone was invited to apply and hunt with me at my annual camp. The seminar was super successful and we ended up with 13 people joining us on the diy public land hunt in October.
Most of the group drew region Y deer tags and unit 20,21, or 22 goat tags. I personally drew my 3rd choice deer (region x) and second choice antelope (unit 20). With season for most units opening on the 15th, my goal was to arrive early and set up camp. I decided I'd get a leftover unit 16 antelope tag and hunt 2 days near Gillette before heading to make camp in Kaycee.
I arrived solo in 16 with 2 hunting days. For an added challenge/stupidity I decided I was only going to bowhunt this trip. Within 15 minutes of entering the unit, I found a 13" buck that was a no doubt shooter for 16. I made a great stalk with the help of my Montana Moo Cow decoy and got to 80 yards. Unfortunately, I rushed my set up and didn't stake my decoy down before drawing. As luck would have it, a hefty wind gust came and turned my decoy into the scene from Wizard of Oz where the cows are flying in the twister (or maybe that's the movie Twister....idk). The goats busted out and off the small bit of public land. Here was my view:
After retrieving my decoy, I hopped on my bike and road a sloppy 2-track as a snow storm blew in from no where. This picture was taken 30 minutes after the above picture:
The rest of the day was a bust. I spent more time joyriding on my e-bike in the snow than I did hunting. I had low expectations for the 16 tag and seeing a shooter buck made the tag worth buying.
Day 2 wasn't much better, but goats were everywhere and hunters were scarce. Around 3pm I found a group of goats on private that were walking towards public. There were 2 nice bucks in the herd and a great overhanging ledge half mile back the draw for a stalk. The problem was, to get there require a 2 mile hike to avoid trespassing and the bike wasn't an option. I parked and hiked in. The hike in was lengthy and steep....and nasty and muddy and frigid. But by 430 I was 80 yards from the biggest buck walking towards me. I drew back when he got to 60 and discovered there were about 25 does behind me seemingly appearing from nowhere. The whole mountainside exploded with antelope and deer. The big buck stopped broadside at 90 just barely on public. Even if I could've made the shot, he certainly would've ran into private. I let down and watched a total of 80+ antelope heard up and cross the ridge.
That was all the excitement for unit 16. With a rifle, I think there were 5 bucks over 13" on public that were all 100 yards or closer shots. I would absolutely pick up the tag again as a leftover and spend 2 or 3 days there towards the end of that unit's season.
Now, it was time to head south and make camp for the group.
I was able to sneak away for another epic trip to the Cowboy state though....
Back in the spring I hosted my first Western Hunting Boot Camp seminar at a northern Ohio Archery shop. Thanks to some generous sponsors and my awesome employer, we were able to make the event totally free for 40 guys and girls who attended. At the end of the seminar, everyone was invited to apply and hunt with me at my annual camp. The seminar was super successful and we ended up with 13 people joining us on the diy public land hunt in October.
Most of the group drew region Y deer tags and unit 20,21, or 22 goat tags. I personally drew my 3rd choice deer (region x) and second choice antelope (unit 20). With season for most units opening on the 15th, my goal was to arrive early and set up camp. I decided I'd get a leftover unit 16 antelope tag and hunt 2 days near Gillette before heading to make camp in Kaycee.
I arrived solo in 16 with 2 hunting days. For an added challenge/stupidity I decided I was only going to bowhunt this trip. Within 15 minutes of entering the unit, I found a 13" buck that was a no doubt shooter for 16. I made a great stalk with the help of my Montana Moo Cow decoy and got to 80 yards. Unfortunately, I rushed my set up and didn't stake my decoy down before drawing. As luck would have it, a hefty wind gust came and turned my decoy into the scene from Wizard of Oz where the cows are flying in the twister (or maybe that's the movie Twister....idk). The goats busted out and off the small bit of public land. Here was my view:
After retrieving my decoy, I hopped on my bike and road a sloppy 2-track as a snow storm blew in from no where. This picture was taken 30 minutes after the above picture:
The rest of the day was a bust. I spent more time joyriding on my e-bike in the snow than I did hunting. I had low expectations for the 16 tag and seeing a shooter buck made the tag worth buying.
Day 2 wasn't much better, but goats were everywhere and hunters were scarce. Around 3pm I found a group of goats on private that were walking towards public. There were 2 nice bucks in the herd and a great overhanging ledge half mile back the draw for a stalk. The problem was, to get there require a 2 mile hike to avoid trespassing and the bike wasn't an option. I parked and hiked in. The hike in was lengthy and steep....and nasty and muddy and frigid. But by 430 I was 80 yards from the biggest buck walking towards me. I drew back when he got to 60 and discovered there were about 25 does behind me seemingly appearing from nowhere. The whole mountainside exploded with antelope and deer. The big buck stopped broadside at 90 just barely on public. Even if I could've made the shot, he certainly would've ran into private. I let down and watched a total of 80+ antelope heard up and cross the ridge.
That was all the excitement for unit 16. With a rifle, I think there were 5 bucks over 13" on public that were all 100 yards or closer shots. I would absolutely pick up the tag again as a leftover and spend 2 or 3 days there towards the end of that unit's season.
Now, it was time to head south and make camp for the group.
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