Wyoming 2007 by Matt Johnson

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Wyoming 2007

~ Matt Johnson (11/6/2007 @ 10:45 AM)

Slideshow

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Me with my antelope

The 2007 trip started off just like the 2006 trip. We left Stewartwille, Minnesota early in the morning on September 30 to begin the 10 hour drive to New Castle, Wyoming. The group consisted of Heath, Heath's dad Bill, Shane (friend of Heath's dad and great guy), and myself. We made a short stop in Mitchell, South Dakota to shop at Cabelas and then we were back on the road. We arrived in Wyoming around 7pm and checked into our motel, the beautiful Fountain Inn.

The next day we headed out on the prairie (day before opener) to do a little scouting. Luckily we were seeing a lot of antelope but they seemed a little spooky already. This made me nervous since I was going to be shooting a 30-06 which isn't always great for a very long shot. I like to stay under 200 yards while most of the other guys shoot well over 250 with their sissy 270's. After a few hours in the prairie, we spent the afternoon at the shooting range making sure our guns were accurate. After a short scare (shoooting 100yards when sighted in at 200), I realized my gun was right on. Next stop, a dumpy bar for some good eats. Last year we were all impressed with the food at a particular bar so we made our annual stop. Problem was that they didn't wash the potatoes before they cut them so they were filled with sand. We ate them anyway. It's good for the gizzard and after tomorrow everything we owned would be full of prairie sand anyway.

Opening day we all woke anxious to get out to the prairie. We split in groups (Heath with his dad and Shane and I) and headed in seperate directions. Shane and I quickly got on some goats and started our stalk. Unfortunately, we didn't take any shots before lunch. After lunch we followed a group of goats to a watering hole. I suggested we split for a few minutes while I stalked in one direction and Shane headed to the watering hole.

I quickly saw 3 herds of goats as I crested the prairie bluff. One group (which was too far away) had a real bruiser in it with very tall horns. They conitinued to move away from me as I crawled through a patch of sage brush. I realized I had dropped down too early and would never be able to cover as much ground as they were covering while crawling on my belly. As I was about to give up and head back towards Shane a doe ran within 150 yards behind me. Right behind her was a nice buck with his nose to the ground. A SHOOTER. I quickly threw my bag under my gun and took aim. He was walking slowly at about 185 yards with a slow cross wind. I followed his kill zone and took the shot. The 30-06 let out a scream, gave me a kick, and the scope was no longer on the goat. When I looked up I realized the damage had been done. He had dropped on the spot. I sat in the sage brush for a few minutes to be sure that he was dead. (goats tend to surprise you and stand up if you get up right away) When I approached I was pleased to find a nice 13 incher with a little ivory. Shane had heard the shot and began to walk in my direction. We took a few pictures and he started the long walk to the truck to get the cart. (you can't drag in the prairie because the cactus will ruin your meat)

For the last few hours of day light, Heath and I headed to the watering hole to wait for a goat to drink. A few showed up, but none worth shooting on opening day.

No one else shot an antelope opening day, so the hunt conitnued.

That night we alll worked to process my goat and then had a little Crown Royal (Shane's required celebratory drink)

The next day Shane and I set out and quickly got on a few herds. I no longer carried a gun but was armed with a video camera. We followed a heard for what seemed like 5 miles (which could be accurate) We finally gave up and set our sites on another area of the prairie. We found a very steep washout (20 feet high) and scaled to the top. I peeked over the bluff and saw a nice shooter bedded down in the open. I also notice a set of bucks wandering his way 400 yards to the left. Shane set up his 270 with his bi-pod and we waited for the set to disturb him so he would stand up. We sat for about 30 minutes when he finally stood up. Shane took a shot and he dropped on the spot. I caught the whole thing on camera and have to say, I was impressed that the shot didn't cause a jerk. I think I found my calling. The buck did stand up but Shane was able to get a second shot and finish the job. He needs a bigger gun. His shot was impressive... approx. 270 yards with a slight wind. The goat turned out to have nice 13 inch horns. It was now my turn to make the long trip to the truck.

When I got back to the truck it was no longer where it had been parked. Turned out Heath and his dad had both filled thier tags at the same time as Shane, and our hunt had come to an end.

we spent the rest of the evening cleaning their antelope and drinking another Crown and Coke. What a good day.

I plan to work with my dad on a european mount of my horns and skull. All of us filled out tags with nice bucks all between 12.5 and 13 inches.

Again, Bill put together a great hunt. We had a great time in Wyoming. Now it's time to get ready for deer season.

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	Sunset	Where Heath and I set up opening day after I had shot my antelope	Great shot. Think Cabelas would buy this one?
Goats in the distance
Watering hole		The cleanin' shed

Comments

Darren Miller

Member Since: 11/27/2008

RE: Wyoming 2007
Posted On: 1/28/2009 5:36 PM

Sounds like a great hunt. I would like to see some close up pictures of the crew with the nice racks. was this all public land that you were on? count me in on the next adventure.

Matt Johnson

Member Since: 7/12/2008

RE: Wyoming 2007
Posted On: 4/15/2009 8:02 AM

Just saw this comment Darren. No this is all private. Landowner had square miles of land. It's pretty amazing!

Matt Johnson

Member Since: 7/12/2008

RE: Wyoming 2007
Posted On: 4/15/2009 8:03 AM

Just saw this comment Darren. No this is all private. Landowner had square miles of land. It's pretty amazing!

Matt Johnson

Member Since: 7/12/2008

RE: Wyoming 2007
Posted On: 4/15/2009 8:03 AM

Just saw this comment Darren. No, this is all private. Landowner had square miles of land. It's pretty amazing!

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