It seems like every year ends with the memories of the past year, the almosts, the successes, and all of the good times with friends and family. Then comes what shall I try next year.
Owning a Custom Log and Timber Frame Home business keeps my schedule very busy. Having several projects scheduled out of my home state for the fall, I decided to apply for one hunt in Montana and buy two each of all of Idaho’s Super Tags. Not really expecting to win this lottery, I was surprised when Idaho Fish and Game called to tell me I had won one of the two Super Tags for Idaho antelope. I wanted to harvest a nice buck, but I didn’t know where to find one or how to field judge them.
I called Huntin’ Fool and was directed to Robert. When I told him what I had won, he congratulated me and told me I was extra lucky because Idaho had opened some new areas that had been closed for 15 years. Robert gave me several areas to check out and info on field judging these, unknown to me, prairie goats.
I am fortunate to have a son and two son-in-laws who would have been glad to come along and help glass and spot the right one. However, my wife said she would like to go. She has always been very supportive of my passion for hunting but had never gone with me on any extended hunting trip. I should have taken her years ago. We drove our hunting/camping van 1,500 miles, our UTV 150 miles, and glassed 20 plus bucks.
On the third day of our quest for a 75"+ buck, we drove approximately four miles out to the foothills of some higher mountains. We found a good place to glass and soon spotted a herd of antelope about a mile up an open draw with what looked like several big bucks. My wife is an awesome spotter, many times spotting something before I did. With almost no cover, we decided to move over one draw and walk up to where we might be able to come over the top and get close enough for a shot. We did a 200-yard crawl and finally spotted them at 445 yards. With the wind blowing, the shot seemed too far for me.
We spotted a big bunch of sagebrush to our left and closer to the herd, so we crawled back, moved over, and crawled to the new lookout. I was almost scared to peek out, hoping they hadn’t left, but they were there! There were seven does and five bucks, with the biggest buck being the furthest away at 345 yards. I decided to shoot. I dialed my scope in and told my wife to watch with the binos. When he finally turned sideways, I fired and missed. I hate to admit it, but I had buck fever.
The herd ran, but they turned and angled towards our left. I shot again. My wife also had a bad case of buck fever and said I had shot too high. How she could see through her shaking binos, I have no idea. The buck stopped. I calmed myself down and pulled the trigger. Down he went.
After high fives, hugs, and giggles from my wife, we hiked over. There was not much ground shrinkage. He had 16" heartshaped horns, scoring 81 1/8". Harvesting this beautiful antelope on Idaho public land with my wife made this one of the most enjoyable hunts ever.
This hunt would not have happened without the Idaho Fish and Game Super Tag program. Special thanks to Robert from Huntin’ Fool. I would not have chosen this area without his input. Thanks to my kids for sacrificing their time, working two shifts, allowing me to take time off. Mostly, I thank God for the privilege of being born in a country where we can go out and enjoy His great creation. We are a very privileged people in America; let’s keep it that way! God bless.
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