Antelope hunt......"old style"

[alpineguy]

For the past 5 years or so I have been thinking of taking my team and wagon out on the prairie to hunt antelope. This year I was P10 and decided it was time to enter. Besides taking the horses I was also in need of a partner who had horse savy and was willing to stay out with nothing more than the wagon cover to protect us from the elements. I was very fortunate to have been contacted by Saddleup from the AO forum and together we planned our trip.
First came a scouting trip in July and then Saddleup went to work acquiring permission on a vast tract of prairie for us. It seemed that the local ranchers were more than happy to let us on their leases with the wagon and this we are very appreciative for.
Finally the day came (Oct 19) and I left home with a loaded trailer. I met up with my partner at his home and from there we drove to our staging point. A couple hours later we were off across the prairie in search of a good spot to park the wagon which would have to include water for the horses. We didn't have to travel far before coming on what we felt was a great spot as we had nothing but prairie around and no motorized vehicles allowed. Camp was established in short order and the rest of the evening was spent in anticipation of opening morning and what that might bring.
Oct 20th ended up being very warm and although I had a great opportunity to take a decent buck I passed him up hoping to find a bigger one. The day ended with no harvest but the morning of day 2 saw Saddleup take a decent buck just a mile from camp. Later that day I had 2 opportunities at bucks but the truth is I missed both shots.
With my confidence rattled, the morning of day 3 found me heading out from camp to the area my partner had taken his buck the day before. From the same hill that Saddleup took his buck I also spotted one that morning and after ranging him I set up for the shot. This time my bullet found its mark and the buck dropped to the ground. Most incredible was that when I walked up to the downed antelope I was completely shocked to see that my partner's buck's gut pile was only 10 yards from where my buck lay dead!!!
This trip was a great adventure and one I won't soon forget. I would like to thank Saddleup for all his efforts in scouting and attaining permission.
I will let him post his comments following this one.
Hope you enjoy the pictures and "Happy Hunting" after all it's more about the experience than the harvest!!!!

[Brink]

Awesome! looks like you guys had a good time and congrats on filling your tags.

[roosterman]

Lived a couple of years in the 60s at Coutts. Pix of the Sweetgrass Hills bring back memories.

[Puma]

Very nice !

[diamonddave]

Good for you guys!! Awesome report!!

[timsesink]

It's not always the end result that produces the most pleasure but sometimes it's the journey along the way. Looks incredible.

[LCCFisherman]

Now THAT is something I would pay an outfitter for.. looks like quiet the experience! Could you imagine doing that on some of the huge ranches in southern alberta? Amazing.

[Pudelpointer]

Excellent Alpineguy.


First thought that popped into my mind was a couple Good'ol'boys hanging out the windows of a '60s pick-up truck with rifles in their hands doing 50mp/h across the grassland. Glad I was wrong!

[tdwarburton]

That looked like a cool hunt! I love the picture of the wagon illuminated and the sunset!

[NewAlbertan]

Originally Posted by LCCFisherman

Now THAT is something I would pay an outfitter for.. looks like quiet the experience! Could you imagine doing that on some of the huge ranches in southern alberta? Amazing.

Indeed

[Roughneck Country]

Looks like an awesome hunt!

[casual observer]

Congratulations on the success. I don't know or care if those are big or not. That kind of reminds me of my old bamboo fly rod. I would rather just enjoy pitching dries with it on a lazy summer evening catching nothing than limit out on big fat trout on spinners. I like seeing others that "get" the experience.

[hunterfisher]

That looks incredible. I'd love to have the opportunity some day to hint like that. I've hunted horseback before but never with a wagon. Good job guys, great pics. Thanks for sharing

[abhunter8]

That is a fantastic story and I will say... I am very jealous. An experience that I could only dream about!

[Hallywood]

Really cool hunt. I was down there, would have been neat to see you guys. Cool hunt. Good job!

[Red Bullets]

A hunt like this is where the term " Happy Trails " comes from.
Congrats on the speed goats. Thank you for sharing.

Brings back good memories. When I was young we took a couple chuckwagons and several outriders for a 300 mile/4 week journey. The best of times.

Be careful what you post. You could start something.

[Stinky Buffalo]

That is awesome! Great story and pics. I really enjoyed them.

[whitetail Junkie]

Very nice hunt\goats,congrats.

[Bigwoodsman]

Now that's a cool way to hunt prairie goats!

Good job well done

BW

[AB2506]

Looks like fun. Congrats.

[Speckle55]

Grats on your successful goat hunt

Wow!!! great story and pictures on getting it done the old way

Thanks for sharing

David

[Springer]

I have been waiting for this story to show up Ken..
How Cool , what a memorable Hunt and a couple Great Bucks to show for it in the end..
Did you burn Buffalo chips for a campfire on the Bald ass Parairie...

Congrats to both of you!

[roger]

cool!

great story and above average effort

[catnthehat]

Fantastic hunt and a very cool way to travel !
Congrats on the pronghorns!
Cat

[wildwoods]

Such a unique thread. Way to go. Glad you were successful!

[El-Brento]

Great story and photos!

[Scott N]

That looks like it would be a lot of fun, thanks for sharing the photos, and congrats on the speed goats.

[OpenSights]

That would be a awesome hunting trip.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Looks like a heck of a time...thanks for sharing.

LC

[South west trappin RG]

dream hunt really relaxing it looks like and some great goats. My family did the same in 2010 but out of a truck taking six and camping. You have set the bar for loopers for sure.