ADDICT Report post Posted September 11, 2012 VIDEO LINK: I was bewildered this year when I did not draw an antelope tag in WY. I immediately began looking for a back-up option. I was able to get a landowner voucher in NM, and the hunt was on! This trip was special. After 7 years of marriage, my wife finally joined me on an adventure! I figured an antelope hunt would be the perfect gateway. Warm temps, motels, a lot of road hunting and glassing etc. would make a perfect first experience. We picked her up her first camo and hit the freeway. Despite a flat tire, the 8-hour drive from Phoenix to Willard, NM went seamlessly. We arrived and met the rancher who provided me with a map and property specifics and then turned me loose! The first two days scouting were mainly getting oriented and trying to find sign. The ranch has a ton of drinkers and even more cattle so antelope tracks were hard to come by. It rained the majority of them time as well so sightings were limited. There were a few breaks and we found a few groups with decent bucks. Opening morning we were out bright and early. We videoed and judged about 5 different bucks. Nothing caught the attention. The middle of the day was uneventful as we drove a more desolate, open portion of the ranch looking for a bedded buck. We did pick up a solid goat but other hunters had already pinned him down. I watched hopelessly through my 15s from a mile away as they tried to sneak open-country directly at him—FAIL. That night we regrouped and headed to the area we’d seen the most antelope. My wife was very interested in everything now and actually spotted this buck! He was the best buck we’d seen and besides the weak cutter on his right horn he has a great look to him. He’s 15” long and grosses in around 78.” It was awesome to have her there with me! I hope she caught the “bug!” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
200"mulie Report post Posted September 11, 2012 Congrats! good looking buck Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted September 12, 2012 Comgrats to you. You sure are having a great hunting season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADDICT Report post Posted September 12, 2012 Thanks guys! I hope my luck holds up! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted September 12, 2012 Dude, you are on a roll. The best part of that hunt to me is that your wife spotted that buck, hands down. That's cool stuff man. Good for you getting her involved. Although I have to admit, I did laugh a bit when she put that shell in backwards . Not that my wife wouldn't do the same. And nice work on sneaking some Wu Tang in there. Congrats on a nice buck, and a special hunt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADDICT Report post Posted September 13, 2012 She insisted on doing it solo! She even committed to a hunt of her own. Baby steps! Always room for the WU! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucky2hunt Report post Posted September 13, 2012 Congrats to the both of you, especially your wife Hopefully she's hooked and this is the first of many animals and lots more time in the field to come!!! Loved the video! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ghosthunter Report post Posted September 14, 2012 Addict, How does one go about getting on of those landowner tags? Id like to give something like that a shot sometime. Whats the going rate for a tag like that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
