Read the whole thread to see why this is


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I'll have to right up the story later, . I'm off to go shoot the bows with the boys.. archery antelope is only a few weeks away... But lots of action in just an eve and a morning...

Nice work Jim !

Really like that 2nd picture! You can sure see 'em coming a long ways off out there.

Regards
hm

Nice

You sure can sometimes. But those older dogs sure know how to use every little fold and ripple in the landscape to their advantage.. I had two pairs slip in on me and just appear at shotgun range.. and I didn't kill any of those... lol

I need to be a little more careful when choosing my set up, especially when solo.. it's tough to adequately cover all possible approach routes..

I like it when they talk to me a bit before they commit. Gives a guy a chance to get pointed in the right direction..lol

I witnessed something I hadn't seen before this weekend.. one pair were hard charging in and howling and barking on the run. that didn't work out so well for one of them..

The not so short version.. Last minute bonsai hunt..

At noon on Saturday I decided that I needed to clear my head and find some open space.. so I loaded up the basics and left my western Montana valley and headed southeast. At 4:30 pm I arrived at my base of operations.. see pic 1...

Spent the balance of the evening exploring some higher elevation country... a quick afternoon thunderstorm cooled the temperature a pleasant 20 degrees.. see pic 2.

I attempted a quick stand up high but as I suspected it didn't produce.. I was well above the sage valley that stretched out far below me.. My quarry would be found there. Only some scattered sign of an ambitious badger was seen. In fact, on my return walk back to my steed I spotted the old excavator... But he had apparently seen me first because he was rapidly gaining elevation and distance between us. I carried my new kimber this evening and quickly dropped to ground my bipod deployed. I found my target and waited for him to pause.. He obliged me at a distance of 220 or so and the crosshairs quickly settled... My efforts are rewarded with........ click.. silence.... as I hastily worked the action to actually chamber a round....He made it to the safety of his lair.. I smiled as I stood up.. haven't made that mistake in a long while.. I guess some lessons need to be revisited... with darkness quickly approaching I head back towards base. I'm anticipating the events to follow as I plan on trying some night calling tonight. I have a new tool in my toolbox that needs tested.. a gun mounted coyote brand light.. in green.
I arrive at base just as the last rays of light have nearly escaped. I have a few moments to glass a distant hillside.. low and behold my quarry paces.. it's aware of my presence. Hmmmm, I make a quick meal and consider my options..

I wait for full darkness to encapsulate the landscape and here in Montana that is nearly 11 o'clock this time of year.. a stark contrast to when I'm typically hunting these guys. The weather is a tad warmer as well.

I quietly walked 3 or 400 yards from camp swinging up on over a nearby ridge.. this is were I'll play the game. Call is placed 40 yards distant with a crossing breeze.. I start with soft distress, the air is dead calm. I turn on my light and begin scanning.. 5..6...7..8 minutes go by. Nothing but sage and earth do I see. I switch sounds.. 1..2..3...scan to the left and two green lights appear in the darkness.. he's coming.. Only 140 yards..I have him in the scope, I remind myself to be patient. Let him come I say.. 130..120..90..85 he stops.. I have a shot, and as I begin my squeeze he bolts!! Hard to the right I bark anxiously to get him to stop, he gives me a tenth of a second look back at 200, body obscured by sage.. and the green lights disappear into the night.. as I ponder the situation that just unfolded in front of me I notice a slight breeze on the back of my neck that wasn't there before.. Hmmmm. Wind switched why I was preoccupied.. Should have shot sooner.. another lesson revisited.. and it's only 11:30. the night is still young, I wonder what else I will learn this night.... off to stand 2..

To be cont..

If you wish.