2013 Archery Antelope

Aug. 19

The archery season finally kicked off for me.  My original plan was to make it out on the 15th, which was the opener, but I had some commitments come up that I had to attend to first.  The morning of the 19th rolled around and I was out in the field.

I immediately found some antelope on a state section.  I parked on the shoulder of the road and the antelope headed the other direction.  I went farther down the road and began my hike to where I though the antelope would head.  While heading to the area I wen to cross a creek bottom and took a spill as I lost my footing.  I landed on my pack and my water bladder burst and lost the majority of my water for the day.  I cleaned things up and continued to pursue the antelope.

I finally made it to where I expected the antelope to come.  I dried my equipment out the best that I could.  After waiting for a while I headed back to my vehicle.  As I headed back I continued to try and locate the antelope.  Finally I saw the same buck, but he was now bedded on private ground.  While waiting to see what the antelope were going to do from their new position I received a phone call and had an emergency at home I had to take care of.  I never made it back out for the day, but was looking forward to getting back out when the opportunity came.

Aug. 21

I wasn't able to make it out on the 20th as my family and I are getting ready to make a move to Helena, MT in the next couple of weeks.  I did however make it back out on the 21st.  I again headed to the state section and found a couple more antelope.  I set out again to see if I could stalk within bow range.  The antelope eventually left my sight and headed further onto private property.

The morning was short and filled with unsuccessful sighting of antelope I could hunt.  The season has started out slow thus far, but you never know when the right day will come and it's time to fling an arrow.  This season will definitely test me as there will be fewer days this year to hunt for me than in years past.  Life sometimes throws curve balls your way and you just have to be patient and take the right swing and things will come together.  

Antelope opened on the 15th, which will be followed by archer elk and deer opening on Sept. 7.  The anticipation is killing me, but I'm just glad the season finally got here.  I look forward to keeping everyone updated on the season as days go by.  It will go fast and then there will be the wait until the next season, but each season brings so many more memories.