Grandma goes Bonkers 

With the thought in mind that perhaps God was trying His hardest to get us an antelope we listen up to Granny’s instructions. (See last week’s story) After explaining to us that we were a bit dense and she had already clearly explained how to get in range, we did an about face and started off on our new approach.

The area is a flat creek bottom with a few trees around the farmstead and then mostly scattered bushes and plain old flat prairie. Using the dry creek bed we are making our way closer but all the back tracking is annoying as the creek continually wraps back 50 yards for every 20 forward.

Before long we see heads and then the tops of the horns as a buck burns out after a contender. Two minutes later we see him flash by on his way back to the group. This goes on for the entire stalk. Horns south-horns north, at least we know he is pre-occupied and still in the area.

We finally reach a washout where I feel we can set Jasper up without being noticed. Jesse can actually hold him upright while staying concealed in the creek bottom. I creep in behind the decoy and help Jesse lift Jasper to all four. It’s show time folks!

With my bow laid flat I’m on my knees behind the decoy. One peek tells me he is on to Jasper and coming our way. I get the brilliant idea to try to draw my bow back held sideways so as not be seen. Clever huh? Arrow falls off into the grass at exactly the same time the buck blows up a cloud of dust 7 yards from us. Both of us seem to have tripped a breaker in a locked stare of unbelief.

I reset first and try to nock my arrow while at the same time Mr. Buck hits the road. He has not completely recovered from the shock and decides to get one more look at Jasper. That’s all it took. Arrow off- antelope down, antelope up, 40 yards later antelope down. Perfect, just like we planned it.

We decide the first thing we need to do is get back to the ranch house and let Granny know how much we love her. She is absolutely beside herself with our success. I don’t think she figured we could pull it off. After a round of hugs, laughter and stories we took time for pictures and headed back to Bowman to take care of the buck.

With confidence somewhere between ¾ and full we are back out after the next victim. Our strategy is to drive around using the spotting scope searching for the right set up. Wind is howling today so antelope are a bit scarce. By late afternoon we have yet to make a stalk. By luck we are driving past a ranch where we have asked permission and guess what? Perfect set up.

We have a group of antelope in a protected basin with a ridge on the downwind side. What luck! This don’t ever happen and I can hardly believe it. Fact is we know all about this group. They live in the area but are so skittish we have never gotten closer than a mile before they are making dust. I make a turn around as we make our plan.

Rolling hills make this an easy stalk and with the wind in our favor we have confidence we can at least get in close enough to set up. When we get to the rim I inch forward and take a peek, sure enough they are still there bedded down. With Jesse 20 yards to the left and Levi 20 yards to the right I slip Jasper upright and decide to wait it out.

The idea is to get Jasper in the upright without being seen and then simply wait for the antelope to eventually notice the newcomer. Sometimes it takes a while, sometimes just seconds. Wind is howling into our face and it’s tuff to keep Jasper standing. All the antelope can see is Jaspers head looking over so the set up is as good as it gets.

I’m laying flat on the ground holding the back legs of Jasper. My focus is straight ahead expecting to see Mr. Big Buck any second. Something catches my eye to the left and there 40 yards out is what we are hoping for. Jesse at full draw with the buck facing the decoy. Before I can take it all in the buck has an arrow in him and is making a full speed get away.

The decoy drops as I jump up in order to see over the rim and keep my eye on the antelope. The buck is trailing the herd in a semi-circle and anxiety is showing up long before he is down. I keep a careful watch with the binoculars as he is not out of the game yet. He makes an attempt to get to his feet, knees buckle and down goes his front end driving the arrow completely out of his back behind the shoulders. Big Buck Down!

That’s my boy. Jesse, age 13 with his first antelope and a great one at that. Turns out it easily makes the book. Pictures, pictures, high fives and can’t believe its. What a season. As Jesse is explaining to me what happened it is even more unbelievable.

The buck made an approach straight on but I was never able to see him due to the terrain. Then he moved left over to Jesse’s side, I suspect the move was to get our wind. Facing straight on at 20, Jesse drew back in a horrific cross-wind. His arrow blows off the rest and he tries again, his arrow blows off the second time and --- ya, the buck is still there staring at Jasper. On the third attempt Jesse gets ‘er back and makes a very good shot. Perfect, just like we planned it.

Bring on the nostril clogging foam dust. Smear some more of that gooey stuff down here. If one decoy is good two must be better!  Coming up.  “Janice the Cross-dressing Antelope”