Well, I am sitting in the dark, camped on some BLM land, hoping the monsoons of New Mexico do not ruin my computer. Rolled in at dark and too tired to set up the entire camp after driving 1,100 miles. Need to sleep.
This is the third year in a row that IDBugler and I have drawn New Mexico archery antelope. Last year we drew our first choice and it was great. This year, the same as in 2009, we drew our third choice.
New Mexico looks at all three choices before going on to the next application. So, it is possible to draw your second or third choice. We applied for this unit as third choice, having hunted it in 2009, even though we know it is not near what our first and second choices are. But, we are hunting antelope, so who really cares what unit.
I got in just before dark and made some quick scouting trips. Not good. Not grass and brown as I have ever seen New Mexico during the middle of monsoon season. It rained the entire time I drove around scouting, but I fear too little, too late.
Bugler left work this afternoon and is driving straight through. After I texted him with the report of seeing three very small bucks, he might have turned around and found a better offer. Nah, he is as much of an antelope nut as I am.
Season opens Saturday, so we have tomorrow to scout and get our plan lined up. We will see how well the BeTheDecoy works when there is no cover to hide in. Every place looks like a billiard table.
Seems like every year we have some huge obstacles to overcome. This year it looks like the drought and the fact that most the antelope seemed to have moved to other parts of the unit. I only had a couple hours to look around, so hopefully tomorrow will provide more time and better results.
Gonna get my sleeping quarters sorted our and get ready for a long day of scouting tomorrow. Bugler should be here just after lunch, but I suspect sleep will be first and foremost on his mind.
As always, if you have any luck you want to send our way, we will gladly take it. Looks like we will need it.
This is the third year in a row that IDBugler and I have drawn New Mexico archery antelope. Last year we drew our first choice and it was great. This year, the same as in 2009, we drew our third choice.
New Mexico looks at all three choices before going on to the next application. So, it is possible to draw your second or third choice. We applied for this unit as third choice, having hunted it in 2009, even though we know it is not near what our first and second choices are. But, we are hunting antelope, so who really cares what unit.
I got in just before dark and made some quick scouting trips. Not good. Not grass and brown as I have ever seen New Mexico during the middle of monsoon season. It rained the entire time I drove around scouting, but I fear too little, too late.
Bugler left work this afternoon and is driving straight through. After I texted him with the report of seeing three very small bucks, he might have turned around and found a better offer. Nah, he is as much of an antelope nut as I am.
Season opens Saturday, so we have tomorrow to scout and get our plan lined up. We will see how well the BeTheDecoy works when there is no cover to hide in. Every place looks like a billiard table.
Seems like every year we have some huge obstacles to overcome. This year it looks like the drought and the fact that most the antelope seemed to have moved to other parts of the unit. I only had a couple hours to look around, so hopefully tomorrow will provide more time and better results.
Gonna get my sleeping quarters sorted our and get ready for a long day of scouting tomorrow. Bugler should be here just after lunch, but I suspect sleep will be first and foremost on his mind.
As always, if you have any luck you want to send our way, we will gladly take it. Looks like we will need it.
