Finally getting around to typing up a hunt report. I have been busy the last couple weeks with antelope hunting in ND and WY with a little work mixed in between. I set up camp two day before the season in order to spend some time scouting. I was hoping to keep an eye on the bigger buck from above while also trying to locate some more bucks. During the two days scouting I was not able to locate any larger bucks and was no longer able to find my number 2 buck, the tall narrow one. I did get to spend a lot of time watching my number one though. He spent much of the days running the same little buck all over his area and spent very little time with is harem. The night before opening day I watched him chase the little buck almost three miles from the road that he spent most of his time near. I was nervous of where he would be in the morning, but also glad that he was away from the road.
Our season begins at 11:00 am opening day, but I was at my glassing point an hour before sunrise because I could not sleep. Shortly after I saw a truck pull into the oil pad below that the buck liked to hang out near. My heart sank, but then I saw that it was just a pumper checking the tanks. As the skies slowly lightened I spotted the buck’s harem, but there was only the little buck with them. Then I spotted two things. Another vehicle pull into the well pad and the big buck bedded near the main road. My heart sank again and this time I knew it was not an oil worker. I thought about my options and went back to my truck and drove down from my glassing point. I ended up walking up to the hunter and his wife who also had a tag. We spoke shortly and I let them know that I intended to hunt the buck and understood that they did as well. He thought I should let up because they were there first and I was unable to explain that I was, but they did not see me. The buck had moved from his bed and walked over a rise in the ridge before I came and talked to them, but they were unaware of this.
After our talk I moved on to where I thought the buck would be heading and the other hunter left me with parting words that he would turn me in if I shot early and I assured him that I would not. After a couple hundred yards I looked back to see them following me. Shortly after I spotted the buck and knew they would as well. Fifteen minutes before the season found me laying in the grass within rifle range of the buck, but knowing that they were also sitting doing the same on the other side of the buck. He knew we were both there and was becoming increasingly nervous. He began to move towards the next draw. This put him in better position for me, but it was still 8 minutes to the season. I must have checked my phone a hundred times that morning just waiting for in to read “11:00”. He ended up running to the draw and out of sight. This resulted in the other two hunters and me both running to the nearest finger ridge. Unfortunately when I got to mine I did not see the buck below and knew that they could. I set up for a shot anyway. The buck appeared at the bottom of the draw at 350 yards. It was 10:57. He was nervous and getting ready to move up the next ridge. I knew I would have a shot once he reached the top if he stopped. If he continued I was confident of both where he would be heading and that I would be able to get down and up the other ridge before the other hunters. I looked at my phone again and it was 10:58 and the buck went out of sight as he went up the ridge. Moments later I heard the shot. With a little hope I watched the top of the ridge for him to appear running, but instead he came out the bottom wounded. They put two more shots into him and it was over. I was in disbelief that this buck that I knew so well was not going to become mine. I picked up my pack and walked back to my truck.
I was disappointed in not only the fact that I did not get the buck, but also the way the hunt unfolded. I knew if I would have backed off I would have regretted it later and at the same time I understand their point of view as they did not realize I was there already. I spent the rest of the day hiking 14 miles looking for my number 2 and 3 bucks without success. Again, I had a hard time sleeping that night, but this time it was not due to excitement. I will continue the recap with Day 2 tomorrow.
