WyoDoug Speedgoat Hunt

[WyoDoug]

​

I am ready (I think) to chase speedgoats in the morning. I am sure I will forget SOMETHING. But I made sure I had ammo, gun, license, bino harness, pack, etc. Working on cooler so I got plenty of liquid. This is a local day hunt well 45 miles north of Cheyenne. It's an area I used to live when I was younger and one of my uncles had a wheat farm in the area. I have been hunting my favorite spots for 20+ years and tagged out all except last year. This year for first 3 days, I want to go for a respectable buck (not necessarily B&C but a good one) OR a large 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 year old doe with good meat mass. I take off bright and early around 5:30 and head to an area east of Chugwater. I snagged permission from a few landowners to hunt on their land that is not in the Access Yes program so I got a change to get those who are pushed out of the public lands. I hit the big 70 in May next year so this is a challenge considering my health issues and rather arthritic back. I have been hitting the treadmill and gym on a fairly regular schedule so hopefully I don't have the issues I had year before last when my back kept tightening up when I walked back to the truck after hiking in where my buddy got a shot at some does. I lost a little over 20 pounds in the last year, so hopefully that helps. So, out to prove this old man can still do it. Read comments as I will be posting updates as comments to this thread. I will also be shooting any coyotes and prairie rattlers I see at request of the landowners that gave me permission to hunt.

 

[Dave N]

Go get 'em!

 

[Hunter0925]

Good luck! Would offer my help if needed but I'll be going with a disabled vet to try and help him fill his tag south of Casper.

 

[thomas89]

Good for you for getting out Doug!

 

[Pahoundsman]

Good luck.

 

[WyoDoug]

I am guessing it's a good idea to put some bullets in the magazine of your gun when you get started hunting. I saw two nice doors almost immediately after I arrived in the hunt area. I'll grab my gun and get ready to chamber around and no bullets. Two really nice size does.

 

[Bullshot]

I am guessing it's a good idea to put some bullets in the magazine of your gun when you get started hunting. I saw two nice doors almost immediately after I arrived in the hunt area. I'll grab my gun and get ready to chamber around and no bullets. Two really nice size does.

nah you don't want to tag out too early. enjoy the hunt.

 

[WyoDoug]

Kind of irritating when you got your eye on a nice buck but a stupid freaking road hunter sees it too and drives back and forth keeping the buck spooked. I want to walk in and stalk it but these idiots are making it impossible. The problem with hunting the first couple days of the season and area I'm in is a lot of road hunters are around.

 

[WyoDoug]

nah you don't want to tag out too early. enjoy the hunt.

I had a shot at a nice buck too but the freaking road hunters spooked it before I can get set up or get close enough to make sure I was going to hit it.

 

[SaskHunter]

Get 'em Doug!

 

[WyoDoug]

Them friggin road hunters a lot of them were taking pot shots at antelopes at the same time I was in the field trying to stalk them. I ended up giving one of them the middle finger obviously losing control of my temper but what they did was incredibly dangerous. I should of got their license numbers and contact Game and Fish.

Anyways, going back out Wednesday and see how it is when most of the roadies have went home.

 

[WyoDoug]

Something I want to brag about much like Randy brags about his coolers, several years ago I bought a Cater Gator cooler which is what a lot of professional catering people use. I put 40 pounds of ice in it anticipating getting my speedgoat today. When I got home to empty it very little of the ice melted. I estimate I had around 38 pounds of still frozen ice. It pays to invest in good coolers to haul meat back man. Especially if you have a long trip home on a hot day. Don't go cheap for that.

 

[Bow Bullet]

Never heard of Catergator so had to look them up. Look like Yetis but incredible prices - $250 for a 110 qt and $500 for a 210 qt. And it was free shipping on the site I looked at. If they work even somewhat as well as a Yeti, I may need to give one a try.

 

[WNC2500]

Good luck @WyoDoug
We are rooting for you. Get it done!!

 

[WyoDoug]

Never heard of Catergator so had to look them up. Look like Yetis but incredible prices - $250 for a 110 qt and $500 for a 210 qt. And it was free shipping on the site I looked at. If they work even somewhat as well as a Yeti, I may need to give one a try.

I think they are definitely competitive to a Yeti. Caterers have to rely on the best to keep perishable food ready to eat especially with the liability if a customer gets sick from spoiled food. I hauled a number of antelope in this cooler and meat was really cold when I got home each time with ice lasting 2-3 days. They are also very durable where cheaper coolers might crack if dropped off the pickup bed, I dropped mine a couple times now (not on purpose) and no damage I can see.

 

[WyoDoug]

Headed back out in the AM (Wednesday, 9/22). Really hoping them roadies I had conflicts with are gone (which I think they will). Hoping to not see much orange other than what I am wearing and more speedgoats than pickem up trucks.

 

[INMT]

Get em! Keep is posted

 

[WyoDoug]

Well it would happen sooner or later but the game warden came by for a visit and I discussed what happened opening day and gave him descriptions of the people involved that shot over me. He was a rather young dude probably just getting started in his career. However is very professional and check my license and all that and I am just glad I had that license where a very easy to find. He gave me a couple hints where he'd been seeing them and maybe I'll have to check them out after it cools off. Kind of laying low and killing time until closer to 5:00 because right now the antelope are laying down and difficult to find.

 

[WyoDoug]

Well so much for plan A. I was scoping some bucks in a field and one of the locals noticed me sitting there I had to come talk to me. I told him I just open the area for now and did not tell him that I saw two bucks over in that field. However, next thing I know here comes he and his buddy and they go walking in that field to try to get them bucks and chase them off to Timbuktu. Kind of reminds me of some of Randy's videos were some idiots ruined his stalk.

 

[WyoDoug]

Much better on "seeing" goats but still frustrated what greedy moron hunters so. I kind of laughed though at that kid that asked me if I was seeing anything or just scoping. Next thing I know he showed up with a friend and they both entered the field where the bucks were. Evidently, they did not see them as well as I did cuz the bucks went on the bordering north property which has explicit "no hunting" signs posted. I got until Oct 14 to tag out. Got a little pug that needs a tumor removed so when that is done, I am going back out roughly second week of October.