It all began back in Christmas of 2007. My Dad (Tim) was offered the opportunity to go
hunting in Canada for black bear with one of our good friends Dave. Dave was researching
hunts and found a guided hunt with only two spots open for August 2008! It was a great
opportunity and I encouraged him to go (while also having some fun razzing them about
me not being able to go).
With this information I had a decision to make; to pronghorn, or not to pronghorn? I
had been purchasing bonus points for antelope for five years and now had six saved up. I
knew my draw odds were sitting right about 1% for a coveted Arizona unit (current world
record unit), but I decided to take a shot at it. What are the odds I would draw my first
season actually putting in? Turns out my odds were 100%. Not only did I draw second
choice for the late season antelope hunt I wanted, I also drew second choice for archery
bull elk in Northern Arizona; another great tag that I had seven points saved up in. I had
a ton of work ahead of me and knew that I would be going at this antelope hunt solo so
I hit the map store and purchased all the 7.5 minute maps I could find of my area.
I spent dozens of hours in front of those maps and my computer based topo software
searching for the best places to scout. I read as many articles as I could dig up about hunting
antelope out West and attended a few seminars to get some tricks of the trade. I called
every game warden and biologist I could get on the phone and picked their brains about
my area. After about two months, I had enough information to get a good scout in so I
planned my trip in late June.
I took off out of Tucson early one morning and headed for Prescott. The drive was
quiet, but I was focused on the job I had to do. After reaching Prescott I went straight
into the spots I had pre-selected to scout. I had heard that the unit was chocked full of
antelope, and it was. I was also informed that due to vast private ranches in the area it
was very difficult to get access to most of these antelope; that was an understatement.
The areas I initially chose to scout were foot access only, not a problem, but come to find
out it was also where most of the other hunters would be during the two week season
due to the private land issue. It was time to find a new spot. After a day and a half, and
a little advice from some new friends, I zeroed in on where I would concentrate when I
came back in August.
With camp packed up in late August and the Monsoon’s quieting down a bit I hit the
road, solo again, on my quest to fill an extremely rare tag. Once again, I pulled into
Prescott and headed out into the National Forest to find a nice place to camp among the
junipers. Camp was staked by early afternoon and I hit the trail to do some scouting
before the morning opener. I glassed up a few nice bucks, but again they were all taking
up residence on private land. Four hours later the sun was set and I headed back to camp
to get some chow and some rest; it was going to be a long week. Four AM came knocking
hard and after some breakfast I headed out. I had found a few nice hills to glass from that
bordered private land where most of the antelope were rutting. That morning taught me
many things and proved to be the spot I would focus on the rest of my time in Prescott.
Early the next morning I was back on those same hills. I glassed up a really nice buck,
which came over a ridge to bed down mid morning. I watched him patiently for a few
hours and noticed another buck that was approaching from behind me; neither of them
offered me a decent stalking opportunity. Overall the small area I was focused on had
four bucks moving through it regularly during the day. By the end of day two I had put
about 16 stalks in on these four bucks and only managed to get to 86 yards. At the end
of the day I was frustrated and made a decision to put up a blind in the area where they
were moving the most to see if I could get a shot at something the next morning; my
decision proved right. At 0805 on day three, a rutted up buck and doe ran through the
area at 55 yards providing me with a great shot opportunity. Unfortunately I misjudged,
shooting over the back of the broadside buck and blowing them out of the area. I was
devastated knowing that I had been given this great opportunity and blown it. I perked
up as much as possible and waited for a few more hours with no luck and nothing in sight.
It was getting hot at lunch time in the blind and I was cranky from my missed shot
so I decided to pack out back to camp and get some grub. As I neared camp I thought to
myself what I had read so many times in articles and books; that the difference many
times between successful bow hunters and unsuccessful bow hunters is determination
and drive. So I made up my mind to do a quick turnaround, eat and get back out to my
blind for another go at it. Four bottles of water and one PB&B later I had my pack on my
back and was making the journey back out to my spot. I arrived at the hill my blind was
over at about 130pm and made my way up to the top. As I neared the top I decided to
get low and break the horizon on my belly just in case they were bedded in the area. Let
the blessings begin. As I looked over down into the draw I saw the same buck I had blown
out earlier, bedded under a tree not 50 yards from my blind. I couldn’t believe it, I thought
angrily at myself, if I only would have stayed an hour more. I composed myself and realized
I had a chance to stalk this antelope, the way I had wanted to fill my tag in the first place.
I dropped my gear, grabbed my range finder and started in on him.
The next blessing came in the form of a 15-20mph head wind, seemingly from out
of nowhere, on top of that there was only one juniper for 100 yards on either side of this
buck and it happened to be right between him and me. I ranged the juniper at 130 yards
and then ranged the tree he was under at 180 yards. I thought to myself this is perfect
a 50 yard shot! Everything I had been taught by my Dad and friend Marty was flashing
through my mind. Take your time, don’t rush the stalk, remember the basic’s, I could hear
them say. I slowly made my way to the juniper, careful not to make too much noise on
the dry, brittle earth and 45 minutes later I was at the tree. I couldn’t believe I was sitting
this close to a mature pronghorn. I calmed myself down and tried to imagine the shot as
best as I could. I stepped around and ranged the buck he was right at 48 yards. What I
had failed to see before I began in on him was that he was turned in the opposite direction
as me, which was blessing number three for me on this stalk. He was broadside in some
tall grass looking for some willing does and had absolutely no idea I was in the area. I
drew back, stepped around the juniper, focused on my 50 yard pin, gave him a short
bleat in hopes I could get him to stand. Like clockwork he stood straight up broadside,
gave a look in my direction and by that time the arrow was in flight. He darted forward,
made a fast 180 turn and went about 20 yards to the left of the tree he was bedded
under, stumbled and fell. In all he scored 63 5/8” and more importantly filled the freezer
with delicious meat!
Ian C.
Vail, AZ