This is topic things you see in an Antelope Blind in forum Predator forum at The New Huntmastersbbs!.
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Posted by howler (Member # 197) on August 22, 2008, 04:55 PM:
haven't been around in a while but getting to be "almost that time of the year" Anyway while bowhunting Antelope the other day I had a couple of visitors but no shots.
Posted by MULE (Member # 63) on August 22, 2008, 06:51 PM:
Good luck on your hunt howler
Getting a goat with a bow is an accomplishment for sure.
Has it been hot up there? If so, it looks like you are set up in the right place.
Good luck and thanks for the pic
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on August 22, 2008, 07:44 PM:
3 days ago it was 101 degree's today it was mid 60's, But going to warm up soon, they will be thirsty and I'll be waiting. this guy bedded down about 50 yards from my blind and gave no shot but he will soon I just have to be there when he takes a drink. some other photo's I took while waiting:
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on August 22, 2008, 11:31 PM:
Great pictures howler. How long do you stay in that blind? How big is it? Were you tempted to call for the coyote? Did you?
I'm going for the first time for elk this year with archery equiptment too. I leave a week from today! Please let us know how you did. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on August 23, 2008, 07:07 AM:
I have a double bull matrix and I get in at day break 0530 or so and I get out about 1/2 hour b4 sundown. I'm not real keen on this type of hunting ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
I really like to decoy the antelope and cruise the hills and sage. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
but I am doing this this year.
Posted by Lungbuster (Member # 630) on August 24, 2008, 11:22 AM:
Howler,
Can you explain a little how you use your decoy please? This is my first year bowhunting antelope and I am on a bit of a learning curve.
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on August 24, 2008, 05:08 PM:
Lungbuster: Ok here are a few tips, Here in Northern Mt the best time to decoy is between Sept 15 and the 25th, what I do is find a concentration of antelope and then just get out of my outfit and walk, i try to find a breeding herd with a buck, I like to watch the herd for a while if the buck is activly chasing away other bucks from the herd this is a very good canidate, try to close the gap to about 100 yards and then put the decoy up sit behind it and try to keep tabs on the buck he will most likely be there in a few seconds, you think the jamacia sprint teams are fast they don't hold a candle to an buck antlelope, when the buck comes he will most generaly come to with in 5 to 10 yards and turn broadside, it is then you raise up SLOWLY and take your shot, don't hurry it you will miss take you r time, if you raise up to fast it will spook the antelope, while scouting and loking for a buck to decoy do not let them see you. and watch the wind they use their nose and won't come in if they scent you, they don't spook like a whitetail or an elk but the jig is up if they scent you. some guys use a fence line to set up along so the antelope won't circle downwind, If he is hot and running off other bucks he will mostl likely jsut come running in and not use the wind
[ August 24, 2008, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: howler ]
Posted by Lungbuster (Member # 630) on August 25, 2008, 05:35 AM:
Thanks, I'll give it a try.... Do you have any reccomendations for decoys?
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on August 25, 2008, 06:13 AM:
The Mel Dutton is the old standard, and works very well, the Camandalope is hard to find and works equaly as well, the most realistic is the antelope decoy from Montana decoys but its made of cloth and moves to much in the wind. The antelope really aren't all that particular
[ August 25, 2008, 05:04 PM: Message edited by: howler ]
Posted by Lungbuster (Member # 630) on August 26, 2008, 07:55 PM:
Thanks.... what kind is that in your pic?
Posted by MULE (Member # 63) on August 26, 2008, 09:27 PM:
Hole Mole!!!
Howler is not only bowshooting his speedgoat but he is using a longbow!!!
Well done sir!!
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on August 28, 2008, 02:57 AM:
It home made, patternd after the mel dutton
here is #7
[ August 28, 2008, 03:01 AM: Message edited by: howler ]
Posted by Lungbuster (Member # 630) on August 29, 2008, 05:59 PM:
I'm going to try and build one, I was out again today and cant seem to get within the 75 yard mark. I keep running out of cover.
My fat ass cant hide in 6 inch tall grass.....
Do you get complete pass thru's with that set up?
Cool pic.
[ August 29, 2008, 06:14 PM: Message edited by: Lungbuster ]
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on August 29, 2008, 06:22 PM:
check out the top arrow in the bow quiver, looks like its been thru a critter to me lol
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on September 02, 2008, 07:24 PM:
Nice buck howler!
Do you use a grunt call in addition to the decoy?
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on September 02, 2008, 07:25 PM:
P.S. I'd like to hear the story. How did it all come together? I thought you were using a blind and waiting for the goats to water?
Posted by Cranky Farmer (Member # 3029) on September 03, 2008, 02:59 PM:
Those are some great pictures! I've never hunted antelope and didn't know you could decoy them like that. Pretty darn cool!
Posted by Lungbuster (Member # 630) on September 03, 2008, 08:33 PM:
Loco, it looks like that is a pic from a previous year... I'd still like to hear the story though....
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on September 04, 2008, 09:03 AM:
that buck was a satillite buck, I watched him and 2 others terrorize a herd buck for an hour or so I was actually moving in on the herd buck but this guy came in first so I took advantage of the situation, I am not a trophy hunter per se for antelope so one is as good as the next. I did hit him just a tad low, he was about 5 yards away when I shot standing broadside, it is really amazing when you come up over the top of the decoy if you move slowly they well stand right there, its as if they just can't believe what they are seeing. You don't have all day to shoot but plenty of time to make a nice controlled shot.I have shot several over a decoy and that is my perferred method, but this year I will be in Manitoba Deer hunting during the peak of the antelope rut so I thought I would hunt a waterhole. the waterhole hunt is very unique in that you get to see lots of other critters. like this for intance
ha deer season won't be open for another week.
anyway sitting in a blind is hard work for sure it can get almost unbearable hot in there and you go for hours with out seeing anything, but it can be worth it like maybe having something like this come in.
here is a buck I shot a few years ago with a recurve, he came in trying to run me off only it didn;t work, also notice the top arrow in the quiver, I like that habit
[ September 04, 2008, 12:32 PM: Message edited by: howler ]
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on September 04, 2008, 11:03 AM:
Very nice!!!!!!!
Posted by Lungbuster (Member # 630) on September 04, 2008, 04:46 PM:
Great pics...thanks.
Is the antelope in the second pic out of range?
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on September 04, 2008, 07:29 PM:
Yes, I have a zoom on the digetal
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on September 06, 2008, 06:57 PM:
Very nice pics howler. Also appreciate the traditional and primative weapons. I used to use a Mel Dutton decoy a number of years ago and had a 14 1/2" buck broadside at 20 yards. Don't ask how I missed but I did. It is amazing how much time you have when you come over the top. I was always going to build a camo veil to hang below to allow for more movement. I tried to utilize cover that gave me a little more edge and try to get the bucks to come to me. Lots of fun. I shot a Dan Quillian Patriot recurve. Thinking about going back to a compound because I don't have the time to practive enough with my recurve to shoot proficiently. There truly is nothing like hunting with a recurve or longbow. Again, nice job!
~SH~
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on September 07, 2008, 04:01 AM:
Wiley; Have you ever tried shooting '3 fingers under with a canted bow'??
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on September 07, 2008, 05:43 AM:
K,
I shot index finger above and two fingers below the nock with my middle finger to the corner of my mouth. I didn't trust the old style nocks enough not to squeeze them between my figers. Most hunting situations (kneeling, shooting under or over cover, etc.) require some degree of cant with a recurve or longbow.
~SH~
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on September 07, 2008, 05:47 AM:
I shoot 3 under, just started doing that this year and I don't think I'll go back to split finger. Hello Scott how ya been.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on September 07, 2008, 07:05 AM:
Wiley; 3 fingers under is a great way to shoot in hunting situations out to about 40 yards max. With a nocking point on the string & Bjorn nocks on the arrows, I've never had one come off of the string at the wrong time.
Give this a try just for yucks & giggles; About 5 yards from the bale, arrow on the string under the nocking point, 3 fingers under with index finger touching the arrow nock. Cant the bow AND THE RELEASE HAND. Bring the bow up, draw straight back while pushing with your bow arm and look down the top of the arrow at the target. When you reach your anchor point, which should be right under your eye, you can either continue to draw thru the release or hold & aim. Your choice.
This style of shooting takes about an afternoon to get used to. At first it seems 'weird' then it seems 'ok' then it's 'Oh Yeah!!!"
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on September 07, 2008, 12:01 PM:
you will also have to raise your knocking point a tad, I think mine are 5/8th high
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on September 07, 2008, 12:05 PM:
Good point!!
Posted by Locohead (Member # 15) on September 08, 2008, 04:39 PM:
I've never heard of such a thing. My boys and I shoot little 15 and 25 lb. fiberglass recurves in the back yard almost everyday. This new method sounds like a lot of fun.
So your actually aiming - not instictive shooting, right?
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on September 08, 2008, 04:51 PM:
It's a cross between a modified 'gap system' & instinctive. With this method most people will be 'point on' somewhere between 35 & 40 yards.
Posted by howler (Member # 197) on September 08, 2008, 08:48 PM:
I shot this guy with a decoy today at 1216, I set up the decoy and he was there in less than 10 seconds, one arrow later he was done. 10 yard shot with a 60lb pronghorn longbow, woodsman broadhead
[ September 08, 2008, 08:50 PM: Message edited by: howler ]
Posted by MULE (Member # 63) on September 10, 2008, 04:43 PM:
Howler,
Buddy you are my hero!
No chit!
Shooting multiple goats with a stick and a string is powerful medicine in my book!
Posted by Paul Melching (Member # 885) on September 10, 2008, 04:57 PM:
+1
Howler you da man!
PM
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on September 12, 2008, 07:14 PM:
Nice job Howler!
The longbow hunters are truly the best of the very best. If you ever want to hunt new country, give me a call. I'll put you in range of some nice mule bucks. Stalk and kill in the badlands. Seriously, you want to do it, call me. No strings, no charge. I enjoy watching someone who can handle a longbow. It's hunting in it's purest form. Might get me pumped up enough to drag my Dan Quillian out.
K,
I may have to try three fingers under someday. Old habits are hard to break though. I haven't shot my recurve bow in quite some time. When I bowhunted a lot, I suscribed to the Fred Asbell style of instinctive shooting. The simplicity of traditional and primative weapons is very enjoyable.
~SH~
[ September 12, 2008, 07:44 PM: Message edited by: Wiley E ]
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on September 12, 2008, 08:29 PM:
Ah yes, Asbell. He came close to getting it right. The problem with the instinctive method is that if everything works, it's a beautiful thing;.........but if you make a good shot & miss, you really have no idea why or how to correct for the next shot. What 3 fingers under does is to reduce the gap between the point of the arrow and the target, bringing your point on distance down to hunting ranges. You're looking the arrow right into the target.
Posted by Wiley E (Member # 108) on September 14, 2008, 08:49 AM:
K,
I could quickly find myself "in over my head" on the topic of archery techniques and modern archery technology. I am sure both shooting techniques and technology has passed me by since I hung up my bow even within the realm of the traditional and primative side of the industry.
Case in point, the nocks I was used to shooting could pop from the string at the most inconvenient times leading to the need for the security found in pinching the nock between 2 fingers. I'm sure, as with most sports, practice would reduce this nock concern.
The aspect of Asbell's theories that I subscribed to was getting that arrow closer to my eye. It made sense. I can see where three fingers under would give you a better sight picture with the arrow. I would need to try it with modern nocks. Perhaps someday. Thanks for the advise!
~SH~
[ September 14, 2008, 08:52 AM: Message edited by: Wiley E ]
Posted by tlbradford (Member # 1232) on September 14, 2008, 08:57 PM:
I tried the 3 fingers under and found it ok with the longbow, but had too much string pinch with the compound and recurve because of the shorter length.
Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on September 14, 2008, 10:04 PM:
Next week we will discuss shooting a left handed bow, right handed, using a thumb ring release. No finger pinch.
Posted by 3 Toes (Member # 1327) on September 15, 2008, 06:02 AM:
Wiley, I will refer all traditional archers to you for guided hunts from now on!
I will never book another one. I'm going to put it in my brochures, maybe even on my business cards. I have had two groups in the last two years and that was enough for me. Never seen so many poor hits and misses in my life. I'm shit full of trailing wounded antelope around while at the same time they are telling me that I'm not a true archery hunter because I shoot a compound. Every one I have had was a prima dona asshole.
Posted by Andy L (Member # 642) on September 15, 2008, 06:54 AM:
Hey Cal, I want to book a trip next year for an antelope with a spear.... ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Posted by tlbradford (Member # 1232) on September 15, 2008, 08:00 AM:
Spear, You primadonna. Run them down barefoot and catch them with your bare hands.
Cal, since you can train dogs, maybe you need to train a hawk. Those traditional guys would be impressed to see a big ol' hawk bring down those wounded antelope, and drop them in their lap.
For the record, compounds are way more forgiving when it comes to killing animals, especially for weekend warriors. I use the traditional bow because it is quiet and light so it is more enjoyable to lug around and shoot in the backyard. It also cuts my self-imposed range to about 40 yards max when I am shooting 3-4 days a week, and down to 30 when I am out there on the weekends only. If I really needed the meat, or if I was wounding animals because I couldn't range them or be accurate, I would be using a compound too.
Posted by Lonny (Member # 19) on September 15, 2008, 08:08 AM:
Cal, a buddy of mine just got back from his first guided hunt for archery whitetail and antelope in WY. I asked him how it went and his first statement was "I sure as hell would never have the patience to be a guide." When I asked him why, he said the absolute #1 rule the outfitter stressed to the hunters was to NEVER leave their blind or treestand until the guide came to pick them up. Yet everyday, hunters would be waiting by the road to be picked up and the outfitter would ream them for getting out of the stand early. He also said he had never seen a bigger bunch of pussies in his life. Guys scared to climb into a treestand and others that wouldn't sit in a ground blind. He was really surprised by the babying it took to help several of some these guys along.
My buddy also said he was simply amazed at the absolutely horrible shooting skills of some of thes hunters, considering the fact that these guys spent several thousand dollars, but couldn't hit a deer-sized target at 20 yards.
Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on September 15, 2008, 09:46 AM:
Which is why I don't like to pay for a guide and then be considered a helpless novice, like Brad.
Me and my partner booked a pig hunt with a well known guide up in Central California, years ago. We both impressed the guy, made a couple of (what I thought) was routine shots, which wrapped up our hunt, and then the guy bought us drinks at the local watering hole and took us out the next morning for a couple more pigs....for free. He said we wouldn't believe the shooting skills of his dudes, refreshing to see somebody make a decent shot, once in a while.
All of which says, if you want my opinion, that generally speaking, predator hunters are a little better at everything, as a rule. But, there are "unknowns", as well, like everywhere.
Good hunting. LB
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