This is Part 2 of a three part blog about my 2009 pronghorn hunting trip to Montana. You can find Part 1, here.
Day 2 – Spot and Stalk?
It had stormed over night and was raining when we got up. Spending another day in the blind in that weather would have been a total waste. After breakfast I asked Tim what his plan was. He said he didn’t have one. He made a stern statement about shooting one by jumping out of the truck to which I made a curt reply. I spoke to Gary about the day’s hunting, nudged him to talk to Ken and trusted him to make the right decision based on his significant experience. Discussion with Tim ensued and we headed in the opposite direction of the blinds. Not wanting to blow them out by spotting and stalking around them we eventually ended up in a huge valley northwest of Broadus. Mule deer and pronghorn were in abundance.
Having seen a number of nice bucks go into a smaller valley, Ralph and I disembarked, camoed up and headed up the side. Ralph went left while I went right along the same ridge. Peering from behind a sagebrush clump I could see a nice buck in the bottom of the valley and started to work along the back of the ridge to get around him. I heard a buck bark, but couldn’t see anything. The next thing I knew there were four bucks standing on the ridge top forty to forty-five yards to my left looking in my direction. I was pinned down big time. Not knowing what had spooked them towards me or really knowing what to do I worked to nock an arrow, but it really was a no-win situation. They took off without a shot. Ralph and I were both very happy with the encounter, though, and Gary had good things to say about our approach. We drove more. Ralph and Gary got another decent stalk in and then word from the boss was to head back to the blinds.
I returned to the same blind from the previous day. Despite my misgivings about keeping all windows closed and having to open one at the same time you are trying to shoot an animal I gave it a try. What appeared to be the same buck was on the same northwestern slope about the same distance away. Eventually, a decent buck came from my north to about sixty yards from the blind, but wouldn’t come closer or to the water. His regal black crown and multi-colored face at that range were an incredible sight. I couldn’t open the north window as he was facing it. Eventually he trotted by at ninety-plus yards. Later in the evening a group of mule deer does and fawns came within twelve yards of the stock tank to water, but with the wind blowing directly to them they took off without drinking. Eventually, we were once again picked up and raced back to camp for dinner.
Day 3 – Warm and Sunny
We finally caught a break. No rain overnight. We’d convinced Tim to get us into the field before or at first light and to pick us up as late as possible. He had a new stock tank for me today. It was nicely set up with one-half covered for whatever reason which forced the pronghorn into certain locations around the tank and set up good shooting angles. Rather than get stuck in some of the lesser quality blinds I’d seen Tim set up and in the back of his truck I volunteered to set up the Primos Double Bull Dark Horse I’d brought along. Although even a person of my size can’t stand up in a Darkhorse DB I was much, much more comfortable in it than the box blind. I arranged my little house and settled in for a long summer’s day of watchfulness. We’d interrupted a band of does and fawns watering on the way in and they provided stimulus during the morning.
Eventually a small band of does and fawns from the group came to water. I practiced drawing and picking an aiming spot on the largest doe to steel my nerves for when the real thing happened. I also savored their beauty and thanked the sky above for the opportunity to be there in that place. The group never noticed my antics. I could see four bucks on the surrounding hills, but none ever came in. A lone buck barked from behind the blind. I wore out the battery on my I-pod playing solitaire, finished a novel I’d had in my day pack or tackle box for sixteen years and was able to text Mrs. dustyvarmint. All of which, when combined with glassing long distance pronghorn, helped pass the time. Late in the evening a lone doe and fawn came to water and slowly fed off to the south. Another group came near, but remained about forty yards out allowing me only to see their ears and the top of their heads.
A young pronghorn leaves the tank.
Tim called to say he was running late and asked if I’d walk down to the road to meet him. I agreed. One of my latest gear (toy) acquisitions, the SOP Blind Hog pictured below, would come in handy for this. I packed the blind, my chair, bow stake and day pack into the Blind Hog with tons of room to spare. Affixing a Primos bow sling to my Reflex Highlander and grabbing the lunch cooler I hiked the quarter-mile out of the pasture in no time. Then I hiked the remaining quarter-mile to the highway and met the truck there. Although the Blind Hog’s waist belt is way too large to be of use for my body size the shoulder straps are more than sufficient to provide a comfortable carrying load for the task. I was very satisfied with its performance and after more than twelve hours in the blind I was happy to get a mini work out.
The SOP Blind Hog loaded up.
Ok, that is it for Part 2. Check back soon for Part 3.
happy hunting, dv
If you liked this blog you may like the following:
Feedback, Questions & Comments
I’d like to hear your tips, feedback, comments or questions. Please leave them below.
Subscribe
Like this blog? Want to be notified of updates? Subscribe via RSS feed by clicking here.
