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An
Early Anniversary Present I
was talking to Donna the other day and telling her about how I had found an
affordable Black Buck hunt close to home. I
told her I really wanted to get a Black Buck with my bow and I was thinking
about booking a hunt for the following Saturday.
Donna did not say much so I did not mention the hunt again.
Our 10 year anniversary was just around the corner and I knew I had
already spent a lot on her so there was not too much money left just to blow. Later
that day Donna asked me if I would like to go on that Black Buck hunt for my
anniversary present? What else
could I say but YES! We
arrived at the property Saturday morning ready to hunt.
This property was not set up for hunting.
They raised exotic animals but their herd was just to big so they were
selling off a few hunts to reduce the population. There were no stands and no feeders. This was a safari style hunt and it appeared that it was
going to be difficult to do with a bow. The
ranch foreman drove us to the back of the property and dropped us off near an
area where the Black Buck Antelope would travel on their way from the feeding
area back to the fields. We
just got settled into position when I saw movement out in front of us. It was antelope! Several
does were working their way towards us followed by a 14-inch buck.
Two does and the 14 inch buck stopped out in front of us at 35 yards.
I was thinking about taking a shot when I saw another buck walking our
way. This buck was a lot larger
than the one in front of me and I guessed his horns were about 18 inches.
I decided he was the one I wanted. The
big buck stopped at 40 yards and turned around and looked behind him.
We watched all of the antelope for quite a while and they seemed to be
very nervous. I decided that if I
wanted to take an antelope home with me I had better take the first shot I was
presented with. The
large buck turned and he was now broad side at 40 yards.
I drew my bow and then I noticed a small limb sticking out in front of
the buck. I got as low as I could
get and I thought I could squeeze my arrow under the limb.
I touched the trigger of the release and I could immediately see the
Lumenok glowing as my Carbon Express arrow arched towards my target.
The shot felt good and I was expecting to see the buck jump from the
impact of the Rocket Areohead at any second when it happened.
My arrow smacked that tiny limb and shot down to the ground about 4 feet
behind the buck. All of the
antelope started hopping away. I
was disappointed but I could not help but smile.
I had the opportunity to shoot at a trophy Black Buck with a bow and the
hunt was only 30 minutes old. I
had several more close encounters with several 14 inch Black Bucks but I could
not get close to a larger buck. We
were running out of time and I was starting to get frustrated. We
saw a small herd of antelope working their way towards an open field and there
was a big hay bail close to the area where they were headed.
We loaded up in the truck and we were off. The ranch foreman dropped us off behind the hay bail and
drove off. I
could see the antelope heading our way and it was not long until they were out
in front of us grazing on the grass in the field.
There was one buck about 14 inches long and 6 to 8 does.
I decided this buck would have to do.
The antelope eventually worked their way to about 20 yards in front of us. I drew my bow behind the round bail of hay and then eased around the corner. There he was! Standing broadsided and he did not know I was there. I placed the 20 yard pin of my Trophy Ridge Martix sight right behind the shoulder and I touched the trigger of my Tru Fire Release. SMACK and I saw the Lumenok disappear in the black fur. The buck jumped straight up in the air and took off running. He ran about 40 yards, stopped, and then started jumping straight up in the air. He was jumping at least 6 foot high! One last jump and he was down! He went down within 60 yards of where he was shot thanks to the Rocket Ultimate Steel AeroHeads.
I had finally done it! I had taken a Black Buck Antelope with a bow! This is one accomplishment that I have wanted to do for quite some time. Now I can cross Black Buck Antelope off from my list. Axis Buck you are next!
My Black Buck had 14 inch horns and he scored 44 R.O.E. 50 is the minimum score to get entered in the R.O.E. book but that is not going to stop me from putting this buck on the wall. Thanks for the great anniversary present Donna! You have to wait until February 21st to get yours! Until Next Time...... Shoot Straight and Happy Hunting James Ferguson President Bowhunting North America
This
hunt was made possible in part by our sponsors: Bushlan
Camouflage, Carbon Express, The Gean-Edwards Company, Rynoskin, Trophy Ridge, VMASS, North Starr Tree Stands, Shed Hunter Co., Fieldline, DoskoSport, Lumenok, Tru Fire Corp., Rocket Aeroheads |
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Copyright 2003, 2004, by Bowhunting North America, LLC All Rights Reserved.
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