60 year antelope 2024

[Idaho_oldtimer]

Was lucky enough to collect a nice muzzleloader antelope buck this year. Set up in a blind in a hay field and waited, and waited, and waited. Finally a herd of a dozen showed up and slowly made their way into range. When this buck was 105 yards out he stopped coming. I tried to get a bead on him, but had forgotten my cross sticks and couldn't hold steady enough. I got behind the chair and was able to get a good rest over it. I had the 54 Thompson with 80 grains of Swiss FFFg and patched .530 ball sighted for 85 yards, so gave a little elevation and took the shot. The blind was immediately filled with smoke but I did see the buck take off full tilt. I thought I might have missed, but noticed he ran the opposite direction from the rest of the herd. After making a wide circle he went down. The hit was right at the back edge of the front shoulder.
I got my first antelope in 1964, when I was fourteen. That was long before the muzzleloader bug bit me so that was with a centerfire. It was truly enjoyable to get this one 60 years after the first. My dad taught me when I was young, and He's gone now. I sure missed him on this hunt. He enjoyed muzzleloader hunting and enjoyed much success.

 

[Dutch7]

Congrats!

 

[Idaho_oldtimer]

Thanks!

 

[cynthialee]

good day
good hunt

 

[snakebit]

Outstanding! Well worth the wait. Enjoy the moment buddy!

 

[Idaho_oldtimer]

Thank You!

 

[Idaho_oldtimer]

good day
good hunt

Thanks!

 

[LANEY REECE]

GOOD job Bud.

 

[smokepolehall]

Congrats on you nice Pronghorn.

 

[Stykbow]

Nice lope! Congrats.

 

[Mtman725]

Congrats I like the Prairie goat.

 

[Loja man]

That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing the back story!

 

[Oldbloke]

Bloody grouse. One more for dad.

 

[Gum Slough Muzzleloader]

That's great thanks alot.
Keep it going!

 

[mtfishn]

Congratulations....job well done!

 

[Caterpillar Hunter]

That's so cool!. Enjoyed your story. Don't make it another 60 years until your next antelope.

 

[gunpa]

Great shootin and nice buck!

 

[Mike in FL]

Wow. That is a good story. I think maybe it could be expanded on to show how you and your father interacted, especially concerning your hunting adventures together, the emotions experienced when you lost himhow you coped with carrying on afterwards, the memories of him when you ventured out without him, making that a prominent issue of the story. Muzzleblast would jump on it for their magazine. Over 60 years, I'm sure plenty of stuff has happened to bring you full circle back to this latest hunt. Your then and now photos really brings the story alive. I just see a lot of potential for a story with such a terrific theme and background. I'm Michael Gibbs and have a bit of story construction skill (6 published novels). If you someday think you might want to try it, contact me thru this site. I'd be glad to help at no charge. My reward would be too see your very interesting story in print. From your photo and text, I think you must be a very likable person. Actually, since I'm out of commission for a while due to surgery, I find myself incredibly bored. Best of luck in all you do. Mike

 

[Antelope Pete]

Congratulations. Good all around story and thanks for sharing.

 

[Buff1958]

great story..... thanks