Kansas Antelope
southwind
10/23/08 3:48pm
After a nine year wait I finally drew a Kansas Antelope tag and as luck would have it this was probably the worst year for me as far as timing.
With gas prices so high, a five hour drive to hunt, and just plain lack of time I could not get out and do any scouting or gain any prior permission to hunt. So, I left home to hunt with zero expectations other than to enjoy a few days tromping around in the sticks. (which actually is enough for me)
Kansas has a herd of about 2000 animals that are spread out over approximately twelve counties on the western edge of the state. Kansas is also about 96% privately owned but with a walk in hunt program and most farmers disdain for antelope it is not hard to get permission. What is hard is trying to scout, get permission and then get an animal in the span of a four day season.
On the 2nd evening of the hunt I found a small herd with a decent buck that was busy chasing off two smaller rivals from his six does. I found out who owned the land and gained permission to hunt. I got to the spot the next morning and it was easy to find the herd because they were hanging out in the middle of a green wheat field. The terrain in this part of the country varies from canyon and bluff country to pretty darn flat and these goats were at pretty darn flat.
I dropped to my belly and started a long crawl to get close enough for a shot. There was actually enough elevation that while on my belly I could just make out from about the neck up for a couple hundred yards.
The other problem was the wind with 40-50 mph winds that were blowing in a front that was to dump a lot of moisture. I knew I had to get my business done because on these roads moisture means no travel.
I finally got to a spot I had a good look and like the day before the herd buck was chasing rivals off. I took a laser reading of about 225 yards and just waited for a good shot. Finally as the buck walked back to his does he gave me a decent but slightly quartering to me shot and I pulled one off putting him on the ground.
As the rest of the herd ran off I was thinking how happy I had just made one of those other bucks. I walked up on the buck and noticed my shot had hit about 8 inches right of my hold and I felt like an idiot and lucky at the same time. I have shot all my life including a lot of cross course high power and know when windage needs to be applied. Somehow, and don't ask me why I did not account for any windage in a 40-50 mph crosswind????? I should not even admit it.
Anyway, he is not the king of the prairie but a good example of a western Kansas antelope and it made me happy to be there and have the opportunity to hunt and enjoy the experience.
I did see one outstanding buck that would have made 80" at least. It was on one of the few ranches that does not allow hunting and as hard as I tried I could not get permission. ( Why he was so big)
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With gas prices so high, a five hour drive to hunt, and just plain lack of time I could not get out and do any scouting or gain any prior permission to hunt. So, I left home to hunt with zero expectations other than to enjoy a few days tromping around in the sticks. (which actually is enough for me)
Kansas has a herd of about 2000 animals that are spread out over approximately twelve counties on the western edge of the state. Kansas is also about 96% privately owned but with a walk in hunt program and most farmers disdain for antelope it is not hard to get permission. What is hard is trying to scout, get permission and then get an animal in the span of a four day season.
On the 2nd evening of the hunt I found a small herd with a decent buck that was busy chasing off two smaller rivals from his six does. I found out who owned the land and gained permission to hunt. I got to the spot the next morning and it was easy to find the herd because they were hanging out in the middle of a green wheat field. The terrain in this part of the country varies from canyon and bluff country to pretty darn flat and these goats were at pretty darn flat.
I dropped to my belly and started a long crawl to get close enough for a shot. There was actually enough elevation that while on my belly I could just make out from about the neck up for a couple hundred yards.
The other problem was the wind with 40-50 mph winds that were blowing in a front that was to dump a lot of moisture. I knew I had to get my business done because on these roads moisture means no travel.
I finally got to a spot I had a good look and like the day before the herd buck was chasing rivals off. I took a laser reading of about 225 yards and just waited for a good shot. Finally as the buck walked back to his does he gave me a decent but slightly quartering to me shot and I pulled one off putting him on the ground.
As the rest of the herd ran off I was thinking how happy I had just made one of those other bucks. I walked up on the buck and noticed my shot had hit about 8 inches right of my hold and I felt like an idiot and lucky at the same time. I have shot all my life including a lot of cross course high power and know when windage needs to be applied. Somehow, and don't ask me why I did not account for any windage in a 40-50 mph crosswind????? I should not even admit it.
Anyway, he is not the king of the prairie but a good example of a western Kansas antelope and it made me happy to be there and have the opportunity to hunt and enjoy the experience.
I did see one outstanding buck that would have made 80" at least. It was on one of the few ranches that does not allow hunting and as hard as I tried I could not get permission. ( Why he was so big)
8,031
That's one animal I have yet to hunt. The more I see the posts here the more tempted I am to give it a shot.
Not to scare you away from doing it but your odds for success and dollar for dollar going to Wyoming you would be much better off. Unless you just want a Kansas antelope.