Really Lonnie, I practiced all summer long. I guess it was just too exciting.
I’m writing this blog from somewhere north of Newell, S.D. It’s my second pronghorn hunt of the year, but the first filmed hunt and I’m partnered up with my good friend Lonnie Garland. Lonnie is a full-time video producer for the North American Hunting Club, and he and I have shared many adventures in the field.
We just finished an exciting, yet frustrating adventure. We’re on day four and the first three days were spent trying to get within bow range of a pronghorn using horses to hide our silhouettes. We’re hunting with Dakota Ranch Outfitters run by Pat West and Fred Lamphere. Our guide was real cowboy Rick Richards. He perfected the idea of using horses to sneak up on unsuspecting pronghorns. Why was it so frustrating? Pronghorn numbers are down slightly and that combined with windy days made the pronghorn on the ranch spooky. Finally, this morning we spotted a lone buck bedded in the middle of a herd of cows. The wind was beginning to pick up, but not screaming like in previous days (where I missed a 60-yard-pus shot).
We took our time letting the horses graze as we inched forward and finally reached 45 yards. The buck remained bedded and I drew back and let go. Here’s the hard part to admit. I missed. I guess it was just not my day.
Surprisingly, the buck circled the horses and finally spotted all of us hiding behind. He didn’t care and kept coming closer. At less than 40 yards I got a second chance and this time put the arrow in the sweet spot. The buck died in seconds and we put the wrap on an exciting episode for North American Hunter TV. Please don’t rib me about the misses.
Next stop: Colorado elk. I’ll keep you posted and good hunting.
Mark Kayser
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