I just landed back at home after a week of searing heat and sore buns while bowhunting pronghorn in central Wyoming. It was Cole’s first big game archery hunt and he had prepared well in advance for the big trip. Although we were filming for an episode of Extreme Pursuits I had to let Cole be first at bat. It was his first bowhunt. Can you blame me?
We bowhunted Bureau of Land Management ground and when we arrived we both were depressed after seeing another blind staked out at the waterhole of our choice. We immediately went to plan B. The backup waterhole was hidden in a narrow canyon and it took all day for a buck to show. It was worth the wait. He was a brute and close to Boone and Crockett proportions.
Cole waited patiently for the buck to water, but the new blind in the tight quarters of the canyon kept the buck on guard for 45 minutes. Despite being within bow range he never took his eyes off the blind and was on edge the entire time. We opted to pass on the jumpy buck and eventually he walked away.
The next day was slower than a Walmart checkout lane. Nothing showed so we decided to slip back and check out our prime spot the next morning. To our surprise, the other blind was gone and we rushed in to stake out claim. By 10:30 a.m. two bucks sneaked in and one finally gave Cole a broadside shot as it watered 33 yards away. Cole’s arrow hit home and the buck raced away behind a berm. I jumped from the blind to keep an eye on the buck, but less than a minute later it tipped over in the sagebrush.
Cole was shaking with excitement and I couldn’t have been prouder as we recovered the plump pronghorn. Back at camp we deboned the buck, packed it on ice and celebrated with banquet of Mountain House entrees. As we gorged ourselves I taped the buck at 14 inches. My first buck was barely 9 inches and I shared that adventure with Cole as we recalled the day’s events while tucked in our sleeping bags.
It was my turn next, but you’ll have to tune in for more later this week.
Really, you're first archery pronghorn was only 9 inches tall?
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