2025 Rifle Pronghorn

[Big Tub]

I managed to draw my third antelope hunt (my last) within my lifetime.  This time was in Unit 1.  I decided to get some professional help as I am not as good as I once was and no longer believe the other part about being good once as I ever was.  Sam Dieringer took on the task of helping this old man.  He done good!  Since the area was close to home, I got out several times and found herds with decent bucks but only saw them from far away. Besides, my ability to judge antelope is about as good as it is for sheep – the mature animals all look awesome.  Also, I bought a gong and did some distance shooting practice.  My rifle is my Ruger M77 in .270 WIN that I got for graduation back in ’76, with a more recent upgrade on the stock and scope.  It does not like the new modern ballistic tipped projectiles but shoots the cheapy Remington and Federal 130 grain bullets pretty good out to 250 yd or so. 

The scouting and shooting trips were fun and always involved spitting rain and cool temps, which was a welcomed relief.  I found several herds each time.  Once, I got to see two decent bucks sparing and then the one run off the challenger for several miles and then return to his harem.  All pronghorn seemed to stick around the same area and cross the highway in the same location.  I was able to find them the day before my hunt started and got Sam to come evaluate them.  Neither were nearly as big as the one he thought we should target.  The plan for opening morning was nailed down tight: meet at 5:20am and head up the mountain.

I had a lot of trouble sleeping and finally gave up trying at 2:45am.  Following morning coffee and the most important activity of the day, I was hurrying around getting everything ready.  The first day for me is often a day of missed steps and preparation for day 2 – NOT THIS TIME.  I was a little slow getting everything ready, so got to the meeting spot about 3 minutes late. I hate that!  Sam had invited Wade to come spot for us.  Lots of people driving around led to anxiety for me.  Fortunately, Sam had found the big one in an area many times.  It was away from the roads and next-to-impossible to glass except for one angle, where you see a tiny bit of the area.  I would guess that the bow hunters had not been in there to disturb this herd, so they were much less wary. 

We crossed the fence (not without me getting hung up) and walked in about a half mile.  I was trying to stay in Sam’s hip pocket but that skinny cowboy has long legs!  I was breathing pretty heavy at the fifth stop and Sam tells me they are about 300 yd away.  I could not see them with just my eyes but was confident in Sam’s assessment.  He asked how far I could shoot and I told him 200 yd for sure and about 90% at 250 yd.  That was not a good answer as there was almost no cover all the way to the shallow cut the herd was going up slowly.  We backed out a bit and got behind a small Juniper bush.  Unexpectedly, Sam said get ready to shoot – the buck was coming toward us.  I guess curiosity had bested him.  The sun was behind us and there was a slight breeze in our face -- perfect. 

I scrambled to get the bipod extended, load the gun, and get a tripod under my right arm to steady myself for the shot.  Sam began grunting at the buck.  He came into about 200 yd and stopped, looking directly at us.  I was playing with the scope up at 15X which made it a bit tough to find the critter.  Well, he got bored with us, turned broadside and started following the cut back to his girls.  There were many more bushes down in that cut so I had to wait for an opening where I expected him to go.  He entered the only 10 ft opening and slightly paused.  I took a rather fast shot and we both thought I had hit the buck hard, but Sam felt it was a bit back based upon the reaction of the buck.  The does took off up the cut and we could not see the buck following.  Taking a bit of time to regroup, organize things, and just settle down, I managed to pack up for the follow-up. Curvature of the hill and numerous Junipers prevented us from seeing the buck right away, but it only took about fifty yards till we could see the big, ole white belly sticking out like a beacon.  High Fives and jubilation followed.  Walking up on the buck, there was no ground shrinkage or disappointment.  The horns were symmetric, had heavy prongs and mass, along with good length.  His face was not nearly as dark as the other bucks I had seen, which was probably due to his old age.  The horns were truly magnificent!  And the entry shot was perfect.  However, he had been quartering away which put the exit holes on the opposite shoulder, which was toast.  The bullet fragmented and produced several holes in the cape, but I have a great taxidermist.  😉

Sam went to get Wade and my tuck while I got to spend some quality time admiring my buck and to give thanks to the Lord Almighty for such a magnificent harvest. Following getting some needed hydration, I was in the shade for several, enjoyable minutes but the sun came out and it was scorching.  I had a 40-yr old, heavy duty space blanket that I set up as a lean-to for shading the buck.  It was about 40 yd to the nearest tree and there was no way to drag that heavy critter up there and I did not want to damage the hide.  They finally got back and we took a bunch of pictures after Sam sewed the mouth shut to get the best pictures.  Talk about PROs! 

They skinned and broke down the animal in less than an hour with getting no blood on themselves.  They didn’t even puncture the guts with an errant poke like I had experienced on a previous hunt (inside joke for MH).   I served as go-fer putting the meat on that space blanket and I had blood everywhere.  These guys did not mess around and had the parts ready to pack out, including the tenderloins, heart and liver, really before they were cooled down.  Those two just about ran down the hill to the trucks while I “Campbell Ambled” down. They beat me by 200 yd.  They used the time to precisely measure the trophy, which turned out at 81.5”, just under the B&C minimum.  Still, it is a tremendous trophy.  Unit 1 typically does not produce huge Pronghorn.  I chose not to give Sam a hard time about shooting the first one we saw as I realized how much work and effort had gone into this event.  While they were busy measuring, I approached the fence and remembered the awkward time I had coming in.  Since they were so busy, I belly crawled under just like the antelope do and managed to do so without them seeing, which would have resulted in abuse and a really hard time.

 

On the way out, I found that SW Meats did not have their refrigerated trailer operating, yet.  However, I did call a local friend who has a meat closet and I took the critter there to fully cool down.  I left the head there too as I could not reach my taxidermist to find out what he wanted me to do.  After I got back home, we talked and he said to freeze it.  Turns out we have a small chest freezer that was empty and just waiting for the task – just needed turn on.  I invited Sam and his wife for the Friday night special at Trailrider’s of prime rib and they took me up on it.  Wade had departed for home, already.  Sam and his wife picked up the head from my friend, which saved me the long trip to Alpine.  They brought it to our Barndominum and I stuck it in the now-cold freezer.  Sam is very quiet and I figured out why.  His beautiful wife is quite social!  We had the greatest time.  I was still full from the Carne Asada Steak plate at Aliberto’s that I celebrated with when I had gotten back before lunch.  Consequently, I settled for a bowl of Clam Chowder, which is my sister’s favorite Friday night meal – we go there often.  It was totally an awesome evening and I even remembered to settle up with Sam for his magnificent service.  What a great day but I was drained and went to bed about 7pm after posting some pics.  The story took a little longer! 

 

Psalm 37:4   Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 

 

[Couzer]

Congrats on a Stud buck! Good shooting and awesome write up!!! Glad you guys were able to stay away from the crowd, there was was alot of hunters running around, all cool and respectful. Met a couple of great people out there on this hunt. Again, good job on a great buck!!!

[Chef]

I read the entire story!  Nice job to all involved.  Dieringer guide service is as legit as they come.

Nice buck!

[hunthard]

Congrats! Enjoyed your write up. One of the biggest bucks I've seen come out of Unit 1 in awhile!!

[trphyhntr]

Anymore pics of it? 

[wildwoody]

Beautiful buck.

[wish2hunt]

Good looking buck

[Big Tub]

1 hour ago, trphyhntr said:

Anymore pics of it? 

 

[Big Tub]

1 hour ago, Chef said:

I read the entire story!  Nice job to all involved.  Dieringer guide service is as legit as they come.

Nice buck!

I would hobble their legs next time so I could stay up!

 

[RJ75]

Beautiful buck! Congratulations!

[DUG]

Congrats! Pronghorn has been one of my favorite hunts in AZ. He's gonna look nice on your wall!

[Rackhunter]

Beautiful buck, congrats 

[Meathunter]

Congratulations on such a beautiful buck.

[Evan]

Great story, I enjoyed reading, Trailriders has a great prime rib!  I have a love for unit 1 and its wildlife. Congratulations on a great buck.

[twistzz]

Congrats, great write up and hunt way to get it done!!!