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Maybe it’s because I was so close, or maybe because I was so wound up. I don’t know. However, if it hadn’t have been for the trivial parting of the fur behind the antelopes near shoulder I would have swore my arrow missed its intended mark.
In the blink of an eye the antelope buck was out of eyesight and I was forced to replay the events over in my mind.
I never saw the arrow’s flight. I never saw it strike. The buck ran like the wind, completely out of my vision. I put the widow down and replayed the events. Almost as an after thought (or after vision) I remembered seeing blood on the animals white fur as he ran. That and I saw that distinct “poof” on the bucks hide right where I was concentrating . I was cautiously optimistic.
I was hunting antelope at the Werner ranch with Connie and JJ Werner. JJ and Mark (head guide) told me to expect these critters to be tough. I was comforted by them telling me over our first meal in camp that they will often make it out of sight. Although, I must confess, I thought that would be highly unlikely due to the horizontal nature of the landscape. Then again, there are just enough rises and hills in the countryside to allow an animal to get out of sight before going down.
It was about 1130 am and the heat was building up. I gave the antelope about half an hour to expire before trying to get Mark or JJ on the radio to let them know I shot a buck. I elected to wait the half hour just in case the antelope was bedded just over the hill ( the way the truck would drive in).
Perchance, I got Mark on the radio and he said he was on his way….just sit tight! About 5 minutes later I saw Marks truck on the distant horizon.
I offered a quick description of the events and he said grab your bow and lets go have a look. He was accompanied by Bob, another guest on the ranch who had already tagged out, so off we went.
My heart sank as we topped the rise of the hill and saw a buck about 400 yards distant….just standing there with its head drooping down. We immediately dropped and put the glasses on him. My heart sank further as we couldn’t see any telltale blood on his side.
We had a hasty conference and decided to get closer. I mean after 45 minutes and if he was still standing….something was not right! Bob decided to stay back and watch where the buck would run if and when he bolted.
With those big 10X eyes…it wasn’t long before the buck decided to make some tracks. To our surprise, another bedded buck jumped up and joined the other in their sprint across the sage flats.
I was feeling lower than a rattle snakes belly (which I’m happy to report that none shared the blind with me). How did I screw such a perfect shot opportunity up I berated myself over and over? After the perfect traditional bow setup this ranch is famous for….I couldn’t believe I messed up. Most of all, I felt sorry for the antelope.
Like all good guides worth a lick …Mark kept talking positive. He said will chase him to you get him, if that’s what it takes. He said he’d radio JJ and we would give a 110% effort. I kept apologizing….and he wouldn’t hear it…”we’ll get ‘em…don’t worry” was his reply.
While he was watching the two antelope trundle across the sage flat….he dropped his glasses and said that he didn’t think either of those animals were wounded. A spark of hope re-kindled in my hunters heart - maybe my buck was down afterall!
Sure enough! We took about 10 more steps and I heard Mark utter those words all hunters like to hear . “There he is….he’s down and dead”
MY shot had been true, a complete pass through both lungs!
Don’t let anyone tell you that these little deer are not tough! This was a good solid hit and yet he traveled some 200 yards. Amazing!
I cannot say enough about the folks at the Werner Ranch. They really know their stuff. The food was fantastic. The lodging a very comfortable ranch house. The hunting is second to none. I suspect I saw some 500 antelope during my visit while hunting and driving the ranch roads.
I’ve heard it said before, but it bears repeating….hunting with the Werner’s is like hunting with family. Simply put ; they are good folks to spend a week with.
I know I’ll be back!
