Here in Fall river county, got in yesterday with an archery antelope tag in my pocket. Saw some good bucks in good spots in Nebraska on the way in. I am trying to get it done spot and stalk here and this country is challenging to be sure, not that its easy anywhere. Few goats around, but not sure what will be left after rifle season. After driving 22 hours from Houston, I ran into 2 other hunters here from the northwest side of Houston doing the same thing I am, kind of funny. This is my last night in the hotel, be camping out on the grasslands the next several days, just gotta find one in a good spot that wants to die.
A few pics from the 2 half days I've put in before I go off the grid:
This guy came out near some goats I was stalking at sunset yesterday. After that didn't work out I got close to take some pictures and he scrambled up a lone cottonwood on the dried up tank dam on the prarie.
Well, hunt is done. I tagged one in South Dakota, probably a 2 year old buck that only had one doe. That was my goal (any legal buck) and I was happy to get a goat on foot with a bow. I went and bought a Nebraska tag and hunted 3 more days with no success to reinforce how hard it is. Here are some more pics. Its a blast for sure, OTC tags, stalks from sun up to sun down, work on some, get blown up, drive down the road, get on the next group, all day long. The reports of the lack of antelope are BS, I had plenty to work on in both Nebraska and South Dakota. A couple P&Y bucks, but mostly an opportunity fun bowhunt that is affordable for the non-resident.
Deer tags are also OTC for the bowhunter in both states, but I didn't see anything worth spending the $275 on. Sure there are good deer somewhere, just not in antelope country.
One last thing, everyone was freindly in both places at the local restaurants/watering holes when I went. I think they all thought I was not right in the head for driving that far to bowhunt antelope, but I might feel the same way if I had 200 out my back door every night!
Nice work. Next time you're in SD stalking on antelope, make sure you are stalking from the south so if you spook them they run my way. If you have enough failed stalks maybe the season will open back up again in ND. I'm having withdrawals.