ONLINE BOWHUNT: Antelope In Wyoming
Sept 14, 2000 - Day #7 
Ande suggested that we both bowhunt in the Pit Blind today. That way, if we both kill out, we can leave earlier than if we hunt separately, in which case we wouldn't leave until almost dark. It sounded like a good plan to me, I hated not to be in my blind again, but it made sense because we had a long drive to get home and Ande had an important appointment there tomorrow afternoon. 

First thing in the morning we drove to my blind by the windmill, there were 3 antelope drinking water and a large buck was on the opposite side of the hill, standing still, looking for does. We took everything down and went to the Pit Blind and got ready.

Ande Rushing and I in the Pit Blind, waiting for antelope. (Aren't cameras with delay timers amazing!) 

An hour passed and I spotted a faint antelope looking figure about 500 yards away on a hill. I glassed it and sure enough it was a buck -- and it appeared to be heading out way. Ande was first up for the chance to shoot and when the buck got closer he whispered that he was definitely going to shoot if the buck came in. It did.

Ande has one of those new leafy looking camo suits with a matching thing that slips over his head -- and had the matching thing on. When he put it on I noticed it had a strip of fabric that runs between the eyes. I started to suggest he cut the strip off but after thinking about it I decided not to mention it. The buck ran the last 80 yards and then walked right over to the water. Ande drew his bow. I took the buck's picture and waited anxiously to snap another one as soon as Ande shot.

I didn't know what was wrong but I assumed he would draw again right away so I kept the buck in the camera's viewfinder and didn't look to see what the problem was. The buck turned toward us.

"He's going to leave," I whispered. Ande drew again.

The buck turned broadside and .. and walked away. 

"What happened?" I asked. 

Ande explained. The first time he drew the strip between his eyes (on the camo face mask) had slipped and blocked his vision. He let down and adjusted it so he could see again. The next time he drew the same thing happened again.

I reached in my pocket and handed him my folding knife. He cut the strip off. While he was cutting, a 2nd buck came from our blind side and walked to the water.

It's 10:42am, early in the day, and there is MORE ...