Brett and I have been emailing back and forth since the spring of 2009 and the Silvies Unit in Oregon. He had enough points to get drawn in 2009 I thought but he did not get drawn. So expecting him to draw in 2010 and forgot. Anyway in 2011 after hearing he got his tag and learning about the mapping software, which Brett bought, the hunt was on. Great they he took this hunt so serious and spent the time in the field. Brett wrote a great story that all of you are now reading!
In June 2011, I finally drew my Silvies #2 Antelope tag. I thought I was going to get it in 2009, and forgot to put in for it in 2010. Now the work begins. I took my first scouting trip the last weekend in June. I saw several billies, ones that I would’ve shot, had it been in season. There was lots of water this spring, and the creeks were high. When the dry lakes aren’t dry it seems like it keeps the antelope further out in the desert, and not as close to agricultural lands.
On July 17th, I got back out to do some more scouting. This time I was able to get into the areas that Frank sent me, and there were antelope exactly where Frank’s way points were. I ended up spraining my ankle pretty badly on this trip and had to cut short, but I saw several antelope and a couple more shooters. Unfortunately, I was unable to do any more scouting before the season started.
On August 24th , I set up camp on Nicoll creek. Once I was situated, I headed out on the desert to hunt. I only had the chance to scout one of the areas Frank gave me for about an hour. That afternoon, I decided to go check out the area where I saw the big billie in June. There was one billie there, but not big enough, so I decided to pass on it.
On August 25th, I decided to head north to the Paulina area. I was surprised that I didn’t see anything ,not even on the GI road. In the afternoon, I headed more towards Burns. I found another billie. It would’ve been an easy shot, however, it didn’t strike my fancy, so I passed.
On the morning of August 26th, I decided to go back and really work the areas Frank gave me. I got up to the Dry Lake around 8:30 and was glad to see no tracks up there other than mine from 2 days before. As I came out onto a big flat, I spotted some antelope about 400 to 500 yards out. I got out my binoculars and I saw a billie and some nannies. They were definitely watching me. There was a small rise ahead of me, so I got on my hands and knees and crawled far enough where I could get a better look. I saw he wasn’t a monster but I liked his curl and width. He satisfied me and that’s what mattered. I was still 350 plus yards out and had no rest, so I had to belly crawl another 100 or so yards across the desert, to a couple of trees which gave me a make shift rest and a good view. I was resting against the tree, watching the billie. He was out about 250 yards but had nannies all around him. I had to wait for what seemed like eternity (but in reality, was probably 10 to 15 minutes) until he was finally clear. He didn’t give me the best angle. I made the shot, and hit him. He ran about 100 yards and went down.
Frank was right on the money with his locations. He really helped make my hunt a success. When I went to the places I was thinking of going on my own, I had very little success but every time I went where Frank said the animals were, they were there!