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2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
#5356079
10/12/14 11:06 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877
wtjim
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877 |
After 12 years of putting in for the hunt 2 buddies and I were drawn for the hunt. This is the Pronghorn I harvested. Saw him over 1500 yards out kind of heading my way so I stayed still. Looked like he was cruising for the females and made it about 200 yards from me. He didn't make it any further. Out of respect for my friend I did not post his Pronghorn photo without permission. He harvested a really nice one. Unfortunately our other friend did not close the deal on one. He was having medical related mobility issues. We had a good hunt and met other hunters who had success. Time to start racking up the preference points again...
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5356579
10/13/14 02:46 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,243
Erny
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,243 |
Congrats on a great hunt with very long draw odds!!!!
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5356652
10/13/14 03:24 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 241
Whiptail
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 241 |
Cool! With all your luck I hope you're playing the lotto.
I think antelope are one of the most fun big game species to hunt.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5356876
10/13/14 12:14 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,718
safdm44
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,718 |
cool and congrats... ! man Ive been wait'n on that draw. I have like 11 or 12 points too.. ugh! thanks for sharing
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5357003
10/13/14 01:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 166
Dave270
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 166 |
Congrats on a great hunt plus a hard draw!! My group has 21 points.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5357572
10/13/14 06:01 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,604
Sneaky
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29,604 |
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5357583
10/13/14 06:07 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271 |
Very nice! Congrats on the draw and nice work with the speed goat! Thanks for sharing.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5357651
10/13/14 06:55 PM
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 161
Appels
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 161 |
Very nice. What type of rifle/setup did you take it with?
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5358953
10/14/14 05:54 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877
wtjim
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877 |
Rem 700 7mmag long range. Nikon 4.5-18X40 off of tripod trigger stick. Way too much gun n scope for the 200 yard chip shot I got but I wasn't expecting 200. I was ready for 500...
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5359087
10/14/14 12:24 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 38
Ungawa
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 38 |
How long did you hunt before you shot him? How many did you see? Was it guided or did the park staff just turn you loose?
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5359659
10/14/14 04:26 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768
jeh7mmmag
gramps
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gramps
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,768 |
Good job and congrats on the success. Looks to be nice size prize.
�Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.� ~ John Muir
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5360122
10/14/14 08:55 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Palehorse
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271 |
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5360129
10/14/14 09:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5361028
10/15/14 06:29 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877
wtjim
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877 |
Hunted 1.5 days before taking him. Self guided with pretty poor map provided by TPWD. Map had "no fault" clause for inaccuracy on TPWD part. That makes you very wary due to making a "mistake" would end with a federal conviction! If I get picked again I will hold out for a stud...my friend and I tried to help our other friend who had opportunity on 8 different bucks. We set him up in the base of a non working windmill about 500 yards from a 6'-8' high ridge hiding our approach. On other side of ridge from way down the road I counted 57 pronghorn. It looked like a scene of a national geographic show! Unfortunately our friend could not seal the deal... I saw 2 for sure would be B&C or very close to it during the hunt after I shot this one. I could have killed either if I hadn't harvested this one.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5361142
10/15/14 11:14 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 14,010
NDN98
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 14,010 |
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5364844
10/17/14 04:25 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974
rjd
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974 |
Good looking goat! Maybe my time will come before I can't hunt anumore.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5369732
10/20/14 03:44 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 606
red bluff
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 606 |
congrats on a nice buck, looks like you had good weather that day too.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5903966
08/30/15 06:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
Goldencurtis
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4 |
Just received notice myself and two friends were drawn for Rita Blanco pronghorn. Sure have lots of unanswered questions about the area and the hunt, etc. Figure you would be the best to ask. We were drawn after 19 years and are getting older. If you catch this I sure would like to have you call me or perhaps email. I will watch this site to see if you reply. I just joined the forum yesterday.
Drew a mule deer hunt in Sierra Diablo years ago on the first attemp. That was a great hunt and so looking forward to the pronghorn. Done elk, mule deer and whitetail, a bunch but never pronghorns. Any help, particular involving Rita Blanco would be wonderful.
Larry
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5907788
09/01/15 06:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 91
SpawnofChesty
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 91 |
One day maybe
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5908780
09/02/15 06:44 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877
wtjim
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877 |
You will receive everything in the mail for the hunt. We did not have an orientation, it's a show up and go. Hold out for a big one, if you can hunt you will kill a big one or at least have opportunity. If you can shoot to 500 yards it'll be easy. We stayed in Dalhart but there is a primitive campsite you can camp at. It has charcoal grills and a toilet facility only. There is a small restaurant in an old gas station in Texline, food was awesome! Not much out there...Be conservative on boundaries, this is a National Grassland and a Federal crime for any broken laws. Wardens were plentiful but very nice.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5908784
09/02/15 09:39 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,062
Rockinmyshoe
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,062 |
Nice Goat, good job on trying to help your buddy.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5936794
09/20/15 02:23 AM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
Goldencurtis
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4 |
Finally thought to check this site for your reply. Sure do appreciate. Some very good insight. I know, after 19 years we may be anxious to take the first good looker, just hope we can hold off till the "right" comes along. I have studied the maps and Google satelite maps and have a pretty good understanding of the lay of the land. Looks like the boundaries on most units are fenced, just from the aerial view. Also received today a map of the motor vehicle roads. I have an older 4 wheel drive pickup and a regular one. Is there any place we would need 4 wheel drive? As of now we are planning to take the standard pickup. One more thing, pretty important. Can you advise the best unit where you saw the most antelope or does it matter? I assume you probably had the same information we had in which units are the best. As for shooting, I have never fired at 500 yards. Using a 270 with Federal Premium 130 Nosler I shot a 3 inch group at 300 yards, but from a homemade bench rest. I am about 4 low at 300. Hope to get at least that close. Can't say how excited we are. Have a spotting scope but not a very good one. Plan to take it and a tripod. I will post after the hunt.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5936964
09/20/15 05:18 AM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877
wtjim
OP
Tracker
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OP
Tracker
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 877 |
Those antelope move around a lot so you'll just have to locate them. Unless you have experienced the type of terrain it will surprise you. See for miles with no elevation change and nothing taller than grass. Other areas have elevation and some brush. My buddy crawled and killed his at 175, I let mine come to me and got 200 yard shot. Make sure you take range finder, good binos and snake boots. We encountered some angry prairie rattlers.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5939789
09/22/15 12:32 AM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
Goldencurtis
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4 |
Enjoy reading your posts. Never hunted anything like the terrain you describe. East Texas and Hill Country whitetails, Colorado Elk and Mule Deer but never antelope. Have watched a dozen or so pronghorn hunts on you tube, etc. Have a pretty good idea what to expect and some idea of how we will hunt. Basically I guess it is just drive and spot, then stalk or get lucky and wait till they come to you. When I first applied I held a lot steadier than now but from a good bench I shoot 3 inch groups at 300. A little, well a lot more spread out from the shooting sticks so plan to get as close as possible. I can still crawl but the angry rattlers give me some concern. Anyway, we are excited about the opportunity and plan to heed your advice to be patient.
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Re: 2014 TPWD Rita Blanca grasslands Pronghorn hunt
[Re: wtjim]
#5940438
09/22/15 01:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 274
jae011
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 274 |
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