It was good to crawl back in the blind this past weekend as I popped the Double Bull blind up for antelope in south western Montana.  The activity was pretty slow with just a handful of does scootin' by the blind at 40 yards and a lone buck strollin' through the alfalfa field 200 yards out.  The action will pick up as the rut kicks in soon.  It was really good to kick off the fall hunting season once again!

Branden checks in on opening week of antelope season in Montana...

After the first two days of hot weather in MT, there was no goat to speak of.  Just a couple of blown stalks, one close call, and a very dirty truck. I was going to take my wife out for a chance at her goat on day three.  We were able to get her within 70 yards of a bedded goat.  That is well out of her range.  We decided to give that one a shot later, so we left to go look for one for me. After one unsuccessful stalk, and temps starting to push toward the 90's again, I was getting ready to call it quits, when we spotted him.  Glassing him with the spotting scope, I still could not decide.  One, if he was worth the stalk, and two if it would even be possible.
A big hail storm had come thru the area a few weeks ago and there was not any standing grass, or weeds to use in the stalk.  There was nothing more than a slight roll in the hill he was on the side of.  Hoping that was enough to get me in range, I grabbed my doe prototype Be The Decoy hat and made my move. After circling around behind the goat, I had to guess where to come over the hill.  I tried to get signals from my wife, but she was too busy watching him through the spotting scope.  I got lucky and saw the tips of his horns, from there it was a slow, low crawl. At 66 yards I nocked an arrow and kept going.  Finally, at 50 yards, he caught movement. I came to full draw as the buck stood up. As I released the arrow, it hit me how much bigger he was than I had originally thought.  The Simmons Shark broadhead zipped through him and in less than 10 seconds it was all over. 
It was my best speedgoat...and my wife and son got to see the whole deal.  It was a great hunt!

Efton doubled up on the hogs for some hot summer bow-whackin' action in Georgia. Way to go Efton!  

Bow season is almost here once again!  Antelope season throughout many of the western states starts next week, followed by deer seasons across the U.S. in September.  How are you preparing right now for the soon-coming moment of truth in the deer woods?