Well our journey began by flying into Las Vegas Nevada for a four day stay of gambling, buffets and swimming pools.  We then rented a Jeep and headed out across the dessert towards New Mexico.  The nine hour drive was very beautiful and a site seeing dream.  By the way while traveling through Arizona we encountered several trophy Bull Elk which is yet to come.  We arrived at the Carter Ranch which is home of West Plains Outfitters our Host.  As I pulled in the drive we were greeted by Pow Carter one of the owners.  The first words out of his mouth were well Bob ya made it all that way again I am glad yawl are here!  I introduced my new bride to Pow and he stated so ya gonna run the camera are ya?  Pow said well we are sure glad and honored you guys are here.  Immediately we felt welcome and comfortable. After unpacking in our honeymoon retreat, we walked over to the bunkhouse where I ran into my friend and head guide and outfitter Randell Mansell. Randell had a big smile on his face as I asked "well, ya ready to hunt"?  He then stated did ya bring anybody to shoot for ya? lol  I stated nope your stuck with me, but I did bring my new bride and she is running the camera.  Randell stated well at least we will have proof you cant shoot. LOL  We then discussed the mornings plans and we ventured out in the prairie to scout for the next morning.

While in camp I met several hunters including Wade Derby of Cross Hair Consulting.  Wade has written many hunting articles and was a pleasure to talk to and hear his hunting adventures. The next morning came early about 5:15 the alarm went off, as I got up I felt the 9 hours we had traveled by Jeep "ouch".  We ate a huge breakfast and ventured out into the dark prairie.  As the sun began to rise I spotted my first Antelope and we began the stalk.  We got within a hundred yards of him and I was eager to load my rifle, when Randell said.  He's a nice one but......... there's better around here.  My custom A bolt Browning 280 was ready to bark, as I lifted my head from the cheek piece, I said what?  Randell said c'mon lets move on.  I looked at my wife and said he's the man out here lets go.  As we moved and put more and more ground between us and the really nice buck Antelope, I was confident in his decision and we moved on.  We glassed several other Antelope bucks and passed on them all.  Randell said lets head back to camp and see if anybody had scored.  We arrived at camp and of course they had.  Randell said to me, now don't get disappointed if there is a few nice bucks hangin.  I said ok with a frog in my throat.  We then grabbed a sandwich and headed out.  I just cracked the cap on my water and ta-da there was a nice buck standing right in front of the truck.  Randell said that's a nice one but he's a little weak up top.  By now I was learning what to look for in a nice buck.  Randell had told me several times!!!@!  Look for thick mass, big cutters, nice curves inward at the tips, double ear length in height, ears below the cutters, and nice ivory tips. That being said we were looking through the glass at a lot of Antelope.  At about 11:30 I was beginning to wonder if the big buck was out there.  All of a sudden Randell hit the breaks, and I knew what that meant a Coyote was in range.  I hopped out of the truck and found a secure base on my shooting sticks and sure enough there he was.  I took the safety off and ta-Pow.  The Coyote leaped off and I looked up at Randell and he said "ya Missed didn't ya"?  I said ya in a low voice thinking of the 35 mile an hour cross wind, Randell said did ya get that Liz?  LOL So we laughed about my 300 yard shot at the coyote and kept pushing on. 

We then came upon a cactus field and we stopped the truck.  We glassed the field and we spotted the buck almost the same time.  Randell said to me thats the one!  Instantly my heart raced and my breathing became rapid.  We stalked the buck and he had five does with him.  As I was getting set up the does spooked and started to trot off.  But what I didn't realize was another buck was moving in on the buck we were after.  So we hurried up ahead of them and took aim on my buck as he cleared another thick cactus field.  The wind was blowing hard and it was very difficult to keep steady. The next thing that could happen did, the buck spotted us.  So away he went.  My nerves were getting worn thin at this point.  So we moved ahead of them again and setup.  Randell stated there he is as I steadied my A bolt and dialed him into my scope crosshairs.  I said that's not him Randell.  He said your right, wait a minute.  I looked up and there he was trotting away from the does trying to lead us and the other buck away from the does.  Randell said he's at 250 yards can ya make that?  I said Ill try.  But the buck kept moving away from me and looking behind him.  Randell said, he's at 280 yards now.  I steadied my rifle and said, what's he at now as the buck came to a slow walk.  Randell said 305...... I said Im takin him, Randell said ya that's him take him if ya can. I said Iam going to. Ta-pow barked my 280, Randell said loudly ya missed I saw the dirt fly up reload.  I said no I didn't........Randell yelled he's down, yah!  Nice shot Bob, I asked my new camera person and wife did ya get it.  She stated" kinda", Ya .... I laughed.  As we walked towards the trophy buck it seemed like it took forever to get to him.  When we found him I knew I had downed a magnificent trophy Antelope buck.  We then celebrated and took pictures, I felt very honored to have been blessed to take a beautiful buck such as this. 

We returned to camp with smiles from ear to ear, the tempo at camp rose as we hung my trophy up.  The taxidermy guys were there and asked to score my buck so i said yes.  They scored him for safari Club International at 83 and 1/8 overall.  This score is unofficial until authorized by them. They stated that's a very nice antelope we should score it for Boone and Crocket too, I said ok.  The length of each horn was 16 1/4 and the cutters were 5 3/4.  I authorized Out of this World Taxidermy out of Roswell New Mexico to do a shoulder mount of my trophy.  The third day it was time to head out but we really didn't want to leave this beautiful land.  I myself have spent a whole year missing this prairie since my last hunt here for mule deer.  I said goodbye to my friend Randell and ranch owner Pow Carter.  As we left the ranch we were surrounded by many Antelope as we drove miles down the dirt roads as if they were saying goodbye to us and safe Journey.  This was one of the best trips I have ever been on, Special thanks to my new wife Liz, Randell and Pow.  A very special thanks to Jays Sporting Goods they really take the extra time to make me happy on all of my families and my hunting equipment needs.

Bob Holtz