Joe Cugliat writes, "Got him on opening day just a little before 1pm. It was a quick hunt but it was really enjoyable. I put a lot of work into this hunt, started in January with looking at past years draw results and finding units I could hunt with the 15 points I had built up! After talking to a couple people and doing research on the units I decided on my hunt unit! I was fortunate to draw the tag and immediately started getting ready to go scout. I was able to get out a couple times to scout and saw a good representation of the unit. I found a buck that caught my attention with his width the second trip scouting with my brother. That ended up making my decision as to where I wanted to be opening day!

I got to enjoy the hunt with my dad! Opening morning, had a UTV with 4 guys drive by camp headed up the trail where I wanted to hike, was like damn it! Got walking and after an hour maybe, saw a buck bedded in aspens about 600 yards away! Couldn't close distance so left him be and he fed off. Decided to come back in the afternoon to look for him. Walked to a big meadow and decided to sit, we put the doe decoy out just in case any pronghorn walked out. I took a nap and then ate some lunch. After sitting about 1.5 hours we started walking again and after a couple hundred yards my dad joked and told me I should get ready cause there was gonna be antelope right over the hill. Well, we took 10 steps probably and that's when 4 does and then the buck jumped up. They were bedded under an aspen in some shade. The buck got in front of some of the does and then he turned his head. I told my dad "That's the wide one!" I had my rifle up, a doe was bouncing around and I was getting worried they were gonna book it! The buck moved to the side and clear of any does and I let a round go and that was the end! My dad ranged it at 74 yards afterwards. We were taking pics and moved him into the shade and another buck showed up and was looking at us then he bounced off, probably now getting 4 does!

My buck ended up being just under 14" and was 14" wide which is unique! I enjoyed the timing to be able to see the aspens in their golden beauty and smelling the fresh fall air, while being able to see the leaves falling. Getting a pronghorn buck in the mountains was awesome! Fall is my favorite season! This was a DIY public land hunt, where all the work paid off! It was a short hunt but one I'll never forget!"