Season opened Sunday. My friend Ray and I went to the usual area near Harlowton for the event. Pulled my trailer down and set up camp. We've been there for opening day for years. This was his first hunt with his first Handi, a 270. Low population this year, so we had to hunt a little more this year. I took my buck with my 25-06 Sunday about 1:00 PM @ about 150 yards. He tied onto his doe Monday about 2:30 PM. Shot about 325 yds. At the shot she dropped, and the herd circled around right in front of him and again stopped in about the same place. Another friend, Darwin, who usually shots a 257 Roberts, wanted to try the 270, so Ray handed it to him and he took the other doe @ about 250 yards. Three shots, three down. That's the way to do it. (Jerry: other cases were two fouling shots per rifle. It was opening day!!) But I will admit that at times while 'goat hunting a lot of ammo is used up. The buck and first doe were thru the lungs, with no meat damage. The second doe lost 25% of a rear quarter, due to the shot angling too far back. Overall, a good hunt. We are already making plans for next year. Now I can start looking foward to deer season in 1 1/2 weeks! I have friends coming from New York, California and Washington for opening week of Mule deer. We'll be hunting the Musselshell River breaks, just before it dumps into the Missouri River. Then a few days of Whitetail hunting on the Judith River. Now, that really gets me excited! 'Lopers are just warm up.
How does it taste? Like all game, it's in the preperation and serving. Very tender and mild. My wife and all three daughters prefer 'Loper over all other game. Me, I like best whatever I have in front of me.
Wally