The photo above is me with a Blackbuck doe my hunting companion, Kirk Musgrove, and I harvested on April 16, 2024. Blackbucks also known as the Indian antelope, are a medium-sized antelope native to India and Nepal. Blackbucks are one of the exotics that have been introduced the YO Ranch Land on the 88 acres Kirk along with his dad and brother own in Kerr County, Texas.

Hunting History

Beginning with our first hunt in November 2023, Kirk has been describing the various exotics he sees. You can read about my first blind hunting experience  where I was armed only with my finger. On this hunt, Kirk described the Whitetail Doe Deer, Axis Bucks and Doe Deer and Fallow Doe Deer that he spotted. You also might be interested in reading about how Kirk was able to talk me on target long enough to take a picture of a Sika buck on our second hunt in December 2023. Maybe you are impatient and simply want to read about our third successful white tail doe hunt in January 2024.

For those of you keeping up with the math, this is Kirk and my fourth time hunting together. Our initial plan for this trip to the Musgrove Family Ranch was to do some turkey hunting, but we also needed to repair the watering system and fill feeders. I am learning taking care of the property is an essential part of successful hunting. During this trip, the lack of water had resulted in a scarcity of wildlife on the ranch. However, as we moved around the property completing the watering and feeding chores, Kirk did occasionally spot two Blackbuck does running together.

Nearly skunked

During our third break from chores, we were being skunked. A few Turkeys would answer the box call, but it sounded like they remained miles away from our hunting location. In fact, no animals, except for a few small birds, presented themselves in Kirk’s field of view. I found myself dozing off and daydreaming about the Red Rider BB gun of my youth. Then suddenly, like it often happens, the two Blackbuck does moved into our hunting location. Lucky for me, a Blackbuck doe tag was still available, and Kirk thought a few Blackbuck tamales in the freezer would be a tasty addition to the white tail meat.

The Setup

Kirk and I were sitting side-by-side in the deer stand. I had the Noctis V1 powered up, after securely mounting my rifle to a BOG Death Grip tripod. Kirk was using the Accufire app on my iPhone with a wi-fi remote connection established to my sight.

The Shot

Kirk tapped me on the chest and started whispering, “Those Blackbuck does just walked up from behind us, Go ahead and shoulder up, they are to the far left”.

I shoulder up and start moving my aim to the left. Kirk says, “On target, but we do not have a shot yet.”

I continue to make small left, right, up and down adjustments as Kirk calls them out, while we wait for the Blackbuck to turn. Then Kirk says, “Damn rabbit followed by be patient both does are back in the brush.”

A few minutes later, I hear “They are back, move to the right, you are now on target” Kirk reminds me to make small adjustments now, whispering something like “down, left, up, right, down, left, hold, hold, and fire.”

Kirk no longer whispering, “We smoked another one, she is going nowhere.”

Final Thoughts

Before firing my first shot, I was concerned my blindness might add a variable to hunting that would result in a poor placed shot. Kirk and I have made three shots and ethically killed three animals. I know, eventually a follow-up shot or tracking an animal will likely be necessary due to a non-killing first shot. When this happens, I will feel bad, but also realize all hunters make a non-fatal first shot if they continue to hunt long enough.

I want to thank Kirk and his family again for allowing me to hunt their ranch and use the Blackbuck doe tag. I also hope they are enjoying the tamales.