An incompetent CO ewe hunter bleats for help

[mountainlaurel3]

Posting from a very comfortable borrowed canvas tent in (theoretically) sheep country.

I drew a ewe tag in a unit with a very long season. I scouted once, hunted a few days in September, four in October, and am now back, hoping for better luck finding sheep.

The unit only has a small herd, and rams are known for being seen on/just off a river road by a reservoir you wouldn't want to eat the fish from.

My September hunt was a glorified scouting mission, I explored a few roads I hadn't been on before and found some very old sheep sign in the general area they are known to hang.

There are spots that look sheepy.




In October, I went back for a few days with wife and pup. We spent a couple nights camping in the area I expect to find them, then hit the high country for a night and morning, and finished with another night at a forest service cabin in some meadow country also up high.

Big sheep-free views.



I may have gotten distracted midday and picked many pinon. So many hours of shelling that next week.



Higher country.



Elk steak at high camp.



We moved to a bit above the top of the pass for sunset to catch the meteor view.



In those trips, I saw no sheep and no reasonably fresh sign. I heard one report from a local bear hunter that he had seen a ram that didn't care at all about him on the river road that morning (mid October) but he also reported that he had never seen a ewe in the vicinity.

 

[Bluffgruff]

I expected a link to an article about a S&R, but this is way better. Please, continue.

 

[warmer]

Finally, some one who drinks real beer and not that pussy IPA!!!

 

[Oak]

There were sheep within a mile of the reservoir, upstream, in Sept. 2023. Have you spent time in that area?

 

[mountainlaurel3]

Finally, some one who drinks real beer and not that pussy IPA!!!

Sorry to disappoint.

 

[Oak]

Also, have you talked to the CPW bio? He has an interest in sheep and might be able to give you some pointers. I can put you in contact if you need.

 

[mountainlaurel3]

I have been playing phone tag with the local wildlife officer since June. I'm winning.

I've called the local CPW office asking for a biologist instead - I've always been told, no you don't want to talk to them. Not a vote of confidence from your colleague.

I joined the RMBS, but live a good six hours from Denver so couldn't make the meet and greet.

Basically, I'm flying blind (and am neither a good nor experienced hunter in the first place). I've been asking random locals about sheep and the results have been discouraging - "oh we used to see them more" etc.

I have most of this next week to try again. I planned to fill my third rifle mule deer tag early so I could head here. Didn't go well.

I left home yesterday evening so I could set up camp and be here at first light. I made it about 5 miles past my town before finding a very freshly hit mule deer still in the middle of the highway.

I got a cow elk this year, but also was given a second freezer, and wanted more meat. My failure at my buck tag in mind, I salvaged the doe.

In the light of my car headlights. Until the battery died. No cell service, so I walked to a nearby house to approach, in the dark, a house that never gets approached in the dark.

I asked for a jump of a phone and was asked in return why I didn't have a phone. Turns out I had service by having climbed the 50 or so vertical feet to the house.

I proceeded to talk to AAA from their driveway - I'm sure the denizens thought I was real sharp.

AAA for the win, the doe is now hanging in my neighbor's garage, waiting on my return.

I got to the unit this afternoon on attempt #2. I refrained from stopping for another fresh-looking roadkill. Making my ma proud.

Set up my incredible abode on a very muddy/snowy side road. Ellis Tents out of Durango, check it if you need cozy accomodations.

Hit a couple glassing knobs, no sign of sheep. The deer are thick, just as I wished they were two days ago in my home unit. Alas.

 

[mountainlaurel3]

Also, have you talked to the CPW bio? He has an interest in sheep and might be able to give you some pointers. I can put you in contact if you need.

Thanks, I'd love a phone number! Was planning to call tomorrow again anyway. Not sure why the weird response discouraging me from talking to the biologist, seemed odd.

 

[mountainlaurel3]

There were sheep within a mile of the reservoir, upstream, in Sept. 2023. Have you spent time in that area?

I've spent most of my time within that stretch - reservoir and a bit up, trying to glass the south facing hills going up from the river - either from above or below. They definitely are here at some points, so it could be I just need more glassing time. Or they're here at a different time of year, ha. Sheep hunting is difficult!

 

[mountainlaurel3]

Also, to add to my tale of incompetence, I took a trip into town yesterday to borrow a couple things. Mr. Buddy heater and swanky canvas tent are clutch, but I forgot to borrow my buddy's spotter, so I'm glassing with my 8x binos (on a tripod at least) - which are great for the thick timber around my house, not as ideal for this situation. Genius!