It almost time to focus 2025 draw results, but I'm finally reporting back on my sheep hunt.
This was my post after I drew the tag last year on the thread, ***OFFICIAL*** 2024 FALL GOAT/SHEEP THREAD:
"" Jul 19, 2024
My 1st sheep tag is official; it came in the mail a couple of weeks ago. Desert Sheep in the south part of the state. With 29 points, drawing the tag was not a surprise,
but I'm very excited to have the chance. Went down in May to look around while it was still cool. Big, lonely country. Very beautiful. Very hot now, will wait until Sept to go back. ""
......
After waiting so many years, my main goal was to have a good experience and enjoy hunting. The hunt turned out great, just as I had hoped. I went down to scout in Oct '23 and May '24 before
I had drawn the tag. This was valuable mainly to know the country; we only saw 3 sheep on these two trips. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure the unit out. Studying maps and talking
to previous hunters, biologists, guides, cattlemen; most everyone was very kind and helpful. This was true of other hunters and strangers I met during the hunt.
The hunt had a little bit of it all: I spent about 15 days hunting and wished it could have been 30. I had two of my sons came down, a nephew,
and a couple of close friends who I had joined on their sheep hunts. My dear wife was a great support. It didn't work out that she could go,
but she was incredible with meals and outfitting. The country is big and much of it wild, lonely and forgotten, but extremely beautiful and inspiring.
I made three trips during the hunt. Southern Utah was extremely dry last year and the hunt started out Sept. 15th, hot, windy, dusty, and HOT.
So initially finding water was the key. Later, after a few days of good rain, the sheep scattered and in some ways were easier to find.
I found a beautiful ram early on the 2nd trip, he was with 30 sheep. We watched him at 100 yards for 30 minutes, he had a great look to him. He had some distinctive
chips on his right horn. I was thinking he was 8 or 9 yrs old but I didn't shoot. I wanted to keep hunting and maybe find one a little older with more length.
As it turned out, I went back to this ram 2 1/2 weeks later and shot him at 65 yards. This was after some ups, downs, and some drama.
It was an emotional experience when it finally came to an end with many mixed emotions: excitement, relief, awe, sadness, and most of all gratitude.
I am grateful to all who helped me along the way and most of all my wife for her support. It truly was a hunt of a lifetime.
Here are a few pics.
This was my post after I drew the tag last year on the thread, ***OFFICIAL*** 2024 FALL GOAT/SHEEP THREAD:
"" Jul 19, 2024
My 1st sheep tag is official; it came in the mail a couple of weeks ago. Desert Sheep in the south part of the state. With 29 points, drawing the tag was not a surprise,
but I'm very excited to have the chance. Went down in May to look around while it was still cool. Big, lonely country. Very beautiful. Very hot now, will wait until Sept to go back. ""
......
After waiting so many years, my main goal was to have a good experience and enjoy hunting. The hunt turned out great, just as I had hoped. I went down to scout in Oct '23 and May '24 before
I had drawn the tag. This was valuable mainly to know the country; we only saw 3 sheep on these two trips. I enjoyed the challenge of trying to figure the unit out. Studying maps and talking
to previous hunters, biologists, guides, cattlemen; most everyone was very kind and helpful. This was true of other hunters and strangers I met during the hunt.
The hunt had a little bit of it all: I spent about 15 days hunting and wished it could have been 30. I had two of my sons came down, a nephew,
and a couple of close friends who I had joined on their sheep hunts. My dear wife was a great support. It didn't work out that she could go,
but she was incredible with meals and outfitting. The country is big and much of it wild, lonely and forgotten, but extremely beautiful and inspiring.
I made three trips during the hunt. Southern Utah was extremely dry last year and the hunt started out Sept. 15th, hot, windy, dusty, and HOT.
So initially finding water was the key. Later, after a few days of good rain, the sheep scattered and in some ways were easier to find.
I found a beautiful ram early on the 2nd trip, he was with 30 sheep. We watched him at 100 yards for 30 minutes, he had a great look to him. He had some distinctive
chips on his right horn. I was thinking he was 8 or 9 yrs old but I didn't shoot. I wanted to keep hunting and maybe find one a little older with more length.
As it turned out, I went back to this ram 2 1/2 weeks later and shot him at 65 yards. This was after some ups, downs, and some drama.
It was an emotional experience when it finally came to an end with many mixed emotions: excitement, relief, awe, sadness, and most of all gratitude.
I am grateful to all who helped me along the way and most of all my wife for her support. It truly was a hunt of a lifetime.
Here are a few pics.
