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- Thread starter BigHornRam
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buffybr
Well-known member
I've posted this picture before, but I think that it is relevant to the current discussion. I believe he would have been legal the year before I shot him but I passed on a 20 yard standing broadside shot at him. I went back and shot him the next year. I think that he was the last unlimited ram to come out of the Hilgard unit.
He is also my smallest unlimited ram, but at 10 1/2 years he is my oldest. When I checked him in with FWP another hunter brought in a 4 1/2 year old ram from another Montana unit that made Boone & Crockett. Different areas and bloodlines of sheep produce different size horns.
Since FWP made the Hilgard unit a draw unit they have introduced new blood to the heard and there are some larger rams in there now.
IMO just about any legal ram taken from an unlimited unit is a hard earned trophy, especially if you get him in a DIY solo hunt,
Mtnhunter1
Well-known member
Apple eaters!
Guys,
Im the guy in question that shot the ram in Unit 500 this year. I appreciate all the feedback, and wrestled with shooting the ram (I know, I know I should have taken better pictures), but it came down to I had told myself for several years that I would shoot any legal ram in that unit. Thats what I did. I spent more than 40 days cumulatively during the seasons scouting and hunting sheep in Unit 500 and I can say that this was the first legal ram I saw. The unit cost me a reconstructive knee surgery in 2019 (tore my ACL, MCL, meniscus, and quad). Had to hike out a long ways with a knee that wasnt working. At that point the hunt became personal to me, and that is when I agreed that is what I would do.
I do understand the merits of shooting older rams. I get it. I have done that successfully elsewhere. That being said, I was made aware of some of the negative comments by a buddy on Rokslide and wanted to make myself available to address any concerns and offer my reasons for MY decision to shoot this ram.
Thanks
Im the guy in question that shot the ram in Unit 500 this year. I appreciate all the feedback, and wrestled with shooting the ram (I know, I know I should have taken better pictures), but it came down to I had told myself for several years that I would shoot any legal ram in that unit. Thats what I did. I spent more than 40 days cumulatively during the seasons scouting and hunting sheep in Unit 500 and I can say that this was the first legal ram I saw. The unit cost me a reconstructive knee surgery in 2019 (tore my ACL, MCL, meniscus, and quad). Had to hike out a long ways with a knee that wasnt working. At that point the hunt became personal to me, and that is when I agreed that is what I would do.
I do understand the merits of shooting older rams. I get it. I have done that successfully elsewhere. That being said, I was made aware of some of the negative comments by a buddy on Rokslide and wanted to make myself available to address any concerns and offer my reasons for MY decision to shoot this ram.
Thanks
recurveman
Well-known member
Thats my point. I've got a 400" and a 350" bull on the wall. I've passed bulls in the 370 range and I don't know how many bulls over 300" I've passed. It would be well into the hundreds of bulls passed over 300". I don't look at those types of bulls as true trophy elk. Others will think any legal bull is a trophy (and I respect their views and hope they enjoyed their experience).
Others thing small rams aren't a trophy. I think any legal ram is a victory for an UL hunter. Views are just different depending on your experiences. On my desert ram hunt I'm going to be looking for a very mature ram that looks cool. If it scores good that would be great too.
recurveman
Well-known member
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! At the very least it took a set of balls to introduce yourself to this conversation. Good for you.
EYJONAS!
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2017
- Messages
- 6,770
could this be the day 130 pages comes to an end.Congrats on the ram.
Potsie
Well-known member
Congrats on your hunt, and welcome to HT.
Gerald Martin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 3, 2009
- Messages
- 8,803
I think the thing that gives me heartburn as much as anything is the increased notariety and specific information that is easily gleaned about these units from threads like these.
These unlimited units seem so vast and “figuring it out” seems so daunting that many of you guys think nothing of posting everything you have learned over the years.
All that info is on this thread, available to anyone who is interested in reading, looking at background details or cross referencing their own boots on the ground knowledge and piecing out the details.
There’s a bunch of folks reading and learning without ever commenting on this thread.
I was in the area helping a friend with a goat tag and was amazed at how many people were in there.
It’s kind of a gut check for me when I see pics and know that I could walk the person posting the pictures back to within several hundred yards of where the picture was taken.
These unlimited units seem so vast and “figuring it out” seems so daunting that many of you guys think nothing of posting everything you have learned over the years.
All that info is on this thread, available to anyone who is interested in reading, looking at background details or cross referencing their own boots on the ground knowledge and piecing out the details.
There’s a bunch of folks reading and learning without ever commenting on this thread.
I was in the area helping a friend with a goat tag and was amazed at how many people were in there.
It’s kind of a gut check for me when I see pics and know that I could walk the person posting the pictures back to within several hundred yards of where the picture was taken.
sacountry
Well-known member
Not a snowballs chance....
Congrats on the ram.
Lilhowie83
Well-known member
Thank you for introducing yourself and sharing your side of the story. Congrats on a successful hunt.
@USMC_40 I appreciate you coming to the forum and introducing yourself and providing the back story for your time in the ULs. 500 is near and dear to my heart, as I went on my wait several years ago. I've been vocal on the forum about your ram, not fully understanding your backstory, and I own that. I've said it publicly that any ram is a huge accomplishment, I just know that the wait doesn't make things any easier once the hunt is done.
My ram is everything I wanted, mainly due to the experience that went with it and the friends made from the hunt and from this forum. I watched first hand how other friends doing the hunt were more patient than me, and were rewarded with more memories, more hunger, and older rams than mine. I'd like to think that when I'm off my wait, I'll be a much more patient hunter than I was to start with so I can soak in more memories and experiences, maybe make a couple new friends or strengthen existing friendships, and hopefully find a ram that encompasses the sweat equity invested in these units.
Congratulations on a successful hunt of all hunts- I hope you left those mountains hungrier than you entered them, and I'm not talking about needing a stop at the Thirsty Turtle. Take more photos next time, successful or not, they're by far the first thing I look back for those trips. Then keep them for yourself and close friends and family. I'd like to think that your story is best shared with good friends on a mountain top while snowed in to a tent or around a fire in hunting camp. I guess I hope you'll feel that your opinion of the hunt matters most to you, and that the story can't be fully described in a written or typed format.
If/when I run into you on a mountain, I'd love to hear your full story, and will happily bend your ear with mine.
My ram is everything I wanted, mainly due to the experience that went with it and the friends made from the hunt and from this forum. I watched first hand how other friends doing the hunt were more patient than me, and were rewarded with more memories, more hunger, and older rams than mine. I'd like to think that when I'm off my wait, I'll be a much more patient hunter than I was to start with so I can soak in more memories and experiences, maybe make a couple new friends or strengthen existing friendships, and hopefully find a ram that encompasses the sweat equity invested in these units.
Congratulations on a successful hunt of all hunts- I hope you left those mountains hungrier than you entered them, and I'm not talking about needing a stop at the Thirsty Turtle. Take more photos next time, successful or not, they're by far the first thing I look back for those trips. Then keep them for yourself and close friends and family. I'd like to think that your story is best shared with good friends on a mountain top while snowed in to a tent or around a fire in hunting camp. I guess I hope you'll feel that your opinion of the hunt matters most to you, and that the story can't be fully described in a written or typed format.
If/when I run into you on a mountain, I'd love to hear your full story, and will happily bend your ear with mine.
@YoungGun
Absolutely! When I hunt that unit again (God willing) I will be absolutely chasing the older class rams. And, if I am successful, will take many more pictures. I was in a state of shock, and was with 2 guys that were on their first western hunt - this aspect got completely overlooked (unfortunately). I was honestly almost emotional. Both guys plan on making this trip annually, and I am planning on joining them annually to chase these unicorns in this unit.
I appreciate your candid points, and respect you and your approach to these hunts. Thank you. Id love to trade stories some time.
Absolutely! When I hunt that unit again (God willing) I will be absolutely chasing the older class rams. And, if I am successful, will take many more pictures. I was in a state of shock, and was with 2 guys that were on their first western hunt - this aspect got completely overlooked (unfortunately). I was honestly almost emotional. Both guys plan on making this trip annually, and I am planning on joining them annually to chase these unicorns in this unit.
I appreciate your candid points, and respect you and your approach to these hunts. Thank you. Id love to trade stories some time.
shines@times
Well-known member
Congratulations on taking a legal ram in a Montana Unlimited Sheep Unit in an age of much additional competition from other hunters than once was the case.
Moreover, much respect for logging into the MT Unlimited thread to defend your decision when it certainly wasn't necessary.
shines@times
Well-known member
I like to think that, along with compassion and a sense of humor, humility is still an American trait--thanks for confirming.
Frequently Banned Troll
Well-known member
Congrats on your sheep. As long as you're happy - doesn't matter what anybody else thinks.
recurveman
Well-known member
This is the most relevant information in this thread. When you tell the world where you hunt and all the details.......You will get to meet them on the hill next year. So ask yourself this question. Do you want the number of hunters to double next year? The specifics about the amount of sheep, rams, bears, trails, units that are being told on this forum is going to change the hunt. Putting the information out like is being presented will have a more negative impact on your chances to hunt the UL's than shooting a smaller ram.
Loose lips sink ships. Right now this ship is taking on water.
Frequently Banned Troll
Well-known member
MTLabrador
Well-known member
I wish I was in a situation where I didn’t view 300” plus bulls as trophies.
shines@times
Well-known member
I tried buddy; but, if this post doesn't do it, only the ram knows!
Congrats on the ram.
Respect for toughing your way out on your own after the injury and not pushing that button. Yes, I know that is not always the best choice when one can exacerbate an injury, but I still respect gumption. Hope you heal in time for another shot this season!
In my opinion, anyone willing to hunt wilderness solo ought to accept the potential for injury and even death--hell, we all do it without much consideration everytime we get behind the wheel. During a seasonal job in Rocky Mountain National Park in 1998, I saw how tourists were already willing at that time to resort to calling 911 for the slightest problem. One instance got a couple Backcountry Rangers injured by a lightning strike. Sometimes,"rescues" turn into greater tragedies.
