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[Bambistew]

I'd say this whole situation is just a microcosm of hunting out west in general. But honestly, I'm surprised about the lack of media about the UL. I would think there would way more articles and videos about the one DIY bighorn hunt for non residents. That being said, the lack of information means every single person who's ever googled this hunt gets suggested this thread, and I bet you almost all those guys who killed rams in there this year, and I don't know any personally, have read this thread.

Writing articles or making videos of unsuccess sheep hunts don't sell too well.

 

[Deleted member 52937]

the lack of information means every single person who's ever googled this hunt gets suggested this thread

That’s exactly how I ended up hearing about and joining HT.

 

[Jofes]

That’s exactly how I ended up hearing about and joining HT.

Ditto...

 

[geewhiz]

I say get rid of the thread.

 

[Jofes]

Even if it's not the biggest thread, I'd be surprised if it isn't the most viewed.

 

[winmag]

Or we could try to get unlimited areas opened in CO, ID, NV, and NM, all opening Sept 15th as well, to spread out the pressure since the demand is clearly growing.

 

[EYJONAS!]

I've heard this comment from a few people. One being Shawn and some others that have been involved in the ULs.

FWP only used to record the amount of permits applied for and purchased. Not purchased outright in combined with the applied for permits. So for a long time no one really knew how many total tags were actually issued for a number of years. Up until recent years they've recorded the amount of sold outright and applied for tags.

Could be wrong but the sources are pretty legit.

I dunno I still think we should close this prick down though and delete it.

 

[Southern Elk]

Whether or not you guys succeed in getting this thread deleted, I’ve enjoyed it. Thanks to those who have let us follow along. I don’t think it’s a hunt that I will ever do, but I respect the hell out of those who’ve been successful.

 

[rogerthat]

Biologically speaking the more hunters/tags doesn’t matter unless a bunch of rams get off’d during the 48 hour notice period. At a certain amount of pressure, don’t you think rams are being pushed to the thick timber and being saved? This happens on other hunts in Montana a lot

 

[duckhunt]

Whether or not you guys succeed in getting this thread deleted, I’ve enjoyed it. Thanks to those who have let us follow along. I don’t think it’s a hunt that I will ever do, but I respect the hell out of those who’ve been successful.

This

 

[BlueSLYR]

That’s exactly how I ended up hearing about and joining HT.

same.

 

[Marshian]

I have a goat tag and am unfamiliar with the exact UL boundaries but I do know there is overlap. As for the road and washed out bridges, this was from two days ago.

 

[EYJONAS!]

I have a goat tag and am unfamiliar with the exact UL boundaries but I do know there is overlap. As for the road and washed out bridges, this was from two days ago.

View attachment 294477View attachment 294478View attachment 294477

What did the fwp say?

 

[buffybr]

Wasn't 302 also unlimited as well? Same with the north half of 300 which is now 304.

Yes 302 and the Spanish Peaks units were Unlimited. Some years in the late '70s and early '80 didn't fill their quotas and the season was open from early September through November.

I've posted these pics before, but here are the rams that I shot in 302 back in '84 and '86...

This second ram was 9 1/2 years old.

 

[kad11]

I haven't been super active here so my opinion doesn't count for much, but I'd probably nuke the thread for the sake of the hunt. Another option would be to move it to a different subforum that is only viewable by members who meet certain criteria (x number of posts, years of membership, etc.). Rokslide recently implemented something like this for more discreet discussions.

I got myself in a sketchy spot a few years ago and posted about it here. Took a few years off and have been back at it again last year and this year. I found a sublegal ram in 5 days of hunting last year. Hunted 6 days this year and saw 2 mountain goats.

FWIW, I've met a decent number of nonresident hunters waaay off trail in pretty gnarly stuff and most of them reference this thread.

 

[Marshian]

What did the fwp say?

I only talked with the goat biologist and was mostly concerned with his thoughts on my back up plan. He made it seem like the road was heavily damaged on last years flood and then something happens like a week or two ago that was the death knell.

 

[BigHornRam]

Just got back from hunting. Sounds like everyone wants this thread gone. Can't figure out how to delete it. Let me know what to do and I'll do it.

 

[winmag]

It’s a bit bittersweet. This thread is the only reason I joined HT, but there are just too many breadcrumbs here.

I’m not sure the solution. Well-known members only? Delete this one then have an annual unlimited thread that gets deleted every year on Dec 31st?

 

[VOLhunter]

This thread is definitely the reason I joined HT and it's the only thread I have an alert set for. Growing up as a kid in TN, hunting in the mountains of the west were only a dream, and a big horn ram was the epidemy of those dreams. That meant watching PBS nature documentaries or thumbing through a sports afield magazine at the book store. I joined the Army at 17 and left high school early. I was in my mid 30's before my first western hunt for elk in CO with only 1 trip a few years later. Next year will be WY elk, muley, and antelope, but I would trade a lifetime of hunting deer in TN for 1 BH sheep.
I follow this thread because it keeps the dream alive that one day I might actually make it happen. As a NR who didn't join the points game decades ago, this is the only opportunity that exists. I work multiple jobs, my wife's a teacher, and we are raising 4 boys. Life comes first, but at least there's still hope with the UL that I can hunt sheep one day (unguided). I've made gear lists, maps, marked way points e-scouting, planned routes and more for something that it years away from happening. When I finally get to do an UL hunt, this thread and forum will be the reason.
I haven't discovered any secret spots due to un-blurred landscape pics or anything close. Maybe I'm not trying hard enough. Even though I've never hunted sheep, I remember someone saying "don't go chasing dead rams", but I think that was from a podcast. You still have to make a big commitment to try for a sheep in the UL, even as a NR. I've picked up a few good tips on here related to gear, glassing, bears, etc., but it's not truly UL or even sheep specific stuff. I think the popularity in hunting (even though much of it these days is spread by d-bag social media influencers), the widespread sharing of hunting tips/knowledge on forums in general, and apps and websites that confirm your suspicions that you will NEVER draw a sheep tag, all play a part in increased numbers of hunters in the UL. It's not just the fault of this thread. 25 years ago the gear to keep you in the backcountry was much different as well. Things progress, time changes all, and sometimes adapting sucks. My oldest son turned 13 yesterday, I know. Anyway, I'm very thankful for this thread and the few others like it where guys encourage and celebrate the efforts and trials that each other share. I hope it stays.

 

[EYJONAS!]

Just got back from hunting. Sounds like everyone wants this thread gone. Can't figure out how to delete it. Let me know what to do and I'll do it.

You might have to request it? I'm not sure