Well my friend Shayne and I have been heavy into building points for certain tags but switched gears two years ago when it came to Montana Bighorn Sheep tag applications. We decided we wanted to enjoy a Bighorn Sheep hunt sooner than later so we began applying for an Ewe tag. Last year we did not draw but on the second year of trying for an Ewe tag he finally drew this year.
After months of talking to the biologist and other hunters who have been to the area Shayne had come up with a plan. We would meet up at the boat ramp which over 10 miles downriver of where we wanted to hunt and boat up river. We both arrived on Thursday night and geared up for the morning trip.
Fog through the river bottom on our first morning.
As daylight began appearing we got the boat in and began our journey up river. With being on a budget we found an old jet ski boat we thought we could make work no problem. Very early on in the morning as we cruised up river we realized our old ski boat may have not been the best idea. We were barely moving and burning fuel/oil fast (most likely due to cold weather and carbureted engine?).
Trying to get the boat warmed up.
About 5 miles up river and after using a half a tank of fuel we decided to turn back and come up with a new plan. We got the boat back down and loaded back up then headed to the only gas station for miles to start plan B. Found out that the little gas station sold the BLM maps we had wanted to get beforehand. After reviewing the maps, we decided to drive around and put the boat in at a different ramp up river in the morning, which was closer to where we wanted to hunt. For the remainder of the afternoon, we were going to check out a BLM road that went back in near where we wanted to get to and see what we could spot. We dropped the trailers not too far off the main road on BLM land as we knew those roads get really bad if it rains.
Typical road of the area.
We started our way down the trail to explore this new area for the afternoon, glassing a few spots on the way. On our second glassing spot we saw a few animals walking a ways off and just assumed they were mule deer. After glassing them more we quickly realized they were Bighorn Sheep!! After further inspection we saw about 10 Ewe’s and Lambs total, no rams.
Shayne glassing.
We quickly looked over the landscape and came up with a plan to put a stalk on them. After a quick trip back to the pickup to get our gear we started our first stalk on Bighorns. We ended up getting to 250 yards away on the other side of a draw. They had no idea we were there so we had plenty of time to sit, watch them, pick out a nice one and wait for a clean shot. After about ten minutes the mature Ewe Shayne decided he wanted to shoot stepped away from the others and offered a broadside shot. The .308 rang out and the Ewe dropped in its tracks followed by rolling down the hill about 50 yards. As we walked up to the Ewe we both thought it was larger than we expected!
Shayne and his MT Bighorn Ewe.
After pictures, we broke it down and loaded up the packs as the sun was setting. As the moon began to appear we finished the 1.5 mile pack out. On the way back we were thinking about how up and down the day had started to have it end up so perfect!
All loaded up!
I'm definitely planning on applying for this tag next year in hopes of repeating! Then we will apply for Ram tags (aka buying lottery tickets) with hopes of drawing in 30 years or less.
Here's a few more pictures from the trip! Being in Montana in September is by far one of my favorite things.
After months of talking to the biologist and other hunters who have been to the area Shayne had come up with a plan. We would meet up at the boat ramp which over 10 miles downriver of where we wanted to hunt and boat up river. We both arrived on Thursday night and geared up for the morning trip.
Fog through the river bottom on our first morning.
As daylight began appearing we got the boat in and began our journey up river. With being on a budget we found an old jet ski boat we thought we could make work no problem. Very early on in the morning as we cruised up river we realized our old ski boat may have not been the best idea. We were barely moving and burning fuel/oil fast (most likely due to cold weather and carbureted engine?).
Trying to get the boat warmed up.
About 5 miles up river and after using a half a tank of fuel we decided to turn back and come up with a new plan. We got the boat back down and loaded back up then headed to the only gas station for miles to start plan B. Found out that the little gas station sold the BLM maps we had wanted to get beforehand. After reviewing the maps, we decided to drive around and put the boat in at a different ramp up river in the morning, which was closer to where we wanted to hunt. For the remainder of the afternoon, we were going to check out a BLM road that went back in near where we wanted to get to and see what we could spot. We dropped the trailers not too far off the main road on BLM land as we knew those roads get really bad if it rains.
Typical road of the area.
We started our way down the trail to explore this new area for the afternoon, glassing a few spots on the way. On our second glassing spot we saw a few animals walking a ways off and just assumed they were mule deer. After glassing them more we quickly realized they were Bighorn Sheep!! After further inspection we saw about 10 Ewe’s and Lambs total, no rams.
Shayne glassing.
We quickly looked over the landscape and came up with a plan to put a stalk on them. After a quick trip back to the pickup to get our gear we started our first stalk on Bighorns. We ended up getting to 250 yards away on the other side of a draw. They had no idea we were there so we had plenty of time to sit, watch them, pick out a nice one and wait for a clean shot. After about ten minutes the mature Ewe Shayne decided he wanted to shoot stepped away from the others and offered a broadside shot. The .308 rang out and the Ewe dropped in its tracks followed by rolling down the hill about 50 yards. As we walked up to the Ewe we both thought it was larger than we expected!
Shayne and his MT Bighorn Ewe.
After pictures, we broke it down and loaded up the packs as the sun was setting. As the moon began to appear we finished the 1.5 mile pack out. On the way back we were thinking about how up and down the day had started to have it end up so perfect!
All loaded up!
I'm definitely planning on applying for this tag next year in hopes of repeating! Then we will apply for Ram tags (aka buying lottery tickets) with hopes of drawing in 30 years or less.
Here's a few more pictures from the trip! Being in Montana in September is by far one of my favorite things.
