Sheep hunt cut short
- Thread starter Bambistew
- Start date
BOWUNTR
Member
Outstanding... Ed F
Bambistew
Well-known member
While speaking with the transporter the first morning he said that he had to run into a drainage up from ours to pick up a couple sheep ‘hunters’. They said they were tired of fighting the alders and wanted to come home. I thought… it must really suck up there to give up the day BEFORE the season opened! What are we in for?
We were dropped off early on opening day (I know, why didn’t we fly in few days before?) No sooner had the transport left it started raining, and didn't stop until about the time T shot her sheep the next day.
We had a ways to go before getting to the drainage I wanted to hunt. I had no idea what to expect other than dead sheep at the end of the rainbow.
Once we reached the drainage we’d have to climb a big ridge, gaining about 1200 vertical, and then drop into in and head up towards the end (where the sheep are). The climb wasn’t bad but the alders, dwarf birch and spruce, with a nice soft bed of tundra moss SUCKED. It took us about 5 hours to cover 2 miles. Good times... I was ready to call the transporter to come pick me up.
Once we made the top we got about 1/4 mile reprieve from the bush. We took a well deserved break, the openness allowed for some glassing of the lower end of the drainage. I scanned for a moment with the binos, and spotted a couple sheep about 2 miles off, pulled out the spotter and the first sheep I focused on was the one T shot. They were about half way up a nasty mountain, little stood in the way of them climbing a couple hundred feet and being inaccessible. A great place for sheep to live and grow old.
We proceeded to get closer, find water and set up camp. We ended up camping about 3/4 of a mile from the rams, opposite their haunt. We were careful in our approach and camp selection as to be out of sight the entire time. We set up camp, and watched the duo until night fall. Unbelievably they stayed in the same location and bedded for the night. It was a restless night thinking about how this 'easy' hunt could be foiled.
We awoke the following morning to more clouds and rain. I was praying that we could get across the small glacial river that was between us and the rams, but we were prepared to keep hunting our side of the drainage if we couldn't do it.
We were dropped off early on opening day (I know, why didn’t we fly in few days before?) No sooner had the transport left it started raining, and didn't stop until about the time T shot her sheep the next day.
We had a ways to go before getting to the drainage I wanted to hunt. I had no idea what to expect other than dead sheep at the end of the rainbow.
Once we reached the drainage we’d have to climb a big ridge, gaining about 1200 vertical, and then drop into in and head up towards the end (where the sheep are). The climb wasn’t bad but the alders, dwarf birch and spruce, with a nice soft bed of tundra moss SUCKED. It took us about 5 hours to cover 2 miles. Good times... I was ready to call the transporter to come pick me up.
Once we made the top we got about 1/4 mile reprieve from the bush. We took a well deserved break, the openness allowed for some glassing of the lower end of the drainage. I scanned for a moment with the binos, and spotted a couple sheep about 2 miles off, pulled out the spotter and the first sheep I focused on was the one T shot. They were about half way up a nasty mountain, little stood in the way of them climbing a couple hundred feet and being inaccessible. A great place for sheep to live and grow old.
We proceeded to get closer, find water and set up camp. We ended up camping about 3/4 of a mile from the rams, opposite their haunt. We were careful in our approach and camp selection as to be out of sight the entire time. We set up camp, and watched the duo until night fall. Unbelievably they stayed in the same location and bedded for the night. It was a restless night thinking about how this 'easy' hunt could be foiled.
We awoke the following morning to more clouds and rain. I was praying that we could get across the small glacial river that was between us and the rams, but we were prepared to keep hunting our side of the drainage if we couldn't do it.
Bambistew
Well-known member
We slogged through more alders, finally making it to the river; it looked very swift and had about as much water as I thought we could comfortably cross. The only saving grace is the fact that there was zero slime on the rocks, footing was excellent. I made the crossing first, and found it to be do-able, then T followed. We had about 700 vertical to go to the sheep from this point.
Did I mention the alders? The next 1000 yards was brutal, wet and frustrating, but we finally managed to reach a small bench which I hoped we could shoot from. The clouds were low, and visibility was decreasing. I hoped that the rams were still in the same place we'd seen them nearly 3 hours earlier.
We crested a small rise and I spotted the 'crony' bedded above a cliff. If they went much higher they'd be out of T's comfort range, and inaccessible. We were prepared to wait it out if we had too. We inched a little closer and spotted the big dude about 30 yards below his buddy, feeding.
The range was about 300 yards, slightly uphill. I got T set up for the shot, then the waiting game for the perfect broadside shot. After what seemed like forever he turned showing his ribs, T fired he reared, took a nose dive and a couple tumbles. I thought it was all over, but to our disbelief he got up and stood there, looking rather sick.
As she quickly chambered another round, but the magazine jammed. The 'window' box in her Rem700 300wsm caused the case to jam, half in and half out of the action port. Oh CRAP. I quickly scrambled through my pack, digging out a knife and started jamming and cramming, finally freeing the case.
The ram was still standing, head down thinking what his next move should be. I handed the now functioning rifle back to T. She lined up and put another good shoot into him, and off the mountain he dove face first into a steep ravine. We watched for a bit making sure he was done, then proceeded to climb up the cliff and scree.
We'd been hearing massive rock slides all night and into the morning, we were a little scared to crawl into the chute he was resting in, but made quick work of it and kicked him down the steep slope until we reached a flatter surface to work on him.
Hell of a ram! I’m not sure who was more excited between the two of us!
We (I should say I) got to work preparing for the pack back to camp. The sheep was dead by noon, and we made it back to camp around dinner time. The rain stopped and it looked as it would clear up a bit.
We got back to camp and were completely soaked after the last crossing. Luckily it had stopped raining and looked like it would clear up for a day or so. We dried out and cooked up a couple pieces of steak. It was delicious!
I took a short hike up the canyon the next day spotting a few more rams. Awesome country and an place I hope to draw a tag for one day. In all we saw 5 other legal rams... one similar in size and on our side of the river. We slogged back to the strip the following day and were picked up early the next morning. What to do with an extra week of vacation? Fill my caribou tag and maybe chase sheep? I think so…
Did I mention the alders? The next 1000 yards was brutal, wet and frustrating, but we finally managed to reach a small bench which I hoped we could shoot from. The clouds were low, and visibility was decreasing. I hoped that the rams were still in the same place we'd seen them nearly 3 hours earlier.
We crested a small rise and I spotted the 'crony' bedded above a cliff. If they went much higher they'd be out of T's comfort range, and inaccessible. We were prepared to wait it out if we had too. We inched a little closer and spotted the big dude about 30 yards below his buddy, feeding.
The range was about 300 yards, slightly uphill. I got T set up for the shot, then the waiting game for the perfect broadside shot. After what seemed like forever he turned showing his ribs, T fired he reared, took a nose dive and a couple tumbles. I thought it was all over, but to our disbelief he got up and stood there, looking rather sick.
As she quickly chambered another round, but the magazine jammed. The 'window' box in her Rem700 300wsm caused the case to jam, half in and half out of the action port. Oh CRAP. I quickly scrambled through my pack, digging out a knife and started jamming and cramming, finally freeing the case.
The ram was still standing, head down thinking what his next move should be. I handed the now functioning rifle back to T. She lined up and put another good shoot into him, and off the mountain he dove face first into a steep ravine. We watched for a bit making sure he was done, then proceeded to climb up the cliff and scree.
We'd been hearing massive rock slides all night and into the morning, we were a little scared to crawl into the chute he was resting in, but made quick work of it and kicked him down the steep slope until we reached a flatter surface to work on him.
Hell of a ram! I’m not sure who was more excited between the two of us!
We (I should say I) got to work preparing for the pack back to camp. The sheep was dead by noon, and we made it back to camp around dinner time. The rain stopped and it looked as it would clear up a bit.
We got back to camp and were completely soaked after the last crossing. Luckily it had stopped raining and looked like it would clear up for a day or so. We dried out and cooked up a couple pieces of steak. It was delicious!
I took a short hike up the canyon the next day spotting a few more rams. Awesome country and an place I hope to draw a tag for one day. In all we saw 5 other legal rams... one similar in size and on our side of the river. We slogged back to the strip the following day and were picked up early the next morning. What to do with an extra week of vacation? Fill my caribou tag and maybe chase sheep? I think so…
hardscrabble
Active member
Congrats to you and T, that is a beautiful ram.
indian larry
Member
Truly is an amazing ram congrats! What a good way to start the season.
T Bone
Well-known member
Congrats to the pretty huntress T, and to Ivan for the assist.
That ram is a beauty. I dig the flare.
I'm curious, what does he measure for length?
That ram is a beauty. I dig the flare.
I'm curious, what does he measure for length?
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Summitthunting
Well-known member
Great job, I really like the picture of the ram in the pack. Victorious!
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Kudos all the way around...stellar assist, write-up, pics, beautiful and capable hunting partner...thanks for the story Ivan.
ashersdad
Well-known member
That is one of the most beautiful rams I think I've ever seen! You guys did awesome! Loved the story and pictures.
FishN4Eyes
Well-known member
Nice, nice ram! Way to battle some tough conditions and persevere!
Lawnboy
Well-known member
I wish mowing would produce that kind of income. My sugar momma is my Alaska resident brother and yes I'm darn lucky for it.
Just to add to the fun of Bambi's teaser and long drawn out picture session. Lawnboy's drought on Dall sheep has ended well
mdhunter61
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2010
- Messages
- 438
I wish mowing would produce that kind of income. My sugar momma is my Alaska resident brother and yes I'm darn lucky for it.
Just to add to the fun of Bambi's teaser and long drawn out picture session. Lawnboy's drought on Dall sheep has ended well
View attachment 26406
Awright dude - pony up with the story and more pics pronto, or I'm stopping by Montana on my way to Alaska next week for an in-person account!
WAY to GO, great looking ram!
DRAFTSTUD
Well-known member
WTG, I always love Father / Daughter hunts! LOL John
Dinkshooter
Well-known member
Just added Lawnboy to the people I dislike list.
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