AZBULLHUNTER Report post Posted December 8, 2011 After obtaining the maximum number of bonus points I drew the unit 28 Rocky Mountain Sheep tag. I set up camp on Oct 18th and started scouting four days a week. During the scouting and hunting period I saw 75 different rams but never saw a really big ram. There are a large number of rams in the 160 range but finding one with horns that swing up or flare out was difficult. Opening day brought temperatures 20 degrees less than the week before. Opening day I saw two rams together. one nice ram except he had a broken horn. Day two brought snow and rain and very poor hunting conditions. We saw 8 rams that day the largest in 170 point range. Five of the rams that were together were high on the mountain and miles from the nearest road. They were probably not huntable for me.Another nice ram was across a canyon and although shootable it would have been tough to retrieve him. I decided to pass on him.Day 3 we saw 8 more rams in the same area the largest around 165-170. They were in a fairly easy area to hunt but I decided to pass on them. I had seen the largest of the rams a couple of weeks earlier several miles away. Day 4 brought heavy low fog so I did not hunt in the morning. In the afternoon I went out and saw the same herd of sheep I had seen on day two. Day 5 the first thing in the morning I located a herd of sheep in a an area that was easy to hunt. After looking at the ram for 30 minutes I decided to take him. One shot ended my sheep hunting in Arizona.I had previously taken a ram 25 years earlier. I had friends Charlie and Josh with me the first three days of the hunt but for today I was by myself. With great difficulty I field dressed the ram and tried to get him to where my ATV could reach him. Finally the other hunter drove by and helped me get my ram to my truck. I can not remember their names but I appreciated their help. For those that have never hunted this unit you will see a lot of rams. Some are very difficult and dangerous to hunt. Some are not too hard to shoot but could be very difficult to retrieve. I saw many that were hours away from the closest road. Be in shape or be patient until they move into a more accessible area. Some of the unit is in very remote and rugged country. An ATV is a very useful tool. I scouted 25 days (at least) put thousands of miles on my truck and 1200 miles on my ATV and I loved every minute of it. This was the toughest hunt (mentally), not physically that I have ever been on. You know you will never draw the tag again. You worry about weather issues or getting sick or catching a cold like I did. A hunter can draw this tag and go up there and harvest a ram without too much effort or time. I knew that before the hunt but I wanted to experience the whole experience. I wanted to see the whole unit. I wanted to get wet driving in Eagle Creek and Bonita Creek. I wanted to hunt the Gila and San Francisco rivers. As a good friend told me before the hunt there is more to sheep hunting than just shooting a ram. He was right. As you all know sheep hunting is a privilege that should not be taken lightly. Very few people get to experience it. I have been fortunate to have done it twice. I need to thank my friends Charlie and Josh Sprung for their help the first three days.I want to thank my friend Mike Mell, the best sheep hunter I have ever known, for the hours he spent giving me advice and encouragement and the proper perspective on what sheep hunting is all about. Mark Morris, a previous hunter gave me maps and hours of advice. Many deer hunters and locals went out of their way to provide information on sheep sightings to me. The ranchers in the area Cash Noland and the Corbels were very helpful as well. My ram scored right at 170 and I am very happy with him. Here are some pictures. sorry no pictures as I can not figure out how to upload them I have never had a problem attaching photos to anything else. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redman Report post Posted December 8, 2011 nice story and congrats...pics?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff Welker Report post Posted December 8, 2011 Wonderful report and sentiment expressed about the sheep hunting experience - the stuff of my dreams. Look forward to your photos. As a wannabe sheep hunter in waiting, would you mind adding some information on your equipment (pros/cons) such as optics, rifle, boots, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZBULLHUNTER Report post Posted December 9, 2011 copy and paste did not work I opened pictures and said to attach and it says no file selected. Still no pictures I need help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Send them to me, I'll post them up for you... 10point at gmail dot com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Here you go. Nice ram and congratulations! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Couzer Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Nice Job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZBULLHUNTER Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Here you go. Nice ram and congratulations! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZBULLHUNTER Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Thanks for your help in posting the pictures. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cramerhunts Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Congratulations. Great write up that makes a guys stop and think about what a true privilege sheep hunting is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZBULLHUNTER Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Congratulations. Great write up that makes a guys stop and think about what a true privilege sheep hunting is. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZBULLHUNTER Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Thanks. Sheep hunting is something that few get to experience. Do not take it for granted. Enjoy it and cherish it. The more time you spend in sheep country the more you appreciate the majestic nature of the sheep. The country they inhabit is humbling once you are there and experience it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonecollector Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Very nice sheep, Congrats to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gunfish Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Congrats on the nice Sheep, and thanks for posting the story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chef Report post Posted December 9, 2011 Good words AZBH. The once in a lifetime experience should be cherished for what it is. Sometimes it's not about finding and killing a ram on day one. It's about being in a position so few will ever be in. I'm glad you took the time to appreciate it for what it is. I've done that myself a few times. Stop and smell the roses. Good job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
