Trad Gang
Topic Archives => Memorable Hunts => Topic started by: Jeff Holchin on September 18, 2007, 01:55:00 PM
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I returned last week from my first bighorn sheep bowhunt in Colorado. Thought I'd share the story and some photos.
Part 1 - preparation:
I've been trying to draw a bighorn ram tag for some years now, and decided to try for a ewe tag in Colorado as a second choice. Such a hunt would allow me to finally bowhunt bighorn sheep and provide great, if not expensive, practice for my eventual ram bowhunt. In only my second year of trying, I drew a ewe tag in Colorado.
I immediately began a pretty lively exercize program, combining running, biking and hiking with my pack, as well as climbing the stairs at my office building (in hindsight, it would be best to exercize like this all year round and step it up to the next level as needed)....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010023.jpg)
I also borrowed a sheep target and practiced steep angle shots from above..
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010013.jpg)
These shots are tough.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010021.jpg)
Wish now that I would have practiced the very steep uphill shots, but couldn't find a safe way to do this at my house. However, I was deadly with the downhill shots....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010004.jpg)
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This is going to be good! :bigsmyl:
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sounds like a great time hope ya had fun
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Nice shooting. Waiting for more
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Part 2 - scouting trip:
I ordered topo maps of my unit and found several articles about sheep hunting there. Did an internet search and found some specific information. I also talked with several experienced bowhunters who provided some tips about certain areas to hunt. I had driven through this unit just the past fall on the way to a deer hunt, but had never actually scouted it. The CO DOW conducts sheep counts in which volunteers can participate and help. I signed up and was lucky enough to be paired with terrestial biologist (and trad bowhunter) Janet George, so off to Colorado I flew in early July.
I live at 1000', but the air sure is thin at 11,000' to 13,000'. The views are great...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/100_0417.jpg)
I had a 3 day weekend to scout, but didn't see a sheep the first day. I did find this deer skull..
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/100_0412.jpg)
My little rental jeep didn't like some of the rough roads in the mountains, but I was able to access some areas with sheep the second day. I spent most of the third day with Janet, seeing more sheep and learning a lot about the area and sheep...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/100_0429.jpg)
I flew home tired but happy - I had seen sheep, deer, elk, a bear, and a mountain goat, plus had found some areas to hunt where I might get away from the other hunters. I had also spent some time with a friend of a friend, who is a serious trad bowhunter and would scout my area for me. I also stopped in and visited with some experienced sheep bowhunters close to my unit, who offered encouragement and tips about specific areas.
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great pics! nice bow...i miss my drifter
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Looking forward to the rest of the story and pictures Jeff!!!
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Now that's how you prepare for a hunt. Great stuff! Looking forward to the rest of the story.
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Ummmm....shouldn't you be posting MORE pictures???
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Thanks for letting us share.
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This is gonna be good. Keep it coming Jeff!
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Keep it up Jeff, I'm looking forward to the rest of this one...... :thumbsup:
Nice pics too.....
David
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Part 3 - game plan:
From reading articles and books about sheep hunting, as well as from advice from experienced sheep hunters, the 2 main methods to hunt sheep seemed to be either drive the roads, spot sheep and go after them, or lace up the boots and cover lots of ground where your scouting indicates the sheep are living, then stalk them.
For the first method, my unit had enough major roads going through it that seeing sheep from those roads wasn't hard - I saw sheep from the roads myself. These sheep are easily viewed from the public and because of negative public image, there is a 1/4 mile
"no sheep hunting" buffer from the 2 main roads through my unit. I heard several stories about this method of hunting that caused me to want no part of it. I much prefer to get away from other hunters and the public.
The second method seemed better for me, but my hunt would occur during the third season - the sheep would have already been pressured by the sheep hunters from the previous 2 seasons (about 2 weeks each, starting near the beginning of August) as well as deer and elk bowhunters. Turns out the muzzleloader season opened during my hunt and I saw more of those hunters than sheep or bowhunters. I am not a good stalker, especially in this open country. Another problem is that unlike the rams, the ewes and lambs tend to bunch up for protection so it is much harder to stalk up on a group like these 24 sheep I encountered late in my hunt.......
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010162.jpg)
Another factor is the sometimes nasty country these sheep move into when pressured. Going after sheep in this type of cover is not easy for a flatlander like me, and dangerous since I hunted alone the entire 10 days....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010049.jpg)
Even with good boots and being careful, I took several spills and was pretty scared several times. I had a cell phone (which I managed to lose) but I could have been in serious trouble with a bad fall. Another factor was the daily thunderstorms in the early part of my hunt, which sometimes came out of nowhere. Once I got caught in the open and took shelter in some rocks. I got soaked and scared with lightning crashing around me, plus the boulder that rolled down the hill only 10' from me.
So I chose an unusual plan: pick a basin away from the roads and most other hunters, and hang out there and hope to learn the sheep's patterns enough to ambush a bighorn ewe. I picked this basin.....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010033.jpg)
I knew my plan wasn't going to result in many real chances at a sheep, but it would be easier for me as a flatlander and should offer chances to observe and learn about sheep. I always carry a Bible in my pack, and I had plenty of time to catch up on my reading during the slow days or during the storms.
Did I mention that I got a deer tag too? I saw some mule deer during my scouting trip and decided to hunt them as well, if the sheep were not cooperating. I'm still looking for my first mule deer. Turns out there are elk in this area too, but I resisted the temptation to buy that tag, since I have MT elk and deer tags for later in the season. This basin I chose had good sheep habitat on both sides - the adjacent basin to the east held sheep too....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010038.jpg)
The adjacent basin to the west was good but received more pressure. The sheep liked the timber at the south end of the basin - I hunted there on the slow days and saw a lot of sheep sign but never actually saw a sheep there....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010062.jpg)
However, I did find this in the timber close to my camp - maybe a lion kill?
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010056.jpg)
More likely killed by a hunter and not recovered, but there are lions in this area. I did see bear sign in the timber near my camp, and there was a pack of coyotes living in the basin that I saw almost every day. It was interesting watching the sheep's reaction to them when they started howling - the ewes and young rams didn't seem to care, but the lambs crowded close to the ewes.
More to follow later.....
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Keep them coming Jeff! I can't wait! :clapper:
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Nice pics and story so far. Looking forward to the rest.
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Excellent photos and storytelling. We're hungry for more, please!
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what was your shooting epuipment?
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Hey, don't be stingy and try to draw this out...
WE WANT MORE PICTURES :readit: :D
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Yeah, what he said!
Of course he is allowed to say that after his fine thread with story and pics. Me? I'm just begging for more.....
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:bigsmyl: :campfire: :coffee: More Please...
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Hi Jeff! :wavey: This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing the story and pics. :thumbsup: I need to get back to work on that getting in shape part. BTW, Nice bow. Rick
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Great stuff!!!! I'm looking forward to the next installment!
Claudia
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Sorry for teasing. About my shooting equipment, I got a very nice Brackenbury Drifter from Fletcher several years ago (thanks again Rick, I love that bow), with 51# and 61# limbs. I almost always use the 61# limbs, but about a month before my hunt I somehow hurt my shoulder and couldn't even draw the bow. I gave it a 2 week rest, saw my doctor and got some anti-inflamatory meds and put on the 51# limbs. They shot the Goldtip carbon arrows and 125 grain Woodsmans well - I should have stuck with them, but several days before I left for Colorado, I switched back to the heavier limbs, heavier arrows and 160 grain Woodsmans (with adapters). I am not a very good shot, needing a lot of practice - I usually carry a judo-tipped arrow in the quiver to stump shoot but in the high country there are nothing but rocksa to shoot at. I took along a Block-type target and shot it a little when I would come out to the truck, but ultimately this lack of practice would cost me in my one good shot opportunity.....
One more thing about my decision to hunt a basin and try to ambush a sheep, instead of the more traditional sheep hunting methods. This probably wouldn't work for rams, and if I was in better shape, I would have walked more. But I got this idea when on the sheep count with Janet George when she pointed out some old "rock sheep fences/walls and blinds" and explained how they would push the sheep into these funnels for a kill.......
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/100_0434.jpg)
Steve O has a photo of an indian rock blind in his sheep hunting thread. I was fascinated the more I learned about these structures (Janet sent several research papers on the subject), where they built a system of stone fences/walls to force the sheep to bottlenecks, and killed as many as possible. Check out this stone wall, which comes to a point in a saddle between 2 mountains....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010085.jpg)
I spent several hours on 2 different days examining these areas. At one point where the stone wall came to a point in the saddle, there were 3 clearly seen rock blinds uphill of the point, and one located right at the point. This is a typical rock blind....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010079.jpg)
It was situated where the animals would crest the saddle only 20-30 yards away, and would hopefully be surprised by the natives with either bows or atlatls. My imagination worked overtime, thinking of the group hunts that had transpired here over the centuries - wish I could go back in time. It appeared that there were numerous modifications and additions to the main walls/fences.
This one was unusual in that wood was used for both the wall and the blind - so it was used not that long ago....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010066.jpg)
Anyway, my thinking was that killing a sheep with my bow near these old rock fences, using an ambush, would be fun. Yes, I know, I'm weird, but that is what I was thinking. I guess going all out in primitive archery, with a wood selfbow, cane arrows, flint head, etc. would have more meaning here - maybe some day.....
Hunt stories tomorrow, I promise......
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AWESOME story and pics!!!!!!!Don and Skyler
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Ah, man, Jeff. I didn't like that foreshadowing of "lack of practice cost me my one good shot opportunity". I was drooling just thinking about some sheep steaks (with a little mint jelly, of course) at Horse Creek. Guess we'll be stuck eating standard road kill!
Guess we'll be happy with more tales and photos....carry on.
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WOW! Can't wait for more...!
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Jeff,
I think your ambush idea was a good one...one of my closest chances came on an ambush. I'll never forget that ram popping out of the timber 300 yards away exactly as I predicted and then walking right to me at 23 yards and then busting me :banghead:
To me, the indians were pretty smart and it seemed to me they had a LOT of spare time ;)
I noticed they built a huge pile of rocks about a hundred yards from the blind. That is what I originally thought was the blind. Did you see that near yours? I was wondering if it was a landmark or an observation post...any ideas?
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Waiting for the next chapter to be written. Heck of a story and great pictures.
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Great story! And on the Native American Funnels and blinds, I'd just like to say -- "It would be really cool to take a sheep out of one of those blinds"!
Following in the steps of the hunters who used to haunt those mountains! I'd be useless for years if I could pull that one off!
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Marvin, I had the same thought. I actually got into this blind for a little while (seen in my last photo, with both wood and rock).....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010155.jpg)
I was amused to see sheep poop in the blind. Speaking of that, I have always been suspicious of raisins. Now I know why....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010054.jpg)
Anyway, check out "Research Report 7 from the Center for Mountain Archeology, Ward Colorado, The game drives of the Rocky Mountain National Park" if this topic interests you. Steve, I did see such a structure as you mentioned - my guess is that the hunt leader used that large rock blind to signal the shooters and drivers???????
Let's go hunting (finally).
Part 4 - The hunt:
I left NC early on Sept. 1 and arrived in Denver late in the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 2. I made 2 stops before heading to the mountains, the first at Jeff Davis's house for a quick visit and to change the road tires to off-road tires, and the second for dinner at a former coworker's house. Arriving in Colorado in the middle of Labor Day weekend, I knew to expect lots of company in the mountains. Therefore I souldn't have been surprised to find 8-9 vehicles at the trailhead of my primary basin. Discouraged, I changed plans and headed to the adjacent basin to the east, arriving right at dusk. There were less hunters and campers there (the road was horrible, my truck took a beating), and I saw 2 nice mulie bucks in a meadow close by. Sheep season for me didn't actuually start until tuesday (9/4), but I could hunt mule deer and scout the next day. I was tired but excited as I stood on the hill and looked up at the stars and breathed that cool mountain air. I heard a elk bugle in the darkness below and smiled - I love these rocky mountains! I have been waiting for this day for months. I spent an hour organizing my gear before turning in for the night, sleeping in the truck rather than setting up a camp because I knew I'd move to my primary basin once the weekend crowds left.
I was up before daylight on day 1 of my hunt, back at the meadow but didn't find the mulies. I ended up doing quite a bit of walking, both in this secondary basin and over to the west to peek into "my" basin. Unfortunately I don't have any lightweight gear so my pack was heavy - probably pushing 35 to 40 pounds. I set up the spotting scope and was happy with what I saw....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010047.jpg)
I ended up seeing 9 sheep - all ewes and lambs in "my" basin and watched them for hours. They went through this gap several times, just above the huge rock....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/Holch33-R1-022-9A.jpg)
I ended up back at the truck before dark, tired, wet but pretty happy, especially after finding that the crowd had all left the mountain. I had sat above them earlier and watched them race their quads, shoot at tin cans, and generally have fun. Now it was quiet. I checked the meadow again until dark but the 2 mulie bucks didn't reappear. I decided to be at the edge of my basin at daylight the next day to learn more about those 9 sheep...
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Jeff great story and pictures. Thanks for taking us along on what would be the trip of a life time for me. Glenn
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I KNEW I Didnt like Raisins for a Reason. Now I know why. LOL :biglaugh:
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I hiked to the edge of my basin in the dark, arriving with first light. I got the spotting scope set up and soon began seeing the white butts of feeding sheep. By noon I had watched 19 ewes and lambs feed and move all over the basin, plus a group of mule deer. I initially wanted to go right after the sheep, but decided to stick with my plan and just watch from a safe distance. I also saw 2 other sheep bowhunters, walking the ridges. One of them stopped and checked out "my" sheep, but moved on since there were no rams present. I decided it was time to set up my camp in the timber at the bottom of my basin and begin moving in on the sheep, so the rest of the day was spent doing this.
It was about 2 miles from the trailhead to where I wanted to camp. I used my redneck game carrier for the first part where there was a trail.....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/Holch33-R1-048-22A.jpg)
and eventually set up a nice camp right near the edge of timberline, next to a stream.....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010100.jpg)
A big storm moved in the night of my second day, and I woke up to heavy rain - I didn't even get out of the tent until mid morning. This greeted me when I finally got to my observation point...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010156.jpg)
It was afternoon before I could finally see up into the basin, and I saw the south end of a group of sheep headed north. The only good thing was that I noticed the nice bench they used, way up near 13,000'. They fed right out of the basin and I discovered a fault with my plan - what to do when the sheep left? I didn't see a sheep for the next 2 days, except this young ram that I would become pretty familiar with, over the 10 day hunt....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010107.jpg)
Lucky for me, there was a group of mule deer bucks that began using the basin. On the day 5 I watched this group feed for several hours and finally bed down....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010110.jpg)
I made a stalk that took 4 hours that did nothing to boost my confidence. I thought that I knew exactly where they were located, but everything looks different from above. I got above them, looked all over, gave up after some refreshment from the snowbank (forgot my water bottle)..
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/Holch33-R1-044-20A.jpg)
before dropping 1500' to my observation point. What did I see when I looked through the scope - the same 7 bucks and they were rolling around with laughter. All that effort for nothing????
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I guess it wasn't all for nothing. I got to watch the bucks for several hours, and saw a young buck with dangling velvet try to remove and eat this velvet. And I checked out that bench up near that snowbank - found a good ambush point and decided to be there at daylight the next day, thinking the sheep should be returning soon..
Usually I can get up before daylight easily, but maybe the climbing, rain showers, dehydrated food, etc. was taking its toll. In other words, I hit the snooze button too many times and I was chugging up the 2000' climb, gasping and sweating, when it was getting daylight. Only 50 yards from that bench and ambush point, I saw a lamb and a ewe walking only 10 yards past the rock that was to be my ambush place! They soon smelled and saw me, and spooked...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010118.jpg)
Another 2 ewes came and the same thing happened. A young ram walked past the snow bank also....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010122.jpg)
I was not happy with myself - 10 or 15 minutes earlier and I would have had a chance at an easy shot! Getting a very early start on the sheep is important!
I was cheered up somewhat when I saw the now familiar young ram feed into the basin and head my way. Eventually he got close and spotted me....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010147.jpg)
They sure are beautiful animals..
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010139.jpg)
I was concerned about identifying ewes versus young rams. This ram turned and made sure I could tell that he was a ram....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010133.jpg)
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and.......?
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Did you pack in at Berthoud Pass?
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Great, great story Jeff, keep it coming my friend.......
David
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Jeff,
1. You better not let Patrick see that pic of you totin' all his high $ gear on that frigerater cart ;)
2. What is the extra strip of tarp on the Paratipi for?
3. What did you do for eats?
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Titan, I noticed that other hunters used that route, so I avoided it.
Steve, I placed that tarp to help protect against heavy rains - had some leakage last fall in a soaking rain that froze, then melted. I lost 10 pounds by eating oatmeal for breakfast, and apple/nuts/crackers for lunch and a Mountainhouse meal for dinner. My pepsi can stove was barely adequate at this elevation.
The view from this elevation was good...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010055.jpg)
but by this part of my hunt I needed a break, so I called some new friends nearby and asked if I could stop by for a shower, to wash my clothes and get some real food. They were wonderful hosts and I left their house recharged, from the great food and hunting stories we shared. I got back to the trailhead at dark, but decided to sleep in the truck and head out in the morning.
Sunday dawned clear and cool, and I covered some ground but it was a sheepless day. I did get within 30 yards of 2 forky bucks before the wind betrayed me. I found fresh sheep sign, just couldn't find the sheep....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010068.jpg)
I knew that time was running out and my plan to pattern and then ambush the sheep wasn't producing too much action. I was determined to be up early and in position at my observation point at daylight tomorrow, day 8.
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Thanks.
I had a Jetboil and it is awesome!
My meals out in camp:
Oatmeal and dried friut for breakfast:
http://www.naturespath.com/products/hot_cereals
Various different stuff for lunch, but the clear winner was any one of the new Hamburger Helper Singles :thumbsup:
Dinners; Bulk Mountain House Lasagna, various home made freeze dried meals (favorite was Terriaki Salmon with mashed potatoes and mixed veggies, and a couple of Backpacker's Pantry FD. Backpacker's Pantry are MUCH tastier than MH IMO.
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Oh man this is awesome....
I saw 2 HUGE full curl Sheep yesterday morning..AT 5 YDS!.TOO BAD THEY WERE ON THE ROAD ON THE WAY TO MY HUNTING SPOT!! a
This is a great story and Great pics. Which unit is this and who took the pics with you in them...?
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The snowpeak gigipower at 3oz is probably THE BEST back packing stove I came on.
Combine that with a titanium pot, and one lexan spoon and you're still under the weight of one msr whisperlite. You can cook this oatmeal and mthouse regime for almost a week. This is the exact food menu I have on my sheep outings. If you can afford the weight, mix the oatmeal with cold cereal. Pre mix powdered milk but I can't remember the ceral (pm Steve H though I'm sure he's watching along and will see this) It is heavy, though it's on a one way trip!
Great photos and story. I'm envious, sheep season closed for us today, another year I didnt make the sheep mountians. Just home saturday and I sorely miss them.
Can't wait for more!
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Sorry for the delay - trying to get lots of work done before I leave next week for another hunt.
As noted before, there were several reasons for my decision to set up a camp several miles from the trailhead. Because I am relatively new to backpack/backcountry hunting and there is much to learn, I decided to get out there and do it. One experienced sheep hunter said "enjoy the overall experience" and I did that. Besides all the things to do for the actual hunt, you also need to worry about shelter, clothes and food. I found that my shelter and bedding system was adequate, but I need to upgrade to a real stove to boil water. Dan and Steve obviously have some experience that I need to learn from. For clothing, my rain gear was junk and failed in the first several days. This didn't hurt me too much, as overall I had good weather and my truck was only several miles away. I did get cold on day 9 - it had snowed some on day 8 and there was ice on the stream as I got some water to boil for my oatmeal. For food, I was always hungry! The MH meals were OK. Since my upcoming hunt will be in bear country, I did practice keeping a clean camp, hanging the food bag high in a tree away from camp. For gear, I could have used better optics - I only have Nikon 10x42 binos and Alpin 15x30 spotting scope, but they were good enough.
So this time, I woke right away when the alarm sounded, quickly dressed and ate breakfast, and was 500' higher in the basin when the first light entered the basin. Didn't see anything until a nice mulie buck came running into the basin at mid morning, then slowed and finally bedded in the open. He was big and had some of his velvet hanging down. I watched until he relaxed and fell asleep, then began the stalk. An hour later I was only 100 yards away and beginning to get excited, when 3 little bucks busted the whole thing - I hadn't noticed them but they sure noticed me. Oh well, back to my observation point for a snack - it was late morning.
Scanning the eastern rock slope of the basin, where I hadn't seen any sheep the entire hunt, I picked up 4 white butts in the binos - 3 ewes and that same young ram. Using the spotting scope, I recognized the lead ewe from her collar - Ms. V-4. She was the ewe I saw early on day 6, up on the bench below the snowbank. Best part was they were in some rocks where I could stalk them and the wind was good. I watched them feed and picked the best route, then began the stalk. Half way to them, they all bedded except Ms. V-4. I had to cover some open ground between us, but then I slipped into an avalanch chute and moved to within 100 yards. I peeked over the rocks and could see the ram and 2 ewes dozing in the sun, but not Ms. V-4. I hoped that she was beeded on the other side of the rock formation that I was approaching. I took my time at first but the wind began to swirl and I knew the game was almost over. When I finally got to within 50 yards of where the 3 bedded sheep were, this is what I saw..
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/Holch33-R1-032-14A.jpg)
Can you see them? They had winded me and were alert, but not as spooked as I expected. I waited and they moved off and over a rise, so I ran closer and got to within 50 yards closer before they saw me. Again they were not too spooked and actually began feeding away. The young ram and another ewe had a bit of a disagreement, engaging their headgear before the ram settled the matter by raising on his hind legs and hitting her pretty hard.
I tried once more to close the distance but they knew where I was and always kept 50 yards ahaead, so I backed off and watched them for a while. For a long while, actually - I couldn't figure out how to get within range but didn't want to run them away. I saw my break when near dark they fed into a rock formation right across from my camp. I eased down to camp through the timber and began making dinner right before dark. I looked up and not 100 yards away, these sheep where calmly watching me - I wonder how many evenings they had done this already???
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010160.jpg)
How many sheep do you see in the photo?
Anyway, I
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this is a great story Jeff...Keep it coming!
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Jeff,
Great job on the photos and story. I look forward to your visit this weekend.
Bill
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I'm only seeing one, but I admit I'm a rookie on sheep.
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I see two, now give another hunt update please.
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Oops, hit the wrong button.
I was very happy, because sheep usually stay in their beds until morning, and they were unconcerned and relaxed. I would kill my ewe the very next morning, for sure, right there within sight of my camp! By the way, in the last photo, one ewe is up and feeding to the right, and the young ram is bedded about 2 body lengths to the left and slightly above her, staring at the camera. I learned to look for the white of his muzzle and his rump, as the light faded away.
I had no trouble getting up very early and quietly prepared for the day. I began easing up the rock slope about 100 yards to the right and downwind of the sheep about 1 hour before dawn, getting into position about 30 yards above them (I thought). Once I thought I heard a sheep sound, but wasn't sure since I never heard a wild sheep call before. Sounded a little like the sound a Primos can call makes. Apparently they heard my approach, or moved in the night, because they were NOT in their beds when it was light enough to shoot.....I slowly began searching for them but they knew I was there and moved off to the north in a rapid manner! Again, I couldn't get closer than 50 yards. By now I was ready for some dumber sheep, if there is such a thing. I headed up the east slope of my basin, planning to find them. Not 30 minutes later, I spotted white butts, lots of them, as a herd of sheep fed into the head of my basin, using that same bench below the snowbank. Yesterday, before I saw the 4 sheep, I had decided to spend most of today, day 9, camped out on that bench. I watched 24 sheep feed almost single file past that large rock on the bench where I planned to hide. There were 12 ewes, 11 lambs and 1 young ram - seen is a previous photo. Two of the ewes had collars on. This would be a challenge....
(sorry, I must stop now and continue later - leaving for PA this afternoon and grandma doesn't have a computer. I promise to finish the story on monday.)
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Great stuff Jeff. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend. Look forward to tuning in again on Monday.
Bill
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uhhhhh...................... ;)
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This is awesome! Looking forward to more!
Claudia
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Jeff,
Lets get on with this great tale of adventure. I can't get a thing done at work.
Sean
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It's Monday............... :wavey: :archer:
David
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Thanks for sharing Jeff. Very well done on all counts.
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OK I'm back for the grand finale......
I watched the herd of sheep for a little while and resisted the impulse to charge up the basin and get after them. After all, today was really my last day of hunting, because I had a flight home tomorrow and planned to pack out the camp shortly after breakfast. Then a plan came into my head - set up an ambush and forget a nearly impossible stalk on that many animals out in the wide open basin. From watching several other spooked sheep earlier, I knew that these sheep would likely head to the steep slopes and rocks seen in this photo's background....
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/SCJeff/CO%20Sheep%2007/P1010138.jpg)
Specifically, that big "rock" right in line with the scope is the same one seen earlier, as a gap in the slope used by the sheep. I decided to work my way up the west side of the basin and get at that gap, for the entire day if needed, in hopes the sheep would be spooked and move there. I had spotted an orange-clad muzzleloader hunter on my side and I hoped that eventually he would move the sheep to my ambush spot. I had to cross the bottom of the basin in full view of the sheep, but took my time and got to the west side and to my rock several hours later. The sheep were relaxed, until finally the hunter did exactly what I hoped for and skylined himself on the east ridge. Suddenly the sheep were alert and running into the rocks on the west slope, stopping sevweral hundred yards from me. This was no ordinary slope - nearly vertical in spots but I was in the perfect location, only 12 yards downwind from the gap.....
It seemed to take forever but soon the lead ewe was only 100 yards away and headed right for me, when she stopped and began looking up the hill. I groaned and prayed for here to continue her course - instead I should have backed up out of sight and began climbing, because when she made her move, it was a foot race up a very steep slope for the next gap in the slope. My situation went from an advantage to a disadvantage and she beat me to the upper gap - I was 22 yards away and gasping for breath when I spotted the top of her horns. I dropped down to the rocks and began drawing my bow, but rubbed the feathers in the quiver on a rock and she stopped and stared me down. I still could only see the tops of her horns.
Seemed like forever but she looked ahead and took a step. I slowly rose, drew with the bow horizontal cause I was out in the open, looked at the spot behind her shoulder and .......watched the arrow nose-dive into the rocks between us! I made a terrible shot - all that work for nothing! She turned and crashed away and I was left with extreme disgust that I couldn't close the deal on that animal. I replayed the shot over and over in my mind - with the exhaustion/excitement, very steep angle, horizontal bow (from practice I remembered then that the impact was ususally lower than when I held the bow at a normal cant), I should have held the arrow back. That thought flashed briefly in my mind right as I was drawing, but the wind was going up this avalanche chute and she was going to bust me within the next few steps.
I was devastated with my poor shooting and the hunt was over. I had that chance I wanted and blew it. Yes I had learned a lot, stayed with my strategy, had fun and all, but was disappointed. I did shoot some at my target when I reached my truck the next morning - I was perfect when it didn't matter. I flew home resolved to be in better shape, shoot more realistic shots as practice and use more restraint in shot selection, the next time.
Well, that was it. Wish I could post a photo of me with a bighorn ewe, but I have memories that will stay with me a long time. Maybe next time I'll make the shot. I will continue applying for a ram tag, and look forward to my next sheep bowhunt. Thanks for joining me.
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Jeff,
Thanks for sharing, you took some spectacular pictures. It sure is exciting, isn't it?
Good luck with the elk; you will for sure be in top shape.
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Jeff, Sorry you did not close the deal, but what a great adventure. Thanks for sharing Glenn
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Great story Jeff,
Thanks for taking us along, I know it is a considerable amount of work to write these hunts up and get the pics together.
Sean
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Well, sorry you didn't connect. but thanks for a great story with some fantastic pics!
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Jeff,
Thanks for the recap and the great pictures. It sounds like you had a great hunt. I've been lucky enough to have hunted sheep and you brought back some fond memories.
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Great story and pictures.
Just remember, hunting is a journey. Whenter you or not you arrive at the destiniation does not take away from the journey itself. It sounds as though you had a great time regardless of the final outcome. :thumbsup:
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Thanks for sharing Jeff, it must have been an awesome experience, and knowing you, you know that you are richer for it.......can't wait for your next adventure.
David
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Great story and pics.....thanks.
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Ditto the "thanks for sharing". I love these threads about hunts I won't be taking anytime soon. Kinda like reading the hunting magazines when I was a kid and dreaming about far away lands and strange creatures. Keep 'em coming for those of us that are bound to local ares for the foreseeable future.
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Jeff, great story and great pics. I always love following along on others adventures. Good Luck for the rest of your season.
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Great story and pics. Thanks for taking us along on a wonderful adventure.
Bill
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Jeff, this has been a great thread. My hat's off to you for everything you did. Even though your story didn't end with the exclamation point you wanted, it was a rich and well-told adventure. Thanks for sharing it with us. :thumbsup:
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Thanks for taking us along. It was great.
I had fun on your hunt and next time we will get 'em.
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Seems like a very sucessful hunt. Thanks for sharing. Great pictures and story.
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I agree with Woody. Extremely enjoyable for us. Great pictures too! Sorry it didn't work out for you Jeff, but I'm guessing somehow this isn't your last sheep hunt. ;)
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A hero's effort for sure.....
Good luck next time.
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wow!!!that would have to be the best story i have heard in a while thank you jeff for the enjoyable time. :thumbsup: :campfire:
wolfman
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Jeff you have lived some of my dreams.I admire you and your goals.Kip
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Awesome thread. Thanks so much for sharing. Like was said earlier, I know it took a long time to type it all out and post the pictures. Very well written, too.
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I'm winded just reading about it! Thanks for sharing you quest with us. Many happy returns to the mountains.