Colorado Bighorn Sheep Hunt

[fireman_3311]

What they said!!! Awesome pics, thanks for sharin the story!!!

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Great looking family Steve, Awsome country too.Thanks for the story, Sounds like the Sitka gear did real well for ya. Mine came in while we were in Montana and I couldn't be more pleased.

Good luck to you the rest of the season.  

Tracy

[Numitokayo]

A great story and awesome pictures, thank you for sharing  

DQ

[steadman]

Great story and pics!! Congrats on the hunt and with the familt too. Well Done!!

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

I agree great pic's and a great adventure.. FWIW, I heard on the news just today, a couple of teenage girls, I believe in the Ft.Collins area disappeared over night, the next morning they found they had fallen into an abandon mine with their 4 wheeler. One didn't make it the other is critical. Good point on the old mines to any foreigner going into the area.

[Puma Tom]

Steve you should be comended, for getting so close to your ram and not taking a risky shot.
 At least it allowed you to spend the month up in Colorados high country.
 Not many places nicer than that.
 Good luck drawing your next sheep tag.

               >> Tom >>

[San Juan Slim]

Steve,

I followed your story over on the Bowsite.  You are an admirable hunter.  You worked hard and enjoyed your time on the mountain.  Like you, I know what it's like to come home without a ram.  I am now waiting for my second sheep tag--maybe next year.  Your story has inspired me and made me more anxious for my next hunt.  Unlike you, I'm fortunate to live in Colorado.  But, it still can take many years to get the tag.  Again, thanks for sharing the story and pictures.

Mike

[stykshooter]

Great story and pics.

[Steve O]

SJS,

Yes, I did make it to the Bowsite a few times...I was communicating thru PMs to get more intel; there was NO time to come in here--it is too addicting   :p  .

I saw some incredible things in the mountains.  I saw my first mountain lion in the wild.  It was a BIG mountain lion!  I saw a red fox kill a rockchuck and a red tailed hawk swoop down and take a cottontail.  

I wish I had an adapter to take photos thru my spotter; then I would have some GREAT shots.  For now, here a few more of my favorites.

 

[Steve O]

This is NOT what you want to see when you are stalking a ram!  It is hard to see, but that is a lightning bolt on the right...


 


But then, I do not see many thunderstorms here in Michigan that produce SNOW!


 

[Steve O]

The kids had a GREAT time.  My wife and I were planning on taking a vacation out west to show them the mountains in a few years; this tag moved that up a bit.  I have a friend who is an outfitter in Idaho.  We hope to pack in to the White Clouds on his horses so they can get a real wilderness experience someday soon.

 

 

[Whip]

Simply awe inspiring Steve!  You did it right, and like you said, left no regrets on the mountain.  What a cool trip!
I know you were in darn good shape before you left, but now you must be one lean, mean, fighting machine after that many days up and down those slopes!

[Steve O]

Joe,

That is correct sir!  It sure feels good to know you can go anywhere!  I am thinking real hard about going lion hunting this winter so I stay this way  

[Sawtooth]

Great story, Steve!  I've done some stompin' on those very same peaks.  You're sure hunting for all the right reasons.  Good job.

[Doug Campbell]

Great stuff Steve, thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to actually getting to pack a bow after my sheep in a little less than a month. Gotta try and get Brian on an elk first for the St Jude hunt he bought. Thanks again for sharing your trip!

[dhwooda]

WOW!!! Great recap!  Are you sure we don't have some customers out there!

[Duckbutt]

On Monday Aug 27th, I wandered into a Subway in Leadville CO. I'd just spent a few days around here
 
looking for mule deer.  Only seeing a few bucks and not thinking the area in general was right, I decided to climb out and spend an afternoon in town to recharge, study maps and come up with a new plan.  When I wandered into the Subway for a meal, I get behind this guy in line wearing Sitka Gear head to toe.  Darn serious elk hunter I'm thinkin.  So, I pipe up...."elk or deer hunting?"  "Sheep" was the response.  Whoa, I thought.  He was polite enough to share some of his story with a stranger but I didn't want to keep him long as I knew he had precious little time left and was on THE sheep of his hunt.  I didn't know until reading this post he was a Tradganger.  Good thing, cause I'd have probably kept him there all afternoon!  Mr. Steve O, what a privelage to meet you sir and while I was impressed with your story then, now you are THE REAL DEAL in my book.  Hope to see you again some day.

[Talondale]

LOL what are the odds?  That's neat Duckbutt.  Beautiful pics Steve O and nicely told.  What a great chance for you and your family.

[Steve O]

Julian,

I was on a mission...my resident buddy and I were hunting opposite sides of the mountain.  He called to tell me he found 6 rams we could stalk; all I had to do was get him lunch on the way over    

It was a pleasure meeting you...I was a little worried about walking in there with full camo, but then I realized it was OK in CO   :D  .

I wish you had your maps with you so I could have been more specific on where we had seen some nice bucks.  As you could tell, I was getting pretty worn down by then.  Did you ever find any good bucks to hunt?

[Kip]

Steve O Camo no problem I once walked in a store in Delores Co. with a pistol on my hip forget I had it on but the clerk (women) eyed me funny then I realized.It was a .22 for grouse but should not have had it in town but in Ville Platte La. I don't think it would raise an eyebrow in most stores.Nice pics and hunt hope you get another chance,Kip