No ram yet...but already a great hunt

[Colotrad]

Opening day found my buddy Mark (Kadbow) and I in the mountains of central Colorado.  We implemented a plan we had hatched after scouting this group of 12 rams on the eve of opening day.  We set up in the pre-dawn darkness, positioning me in a meadow above some rock outcrops where the sheep were routinely seen feeding.  Mark was set up below, where he could survey the hillside for any ram activity.

Well, our best laid plan didn't include the one out-of-state tag holder who found the sheep at first light, in the rocks 150 yards below me. The archer from Arizona shot one of the bigger rams with his compound bow. I evidently walked right around them in the dark.  

If that doesn't beat all...well it doesn't.  A few hours after daylight, that group of rams comes in to Mark's view.  He gives me the signal that rams are below me, and I begin to carefully make my way down to intercept the group.  Meanwhile, Mark repositions to get a better view...

Now don't you know that every hunting story has a situation like this...

The rams walk right past Mark, he shoots some video, then they turn, climb the hill just out of view from me, and don't stop until they are well above me and looking to bed down.
 

[wooddamon1]

Oh yeah!    

[Jake Fr]

Is that a research ear tag in one of them or just the camera playinv tricks on me.I hope your hunt is great I realy wanna do this some day

[Soonerlongbow]

Good luck and God bless!

[leatherneck]

Go get em Steve. Tomorrow is another day.

[Thumper Dunker]

Your seeing motre sheep than Im seeing deer. Go get them.

[DXH]

second what thumper dumper is saying

[elknutz]

Keep at em and good luck!

[Colotrad]

The rams did bed down above me.  While scouting, we had seen them several times in the meadow (where I was set up), so we decided to wait for the rams to come back down, rather than attempt a stalk.  Well, hindsight is 20/20, and I probably should have tried a stalk.  Later that afternoon the rams got up and headed...yes...up the hill and over the top!

Day two arrived and there was no sight of the rams.  That afternoon I received some intel about where the rams tend to go when pushed.  I decided to wait until the following day to check out the new spot.  On my way in the next morning I meet a hunter coming out...with a ram he shot the evening before...right at the location I was told the rams would most likely go to.  Darn it...why didn't I go in there the afternoon before.  

I haven't spotted a ram since opening day.  However, I have been in some incredible country.
 
 
 

[Colotrad]

I have also seen some great wildlife and historic mine sites.

 
 
 

I really feel for the folks in the pacific northwest who are dealing with the wildfires as Colorado had it's share of nasty fires this summer.  One repercussion of those fires in the northwest is the smoke that is filling the air in many states east and south.  The smoke is definitely complicating the spotting process for sheep.  They are just plain hard to spot when the air is crystal clear, and nearly impossible to spot at distance with the smoky air.  I've had to adjust my game plan to glass close in slopes and then move to glass the distant slopes, rather than glass it all from one location.  The smoky air doesn't show up well in these photos, but when you add the 60x magnification, it really clouds the picture.

Smoke or not, it's always an awesome experience when hunting timberline and above in the Rocky Mountains.  I only hope I get a stalk or two on a ram and chance to loose an arrow.

Two weeks left...time to get back after them.
 

[Over&Under]

Man some real ups and downs Steve!...why can't hindsight be blind a time or two!  

Good luck the rest of the season...I will be thinking about you and willing the rams to within bow range!

[cacciatore]

Good luck Steve,I know you and Mark have work ed hardware for this hunt.I am sorry for the bad luck on opening day.
Keep us posted.

[Izzy]

What a hunt. Hoping you tag one.

[Randy Morin]

Good luck to you the rest of the way.  Sounds like its been all around you and now just needs to find you.  Great pics.

[Duckbutt]

Cheering hard for you.  Thanks for taking us along on the hunt of a life time.

[maineac]

Good luck.  Keep at it.

[Steve O]

Gosh those pictures bring back good memories.  Keep at it, the rams will be there till the very last day    

[Colotrad]

Thanks for the encouragement!  I'll follow-up on a couple of new leads.  

Jake Fr- that is an ear tag on that young ram.  Good eye.

I'll report back in a few days.

[mscampbell75]

Originally posted by Duckbutt:
Thanks for taking us along on the hunt of a life time.

X2 Good Luck to you.

[tukudu]

Good luck steve, so close for sure. I am in Alma visiting with Luke.  Be safe. tom