Hell yeah!

I must have come back to this thread a couple of dozen times looking at your ram. He's a magnificent creature.

Awesome Congratulations on a heck of a Ram

NGP, still awaiting a story, and with bated breath.....

Don't forget photos too, since most of us have poor reading comprehension skills, but possess a fine appreciation of the delicate twist of an antler point or subtle dissymmetry of horn mass.

OK I'm up and finally rested so here goes:

Days 1-4: Daily routine of up at 4:00, glassing that day's mountain range by dawn, followed by a full pack hike up it for more glassing. Glass, hike, glass, hike, glass, hike...... Y'all know the drill. Amazing country. Stark desert punctuated by great uplifting lava mountains. Rocks, rocks, rocks everywhere. Treacherous footing that required care with every step.

Here's a view from up top of one of the ridges:



One low/mid 150s ram spotted the 2nd day. Thought about it but gave him a pass. Saw several wild burros, a good desert mule deer buck, and a variety of other neat birds/wildlife. The desert is an amazing place.

Day 5: Went back to an area we had seen lots of fresh sign in (but no sheep). We just knew they were there though. Dawn found us glassing a mountain-hadn't gotten started good when Harry said, "Good ram." Talk about an adrenaline rush! There were 4 sheep. The big ram, a 3/4 curl, a 1/2 curl, and a ewe were feeding on the mountainside 1200 yards away. One look through the spotting scope and I knew this was one to go after. Larry figured they would lay up soon in a nearby basin to catch the morning sun. When they dropped behind a ridge we were off.

When we topped the ridge overlooking the basin-no sheep. Gone. They had to have gone over the mountain. So we had to also. I looked up at the mountain and said a little prayer for strength. Up we went. A couple of grueling hours later, we were just below the top. Peeking over, we saw the sheep feeding down in the canyon in a wash over a mile away! Plus, they were on the move. We had to hump across the mountain range in a desperate hope to catch up. Off we went. At one point, after crossing a narrow knife ridge separating two mountains, Larry turned, put his arm on my shoulder and said with a grin, "You're sheep hunting now, counselor!"

Spotted them once more at 520 yards. Too far for my capabilities, but we were gaining ground! One last pull and maybe we could catch them. Finally at the end of the range we were on, we peeped over. No sheep. "They gotta be down there", Larry said. So we backtracked a little and Larry peeped over. When he ducked down quickly and made the curl sign on his head I knew this was it!

The sheep had come partways up the mountain and were feeding a couple hundred yards straight below us. Got my pack down, locked in comfortably, and had a perfect sight picture on the big ram through a notch in the rocks about a foot wide and three feet high. As I got down on the rifle, Larry said "Wait! There is a rock in the notch you can't see through the scope but your barrel is pointed right at." So he slid, snake-like, on his belly down about 20 feet and plucked it away.

The big ram was feeding placidly on a Palo Verde bush 220 yards straight down. Slightly quartering left. I'll never forget that picture. I just told myself it was a doe at the farm, took a deep breath, put the crosshairs behind his shoulder, and squeezed the trigger. "He's hurt!", Harry said. "Give him one more", Larry said. He had wandered out of my notch and I couldn't see him. But it didn't matter because I then heard the magic words I had dreamed about since July. "He's down!!"

I can't describe that feeling, so I won't try.

I've been floating ever since.

Nice One!

The shot was at 12:50. It was 2.7 miles from the jeep up a mountain and traversing an entire mountain range. Here's a photo of the range. We came from out of the photo on the left all the way across. Shot the ram just below the high peak on the extreme right end.



Incidentally, we packed him out the same way we came in. Reached the jeep just as darkness fell. How I did that I'll never know.

Great story, I can only imagine what that must have been like.

You're a lucky man NP!

Great story sir, thank you very much for sharing with us. The term "trophy of a lifetime" gets over used but it certainly applies in this case. Congats again on a great hunt and much deserved trophy!!! Baker

Thanks for sharing the story of your hunt. Truly an amazing experience!!!! Congratulations

Eddie

It's my pleasure to share guys. That's what hunting is all about really-being able to share our experiences. I wish each and every one of you could have been with me to experience it too.

Sorry for the poor quality but this is a common sight-a "sheep cave" full of droppings. There may be dozens of them on a given mountain. A monarch may be lying in one of them, and you glass for hours and hike back down the mountain-never knowing he was there.

Thanks for the great story and pictures. You definitely earned it.

Any successful hunt is memorable, but if your trophy is hard-earned, as this one was, it's even more special.

Thanks for sharing and a hearty congratulations!

Great story thanks for rekindling sheep hunting memories. Nothing like it.
Once again congratulations!

PS. Consider adding the sheep picture to your signature so we can see the ram every time. Can't get enough

All of my gear performed great but on each hunt certain things shine. Gear that was invaluable:

1) Eberlestock J107 Dragonfly pack. I tried my lighter Kifaru pack but, as usual, the built-in rifle scabbard on the J107 was irreplaceable. Much easier than carring your rifle on your shoulder and much more balanced than tying/cinching it to the Kifaru.

2)Kenetrek Hardscrabble hiking boots. They were perfect for the lava mountains. Lightweight but tough with the strong rubber rand all the way around. Soles that can grip like crazy. Liner socks prevented any blister/hotspot problems.

3) Trek trekking pole. I broke mine out on the third day and it made life much easier. A lifesaver in keeping your balance.

4)Swaro 10x42s and STS 20-60x 65mm spotting scope. No chance without them. None.

5)Kuiu Attack pants-perfect.

6)Finally, my old Sako .270 Winchester. My friend for 35 years. A couple of extra pounds on the mountain but I woudn't have had anything else in my hands when the shot of a lifetime came.

Great photos and better story NP!! Will be along time before you forget his hunt

any chance you can update the photo links? or am I only one that can't see? thanks.

Hmmm.....I didn't do anything. I'll post a bunch.

Awesome pics.

Those mountains look tough!

The elevation/altitude was not bad. By far the hardest part was the footing. Rocks, rocks, and more rocks. It was a Hobson's choice of very loose marble-sized rocks or tiptoeing/climbing on bigger rocks-neither of which I like. Twisting/spraining an ankle or knee was my biggest worry. Plus there were cacti everywhere it seemed, making even an ordinary fall hazardous much of the time.

My strategy was to keep my head down, watch every step, and try like heck to step where Larry stepped/climb like he climbed. Very mentally draining. Thankfully, there were no major mishaps. The trekking pole was my Godsend.

Great pics sir. Congrats