Had a great time there Thursday. Talked sheep hunting with some of the best in the game and booked a Yukon Dall's hunt for 2017. I can't wait. We are fortunate to have such a show in our area.
Dave, hearty congratulations on your well-deserved recognition!
adopt me
Lol I just bit the bullet because the hunts aren't going down in price. The Dall will be my third leg of the 4 sheep species. I will have to draw a tag or win a raffle to hunt the Rocky Mountain Bigborn. Many have told me that if that happens and I do get all four, I will probably have the most economical Grand Slam of the 21st century.
IDK if that's true or not but I sure would love to draw a Rocky tag someday regardless.
What Yukon outfitter did you choose for your Dall? Just curious as I've heard no negatives about any of the operators up there. Very exciting stuff, for sure!
Regarding your Rocky Mnt tag, be sure and apply to Idaho and New Mexico every year...they're expensive, but you're not behind all the resident hunters who have more preference points than you....everyone's application has zero preference or bonus points. And I presume you have max points in Wyoming and other states that offer them. Now that Wyoming charges $100 for every unsuccessful draw, that will serve to weed out many of the tire kickers and leave an open field for the serious sheep hunters.....at least I hope so.
I'd subscribe to The Huntin' Fool too. Just don't choose their top unit like everyone else; go with #4 or #5. Or if you have a favorite outfitter in, say, Colorado, pick a unit he considers a sleeper.
Finally, if you can make the Sheep Show this year, look up Gray Thornton (I believe you said you know him) and pick his mind for any nuggets of advice. I'm excited for you, Clay. Talk about anticipation of the hunt!
I can't close without relating this somewhat-selfish story. Like you, I needed the Rocky Mnt sheep to finish my own Grand Slam, and it took another 14 years of unsuccessful applications until I finally drew out in Wyoming's Unit 5 in 2008. And I got a nice ram on the 8th day. By this time, Dennis Campbell and GSC/OVIS had won their multi-million dollar lawsuit against FNAWS over who could use the term, "Grand Slam". I didn't think it was possible for Campbell to copy-write a term that had been part of the hunting world's vernacular for decades, but he pulled it off. It cost the Sheep Foundation millions to fight the suit, money that will never put sheep on the mountain, or educate kids about hunting and the outdoors, or fund research to study sheep diseases. Unfortunately, I have a bit of a selfish ego on occasion, so I joined GSC/OVIS, became the recipient of Grand Slam #1458, and as soon as I received my recognition and plaque, I promptly sent in my resignation (along with a nice, scathing letter). Seth Campbell, Dennis' son, phoned me for a personal plea to remain in their club. I have to give him high marks for his efforts, but about 20 minutes later the conversation sorta dried up and Seth told me I could stick it where the sun don't shine.