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December 2004 Feature Article:

Planning a Do-it-Yourself Bighorn Sheep Hunt

Please use this area to post comments or questions about this feature article.

[bitmasher]

Good article.

I've never been bighorn hunting; however every time I read about a demanding bighorn hunt, I'm reminded of the "road bighorns" that are common on I-70 in CO during the winter. They can be seen around idaho springs, the final climb to the eisenhower tunnel, and in recent years I've seen them on the glenwood side of the glenwood canyon (right hand side going west on the bike trail).

I've often wondered how demanding the hunts would be in these units (if at all). I guess not all bighorn hunts are created equal, because the amount of preparation put into the author's hunt leads me to believe it was very demanding.

[Serious Hunter]

The difficulty of hunting bighorn sheep may seem, or even be, paradoxical. The unit the author hunted is one of the hardest in Idaho to hunt, but easier to draw. IFG gives out more tags than they know will be filled in this unit. At the other end of the `continuum', and not far away in miles in the same state, rams can be spotted (and selected) by rivercraft, hunter and guide put ashore, and then stalked on foot for a shot. Or maybe even shot before putting ashore. These units are paradoxically easier to hunt, but hardest to draw. And then there is the rut, and winter, when otherwise invisible rams show up along rivers and roads.

[Jeff Choules]

Great article- Your article brought back alot of memories and thoughts of what we did right and the things we could have done better to capture the moments and the real flavor of the hunt on video. I look forward to the next adventure and opportunity to put lessons learned, and wisdom gained to the test, as we continue to improve our ability to capture the full essence of the hunting and outdoors experience.

[Gayne]

Always enjoy reading Scott's stuff.

[Hambone]

I just found this site doing a search for Bighorn Sheep hunting. Very good article and right to the point for me. I just found out I drew a sheep tag in Idaho area 27-2 and will, due to living on an educators budget, be doing it myself. Lots of work ahead but I am looking forward to it. It will not be easy because the nearest trailhead is 5 miles from my hunt area so even scouting will be a challenge. All wilderness and very rugged country. I work out year round but now it's time too really kick it in and get in peak physical condition. If anyone knows anything about that area they would like to share I would appreciate the info. as this is my first sheep hunt.

[Serious Hunter]

... here are some sheep we saw on a road trip ... headwaters of Rio Grande, Colorado ... yum.


Nice ram: http://www.serioushunter.com/A.....adoRam.jpg

Others: http://www.serioushunter.com/A.....Sheep1.jpg

Again I note: rockies are big creatures. We saw some mule deer just one bend in the road before the sheep - I wish I could capture them together to portray the difference in size.

[Rip]

We've found the beds and it's in a small bowl. Through out the bowl there is about 50 beds. All have fresh sign and you can tell they have been used from last year to. We've sat on them for 3 days and no sign of them. 3 days ago we bumped the big bachelor group of 5 rams. We doubled back on ther escape route and that's how we found the beds.
Will they come back and how often to their old beds?
Do they move in the night?
Should wwe be camped on their beds? We stay back about 1/2 mile.
Awesome article and thanks!!!

[Serious Hunter]

I'm told that they do not move much at night. I'd stay at the same elev and keep moving. They will probably return to the basin, but perhaps not even this year. Where are you hunting? Thanks for your comments on my article. If you do go back on their beds, 1/2 mile sounds too close (to camp) ... that's only 800-900 yards on the flat. They can leisurely watch all that's going on within a mile.

[Rip]

Thanks for your suggestions!

[Serious Hunter]

Take pics and let us know how you do!

[nate]

i am new to this site and am not sure if i am even doing this right.
anyway i just drew a bighorn tag in idaho unit 27-1 i have never hunted sheep before and would like any tips or info thanks

[Serious Hunter]

I took a ram in 27-1 several years ago. It is a TOUGH unit. I just sent you an email.

[Ironhorse375]

Hi, I am new to this forum. Still trying to draw a sheep tag here in Colorado. Enjoy elk hunting along with pheasant and waterfowl.

[Hiker]

Ironhorse375, Welcome to BGH! :thumbsup1: