May 9, 2019 was an ordinary Thursday morning that found me sitting in a routine customer safety meeting. I got a text from my good friend, Ben Gorman, saying Wyoming trophy species draw results had just posted. I logged in to the WGFD site while “listening” to the safety meeting speaker. I nearly fell out of my chair when I read that I had drawn both mountain goat and Wyoming bighorn sheep! I thought there had to be some sort of mistake or that somehow one of my friends had pulled a joke on me. After logging back in multiple times, the same unbelievable results remained. My excitement level reached “couldn’t stay in my seat,” and I had to step out of my meeting to collect myself and process what I had just realized.
The mountain goat tag was not a huge surprise as I was told ahead of the draw that my odds were very favorable due to the nature of the unit I chose. The successful sheep application, on the other hand, was a result that came completely out of left field for me. With only having 4 preference points, I figured I had better odds of winning the Powerball than a non-resident random draw sheep tag.
The summer months were filled with extensive planning, strategizing, scheduling, and looking forward to these two truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Between the rare nature of getting a sheep tag in the lower 48 states and my unit being one of the most grizzly-infested regions in Wyoming, I did not want to leave things to chance. I selected Trails West/Shoshone Lodge Outfitters, a reputable and highly recommended outfitter for Wyoming sheep.
My outfitter was a bit taken aback when I let him know that I wanted to archery hunt my sheep tag but I wouldn’t be there for the archery season opener on August 15th. I had chosen to prioritize one of my short season archery elk hunts ahead of the two and a half-month long Wyoming sheep season. I was hopeful for some early luck on my Utah elk hunt, which would then allow me to focus solely on bowhunting my sheep tag. Unfortunately, my hopes of prompt luck failed and I found myself hiking off a southern Utah mountain on the final day of the elk season, 28 days later. I had essentially missed the first month of early season weather, which plays a big part in bowhunting sheep country.
After touching base with my outfitter, who was now well into the rifle sheep season and also into the deer/elk seasons with a full lineup of booked clients, squeezing my delayed 10-day hunt into an open slot was going to be a challenge. I stressfully kept my phone close for the next couple weeks while I watched multiple snowstorms and record low temps make history across the western states in late September and early October.
I received word to be at the trailhead ready to load up on horses on October 15th. We quickly assembled our pack string and gear for the most anticipated hunt of my life. With moderate temps and only patches of snow on the ground, I was optimistic of an archery opportunity presenting itself. In addition to my bow, I was packing a new rifle that was given to me a few months earlier by Huntin’ Fool for my archery elk that was fortunate to have made the cover of the August 2018 issue.
While riding into camp, I was able to discuss with my guides the fact that the early winter weather had significantly impacted the higher elevation sheep country. Rams were being pushed down into the lower elevations to escape the deepening snow, so our hunt was going to be focused on elevations between 8,500 and 10,000 feet. After camp was set up and all the horses were unsaddled and hobbled for the night, we began glassing the cliff faces that surrounded our camp. It did not take long before we located several different bands of rams scattered across a large drainage basin. I didn’t have any preconceived expectations of the type of ram I was hoping to harvest. I was going to have to rely on the expertise of my guides, Chris and Jeff, to appropriately evaluate any rams that we located.
The first three days of the hunt, the weather was incredibly cooperative. On the morning of day four, we could tell there was some moisture and change in the air. We were able to get an updated weather report and found out a winter storm front was closing in on us. Heavy snow accumulations mixed with 50-60 mph winds for the next five days would likely be very devastating for our hunt. My sense of urgency in finding an opportunity on a ram with my bow immediately escalated. I was seriously worried that this amazing hunt could be put on a complete hold for the next five or more days and take it right down to the wire of my 10-day allocation.
Among the four of us in camp, we did a quick evaluation of all 25 rams that we could see and discussed what we thought was the best ram to set our sights on. The target ram we decided on was the most mature and heaviest horned ram of all 25 we had located in the prior three days. I was confident that he was the ram of my choice, regardless of his score or curl size. He was broomed back quite a bit from countless battles for dominance and years of survival in Wyoming’s wild wilderness. His unique character and age made him a great choice for this lifetime opportunity.
We scanned the basin and located the group of rams. While glassing the drainage, Jeff had two different encounters with a grizzly approximately 100 yards from our camp. We were all a little on edge from the encounter but quickly assembled for an approach at our bedded group. The wind that morning was blasting us as we approached the small finger drainage, which provided protection to the bedded rams. The 50+ mph wind was surprisingly the biggest advantage that we had in making a stalk in on the nine sets of eyes, noses, and ears. We initially popped up over the ridge to peer down on the rams at 84 yards.
We backed away from the ridge and scaled down the extremely steep backside to make an approach on the rams, hopeful to be within bow range. Our estimation on the location of the rams was precise, and with a quick range, we learned that there were two young rams bedded closest to us at 40 yards. Our target ram was bedded in the middle of the nine rams scattered amongst boulders and fallen burnt timber.
We tried again to get in a position that would give us a clear shooting lane, but our efforts were futile. He lay completely unbeknownst of our existence at 56 yards, but there was no way to get an arrow through the gauntlet of obstructions. While trying to find a shooting lane, we caught the attention of the two closest rams and gave up our close position, which brought them to their feet. They made a quick evaluation of the situation, and with a swift exit, they all escaped without a single bowshot opportunity on my target ram. Not knowing exactly what our presence was, they all stopped on the other side of the canyon at 160 yards. With snowflakes already starting to fall, I made the quick decision that I had probably better take advantage of this short rifle shot instead of hoping for another bow opportunity. I set my bow down with an arrow nocked, and Chris handed me my “unchristened” Christensen rifle.
With a quick evaluation of the group, we felt confident that my ram was a great candidate for this once-in-a-lifetime tag. We confirmed his range at 162 yards, and with one precise shot, he was laid to rest. We had to quickly get in a picture session as we watched the vicious winter storm closing in on us from the west. We immediately loaded up our packhorses and scaled down the steep terrain until we were able to catch a pack trail. On our way off the mountain, the snowflakes intensified. Coupled with the vicious wind, it was hard to see the horse in front of each of us. We had to trust that our pack string knew the way. Just as it became an entire whiteout, we arrived back at the trailhead. We had pulled off an incredible hunt with an incredible ram just in the nick of time.