My good karma began with the application process for big game. I apply in three western states, and I have successfully drawn an elk tag, two antelope tags, and a deer tag in Nevada.
In 2019, while applying for my usual points, I thought I would try my luck and attempt to apply for a sheep tag in an area that I had knowledge of. Call it beginner’s luck as I successfully drew a Nevada California bighorn sheep tag in unit 012. I had some knowledge of this unit, having hunted it in 2018 and I had helped with a hunt for some friends previously.
I received some recommendations from Huntin’ Fool for outfitters in Nevada, and I contacted a couple that had knowledge of the unit. In talking to both, I chose Ground Zero Outfitters (GZO) based in Reno. Talking to some friends from the Reno area, they were familiar with the owner and felt he had great knowledge of the unit.
I felt my decision was a good one. While having several conversations with Andy Bradley (owner/master guide) prior to the hunt, I could tell the group was excited about the opportunity to get me a really nice ram. With warning from Andy, I should be prepared to hunt through October since that was the best opportunity to hunt the unit. I would possibly have to shuttle my hunting in Colorado for the year.
I received a couple photos and information during their scouting expeditions. This started to fire my rockets about the hunt. I never expected to draw a sheep tag. It takes a bit of time for the reality of that to set in. I had spent some time in the unit in July looking around and thought I ran across some tracks. This only reinforced my decision to hire a licensed guide/outfitter. This was big country for one guy with not a lot of experience. I could spend the entire two months 158 running around the unit without a successful outcome.
In talking to Andy and Josh Bradley (owner/sub guide) before opening day, I agreed with Josh’s advice to hunt for a few days on the opener to see what we could accomplish. I met up with my hunting crew just above the “Burning Man Festival” that occurs in the area each year. Man, if that isn’t the craziest place to be around. Folks seem to lose all common sense when they head to the playa! I was run off the road doing 70 mph thanks to some participants leaving the festival early. What a way it would be to start a hunting trip by crashing my truck and trailer. Luckily, I was able to get off the road enough to avoid the head-on that was about to occur. On the directions from Andy, I was to head off the main highway and I would meet up with the team at a certain point on that dirt road. I drove in to the point I thought was the meeting spot, but no one was there. I drove a bit further and saw some dust heading my way. As the UTV got closer, my guess was that this was one of the hunt crew. As he pulled up, I met George Shaw (sub guide/camp cook), the first member of my hunt crew. I got to camp not knowing any of the crew, but within a few minutes, I felt like we were all good buds.
We got up opening morning and talked some strategies. We headed out to do some spotting in the area where they felt there were rams hanging out. We did some traveling and got to a spot where we could see a bluff with some rocks dropping off down into a far drainage. Bingo! We spotted a group of sheep working their way down the rocks. The next thing I knew, the two younger guides, Josh and Teddy Elwell (sub guide), were already heading out, wondering if I was going.
As we made our way toward the bluff, I kept looking back, thinking, Man, them vehicles are sure getting little and that means a long trek back. We headed over the bluff, and as we got closer, a young ram came out from below us. Thinking we were busted, we dropped and got ready for them all to come blasting out. However, luckily, he was a loner. We worked our way over to the rocks, and Teddy was instructed to hike ahead of Josh. He was able to get a vantage point of the ram we were after. Josh and I maneuvered our way up and over a rock pile to find a narrow opening of vertical rock. This helped us sneak into and behind a ledge of rocks. This gave us a good look at the bedded sheep.
With Josh on my right and Teddy to my left, they helped me position to where Josh felt I could see the “Big Guy,” but I could not see what he saw. We communicated back and forth for quite a while, and I could tell he was getting frustrated with me but persisted in getting my position correct. Then, I saw him. What a moment that was! We watched as the other smaller rams in the group started to cluster around the “King,” as if to get him up to go to water. My only thought was that one of them was going to poke him and they would all bolt out of here. Luckily, that was not the case. He finally got up and moved to where I could get a shot. Teddy was not prepared for my timing on the shot and almost fell off the rocks, but all was good. Now, the work began.
We hiked around the rock pile, taking quite a bit of time to get over to the ram. Once we got to him, it all started to sink in. Karma was good to me that day. I was able to harvest an incredible California bighorn and thanked God for it all. Andy and George were able to get the side-by-sides down the hill from the harvest, and once we got the ram processed and divided amongst us, we were able to get it back to the machines. The official score was 162 4/8", which was a monster for this unit.
I have been on a few guided hunts over the years. Hunting with Ground Zero Outfitters was by far the shortest, yet the best hunt I have experienced. I would like to thank all the GZO crew and would not hesitate to hunt with them again. It was a blast!