Several years ago, while my wife, Amy, and I were browsing through an antique store, I found a numbered work of art titled “Wildlife Memories” by Dick Bramwell. Using the medium of black ink on canvas, the piece features all 10 of the Arizona big game species. Once dust-covered, now matted and framed, the treasure hangs in my office. It reminds me of the time spent with family, friends, and the outdoors. While showcasing the amazing animals I’ve had the privilege to learn about, pursue, and harvest, the artwork continues to motivate me to keep putting in for the big game draw.
When we first moved to Arizona from Michigan, Amy and I were starting over. As the babies came, I was working two jobs while going to night school. If it existed, the money was tight. There were hunting seasons when I would just purchase a bonus point, fearing that I might draw a once-in-a-lifetime tag and not be able to afford it. However, seasons change and hard work pays off. My wife and I have been married 18 years, and those babies are now 13 and 9. I am a blessed man.
Last summer when I sat down at my desk with a bowl of multigrain Cheerios and a strong cup of Seattle’s Best coffee, I discovered that my checking account was a bit lighter than expected. After seeing the Arizona Game and Fish debit, I was first thrilled that my wife, son, and I had all drawn deer tags, but the math didn’t add up. I then remembered the sheep tag I had put in for. Not only had I drawn a tag for November, but it was for a Rocky Mountain bighorn! My kids, who were sitting on the couch behind me, saw and heard a few things they had never witnessed before from their dad. We still laugh about that today.
As a family, using plywood and spray paint, we built a sheep target. After cutting a hole for the vitals, I placed an archery bag target behind the plywood sheep. My friends and family would shoot arrows at this sheep from the roof of the house and all over the property. Using my rifle, I would practice by dry firing at the homemade target. I’ll never forget those fun times.
The Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society puts on a sheep hunters clinic in September each year for those hunters who draw the coveted tags. The clinic my wife and I attended featured gifted speakers who were talented guides, hunters, marksmen, and taxidermists. While at the clinic, we learned about the species, how to hunt them, score them, and field dress them. That evening, a banquet was held exhibiting the sheep that were harvested the previous year and the hunters had an opportunity to thank those who had helped them.
It was a personal choice to hire a guide, a choice that I would highly recommend if you are limited on the time and resources needed to scout for and get to these sheep. After doing some research, I hit the jackpot when I found Dieringer Outfitters. In every circle of discussion, Sam Dieringer was highly recommended and respected. Once while speaking with Sam, I asked him if he had ever drawn a sheep tag. He told me he had not. “But no matter,” Sam said, “I just like being out there with the sheep. They’re amazing.”
My son, Garret, and I arrived at the Dieringer house to a delicious home-cooked meal and people who I felt like I had known my entire life. Sam was out tending his dogs used on mountain lion hunts and joined us inside shortly. He, along with his son, Scotty, who had just returned from scouting, showed us some pictures of the rams they had been seeing. After a group discussion, Sam came up with a game plan.
On the morning of opening day, it was perfectly clear that Dieringer Outfitters had done their homework. The people, resources, and energy were in high gear. It was 4:00 a.m., and we were swiftly headed into sheep country. As the sun rose and started to turn the canyon walls from a deep shade of purple to gold, Scotty Dieringer first lead Garret and me on quads down trails and creek crossings then on foot through a series of climbs. We scrambled up the loose rock walls dotted with cat claw brush, agave, and prickly pear cactus. As we ascended, the birds began to sing in the cottonwood, oak, and mesquite trees below. During this climb, we observed a few sheep – all ewes and the very young.
Once we were above the canyons and draws, Coues deer, collared peccary, and more sheep were discovered in the desert grasses and scrub brush. Hawks soared on the wind as the temperature climbed. After a few hours, Scotty located a group of rams and ewes 200 yards away in a steep canyon below. One ram, bedded in the shade of the canyon walls and mesquite, was a near perfectly symmetrical bighorn. His dark coat and stocky build impressed me. Having never seen a mature Rocky Mountain bighorn in the wild prior to this hunt, I was amazed. Just seeing this ram alone was a gift for Garret and me.
With the ram bedded 204 yards below, I got into shooting position. The ram stood once but faced me and was obscured by brush. After lying back down then getting up again and now standing broadside, I fired a single shot and the ram was down.
“Great shot!” Scotty exclaimed.
I shook Scotty’s hand and then looked to my son. I was so thankful Garret had been there with me.
Checking in the ram at the Arizona Game and Fish office was a cool experience in and of itself. The enormity of a sheep harvest comes flooding back in again as wildlife managers, game wardens, and other personnel along with curious onlookers come out to see the massive horns of a Rocky Mountain ram. It was humbling knowing that it takes a community to conserve wildlife for all to enjoy and yet I had the great fortune of being able to wrap my hands around those horns and provide the harvested meat to family and friends.
I am not an endorsed hunter, but I must give credit where credit is due, mostly to those who put and keep sheep on the mountains. Also, to those outfitters like Sam Dieringer and his family who work tirelessly to put hunters in a position to realize their dreams and to those manufacturers who are excellent at their craft. On this hunt, I used Vortex optics and carried a Savage Lightweight Hunter chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. A Hornady bullet has never let me down.
Once again at my desk while wrapping up this story, I am looking at “Wildlife Memories” hanging on the wall. I have drawn 6 out of the 10 big game tags available in Arizona, some species tags more than once. I would never have imagined drawing the Rocky Mountain bighorn. I’ll continue to put in for the draw. After all, someone must draw the tags. I hope you do!
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