Story By: Anisa Carter
What started as a casual thought for my boyfriend James Duran and I—“We’ll see if I draw anything the first time…”—turned into the opportunity of a lifetime. Early in the morning of April 16th, I was awakened by James. Still half asleep, I listened as he told me I had successfully drawn a once-in-a-lifetime Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep tag. In that moment, the reality of what lay ahead set in: I would be pursuing my first Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. It felt unreal. I knew this was more than a hunt. It was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Bighorn sheep are one of the most sought-after big game species in North America, and drawing a tag is something many hunters spend decades hoping for. To do so on my first try was both humbling and overwhelming.
Together, we began calling friends and family to share the news and tell them to prepare for the hunt ahead. Everyone immediately rallied behind me, understanding just how rare and special it was to have the opportunity to harvest a bighorn sheep in the 200-inch class. The support I received from the people around me became one of the most meaningful parts of the entire journey.
We knew we had to find someone who understood the mountain range and its bighorn sheep better than anyone else. Through mutual friends and word of mouth, it became clear that Raul Sisneros (@shedyeti42) was that “someone”. A local with a great understanding of the area, Raul had years of experience, countless hours behind the glass, and an unmatched knowledge of the sheep inhabiting those mountains. His extensive photo documentation tracked individual rams and their movement patterns over time, and he had even given names to each of the mature rams—an indication of the level of detail and dedication he brought to the pursuit. After talking to Raul and our friends, the excitement began to set in.
James also made a call to his close friend Remi Warren (@remiwarren) to share the news and ask if Remi would be interested in filming the hunt. Remi quickly assembled a production team to document the experience, turning the hunt into something truly special. Through his efforts, Weatherby Rifles came on board to sponsor the hunt, providing a brand-new, never-before-seen Weatherby Mark V Live Wild Carbon chambered in 7mm Backcountry. Vortex Optics supplied both a Razor HD riflescope and a Razor HD spotting scope, while First Lite outfitted us with technical hunting apparel. Mystery Ranch provided backpacks, MagView Gear supplied essential optics accessories, and YETI contributed a full complement of camp gear that elevated our base camp experience. Everything was top-tier, reliable, and purpose-built for my hunt, allowing me to focus on the hunt instead of worrying about gear.
Our first official glassing trip took place on May 3, 2025, a day that would ultimately define the entire hunt. As we drove deeper into the unit, the country opened up into massive, rugged canyons. At our very first stop, we spotted a group of rams. One immediately stood out.
Known as Thor, he was an old warrior—his face marked with scars from years of battle. He carried himself with a presence only age and dominance can earn. Seeing a true trophy-class ram within the first ten minutes of scouting was almost unreal. We spent time watching Thor and the rams with him, then decided to continue down the road to see what else the mountain might reveal.
Not far from Thor, we spotted another mature ram bedded on a hillside just above a yucca bush. Raul instantly recognized him as “Black Ram”, a ram he’d known for years. Calm and unaware, he looked down toward us, completely oblivious of the role he was about to play in my life. We set up the spotting scopes and watched him for over an hour. His horns were heavy and full of character, but it was their unique and, as some would say, “loopy” shape that made him unforgettable.
On May 18th, we returned for another scouting trip, hoping to turn up additional rams. After stopping at multiple glassing points with no luck, we made one final stop. A group of ten mature rams stood right below us. Black Ram was among them, along with another heavy-horned ram known as “Forklift.” Both were fully mature trophy-class animals. Watching them from under 100 yards allowed us to fully appreciate the character and individuality each ram carried. From that point forward, it was clear—Black Ram or Forklift would be my focus.
As the scouting continued, new rams appeared, but my attention never wavered. The concern, however, was timing. Another hunter was scheduled to hunt the unit ten days before my opener, and I knew there was a real chance one of those two rams could be taken.
August 1st marked opening day for the New Mexico Auction sheep hunter. That morning would determine which ram I would pursue. Around 10 a.m., we reached a high vantage point and noticed a group of hunters setting up across the canyon. After speaking with one of their spotters, we learned the news. Forklift had been harvested. From that moment on, my focus narrowed to a single ram: Black Ram.
On August 3rd, we set up camp nearby and began our hunt in earnest. Late that evening, after a long day of glassing, James looked over his shoulder and said to one of our guides, Andy Salgado, “There’s a bunch of rams coming out of that drainage—there he is. Black Ram is there.” With about an hour of light remaining, we repositioned for a better look. Sure enough, Black Ram stood among seven other rams. We watched them until darkness settled in.
The morning of August 4th found us glassing the same area. The rams were feeding along a hillside, slowly moving toward another canyon. We repositioned by truck and relocated them, only to watch all eight rams suddenly pick up their heads and run full speed down the canyon, disappearing from sight. We scrambled to several vantage points over the next few hours, but we couldn’t relocate them. Eventually, we called Raul and explained what had happened. Calm as ever, he said, “I’ll be there in a few hours. I’ll find them.” Thirty minutes later, Raul arrived and delivered the news: they were bedded on a ridge. For the next five days, the rams barely moved.
Each morning, we confirmed their location, watching until they bedded around midday. We returned in the evenings to ensure they hadn’t traveled far. On August 7th, we learned that Game and Fish would be conducting a helicopter survey of the sheep herd. By mid-morning, the helicopter was diving into the canyons, pushing air hard in an attempt to count sheep. We split into groups and covered multiple vantage points to keep track of Black Ram in case he broke away. Fortunately, the helicopter passed without disturbing the rams.
With confidence in the rams’ location, I decided it was time to fully prepare myself. I contacted my shooting coach, Joe Gurule, and we headed to the range. With disciplined practice behind my 7mm Backcountry rifle, I consistently connected on targets at 600 yards—and stretched confidently out to 1,000 yards.
The morning of August 10th arrived—opening day. We split into teams, covering distances ranging from 2,000 yards down to 600. My group moved into position, just 182 yards from Black Ram as he grazed with seven other rams. I waited patiently. When the moment came, I made three solid shots on the ram of a lifetime. The sight of watching my harvest go down was incomparable to anything I have ever experienced. I was immediately struck with hugs and congratulations from everyone involved. I quickly walked down to where he lay and paid my respects. I was enraptured by the feeling of holding his horns in my arms. In the end, I was sad to see him go, but I felt so fortunate that I would get to keep this experience forever.
As a young girl with a deep interest in hunting and the outdoors despite not coming from a hunting family, I was drawn to a lifestyle I had yet to fully understand. Experiencing it firsthand and harvesting this remarkable animal gave me a profound appreciation for the dedication, discipline, and effort required to make a hunt successful. Through guidance and support from the right people, including James and his friends, I came to truly understand the responsibility and meaning behind this tag—an experience that will stay with me for a lifetime. A special thank you to Andy Salgado of H&A Outfitters, Derek Harris of South Peak Outfitters, and Charles Gonzales for being there from the first scouting trip to the day Black Ram was harvested. Thank you to everyone else who played a role in making this hunt so special.