September 2026
A Hunt I’ll Never Forget: A Utah Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt
Hunter: Don Valerio
Species: Desert Bighorn Sheep
Location: Utah, San Juan North unit
Method: Rifle, guided by Josh Nielson
After twenty years of applying for Desert sheep, I finally drew the tag of a lifetime on the San Juan North unit. Looking back, what stands out is not only the ram we found, but the sheer scope of the journey it took to get there. This was a hunt measured not only in miles, elevation, or days on the mountain, but in the determination, grit, and heart of every person who stood by my side.
Passing on a Day-One Ram
From the beginning, things felt promising. On day one, we located a ram almost immediately. We worked in closer for a better look, and for a moment I wondered if my hunt would end before it really began. But once we saw him clearly, it was obvious there were bigger, more impressive rams in the unit. Earlier in the season, I had seen a photo of a collared ram that caught my attention—not a ram I was set on, but one I admired. I also knew other giants were out there. In the end, we passed on that first day’s ram, and I am grateful we did.
500 Foot-Miles Through Nine Canyons
What followed was an expedition unlike anything I have ever experienced. Over the course of the hunt, we logged more than 500 foot-miles through some of the harshest terrain imaginable: country that humbles you quickly and reminds you why sheep tags are so coveted.
I went into this hunt thinking I was in good shape. I trained hard and felt prepared. But the mountain has a way of showing you new limits. There were days when my legs felt like cement, when every climb demanded more than I thought I had. I needed to stop often to catch my breath, settle my legs, and push through exhaustion I did not expect. I was tired, worn down, and at times completely spent. But every time I needed a moment, the team waited, encouraged, and pushed right alongside me. That support meant more than they know.
Between my time in the field and the days put in by guides, friends, and family, we totaled eighteen hunting days and countless hours from those who came just to help. We covered nine different canyons and glassed from more points than I can count. Across that rugged landscape, we found thirty-seven sheep, including eleven rams. For perspective, the most recent survey for the entire unit estimated forty-three total sheep and fourteen rams. We were finding nearly every sheep that existed out there.
Even so, nothing came easy. We pursued several promising rams only to have them slip away or present conditions that did not feel right. And though the collared ram from the photo crossed our minds occasionally, we were not chasing him specifically. We were simply hunting for the right ram—whichever he turned out to be.
The Collared Ram on the Final Day
As the final day of the season arrived, I will admit it: the pressure was real. We had poured everything we had into finding the right sheep, and time was running out. Then, as if the mountain had been saving him for last, we found our eleventh ram of the season—the very same collared ram from the photo I had admired before the hunt began.
With spotters in place, I followed Josh’s guidance and moved into shooting range. Aiming 230 yards nearly straight down into the canyon, time seemed to pause. The shot broke clean. Relief washed over me, followed quickly by excitement and gratitude. But the hunt was not over—not by a long shot.
A 400-Foot Rappel to Recover the Ram
The terrain was so technical that recovery required an entire extra day and a full team. Eight strong individuals, in addition to Josh on rope, assembled for an operation that was part mountaineering, part miracle. I watched as he rappelled more than 400 feet straight into the canyon to reach the ram. Once he secured it, the team hauled the sheep up the cliff, then sent the rope back down to help Josh climb out. Watching that effort… I do not think I will ever fully find the words to express what it meant to me.
The ram is incredible, but the people who helped me get him are what made this hunt unforgettable.
A Hunt for the Ages
To Josh Nielson, and to spotters Lloyd Nielson, Kody Henrie, Rob Strasburg, and Brad Turner: thank you for your skill, grit, and dedication. To my father-in-law Dave Pehrson, my son Kohlbin, and the friends and family who put in miles, days, and heart—this accomplishment belongs to all of us. And to the remarkable young men who came out just to help with the recovery: you showed strength and character I will remember for the rest of my life.
This truly was a hunt for the ages. I am honored and humbled to have lived it.
Additional Resources
- Utah Application Strategy
- Utah State Profile
- Utah Hunting Regulations
- Huntin' Fool Adventures
- Become a Huntin' Fool Member