Sheep Scouting

“There is a fascination with wild sheep that transcends the romanticism attached to any other big game animal.  Perhaps it is the lofty areas they inhabit.  The spectacular scenery of the haunts or the massive and gracefully symmetrical curling of the horns of adult rams that lends a mystical aura to them”  Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society.

I’m sure by now EVERYONE has heard (probably too many times) Drew and I were awarded sheep tags for unit S-32 or the “Georgetown herd.”  Before drawing my sheep tag I knew next to nothing about these animals. I knew they’re the state animal and the mascot for my alma mater and that one day I’d hoped to hunt them but that was about it.  After drawing our tags my knowledge of sheep behavior and habits has grown exponentially since most every waking moment has been spent with thoughts of sheep running through my head.  And for those that need a refresher, the males are rams, the females are ewes and the juveniles are lambs.

Wendy even joined me on my last trip, which unfortunately may have also been her final sheep scouting trip.  While I thought I was doing a good thing by including her in all the fun it turned into not so good when I decided to change routes at the last minute.

On previous trips I was sure to mentally note trails she would enjoy hiking because the alpine truly is spectacular country.  But at the last minute I decided we just had to check out a new spot that we hadn’t been to yet and it turned out the new spot is better suited to mountain climbers.  Even after the somewhat tense climb Wendy decided hours spent behind a spotting scope wasn’t actually her idea of fun, who’d of known?

I’ve definitely been bitten by the sheep bug; my summer has revolved around this tag.   Been shooting my bow religiously, reading everything I can get my hands on, talking with countless guys who’ve hunted the unit previously, working out (running sprint-tri’s), lugging my target up 45 degree slopes, etc., etc.  As always many thanks to Wendy for putting up with my obsessiveness!  We’re down to 17 days and a wake up!