Stone Sheep at Big Nine Outfitters
Contributors to this thread:Wild Sheep
From: JCK
21-Dec-09
I'm trying to get some feedback about hunting Stone Sheep with Barry Tomkins at Big Nine Outfitters. If anyone has ever hunted there can you please let me know how your hunt went.
From: gunslinger
21-Dec-09
My brother did a self guided hunt in that area and you wont beat it for stone sheep, very good area and barry has a great reputation for getting guys there sheep. i beleive that he takes some bowhunters and has had success
From: Finally
21-Dec-09
I went with them in 2003 and they are a first class operation. I ended up killing a ram on the last day with a rifle after hunting 9 days with a bow and not seeing a legal ram until the 8th day. The only problem I had was the amount of resident hunters in first area we choose to hunt seems there was a packer that haul 10 hunter into the drainage we were hunting but other than that it was a great trip.
From: JCK
21-Dec-09
Finally, After you were moved did you see anymore resident hunters? Did any of the other sheep hunters in camp have problems with hunter pressure? It seems like their track record for killing rams is top end and they also kill some crankers out of that area.
From: Gator
21-Dec-09
Can't say how it is now but many years ago I hunted with the founder of Big Nine, Gary Powell. Elk and stone hunting was second to none. Exceptional grizzlies as well.
Some history of this area, Chadwick Ram was taken a couple of drainages over from our sheep camp.
From: Finally
22-Dec-09
Once we moved I did not see any resident hunters although the new areas weren't as bowhunter friendly we did see more legal rams. Out of the three other hunters in camp with me one shot a ram with a bow and one other killed with a gun. One of the other hunter did have run is with resident hunters but he was just at the other end of the drainage I started in so it was most likely the same group of residents that I saw. The residents did kill 2 rams that I know of, I got to watch one of them so that was cool.
From: NvaGvUp
22-Dec-09
I hunted with Barry in 2002. We never saw a resident. I think the outfit's called High and Wild now, no Big Nine.
From: JM
22-Dec-09
I highly recommend Big Nine (Now High and Wild Wilderness Safaris), I killed my Stone with Barry in 2006 and had fantastic hunts. I hunted three times before taking my ram and I have hunted almost all of the camps so I know his area very well. He runs a very well organized operation with good equipment and camps and has experienced archery guides which are important because they will make a difference in helping you get into archery range of sheep. I don’t think you will have a problem with residents because Barry bought out the packer that was bringing a bunch of people into the area and he works with residents that do come into the area, after all they have as much right to be there as you do. The terrain ranges from moderate to extremely rugged so it will be a physical hunt in some very beautiful classic sheep country. The question will not be if you will see sheep it will be whether you can find a legal ram and one that is in a position that you can stalk into bow range. Other than sheep the area is loaded with elk, has good numbers of moose, a few caribou, a couple areas are loaded with goats, some mule deer, plenty of grizzly and some wolves thus the original Big Nine name.
John
From: Ovis
22-Dec-09
This 9 1/2 year old ram was taken with High & Wild Safaris (formerly Big 9 Outfitters) in 2000. I hunted with Jimmy Johnson who is absolutely fantastic! Barry Tompkins has a very good outfit with good equipment, gear, and guides/staff.
This ram was taken at about 35 yards on the last day of the hunt. Ovis
From: Ricardo Longoria
22-Dec-09
Mark Buehrer from Bowhunting Safari Consultants booked me on this hunt. Mark doesn't send you anywhere but the best places. I had the good fortune of taking this ram in August of this year. Sheep hunting is excellent and Jimmy Johnson is an awesome guide. We took this 10 1/2 year old ram on the 7th day of the hunt. No lack of sheep. Camps are nice, food is great. Barry runs an excellent operation.
From: JCK
22-Dec-09
So far I've heard nothing bad, only good reports. I've spoke to Barry and he seems like a stand up guy. Thanks for the info. Jim