Contributors to this thread:
Any news from Canmore this year?
I haven't seen or heard anything yet....where in blazes is Tom Foss when you need him?
I do know that once things start getting posted about Canmore this year, Loesshillsarcher and Mad Trapper will be checking those threads about 30 times a day....they will both be up there next year to bowhunt for bighorns....and it would complete an archery Grand Slam for each of them......
Sheep are moving a bit now but so far have only heard of 1 miss and no sheep down yet.
A good friend of mine named Dennis is there now, hunting with the Simpson's. Dennis was booked for this hunt 10 years ago but had to cancel last minute (less than 24 hrs) in 2004, sending me in his place on my 1st trip.
I heard from him a few days ago and his trip was in transition, he had hunted a week without an opportunity and was moving to the same area where I killed a great ram in 2010, for the last week if his hunt.
I'm really pulling for him. His unfortunate cancellation back in '04 was the opportunity that planted the seed in me and started me on my high country bowhunting journey. This hunt can bring things full circle if Dennis can kill a ram.
What about Genesis? I know he delayed his Canmore hunt....is he up this year?
I spoke with one of Simpson's guides - Tee Jensen last week. Tee's hunter hit a ram, but the hit was not lethal and they kept hunting. They hunted 15 days, but were unable to get a ram down. Michael was also guiding a hunter out of the same camp. His hunter missed a couple of shots and was unable to connect. I am anxious to here how round two is making out. Tee said they had a couple feet of snow and high winds.
Was wondering the same.
I finally broke down and booked with Guinn for 2016. After reading Busta's write up for the last few years I finally found myself in a place where I was able to do it.
Going to be a long wait.
Closetohome, Busta should be a booking agent for Canmore , his thread is what pushed me over the edge to book my trip too. I booked in 2011 for 2014 with Simpsons, time has flown by, can't believe I will be there in less than 12 months.
Yeah he is kind of the ultimate enabler...but i am good with that.
12 months will go by quick. I have three years to overthink every piece of gear I own. Im sure I will have my bag packed and unpacked 300 times between now and then.
With Gene then I know four of the hunters Simpson's will have for 2014. Me, Gene, Tom, and Steve Nueberger. I need to review Busta's thread and more importantly the gear that he took. Busta has graciously offered me his pack and I am gonna take him up on it. Hope to pack a ram out like he did with it. Does anybody have experience with those heated insoles for your boots. Do you think they would be advantageous Busta? What do you guys recommend for some good gloves for that kind of weather. I would take them off when it comes time for a shot opportunity though.
I am going on the late hunt , I believe Tom is on the early hunt, what about yourself and Steve?
I am looking for some advice on crampons and sleeping bag, for this trip.
I am early, Steve is late. I am also looking for a pile of advice. I want to take my - 30 degree bag that I had taken on my polar bear hunt but it is a bit bulky.
Ned...I "live" in that weather and my favorite glove system is to wear a thin shooter glove underneath a chopper mitt. The choppers easily slide off for a shot. I'll even throw a handwarmer in the mitts when it is cold out.
My experience with the heated insoles has not been good. More trouble than what they are worth.
On another note Congrats on your Super 10.
I almost pulled the trigger on a '15 Canmore hunt, but opted for BC instead.
Thanks Cory. Will test that out this winter whitetail season. Get em in BC!
I agree with Kota-man....thin glove underneath a heavy duty warm outer glove or mitten. Since I got frostbite on the PB hunt, my hands tend to get cold easier than they used to....so I tend to use a snowmobile mitt, because it keeps several fingers together, and they tend to stay warm better.....
I tried those micro spikes this fall in the alpine chase sitkas. I liked them and will probably use those in the canmore. I think that I remember Busta using those over the crampons also. Katoola micro spikes??
what I really want to acquire is some good snow camo. fleece or wool. does anybody have suggestions??
Regarding a good snow camo pattern, borrow mine...save yourself some money. We are close enough in size that it will work. My slight height advantage over you should be enough to cover your slight advantage of a "lower center of gravity"!! LOL!!
Regarding handwear, why not use what you used on your PB bowhunt?
Will take you up Jake. I used those big NO gear mitts. I would prefer to use a glove when hiking and holding my walking stick. Probably shouldn't hijack Gene's thread. Maybe should start another for Canmore gear. I am anxious to hear about some Canmore success!! Does anybody know the other hunters this year other than Dennis?
Please continue on with this thread, we can use this as the updates for this year and preparation for next year Canmore.
I have a grand total 2 1/2 days sheep hunting experience, and it was 60 degrees those days. I am happy to consider all advice that is given.
I'm certainly no expert but based on my experience I'd definaty suggest the Khatoola Micro spikes. And a pair of hiking poles.
I'd say no on the heated insoles, never used them but have read a bit and I don't think they are quite there yet.
I used a 15 degree Big Agnes sleeping bag with a 2nd Big Agnes overbag and a Thermorest Neo AirCore pad, great system.
Yes, thin glove liners and a very good pair of waterproof cold weather gloves.
No on the snow camo, in fact, Flint Simpson told me he likes bright colors since that's what the rams see all the hiker granolas wearing all summer.
It's a different kind of hunt.
Ed, the pack is all yours, as long as you promise to return it with (more) sheep blood on it.
An update on my buddy Dennis; he called today and is out and has to go to a hospital because of some serious respitory infection so it looks like his hunt may be over.
Not an easy place but the rewards are high. I'm happy to try to help anyone headed up there.
Thanks again Chris. Keep it coming. I just reread your story. Did you wear that Sitka coat most of the time. Couldn't find your gear thread. What was the title of it. Which Sitka coat was it and what other pieces of clothing did you take??
Hardly wore the Sitka Gear. Wore a light primaloft vest (Mountain Equip Co-Op) and merino shirt (First Lite) while hiking and threw on the Barney's Brooks Range coat and pants when it got cold and we were stationary.
Hit the link above to find my gear review thread.
The Kahtoola Micro spikes are good, but I like the KTS hiking crampon even better, especially if the snow gets deep or the ice super hard!
I just added a pair of micro spikes to my Christmas list.
The company I work for is based in Calgary so I get up there a few times a year and spend a bit of time in the Canmore/Banff/Kannaskis area. Going to use it as an opportunity to test some gear out before my hunt as Texas isn't exactly frigid. So far have plenty of Kuiu base merino and insulation layers and waiting on the Yukon stuff to arrive. Got the Northern Outfitters Vaetrex liners top and bottoms as well. Using my Kifaru Timberline 1 for a pack. Footwear I am going with Kenetrek Mountain Extreme 1000s with micro spikes and for sleep system I have a North Face Inferno rated to -40 along with my Thermarest. At 6'4 and 215 I was still surprised at how much room I had to roll around in the bag and didn't feel claustrophobic.
Still a long way out but want to make sure I am 100% happy before I get up there to hunt.
Elmer, I actually had both traction aids from Khatoola on my trip. I asked Flint Simpson if he thought I should take the micro-spikes or the KTS crampons and he told me to go with the micro-spikes because they are elastic and are easy on/off.
Flint reasoned that I'd use the micro-spikes more because I wouldn't have to try to deal with straps and frozen fingers every time I needed the traction assist.
He was right because I had no issues putting the micro-spikes on with my gloves on but my guide had to take his gloves off to get his crampons on and he suffered every time he did in that extreme cold.
BTW, I still have the crampons and they've never been used if anybody heading to Canmore want's to borrow them.
Go with the microspikes.
As Busta said they are much easier on/off and also if you are using crampons you will get yourself into spots you really shouldn't be without proper mountaineering gear...I speak from experience. You can climb just about anything when you have them on and that is the problem...lol
If you do decide to go with crampons make sure you wear gators because you will constantly be tripping on yourself when the points keep catching on your pant legs, biggest reason guys trip with them on.
The biggest issue in Canmore is the freeze/thaw from the Chinook winds, the microspikes give you that little extra traction needed to negotiate the slopes.
Cheers,
Sharpstick
One of Simpson's guides told me that he wore Schnee's boots and took an extra pair of liners to rotate. He told me that it took them 7 hrs to hike into the camp. I
Tough year for the Simpson camp.
Ohh for 6 is what I've been told. They usually run at 50% kill every year.
Anyone know what Guinn's guys did?
heard of a good one taken by Quinn's hunter last week, pushing 180 from what I heard.
I spoke with Frank Simpson yesterday. 0 for 6 is correct. What has been reported above is correct, one minor flesh wound, one hunter had to leave early because of illness, and a few other close calls.
I spoke with him about gear, he said the hunt Busta was on is about as extreme as it can get, if it worked for him on that hunt it should work for any hunt up there. Since Busta was nice enough to post his gear list after his hunt, I am going to closely follow that.
Because of a minor schedule conflict, my hunt has been moved to the first part of the season now. I will be joining Madtrapper and Losshills on their hunt, kinda like hanging with Bowsite royalty...
Don't know about that royalty crap. Did Frank mention what the weather was like up there this year? Guess that leaves the possibility of a few more rams for our opportunity for next year. lol. I have two major problems for next year's hunt. One is that I am fat. The other is that I am out of shape. Will be working on that starting about now! Blake Patton and Steve Neuberger two other hunters for next year. Don't know whom the sixth is.
I agree that Busta gear list will be very helpful.
He said both hunts had a similar mix of weather from about 0 - 40 degrees.
Royalty???? Ned and I will save you a seat in the back of the bus with us... ;-) Gene are you going to the sheep show?
Tom has only a golden shoe and not a crown nor family jewels(well maybe). I like the short bus.
"I have two major problems for next year's hunt. One is that I am fat. The other is that I am out of shape"
Great Line, Is it ok if I use it?
Tom,
I won't be going to the national sheep show, its the same time as our 3 generation hog/javalina hunt in TX. I will be to the Eastern Sheep show.
Hopefully there will be room on the short bus for everybody to ride...
Fat, out of shape guys kill sheep every year.
They just suffer a lot more.
I'm also fat and out of shape now but I could certainly get in shape in a year and so can you.
Canmore is no joke so you better get on it.
Are there any hills where you live? :>
Busta- what boots did you wear?
Did you just boil snow for water?
Yes I have some decent hills here. Loess Hills. Will have to utilize them. Busta wore Hanwags if I remember correctly. Chris Farley could be our bus driver. Google him as one. hilarious
Ned: I am not carrying you up the mountain and I doubt that Farley can get the bus where we need to go. Not even sure that I can bring the golden shoe - due to weight considerations....
Tom just leave the crocs at home so you can carry the shoe. no excuses. u have to bring it if you possess
I was kidding about the Loess Hills! I love that area.
You have no shortage of training grounds. Wish I lived there too, we could hold hands as we skipped up/down the hills getting skinny for sheep season!
Hanwag GTX Alaskan's and yes, the water was smokey in Canmore!
Haha, what a sight that would be. skippidydoda.
Does Frank Simpson have 4 tags or six tags for 2014 in Canmore?
Were the Hanwags cold at those temps? I would think my feet would freeze!
Gotta take the crocs. Maybe you can carry the shoe...
Who are the last two hunters?
Sheep, in directly, kill a lot of fat and out of shape hunters, too. :-)
Received a message from Iron Mike who is chasing cats with one of Guinn's guides. Both of Guinn's hunters took rams this year. I just heard that Mike took a slammer of a tom!
Congrats to Mike. I don't want to die so I will begin to get in shape. But, when I am working on getting in shape, I feel like I am near death. If I do die while chasing sheep then I will have passed on doing what I love. But I hope this doesn't happen. The horror of working out. the horror, the horror. lol. Like Larry the Cable guys says, I will have to get r done.
Good luck Nedly. Just know that when you are standing in a puddle of sweat, you are not alone. There are several of us out here in similar pain... some of us just are older than others. One undeniable truth for me is the hills get steeper every year. Sweet pain...
Here is my sheep workout for today, a little motivation for you guys. I don't want to have to be the best looking, and the one in the best shape too...
Not my best time for sure, but we do have a bit of snow on the ground and that slows me down a little. 23 degrees felt kinda brisk, but it my never get that warm while we are in Canmore.
Nice! This a is a tough time of year to be getting in shape. Too many cookies. Like the add says... the backcountry doesn't care about excuses.
I really struggle this time of year with conditioning. Try to jump on the snow shoes on the nice days and hit the elliptical and tread mill on the not so nice days. The cookies make it tough.
This Canmore hunt is still on my radar but a few other sheep hunts have got in the way for now...
I ate the buffet at the casino for lunch yesterday. dammit man
Camofire has Big Agnes Gunn Creek 30 degree bags today. From the dimensions I can find, I believe it will make a good over bag for my Marmot Helium. Anyone have experience with this bag?
Many good post about gear advice , but what I find strange and the most important aspect of Canmore is your shooting skills , this is were most guys fail in Canmore , shots missed!!!!. Even some pros have lost numerous arrows in Canmore . My outfitter informed me most bow hunters are given a shot in Canmore , Shots range from 20 to 70 yards and its up to you to bring your best shooting game to the bow zone !!! I did no physical work for Canmore besides elk hunting weeks before. My training was all shooting skills at steep up and down slopes . I worked with my rangefinder to figure out what my bow would do at different shots/slope degrees, I shot my bow till my subconscious shot for me on these up and down slopes . My logic was if I was given one shot I was going to make it work in my favor !!!! Its a expensive hunt so its best to bring your best game or stay home , unless u have the funds to go numerous times !!!!
I have some excellent video of my Canmore hunt showing stalks, weather conditions etc etc I will post some when I get a few moments . best to all Louis
This thread was just asking about Canmore outcomes this Fall. Other threads pertaining to training for sheep bowhunts have discussed prehunt training and practice regimens.
However, to supplement Lou's comments, I would like to add another thing to consider.....I shot thousands of arrows before going on a sheep bowhunt. I learned that I am simply not as good of a shot when my feet are not level. I learned to pike at the hips when shooting uphill and downhill. Prehunt practice allowed me to identify my strengths and my weaknesses. I tried to improve on weaknesses, and hunt in a manner that steered opportunities towards my strengths.
Good point Louis. Here is a contraption I built last summer to get ready for my dall hunt. It may be a little hard to see in this pic. Its a trailer with a horse mat back stop, that a bag target hangs on. We have an old gravel quarry along our drive way, I can move the target around with my atv to practice different shot angles. I can shoot almost straight down and up safely for 15 to 100 yards.
Yes Jake the tread got derailed a bit !!!! But I bet the reason this years kills were down were due to a few missed sheep in the mountains.
Hello Gene nice setup but what about uphill shots :) that was my weaker point , I did find If I had to shoot extreme uphill i did great shooting from my butt . Plus I never use a bubble when shooting go figure some say its impossible to shoot slopes without a bubble, I disagree its all about your form muscle memory takes over for me , As soon as the bow is drawn for me I know if im squared off , Its letting your subconscious take the shot for u !!
Plus the price of arrows I cant afford to loose them LOL
Canmore is a great place enjoy the time up there , Louis
Lou, I can also shoot up hill safely in the gravel quarry at very steep angles. Up is definetly harder for me than shooting at extreme downward angles.
I bought the Big Agnes 30 degree bag, long from Camofire. It came yesterday, so I figured it would be a good time to try it out. My Marmot helium fit perfect inside of it, I used an Exped dowmat 7 pad, on a cot, on my porch, no tent. The air temp was 0 when I went out, with a light breeze, windchill was -13 according to my phone. I stayed warm and comfortable all night. This will be my sleeping setup for Canmore.
16 days and counting...
I try to never rush time by, but I am anxiously, anticipating this trip. Bow is tuned, gear is ready, shooting and working out daily.
wow its that time again . Best of luck . Canmore is a special place enjoy !!
Louis, I have looked but couldn't find any of your videos about stalks, weather etc? Did you happen to post and if so, where?
Mark
Gene
0 degree bag is a bit light. Why not go with a -40 bag. Not that heavy and even though you might have a stove, it might get cold. At least to -20 and even -30.
Downmat 7 is awesome.
Good luck on your hunt.
Mark Im getting them together I want to send to Tanne Brent Sinclair
Mark the video includes Tanner Sinclair and I would like to Send to Tanners family first!!! RIP Tanner!!
Makes perfect sense Louis. Let us know when you can post!
Mark
The time is finally here. I decided to drive , instead of play roulette with the airlines. I left PA early this morning, starting the 2381 mile trip in my Subaru. It will take longer, but I'm pretty sure I won't have Ebola and will have all my luggage when I get there....
If all goes well, I will be there by noon Sun
See you there. Safe travels
Good luck to both of you. Gene, ride is a piece of cake. Done it multiple times. Just pace yourself and stop when you think you need a break.
Good luck. Please post updates.
Good Luck guys! Be safe and bring back a couple great rams.
Best of Luck to all the guys up on the Mountain this year!
Hey Gene I would have taken the ride !! Gene this is were I hunted them years back ! Canmore is a special place only few have a chance to hunt it enjoy your time up there !! Stay focused I hunted it without any physical training yrs back it comes down to your shooting skills in cold uphill downhill shots .Don't rush the shot . Louis
Thanks for the well wishes and advice.
Lou, you would have been more than welcome to ride along, and even carry some of my stuff up the mountain.
Best of luck guys. Go get em!
Huntinelk, Best of luck on your long awaited adventure! I can assure you, that if you have either Michael Simpson or Tee you will have a great guide. Having met and hunted with both of these young men in NWT I can attest to their skills and hard work ethic. Tell them both that Tony Cleveland says hi. Michael was my guide on my Dall hunt and I shared the same camp with Tee when I was hunting my Caribou. Hope to see some great pics soon!!!!
"The Bowsite Rendevous at Canmore!" All three hunters are Bowsiters! How cool is that!!!
"Endeavor to persevere!!!"
Good luck Tom, Gene and Ned! (And guides Tee and Michael....both "Superguides!")
Mark
Looking forward to seeing the results and hearing the tale of the Hunt!
Good Luck Boys!
No place on earth quite like Canmore!
I was out in the garage butchering a doe and I missed a satellite phone call from MadTrapper...who is currently bowhunting for Bighorn Sheep in Canmore....as are Loesshillsarcher (Ned Greer), Gene Fleming (Huntinelk), and Steve Neuberger. Three of the four bowhunters hunting with Simpson's are frequent contributors to Bowsite.
Tom's message was very brief. He got into camp on the 4th, and the hike into camp was far more brutal than he had anticipated....despite months of training. Like Cityhunter, Tom Edgington (aka Mad Trapper) has been fighting the effects of Lyme disease for years, but he refuses to let it dictate what he can, and cannot do. Attitude, it's all in the attitude.....(maybe a little altitude, as well).
Tom stated that the terrain is far steeper than he had imagined....and I know that he saw the photos posted earlier in this thread, so I don't know how he could have been surprised about the steepness.....
At any rate, Tom (his guide is Tee) has seen five ewes and no rams to date. Apparently, Ned and Steve (who are friends and hunt together frequently) have seen some rams in the areas where they are....but no arrows have been released yet - I don't think that they are actually hunting together on this hunt....but maybe sharing a base camp. No word about Gene Fleming's hunt to date.
Thanks for the update Jake! Very cool!
Thanks for the update Jake! These rock stars will get it done! Did Tom mention on how often he is going to call you with updates?!! Hint: as our VP of Canmore Communications we want you to wear it around your neck 24/7. Hopefully Nancy is OK with this!!! Kinda like your lucky horseshoe!
Mark
Thanks Jake...Can't wait to read about their adventures.
anybody hunting with Rick Guinn ? his camp was only a 12 mile hike !!
I tried to book with Jonas and Rick Guinn a couple years ago. Told them to "book me" and asked where to send $$$...Nobody ever called me back or answered my follow up email, so I booked with Pack Horse Creek in BC. Had a great hunt with them and am returning for round two next year. I hope to return (shot my Mountain Lion near there) to Canmore in the future, but this time I will try Simpsons...
Thanks Medicineman for the update. The Canmore hunts are always my favorite to follow on bowsite. I remember when Cityhunter posted his hunt and then Busta ribs a few years later. Can't wait to hear theiir stories and see their pics. I predict Tee will get Madtrapper an opportunity on a great ram!
My bad.
I listened to Tom's message a second time last night. The hike into base camp was NOT that bad.
Jake u should have tagged along !!
Wow, that is some tough looking country. Good luck to those up there now. For those of you who know Blake he will be hunting up there end of next week. I hope you are able to keep us updated here on your hunt Blake. Looks like there could be some pain & suffering on this one. Ha-ha
Buena Suerte'
Cityhunter,
I would have loved to have gone. It does conflict with my Kansas whitetail bowhunt....and I probably couldn't bring myself to miss bowhunting Kansas whitetails to be a spectator on Bighorn Sheep bowhunt.....now if there is a TAG involved, that is a whole different story!!
I just heard from Madtrapper about 15 minutes ago.
It seems that during todays climb, he took a spill, and his bow is now shooting to the left. He has the sight maxed out for adjustment, but for the rest of the day, his confidence isn't where it needs to be. He isn't sure if the arrow rest got bumped, or if the sight did...... I told him that if he isn't sure of his shot....get closer, until he IS sure. In that terrain I am sure that it is easier said than done.
I know that he took two bows with him, but I am equally sure that both bows didn't make the hike into base camp. He has some foam that he can use on the mountain to resight his bow, but that is all that I know at the moment.
Ned and Steve has seen three rams, but apparently they are borderline for size or age. No word about Gene at the moment.
Temperatures are estimated to be in the twenties, and the wind is variable.....he estimated that there is currently three inches of snow on the ground. I don't know how the camp assignments were handed out, but Tom said that they can see the Park from where they are....and he said that him and Tee are in the steepest camp of the hunters that are there now.....
Jake
Tell Tom to call me if he needs to hike out and work on his bow. We can be in and out of there and have it sighted back in in less than a day. Or I can hike one of my bows in there tonight.
Tom, that's a very nice gesture.
tom and bring some soup !!!!
Thanks TK. I'll keep you posted. Hope to run into Ned, Tom and the other guys with dead rams and good stories.
From what I gather on this hunt if the hunter can stick it out up there most are rewarded with a shot at a ram , many hunters have had multiple shots on mature rams.
it's just a matter of time.
i hope he has enough of it
season ends nov 30 plenty of time !!!
Tom has a week to go. He is in great spirits and tough as nails.
Jake, Now that you killed your great Kansas buck....(congrats!!) .back to your day job of VP of Canmore Communications!....anymore SAT calls from Mad Trapper?!!!
Mark
He called last night. They had come in to town last evening. They were able to replenish supplies, get a shower and a warm meal.....they headed back up this AM.
I am staying here for a few more days, because if he tags a ram, and then flies directly to Wichita, I will chauffeur him from the Wichita airport to camp. C'mon madtrapper....git ur done!!
Snowing hard the past few days, rams starting to appear. -23 overnight. This can be one of the toughest hunts there is. JakO, nice of you to wait but if he kills a ram early, he is hanging around with me ...... :)
Congrats on the whitetail....first day.......NICE
Rams starting to appear....THAT sounds encouraging!!!
I heard from Tom today. It is pretty cold....in fact, he told me that his hat froze to the side of the tent. They haven't seen anymore rams....and are still waiting for more rams to leave the park.
Those boys still alive up there? We are seeing over night temps drop to -25C here in Calgary and we have about 4" of snow in the city. It's got to be hard hunting and living up in the hills
It must be cold......Tom told me that he is wearing every stitch of clothing that he packed!!
Jake I hope he owns northern outfitters cold gear that's what kept me toast up there !
How many more days do Tom, Ned, Gene and Steve have to hunt? Good luck Blake! When does your (Blake) hunt begin?
I was just in a deer stand yesterday AM in south central South Dakota at -19F windchill...and that was brutal enough!
Mark
Word is that someone hit a ram. Don't know who....don't know if it was recovered.
Tomorrow (Saturday) is the last day...I believe. Come on 11th hour rams!
Mark
Just crossed back into U.S., I got my one opportunity on day 10, which I completely screwed up. I have an unpunched ram tag riding home with me. It was still an incredible trip, that I'm glad I was able to experience.
I was happy with all the gear that I took. The only issue I had were my feet getting cold.
once you thaw out give us all the details and photos you can please.
Isn't Blake Patton the fourth hunter up there?
Gene (Tom, Ned and Steve)+2 Bou....and gear evaluations.
I believe Blake's hunt starts today/tomorrow time frame as he hunts the "second season". Good luck and go kill a big ram!
Mark
I believe Blake and Dustin were going to the camp that I was in today.
Gene, what an adventure you guys just experienced! We look forward to hearing all about it! You are now driving back to PA?
Mark
Yes, on my way to PA, of course only typing when I'm stopped....
Going home and get my dad, then head to WY in a few days to try to make good use of my bison tag.
Holy cats....we're going to change your handle to "marathon man!". Living the good life! We'll let you get back to driving....update us as you can. For ease of historical reference, you (Canmore Four) might want to start a (new) Canmore 2014 thread....a thought.
Good luck to you and your Dad on the WY bison!
Mark
Gene what happened it seems u did some preseason shooting ! good luck on the bison
Seven years ago, a certain dentist from Iowa "leaked" to Bowsite that I had killed my polar bear.....so it is only fair that "quid pro quo" should come full circle....
Therefore, suffice it to say, that there is a new archery Grand Slammer!!!
...and you may talk about red gatorade, but between cornfields and the number of arrows in your quiver after this hunt, we're gonna be more than even!!!
Awesome, can't wait to hear the story!
Holy moly big rams batman! Congratulations Ned! What an accomplishment! So happy for you!
We need some details! This is HUGE!
Mark
Nice! Been checking this thread ten times a day looking for news.
We need pics Ned!!! Lets see this bad boy!
Mark
Lets hear it (and see it) Ned...
Guys,
It might be a couple days.....he's still on the mountain.....they won't pack off of the mountain until tomorrow.
Ok...whew...deep breaths!
Mark
Congrats Ned! Thanks Jake for letting us know.
That's awesome! Congratulations Ned.
Congrats NEDLY. I am proud of you.
Congrats to the tooth guy, I think after W.S.F., you should thaw out in Aqua Verde and help me find a ram. Ned you have joined a elite group of archers. Very glad for you. You are deserving. Reed
Thank you for the updates Jake. A Big Congrats Ned! I've been checking in daily for updates. Looking forward to details. If you need anything let me know. Talk soon, Dennis
I got an update on Blakes hunt. They have been seeing sheep but no shooters. I think he is on day 4 of a 15 day hunt so plenty time left.
MUST...HAVE...PATIENCE...
Safe trip x2... but....
sorry, no patience.... =D
Just hung up with Ned, he is in Salt Lake, headed home. He is a humble and thankful man. His feet are still cold. He needs a little time before he can get back online.
define "a little time"......heck, it's been over 24 hours since he got home!!
I spoke with Ned last evening as he was heading back home. I am sure that he will provide details after he thaws out. I tip my cap to him. He had arranged to stay longer on the hunt and was able to get it done. His ram came in the day that I flew home. I am not going to provide a blow-by-blow account of my hunt. If you want to get the true-flavor of the Canmore experience read Chris Green's account. It is spot on. But here are some random thoughts. There were four of us hunting while I was there. Out of the four of us, I am pretty sure that I did the most hiking. One day we hiked into the mountain range where Chris took his ram. Warren Strickland also took his ram there. Another day we hiked into the area where Tom Miranda took his ram. I also hunted out of the camp where Bob Spiegel and many other notable bowhunters were successful. In 13 days of hunting though, I saw one legal ram. He didn't stick around long enough for me to get an arrow into him and the shot would not have been an easy one. I never drew my bow in 13 days. During the first week, we had mild temps - probably in the teens. During the second week, I am pretty sure the temps were in the neighborhood of minus 20F. Everything froze - including my hat to the side of the tent one night. Raw eggs froze solid. Our sandwiches were frozen by the time we got to our glassing spots. Water in our water bottles was frozen solid by the time we would reach our glassing spot. I never did find a mint under my pillow. Then again, I didn't have a pillow! Other than the hikes into and out of camp, every hike had fairly extreme vertical components. We were usually soaked when we made it to our glassing locations. We had to replace our wet shirts with dry ones that we carried in our packs. At times the wind was very strong. Other times it was non-existent. I don't even want to think about what the wind chill factor was. I typically wore a ball cap when I hiked. The sweat usually dripped off the cap bill until it froze into sweatcicles hanging off the bill. My beard was constantly full of ice. Walking could be challenging. There were places where cramp-ons or micro-spikes were necessary, no they were mandatory. I am generally not bothered by heights, but there were a couple of occasions where the "pucker factor" was off the charts. I did lose my footing on a couple of occasions. My back is still sore! Canmore is certainly a special place to take a bighorn. To say that it is a different type of sheep hunt would be a drastic understatement. I want to thank Tom Foss and Jake for all of their support and help. Without it, I never would have lasted the 13 days.
What an incredible experience.
All the stories of Canmoreleave the same impression on my mind of a beautiful rugged place that is very unforgiving. Sorry to hear you didn't get the chance on a ram Tom but consider yourself a lucky man for experiencing such a special place.
"In 13 days of hunting though, I saw one legal ram." Obviously you are waiting (and searching) for the rams to show up looking for the ewes. Tom, In your opinion, what is the key to triggering this ram movement? Moon phase, cold, snow or a combination thereof?
How many rams did Ned see in the two more days that he hunted?
Any update TK from Blake in the past couple days?
Mark
I killed my ram on the 18th we got lucky a mature ram moved in the area out of the blue !! Rick Guinn dosent hunt till the middle of the month he does this for a reason , It seems most mature rams move into the bow zone later in Nov .. What triggers the rams is the smell of a ripe ewe .
Tom why didn't u stay longer season ends the 30 th
Louis: My hunt was for two weeks and we hunted until almost dark the last day. Gene's was for the same duration as we walked out together. Ned and Steve did a 2x1 and were able to stay longer. My guide had to leave as he had some mule deer hunts to conduct. Two new hunters were scheduled in for the last two weeks. In short, we did not have an option to stay and the last that I heard, the new hunters did not score last week. Not sure where all the legal rams are, but they are not seeing them. Three weeks in Canmore would be a tall order for an old guy like me!
Tom,
What an adventure and life experience that had to be. Just ot be there and subject yourself, and prevail, through those conditions. You are one of a small group of hunters who has done or ever will do that.
Great job. People have killed sheep with a lot less commitment, effort, guts and risk than you endured that is for sure. that is the true prize.
Mark: I am not sure what triggers that movement. The guides as well as Flint thought that it was related to the temperatures - the colder the better. We did not see that though. I would hope that minus 20 Fahrenheit would have been cold enough to test their hypothesis. I am more inclined to believe that the moon phase played a larger role, but I don't know. There were plenty of ewe's in the breeding grounds around town, just no mature rams.
Many thanks Grant! I do feel privileged to have been able to hunt there. I thought about that many times while on the mountain. I do think that getting a bighorn from Canmore is about as good as it gets for a bowhunter though.
So happy to hear Ned was able to hold up his end of a deal we had; I lent him my Mystery Ranch BDSB pack for his hunt and he promised to get some sheep blood on it. Can't wait to see his ram and hear his story.
BTW, the same offer stands for anyone headed to Canmore in the future, that pack is now 2 for 2.
Having hunted Canmore twice, I would say the heavy snow and extreme cold temps (10 below F and colder) pushing the ewes down towards town causes the big rams to follow through the drainage's hunted by the Simpson's.
So, the later the better in my opinion, if you can endure the brutal conditions. If I was ever to go back, which I wont unless its as a spectator, it would be the last two weeks. And I think the first two weeks of December would be better it is were legal.
Until recently, the Simpson's really didn't start hunting seriously until mid-November. They might have had a hunter or two come up early and give it a go and then return for the last two weeks if the didn't score. So this shift is new, as far as I know. They certainly know their area better than anyone and I'm sure they expect success during the "early-season" hunts, so it will be interesting to see the results after a bit of time passes.
Canmore is an amazing place to hunt whether you kill a ram or not, and it truly is a privilege just to be there.
Hey Chris: I remember the picture of you holding your horns under the "Dream" sign at Flint's. Well I saw that now famous sign, but unfortunately I am still dreaming! I did make it to the mountain where you bagged your monster. We saw a small ram and a couple of ewes and alot of cougar tracks.
I know exactly how you feel coming home with that unfilled tag Tom. It took me 6 years to get back to Canmore and get it done. And I never stopped dreaming about it as I waited for another chance.
I envy you now because you still have a reason to dream and a motive to return. I hope you get another chance buddy, and I hope you kill a giant when you do.
Had a moon while I was there didn't seem to have any negative effect on the sheep!
any more news from Canmore or from Ned?
