Colorado S34 1st Season Tag Holder
Wild Sheep
Contributors to this thread:
Hi All,
Im New to Bowsite so thank you in advance for any help provided. I drew the 2016 1st Season Ram tag for S34. Needless to say I'm very excited to bow hunt these awesome critters! It's time to start studying up on the unit. I live in Colorado Springs so scouting will be easier for me being close. Also if the Ewe tag holder sees this please get ahold of me and I will help you as much as I can during scouting and the season. I'll keep you all posted threw scouting and the season.
Thank you for any help!!!
Coop
Congrats on the tag, and please do keep us posted! I am not of any help for that unit but I'm pulling for you!
I know the ewe hunter the hunter is female. I will be helping her
Mathewsshooter,
Right on! I look forward to getting to know you both threw the adventure. I haven't looked to see how I send a PM yet, but I will get it figured out and PM you with my contact info. If you and her are from the Colorado Springs area, I shoot at Bill Pelligrino's Archery Hut and I'm in there quite a bit. I'm going to hit up the DOW tomorrow and start gathering some info. I manage a lumber company right down the road from it. I'm planning on making my first trip up there real soon. Congrats to the lady Ewe tag holder and again I look forward to meeting you both.
Have you hunted up there before?
Coop
I had the ewe tag last year. The big rams were held up on private in the early season. PM me for more info.
You can PM me also. I killed a ram in the 2012 late season there.
Actually it was 2011, time flies!
Congrats! Good luck and keep us posted!
Mark
Good luck and welcome to Bowsite !
This looks like it'll be a fun thread to follow. Take lots of pictures!! And good luck...
Thanks for the responses so far. I have sent PM's. I have received some good info so far. Stopped by the DOW office and got the Biologist's name and number. They said her name was Julie. Found a good spot to glass from with some help (thank you sir!) Found the Navigator's also, not sure how to get the access from them though at this point. Didn't want to just go there without knowing how others went about it. I'm not real concerned about shooting the biggest ram on the mountain. I want the opportunity to take a good representation of the species. 3/4 curl or bigger. If I can get a shot on a 3/4 curl I will be shooting! For any of you guys that have hunted the unit during the early October season, did you see some shooter rams in the huntable area during the early season?(not counting the giant rams that maybe hanging on the private).
i haven't done a good job of keeping you all updated on the scouting. Here are some of the Rams I've been watching all summer. Season started today. We'll see if I can notch a tag on one the big Rams
i haven't done a good job of keeping you all updated on the scouting. Here are some of the Rams I've been watching all summer. Season started today. We'll see if I can notch a tag on one the big Rams
Wow some nice looking rams in your pics. Good luck to you!
Looks like some dandies in there. Keep us posted!
Beautiful rams. Good luck!
Those photos look familiar.
C
Looks like you have some to choose from - good luck!
Some great rams there. Good Luck and please post your story after you get one of those guys.
Any updates on this hunt? Excited to see how you do and if you get one of the big guys. Good Luck!
I've been talking to Brad. The big guys are hanging down in the Glen causing him some stress. They'll move up, hopefully any day now. I can imagine the frustration of waiting.
Saw on FB that he scored. Hopefully he post some pictures here soon.
I just texted him and told him to get his tail in here and share some details! Inquiring minds want to know!
I'd be interested to know if he's seeing any rutting behavior down there.
Yes there starting up down there
Update Day#1 (my first full day to hunt) Glassed the big group of Rams from down low this morning. They moved closer to where I can hunt them but they are still to low. Made my way up the mountain to were I left the 4 last night. They weren't there. Spotted them about half mile to the north east. There are 6 now.
Update Day#2: Glassed up the 6 from yesterday this morning. They were moving to the west and heading towards where I was on them Thursday. Lost them behind the rocks so I just kept glassing for another 3 or 4 hours hoping they would pop out up top. They never did so I headed up the mountain. The ewe hunter was up top so I talked with them a moment. We hadn't seen any ewes for a few days. They had the north slopes covered so I made my way over and up the south side rim along the canyon in hopes of finding the ewes. The wind was brutal probably 30 to 35 mph up there. After a couple hours of getting pounded I went to the north side of the top to get out of the wind. After about an hour I heard some rocks roll behind me and 15 ewes with lambs popped out at 50 yards and then moved down. I followed them to keep an eye on them from above. While searching for them after moving I spotted a young 3/4 curl ram on a ridge at 250 yards below. I continued to follow the ewes down trying not to bump them at the same time closing the distance on the ram. He bedded down and I was able to get to the ridge he was on. It was about a 20 foot drop off the rim rock to get on the ridge so I was gonna have to go way down to side hill back up to the ridge. The ewes were feeding about 40 yards under me and with daylight fading I enjoyed the show and then cut across the face to not blow the ewes out and made my way down the mountain. Good Day 2! Can't wait to get back at it in the morning. Hoping the ewes are in a spot that the ewe hunter can get on them tomorrow. The big Rams are still down low but they are scattered with 3 here and 4 there in multiple directions. The one group of 14 were still together this afternoon right at the base of the mountain. Fingers crossed they move up soon!
Day #3 Update: Woke up late and my wife was making biscuits and gravy. Which I thought about all day. Couldn't wait for it to be done so I left for the mountain. Glassed for a few hours with nothing and then there they were. A bunch of ewes, then I seen the darker ram stretch his neck out and start chasing ewes. Packed up my stuff and I was on my way up the mountain. Got up there and the two Rams were just standing there as some of the ewes had bedded. Then the Rams went up the ridge and bedded right on a ledge. After watching them and having the ewes head off it was go time. A nice easy paced hike up the hill and I knew i was getting close. I came out to high and couldn't see the Rams. Then I came out touch to low. But from below I could see the spot where they bedded. Another adjustment and boom, there they were. About 50 yards still bedded and facing away. I moved another 5 yards and got a range on them of 45. At this point it was quiet on the mountain and even moving my foot an inch sounded loud to me. So I adjusted my pin to 45 and figured I would wait for them to stand up. A minute later the smaller ram stood up and stretched broadside. The big ram between 3/4 and 7/8 curl was still bedded. The smaller ram then turned his head and seen me. He just stood there staring. Then the big ram started to stand. I drew my bow and was moving my pin to him as he got to his feet. Before I could settle my pin the smaller ram spooked and there they went. So heart breaking and so exciting. My heart was thumping. Well no ram today, but I had my bow at full draw on a Bighorn Sheep!!! I would say today was a success. The group of big Rams was still down low at dark. Day #4 is tomorrow!
Day #4 Update: This morning started off with glassing from the truck at the overlook. Big group of sheep up on the face. Had a couple Rams in it and they were chasing ewes. Couldn't tell how big they were with my low end spotter (spend the money on a good spotter) so I just stayed put and kept watching. After a while the group moved up and dropped into Queens Canyon. Then I seen a couple good Rams down low and watched them for about an hour before losing them in the rocks. After a couple more hours and taking a break from the glass, I was back at it. It was a long hot afternoon that called for a nap. I woke from my nap and still no sheep anywhere. A while later and they were coming back out of the canyon. 30 or 40 made their way across the face. Knowing there was a couple Rams with them when I seen them last I made way up the mountain. Just as I came up the last switchback before the base of the face I looked to my left and seen sheep butts directly across from me right at the forest boundary. At first sight my heart thumped with anticipation of giant Rams. I pulled up my binos to see about 12 ewes. I immediately went from hunt mode to help mode. Knowing where these ewes where and that the ewe hunter was near by, this was the opportunity she had been needing. So I met up with her and we made a plan. Now like all hunting, these animals don't do what you want them to. There was two 5/8 curl Rams with these ewes and they were trying to mount them and pushed them up the hill slightly. They were still in an spot we could get to them so I ditched my pack (Kifaru...had to plug them) and my bow and we were off. We slowly worked or way in their direction. Taking our time and getting to know each other. The excitement was high and the anticipation of what could be loomed on both of us. We took prolly 45 minutes to cover 100 yards. We found ourselves 59 yards away with the sheep just above us. I looked at her and said just a couple steps at a time up the hill. She was on board and here we go. Step by step we closed the distance. Picked up some rocks, picked some flowers (dead ones) and we were at 46 yards. Then 40 yards was all that separated us. I said I think it's time to knock an arrow. With arrow nocked it was time for her to get in front. The sheep were watching us but were holding tight. As we got to within 38 there was a flat spot with a small pine just up in front of us. That was her spot to take a shot. As she made her way perfectly slow to her spot the sheep bunched tighter together. Then one of the Rams stretched his neck and checked a ewe and the group began to move off. Up and over the rise they went. My heart sank knowing that was probably it. I could tell she had the same thought running through her head. She asked if she should go up the hill as the desire was burning for an opportunity. After going down, around and getting my eyes on them as they moved higher I made way back to her and gave her the news. She smiled and said we'll leave them there and come back tomorrow. This is a pretty special lady I have learned. Her enthusiasm for the hunt is palatable. No matter what the outcome of this hunt is for us both, It's an honor to share this experience with her. As she said " we'll be back tomorrow"!
Day #5 Update: Got started glassing early this morning. I was having that feeling when I went to sleep that today might be the day. Pulled into my spot and grabbed my binos. Threw them up and quickly spotted sheep. Big group of ewes at the top with Rams chasing. Looked like the little guys but couldn't tell so I packed up and moved to a closer area. Confirmed small Rams but I was enjoying watching sheep be sheep. In my mind I'm sitting there thinking about how this reminds me of elk behavior. Small bulls chasing and harassing cows while mature bulls hang in the shadows and wait for the party to start and then come in and take over. At the same time I'm counting days left in the season and feeling like my dream is slowly slipping away. As I watched on the little guys were running these ewes death up and down the mountain relentlessly. Eventually they lost interest in the ladies and found it in themselves as they squared off and went to butting heads. After a bit I decided to go up the mountain. As I got up on the scar I could here a much heavy Pow coming from the canyon behind me. In short order I found the source of the sound echoing off the rocks. It was a couple big mature Rams doing battle. What a show they put on. Over and over and over they postured and slammed into each other. All day they stayed in a twenty yard circle and repeated there display of dominance. After a nap I spotted 3 ewes down low where the big Rams have been hanging out. I thought come on, this is what I need to draw the big boys up. Then I saw the Rams single file 7 of them heading to the ewes. The ewes were on the finger that leads up to me. I call it the stair way to heaven! Then the Rams were on it with necks extended and moving around as to say I'm here ladies. They circled and circled for over an hour. In the mean time a stormed crept in and started to sleet and blow and rain. I made my way to cover and old outhouse from the mining days. The water dripped in from the holes in the roof but it was better than the alternative. After the storm passed I made my way back to where I spent my day on a rock pile on the edge of the deep canyon. The ewes and Rams were no longer on the finger. I was hoping they were taking the stair way. About 40 minutes later I here rocks sliding in the canyon. My heart pounded in anticipation of heavy curls. Then here comes the ewes single file up the scree. As they got to the rim rock they peered down where they had came from. I knew the Rams were behind them slowly working there way up. More rocks sliding and I see movement. More ewes... No! No! No! That's not how I imagined it, but that was my reality. As I made my way down and started my journey home. There were the Rams all together getting ready for the night. I'll be back Rams. We will get to know each other soon!
Today is a Two Part Update...
Part 1 - Day #6 Update: Today I'm writing this from the top of the mountain. Watching the sun go down on another day and trying to take it all in. I have a bunch of sheep above me right now. A couple small Rams doing ram things while the ewes do ewe things. See, today is not like the other days. It's different. Started my morning ritual looking and searching with my eyes. Spotting ewes here and Rams there. Picking apart bluffs and ledges. Scouring over the open hillside in hopes of finding my prize. Hours passed and my eyes blurred with the heat waves. Time for a break and some grub. After grabbing a bite I was back at it. Finding the groups I had left before. After some time I made my way up the mountain to check some holes I can not see from down low. With sweat rolling down my back from the mid day heat I reached the top. Strapped on my release and I was off to check a spot were I had got on the four Rams last week. As I walk out on the edge of the an old quarry road to my right I glance down and spot some ewes with a half curl ram 70 yards below me. After checking for bigger Rams near by I continue on my way. Checking the drainage turned up nothing, so I was going to go back to my spot in the rocks where I spent yesterday. As I come over the hill and around the face I immediately see a big mature ram. His curls were dark and heavy. The nerves kicked in immediately. I took a few deep breathes devised my plan. He had three ewes bedded with him. I dropped my pack and started my way towards him. Few steps here a few steps there. Closing the distance. He stood up with his eyes on me. Nice and slow I told myself. A little closer and he bedded back down. Then the ewes seen me That I didn't see. They snapped to attention and brought him back to his feet. He didn't seem worried about me but the ewes were at attention. I eased closer now at 48 yards. He turned broadside and I flipped open my sight (Trophy Taker Option) and adjusted my mover pin to 48. Drew my bow and a ewe stepped in front of him. I let down and moved closer. Now I'm at 40 yards and he is behind the ewes and they are checking me out while he went back to feeding. I closed my fixed pins and took anther step. The ewes jockeyed forward and he was open with his butt facing me. He turned slowly to his right and was quartering away. I thought here it is Now this is where the fever kicked in. I drew my bow and my heart was pounding, my left leg was shaking. Yes folks I got ram fever bad! My pins went to the the brown and I squeezed the trigger. As the arrow zipped by the sheep spun and were gone. I knew I had missed! My heart sank in disappointment as I pulled my hat down over my face. I just missed a big old ram at 40 yards I said to myself. I didn't settle the pin. I jumped it, I blew it! I want to cry. This is not just a hunt to me. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Its big, I'm usually ice cold. Cold blooded I say. Today I was so far from cold blooded I don't even have words to explain it. The disappointment is real!
Part 2 - Day #6 Update: Tried to find my arrow. I came to the conclusion that I launched it into the canyon. I was sitting there writing my daily update sitting on the edge of the canyon typing and sulking. When I heard rocks falling in front of me. Knowing that the sheep were above me I looked up. I seen a ewe run down a red rock shelf with a ram on her. I pulled up my binos to look thinking it was the 5/8 curl ram again. It wasn't! It was a big curl ram trying to mount her. I grabbed my bow and knocked an arrow as they come off the edge and were running right at me. The ewe was zigging and zagging and the big ram was hot on her tail. I was thinking he was gonna run her right into me. At about 60 yards she hooked a right and ran into the canyon and he followed. I was snapped out of my funk with that action. I thought I needed to get up high to get my eyes on the group of ewes to see if there was another mature ram with them. As I made my way up to the rocks and the sun now set. Then the next opportunity presented its self. Another big ram came up from close by where I was just sitting writing my update. The hunt was on again. Down I went. As I rounded the bend I seen he was a big ram. As I got closer it looked like the same ram I missed a few hours earlier. I was shaking again and the leg was bouncing. Here we go. Arrow knocked and moving slowly I closed the distance. I didn't range him at this point. I was focused on closing distance and getting my mind right. I was in tight when I pulled up the range finder (I need a better one, mine is a Nikon 550. The eye cup is difficult to see out of. Looked thru my buddies during elk season and the eye relief was much better. Not sure the make). I was at 48 yards. He turns broadside looking up the mountain. I wanted closer after my last melt down. So I just eased along the canyon rim. Now with the next click of my soon to be replaced range finder I'm at 40 on the dot. This is it. I position my feet and hook onto my DLoop and breathe. The big ram is looking dead at me. I'm telling him to turn. He just looks off into the canyon. Then looks back at me. He repeats several times. Then I here the sliding of shale and I look off. Nothing so I look back to the ram. He is still focused below him. After several exchanges of him and me I here the shale again and as I look there is another 3/4 ram right below me with his neck stretched and making some guttural sounds as he angles up towards the rim. I thought about shooting him as he passed below but the ram at 40 I wanted. As the 3/4 disappeared behind a rock just below the toad I had in front of me I was waiting for him to pop out and get the big ram to turn. Just then the upper ram turned and I drew my bow. As I anchored he started slipping into the canyon. There was a big rock just off the edge. I thought they are behind the rock go. I moved fast thinking I'm gonna arrow him at 20 yards. I got there and slowed. Then I seen 3 ewes right below me. They spooked and ran across below me and out came the 3/4 running. Then another ram that I never seen that was behind the rock. Then the big ram trailed. They ran 70 or so yards down and stopped and looked back at me. The day was over but I was back. As devastated as I was hours before I feel good. 5 more days to hunt. Dan Evans has a sticker on his bow that says "Level, Settle, Aim". That's all I need to do. These sheep have me flustered. It's special and the moment is big and I let it get to me. Back to it in the morning. I'm gonna try to leave the nerves at home!
Day #7 Update: Alarm started going off at 5:12 am. Hit snooze multiple times. Didn't want to get up, but after yesterday I knew sheep would be moving and the anticipation of having Rams moving up was on my mind. Crawled off the couch and made a cup of coffee and took a short shower. I was ready to go. Drove straight to the overlook to start glassing. The big group of sheep were out on the face and now had some shooter Rams in it. They were moving uphill and I figured they were heading to bed in the canyon. No time to get on them before they dropped off the edge. Started looking up in the flats below and spotted the 4 Rams that were hanging low. They were still on the wrong side of the hog back. Cussed them a bit then swung the spotter to the canyon. Quickly picked up the white long johns of a sheep. Zoomed in and it was a ram in the red rock cliffs. This is good! Then seen another and another. Ended up being 5 Rams and a ewe. One ram was on the ewe harassing her on the ledge. After a few minutes Rams started funneling down. This was not good! I'm sitting there talking to them saying your going the wrong way. The ram that stayed up chased a ewe all over before I finally lost them. I then switched my attention up top to see the last sheep slip over the edge at the top. I then scoured over the scar again and then along the edge. Bam! There was a ram chasing ewe. It's the same ram I missed yesterday and he's right where I left him last night. He's got three ewes with him but one he was really interested in. A little while later they all bedded. With him in the scope I just kept an eye on them and started using my binos to look around periodically checking if he was still there. I didn't want to take my eyes off them. Then they got up and moved behind some rocks and i couldn't see them anymore. It's about 10:30 now and it's time to go up. I started up the trail and into the switch backs to reach the top. I can now see on the other side of the rocks the ram disappeared behind. First I seen the ewes and then the ram. They were still there. With no way to get to them I circled out and around to not push them out. I made my way up to the canyon rim by the rock pile I had been glassing from the last couple days. This is a good spot to get on this ram if he pops out like yesterday. Hours clicked by and no sheep to be found. Can't see the ram from where I'm at but my thoughts were he's still there bedded. Or at least I hoped he was. The sun was high and it was hot so I moved into the shade and laid down for a nap. When I woke up there was a single ewe about half way up. She fed and was my only entertainment all day. Not a single other sheep anywhere all day. As it started to get late in the day and the sun was setting I spotted sheep on the sky line. Then more and more. The big group was coming back out of the canyon. As they grouped up and fed I could see there was some good rams with them. I counted the days left in the season and said to myself, you never know until you try. Snatched up my bow and started heading up after this massive group. As I gained elevation and closed the distance to about 250 yards more sheep poured out of the canyon and pushed the group down the mountain. Now I have to turn tail and head down. While I'm doing this the ram from yesterday that was bedded all day and never came out. Now decides to, you guessed it...he came out with the three ewes. The ewe hunter was down low and watched them come out and was in progress of trying to fill her tag. I came around the quarry road and could see the ram looking away from me. He was locked on the ewe hunter. I closed the distance on him and now can see her slowly making her move on the sheep. I could not see the ewes at this point but I knew they were there. As much as I wanted to move in myself on the ram, it was her stalk. And she was getting in close. So immediately started to think about if the sheep spook and head up the hill then I will go knowing her limitation and try to get on them. About a minute later I see the ewes cross the drainage with the ram in tow and head up the hill. It's go time! I booked down the quarry road as I watched the sheep side hill. As I reached the hill they were just about to reach the top. I hit the cut that angles up towards them and started to climb. Needing to get up a bit if I had any hope of getting a shot. I ranged them at 46 yards. Took a few more steps up in hopes of a shot. The ewes crossed the top and went out of view. Then the ram came across. I ranged him again at 40 yards. This is it, I draw my bow as the big ram hesitated. My pin went to the ram as he turned quartering away. All I was thinking was settle the pin. As it settled I squeezed the trigger. The arrow flew true and smashed into the ram. He took off and was out of sight in a second. I turned around and knelt down saying to myself please, please let it be fatal. It looked a little back but he was quartering pretty good. The ewe hunter and her daughter were watching the whole thing, this was a huge relief and help. After waiting a bit I went down to just get away and fight the urge to go after him. As I came together with the ewe hunters daughter she said she watched the sheep drop into the hole below the red rock cliff. She said as he came off the hill the blood was spraying. Emotions were running high from all three of us. You could cut the tension with a knife. After giving him some time we started are way to where she had last seen him. As we all worked up the mountain and around the hill to the hole all I could think of is please be in the hole. As we approached out came the three ewes and up the cliff they went, but the ram wasn't with them. Again this is good. As we crept to the edge to peer down on the ram we quickly realized he was not in the hole. My heart sank. It was getting harder to see as light was fading fast at this point. We started up towards the saddle she had last seen him go over. Both of us looking up and down trying to spot this ram. As I walked a little higher I caught a glimpse of white thru the grass. As I moved closer it came into focus better and I could make out a hind quarter. Then I seen the curl and my walk sped up as I said he's right here! He was down! He never made it down in the hole. He just crested it and went down. As I came upon him I was in awe. He was massive. He was gorgeous. He was mine! It was over! I dropped my bow and came around to get my hands on him. As I grabbed his big thick curls I could feel the weight of his head. We did it! We harvested a Bighorn Sheep!!!
He was 6 years old and We rough taped him at 175"
What a HOG!!! And a wonderful story to go with it! Congrats on a hard, well earned Big Horn!
Outstanding man, congrats!!!!
Great story...Great ram...Huge congrats.
What a great Ram! And a great story too!! Congrats!
That was a great read, thanks for sharing and congrats.
Well done!! Did the ewe hunter ever connect?
Unfortunately the ewe hunter did not fill her tag. We worked in on a group on the Sunday and got a shot opportunity. The arrow sailed high and the sheep moved off. That was the last opportunity she got. Very heart breaking. She is an incredible lady with a passion for bowhunting. I made a friendship with her and her daughter that I hope will last a lifetime. Great people! I wanted to see her fill her tag as much as I wanted to fill my own.
That's a great pic of him on the hoof. I hadn't seen that one. Nice job bro!
GREAT ram and story!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Fantastic story. Congrats on a great animal, great adventure, and great new friends. Hard to say if it gets any better than that.
Great story and ram. Congrats!
Congratulations on a great ram and thanks for the story!
Great job and great story. Congrats!!!
Congratulations! A real beauty!!
Thanks for the story, that is a nice ram you got there.
Damn nice Ram!
Congrats
Good luck, Robb
Great ram and write-up. Congratulations.
Outstanding on all fronts.
Outstanding story, ram and photos. Congratulations. Ed F
Great trophy. Congrats. Nothing quiet like grabbing the bases of the bighorn ram that you just killed.