Stone down.
Contributors to this thread:Wild Sheep
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
After having a less than stellar 2016 season I was very optimistic for 2017. I probably began my training too early as I found one excuse after another to miss workouts and Cheat on my diet. But I got my finances in order, my mind right and shooting was spot-on, so I left home on the 26th of July, headed North!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
I arrived at Tuchodi Outfitters on the afternoon of the 28th, greeted by the entire crew as I was the first hunter into camp.
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Setteling into my cabin there were some names on the wall I recognized! I'd heard their tales and knew I was in the right place.
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
We rode out for spike camp on the 29th ( 3-days to find a Ram before season opener on the 1st!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
That afternoon, after setting up camp we climb up and glass, late we find 2 Rams one a shooter. We put them to bed. Next morning we're back up and can't find out guys so we hike the South end of the mountains, finding many ewes and lambs but no Rams. That evening we're back wee we spotted the Rams the previous day and we find them, another Ram has joined them, he's a border-line legal.
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Day 3, one day before opener, we decide to climb to North side of the range and look for a) the best way to access our targets and b) find other Rams perhaps in a better spot. We hiked up to the peak but a storm rolled in and pushed us down before we could hike it all. To make matters worse our Rams had pulled out. Plan was to move camp to the opposite side of the range in the morning. Even the "pack-dogs" were beat after today.
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Opening Day! Very little sleep last night! Both excitement and the noise of horses kept me up! Seems our wrangler (rookie) slept thru his alarm and the horses ran back to the camp, 4 hour ride. No moving today. While the wrangler was learning a valuable lesson we hiked up behind camp hoping to find our arms again. Was a horrible first day, zero Rams spotted and a lot of finger pointing! I was remaining optimistic but damn!
From: Cajunarcher
06-Aug-17
Keep it coming Tim!!
From: BOWUNTR
06-Aug-17
Outstanding... congrats. Ed F
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
The wrangler chased horses all day/night but we had them in camp, we were to get up early and move camp so we could hunt half day. We talked about the importance of this, I even used one of my back-up batteries to charge the wranglers phone so he could hear his alarm! I stressed to the guide he was in charge and needed to make sure the wrangler was up. Didn't work! All but 2 horses escaped during the night! My "dream-hunt" was starting out as a "nightmare"!! I was pissed and let both guide and wrangler know it, they were good kids but falling short, unacceptable! I went to fill my water and cool down, a quiet peace came over me and said "just hunt'" you got this!
From: kota-man
06-Aug-17
Good stuff...keep it coming. Congrats again.
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
With two horses in camp we decide to ride out on the far side of the drainages we were unable to glass due to weather coming in during scouting. We spot 2 Rams in one drainage but neither are legal, onward. We are now in a high meadow, zero trees or cover but it's not a spot you'd expect to find sheep. Bam Rams, lots of them 20 no 25! 600 yards above us looking down right at us! We jump off the horses and attempt to us them as cover for us. 2-3-4-5 maybe 6 legal Rams in the band!! Great but??
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
We lead the horses back down, trying to get ahead of the Rams. We tie them up and begin to climb. The valley fell and peak rose so what we thought was an hour climb, became 2! My lack of training wsnt an issue as I was running on adrenaline! At the peak we find no sheep! We either blew them out or they bet us and crossed above s we were climbing.
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
We begin walking/crawling out to edges, looking around. We crawl out on a ledge overlooking a nasty shale basin, not where you'd think arms would be and Bam there they are!!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
We get into position, as close as we can without being seen, comfortable enough for a shot! Carefully we glass, finding the largest Ram far right (better line of sight for us) at 84.5 yards (angle compensated). My effective range (in my mind)was 90 yards, so as soon as our target gets off his bed and clears the lesser Rams around him I'll take the shot!
From: Dennis Razza
06-Aug-17
Keep it coming!
From: Paul@thefort
06-Aug-17
"I'll take the shot"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Sun is out and we're out of the wind, its hot! One hour turns to two and nothing! Then our target Ram rises off his bed s does a lesser Ram, giving me no shot. My Ram steps away from the smaller one, getting further but another small Ram comes up behind him, still no shot. I'm hoping they don't move out on us. Finally my Ram is clear, I'm guessing 87 yards as I draw and settle my 90 pin low he turns to the left, quartering away. I pick a spot further back in front of his right hip and release! Time is standing still and as I watch the fight of the arrow, which seems to be taking forever, I loose it at the last moment. Rob, my guide, says you missed "over his back"! I'm heartbroken, but knock up and draw asking Rob to range, Rob isn't responding and my Ram is moving out of range, slowly. I look down fir the second best one when Robs says " He's bleeding"!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
By the time I look up my Ram has his legs going out from under him! He's down and rolling and rolling and rolling! He falls into a chute out of sight! I dive on Rob and take his back, sink my forearm under his chin! He taps!! I feel like Conor McGregor!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
We gather our gear and senses, the adrenaline rush hits me and I almost puke! I don't hike down to him, I seem to be floating!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
It sinks in! I'm a 3/4 slammer! This of all my hunts I had left would be my make or break if I was to finish my Slam! It's not over but light at the end of the tunnel is in view!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Top of the world!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Bigpizzaman is one lucky SoB!!
From: Willieboat
06-Aug-17
BAD ASS !!!!!! CONGRATS !!!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
He's 10 1/2 years old, rough tapped 158" gross and all mine! Jokingly I told Rod on day one I wanted a "light-colored Stone", as I was thinking he would be easier to spot! He's very light colored! Also took damage on the fall, knocked out a couple front teeth and tore his lip!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
The climb down was brutal, out water, sweating profusely! I had the full cape, head/horn, straps/tenders and one front quarter. Rob had the other three! Not too much weight but my lack of training showed! We make the horses and load our packs on them, walk 4 miles back to camp! Sleep was sound that night!
From: SBH
06-Aug-17
Awesome! Congrats.
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Down the mountain the next day, horses stirred up 2 hornets nests! I got 2 thrill rides and 6 stings to show for it! No worries though!
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Back at base there's a new name on the wall!!!
From: JW
06-Aug-17
Congrats BPM !!! Hell of an accomplishment! What specie is left for the slam?
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Next morning there is a glorious sunrise! I feel pretty good, content for a day, because Mountain Caribou is on the horizon!
From: Nick Muche
06-Aug-17
This is great man! Congrats again!!
From: longbeard
06-Aug-17
Great job Tim!! Congrats on a beautiful animal Can you give us a little in sight on the gear you were using?
From: midwest
06-Aug-17
Congrats again, BPM....thanks for sharing the story and pics!
Might want to have them correct that date on the wall....lol.
From: Dennis Razza
06-Aug-17
Way to go Tim. Hope you get that last 1/4 soon! Big congrats!!!
From: trkyslr
06-Aug-17
Very cool!!! Congrats
From: Jaquomo
06-Aug-17
Great job and great story! No doubt you'll get #4!
From: T.O.
06-Aug-17
Great trip thanks for sharing.
From: WV Mountaineer
06-Aug-17
Good stuff and congrats.
From: AZBUGLER
06-Aug-17
Awesome story! Congrats!
From: Brotsky
06-Aug-17
Awesome! Way to go BPM! Congrats on a great ram!
From: Ron Niziolek
06-Aug-17
Congrats Tim! Outstanding!
From: Shot
06-Aug-17
Awesome and congrats!
From: Bou'bound
06-Aug-17
excellent tim you earned him and the other two and you'll earn the fourth!
From: NvaGvUp
06-Aug-17
Great job!
Congrats!
From: BigOk
06-Aug-17
Congratulations to you,sir.
From: GhostBird
06-Aug-17
Congratulations... very nice.
From: Stekewood
06-Aug-17
Awesome Tim! Confgratulations.
From: TXHunter
06-Aug-17
Way to go!
From: Pigsticker
06-Aug-17
Excellent, way to go!
From: AZ~Rich
06-Aug-17
What a shot! Big congrats on the nice Stone. Desert must be the 4th.
From: Ned mobile
06-Aug-17
Congrats Tim!!! One heck of an accomplishment!!!!
From: iceman
06-Aug-17
Congrats again, my brotha.
From: Schism
06-Aug-17
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Shouldn't the date on the wall be 8-2-17?
From: Bigpizzaman
06-Aug-17
Thanks everyone!!!!! I'm still on cloud nine!!
From: Trial153
06-Aug-17
Congrats Tim, well done.
From: MathewsMan
06-Aug-17
Congrats Tim
From: drycreek
06-Aug-17
Congrats BPM !!! What started out bad, ended up good, can't beat a hunt like that !
From: Buffalo1
06-Aug-17
BPM- I'm proud of you and for you. What a story. Congrats on a great trophy ram!!
Get you finances back in order and complete the challenge.
From: Chief 419
06-Aug-17
Congrats Tim! Did you get a Mountain Caribou?
From: Bake
06-Aug-17
Congrats Tim!!
From: T Mac
06-Aug-17
Nice work Tim! Congrats on a fine ram!
From: Charlie Rehor
06-Aug-17
Good for you! Storytelling, The best part of Bowsite. C
From: Ace
06-Aug-17
Wow, what a great hunt and story, Big congrats! That's one hell of a shot.
From: painless
06-Aug-17
Nothing like a good successful sheep hunt. Congrats.
From: wild1
06-Aug-17
Congratulations! Well done!!
From: bigeasygator
06-Aug-17
Like I already said...hell yeah!!! Way to go Tim!!
From: t-roy
06-Aug-17
Congratulations on a great ram!
Free pizza all around?!
From: sticksender
06-Aug-17
Congrats Tim....real happy for you man. Stone with a bow is no easy task!
From: Marty
06-Aug-17
Awesome job! Way to stick with it, nice shot! Kevin
From: pav
06-Aug-17
Fantastic!
Congrats Tim!
From: hunt'n addict
06-Aug-17
t-Roy beat me to it...free pizza on the house!
Congratulations on you ram. Thanks for sharing.
From: JRABQ
06-Aug-17
Congrats on the amazing accomplishment!
From: INbowdude
06-Aug-17
Good on ya BPM! Outstanding story and great shooting!
From: deerhaven
06-Aug-17
Congratulations Tim! That's a beautiful ram. Glad it came together for you.
From: TD
06-Aug-17
Congrats Tim! I know 2016 was frustrating but....... it only takes a second to turn it all around. Gotta be in the game though to turn it..... ya pulled it off .
Thanks much for taking us along, great story.
From: uteangler
06-Aug-17
Congrats! Very very cool!
From: LWood
06-Aug-17
Congratulations, Tim. Good looking ram.
Lenny
From: Medicinemann
06-Aug-17
"I'd like to order a slice of pizza please....for toppings, just throw on some STONES SHEEP!" No topping will be better than that!! As Midwest and Schism mentioned, your calendar is a month ahead of schedule. Well done....but I'd have choked the guide out for telling you that you missed, when in fact you'd made a good shot!! Tell me that you cooked some tenderloins on a flat piece of rock that evening......better yet, tell me that you snuck a small bottle of Crown Royal into your backpack, so you could celebrate your success in style!! Too bad I wasn't there to calm down the horses for you....LMAO!!
From: IdyllwildArcher
06-Aug-17
Grats Tim! Great ram! Sounds like a great hunt too, despite the horses.
From: 'Ike' (Phone)
07-Aug-17
Love it, congrats BPM!
From: JCHB
07-Aug-17
Tim, please share your gear choice (specifically bow & equipment & arrows) that you used on your hunt. A fantastic result and epic hunt!!!!
JCHB
From: Russell
07-Aug-17
Congrats on a great hunt!
Thanks for sharing your adventure.
From: BULELK1
07-Aug-17
Ram!tastic
Very nice
Congrats
Good luck, Robb
From: huntinelk
07-Aug-17
Congrats, great ram. Good luck on #4.
From: Southern draw
07-Aug-17
Congrats, thank you for sharing.
From: venison
07-Aug-17
Very nice B.P.M. !
From: Smtn10PT
07-Aug-17
Congrats on your Ram!
From: PAstringking
07-Aug-17
Congrats again buddy. The end is in sight
From: Zebrakiller
07-Aug-17
nice congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Drahthaar
07-Aug-17
Awesome, thanks for taking us along. Forrest
From: Beav
07-Aug-17
Congrats BPM!! Thanks for sharing the adventure!
From: Paul@thefort
07-Aug-17
Tim. You know, killing that Stone is ok, but getting your name on the cabin wall, now that is the true trophy. :)
"I see blood, he is bleeding" says the guide!" Good going Tim and good luck on your next adventure.
My best, Paul
From: Fulldraw1972
07-Aug-17
Great job on a great ram! Congrats!
From: iceman
07-Aug-17
Ya think you were a little excited?!?! You wrote the wrong date on the wall. lol
From: elkmtngear
07-Aug-17
Beautiful Ram, that's a long poke...nicely done, Sir!
Best of Luck, Jeff
From: njbuck
07-Aug-17
Tim, a HUGE congrats on an amazing stone sheep, a hunt that few can even dream about let alone experience. Best of luck with the rest of the super slam now that the light is at the end of the tunnel and thanks for taking us along on your adventures.
From: Bliz6
07-Aug-17
Congrats Tim! Great ram!!
From: Mad Trapper
07-Aug-17
Way to go Tim!!!!! Your hunt brings back a lot of memories. Now for the time when you can hold up all four fingers! I hope to be able to do the same some day.
From: Zackman
07-Aug-17
Congrats Tim! Amazing ram
From: Z Barebow
07-Aug-17
Congrats! You definitely were absorbing hunt. I know I have lost track of the day of the week. Never lost track of which month it was! LOL!
From: DEMO-Bowhunter
07-Aug-17
Congrats again Tim!!
Is September free pizza month? Lol!
From: Heat
07-Aug-17
Awesome Hunt Tim! Thanks for sharing man, great stuff!
From: smarba
07-Aug-17
Congrats and well deserved Tim!
From: Jason Stafford
07-Aug-17
Congratulation Tim.
From: Redheadtwo
07-Aug-17
Congrats on your kill and having one to go on the Slam! As a side note-must be nice to be privileged.
From: OFFHNTN
07-Aug-17
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS BPM!!! So freaking cool.......and I'm so freaking jealous........but in a good way!!! When is the the last sheep hunt happening?! Desert?
From: kota-man
07-Aug-17
Tim already has a Desert...Gotta be dall or bighorn. I think Bighorn has been his nemesis. :)
From: SteveB
07-Aug-17
Congratulations Tim!! Happy for you sir, and glad you shared it with us! I'm not sure how I would have reacted to the way it started though. What a mess, but glad it worked out. I'm more anxious to hear how the outfitter reacted to this behavior?
From: Mike Ukrainetz
07-Aug-17
Congrats Tim! The wrangler might be in for a rough season if he has to rely on his phone alarm to wake up! Needs an old school wind up one and strap it to his head before bed!!
From: iceman
07-Aug-17
he has a dall already. Just bighorn left.
From: Bigwilly831
07-Aug-17
Congrats, Tim.
From: geoffp
07-Aug-17
Congrats! Awesome ram and HUGE accomplishment! (to put it lightly)
From: OFFHNTN
07-Aug-17
Kota - Didn't he get his Bighorn in Canmore about 5 years ago?
From: iceman
07-Aug-17
OFFHTN, Read my post above. No BH yet, but he'll get it. :)
From: expeditiontraders
07-Aug-17
Well done! The good guys get one every now and then. One more to go!
From: Earltex
08-Aug-17
Dang Tim, you did it! Beautiful ram. Loved the part where you said... I went to fill my water and cool down, a quiet peace came over me and said "just hunt'" you got this! That's what I call getting your mind right and closing the deal. Well done.
From: OFFHNTN
08-Aug-17
iceman/kota, you guys are correct. I think it was Busta'Ribs I was thinking of! Congrats again Tim!
From: Rocking R
08-Aug-17
Congratulations. Awesome accomplishment! Good luck finishing the slam. I'm sure you'll get it done. Thanks for letting us follow along.
From: kota-man
08-Aug-17
Bustas hunt was the first one I thought of when you mentioned that John. Tim has hunted Bighorns, but they have truly been his nemesis. Hopefully, that will end soon!
From: Grubby
08-Aug-17
Congratulations!!! I'm sure glad he spotted the blood!!!
From: JM
08-Aug-17
Congratulations Tim!!! Great shot! Stone sheep are my favorite animal, hope to get to hunt them again some day. John
From: Bigpizzaman
08-Aug-17
From: TREESTANDWOLF
08-Aug-17
Big Pizza is killin it!
Literally.
Great job Tim
From: Habitat for Wildlife
08-Aug-17
Congratulations and great story-telling!
From: deerslayer
08-Aug-17
Great job Tim, and awesome shot!!! Way to go!
From: Shug
08-Aug-17
Tim.. great story great ram ... congratulations
From: Bowboy
08-Aug-17
Congrats Tim thanks for sharing.
From: JohnB
09-Aug-17
And to think I shared a beer with you at the meet and greet, congrats and thanks for sharing this story!
From: Hawkeye
09-Aug-17
Well done Tim!! You always get it done. Congrats buddy:)
From: Medicinemann
09-Aug-17
Just got an Inreach msg at 0100 hrs this AM that another Bowsiter JUST killed a Stone's ram......I'll wait for him to share the news....
From: bigeasygator
09-Aug-17
Like I just said on another thread, it's been a helluva year for archery sheep hunters!! Hope that the good fortune carries over into goat season for some of us!!
From: Lucas
09-Aug-17
Congratulations!
From: Nick Muche
09-Aug-17
Excited to see that one Jake, he earned it!
From: Bigpizzaman
09-Aug-17
Yes more great news!! He did earn it! Thanks everyone again. I need a Bighorn to finish my slam and although I killed one he ultimately ended up in the Fraser River not to be seen again. So this December I'm hoping to finish my Sheep Slam in Colorado, instead of the"Lucky Horseshoe" I'm bringing a lucky "Cajun Archer"! Hope to share some good news with you guys in the near future! My set-up (some asked here) is 2-Elite Impulse 34" Bows, both pulling 72#'s, Easton "Da'Torche" 400 arrows, Grimm Reaper 4-blade Pro-series broadheads, Spott-Hogg 7-pin sites (first pin at 20 and I gap 70-90 on last pin, also have a small mark on wire for 100-110-120) and TightSpot 5 arrow quiver.
From: OldnGrumpy
09-Aug-17
Bigpizzaman does get lucky, but he works hard "to get lucky" Congrats and well done Tim. Dozier
From: petedrummond
09-Aug-17
He walks the walk.
From: Ambush
09-Aug-17
Even when so many things seem to be going against you, it can turn just like that!!
Congratulations on a great, great trophy.
New Pizza coming to the menu? Tuchodi Deluxe with extra aged ram topping.
From: Bigpizzaman
10-Aug-17
I wish I had my meat to make a pizza with, logistics now make it almost impossible to bring it home!!!
From: Genesis
10-Aug-17
Congrats Tim!!! Fantastic!!!
From: Ned mobile
10-Aug-17
Just heard of another archery stone down. Jeepers what a year.
From: Ned mobile
10-Aug-17
And the golden shoe helped with this one!!!!!
From: Jasper
18-Aug-17
BPM, huge congrats on a beautiful Stone! Always love your stories!
From: Kurt
18-Aug-17
Congratulations! Great Stone!
From: APauls
18-Aug-17
VERY NICE! Congrats are in order. All the best through fall and into December!
From: TTodd72
18-Aug-17
Here's the one that the Golden Horseshoe helped me out with.
From: Chief
19-Aug-17
Beautiful ram TTodd72. Great horns and terrific coloration.
From: bigeasygator
19-Aug-17
Man, what a year for archery sheep!! Congrats Travis!!
If I recall, seems like the Golden Horseshoe has been on a pretty solid run too! Curious to find out where it heads next!!
From: Kurt
19-Aug-17
Great Stone! Beautiful coloration and a dandy ram! +38"?
From: TTodd72
19-Aug-17
The Golden Horseshoe is headed grizzly hunting with another bowsiter. I think they are headed out today
From: sticksender
19-Aug-17
Wow, beautiful ram, congrats Travis!
From: Zackman
19-Aug-17
Congrats Travis! Great stone
From: iceman
19-Aug-17
Congrats Travis!
From: Dennis Razza
19-Aug-17
Congrats. Beautiful color!
From: Mark Watkins
20-Aug-17
Congrats Tim and Travis......great Stone Rams for sure!!!
Beauties!!!
Mark
From: writer
20-Aug-17
Great story, and thanks for sharing. A friend arrowed a nice ram in Colorado recently. He's a BSiter, but it's his sheep, his story.
