I've been applying for a sheep tag since the points system came out in WY. I was a resident for quite a few years since I was military person. I missed one year when I was stationed in Korea. We had an unexpected exercise get prolonged, and I missed the deadline. I was one point shy of max.
I've been trying to draw the 3 hardest areas in the state, but so is everyone else, and with being one shy of max, it wasn't going to happen anytime soon. I'd stayed have a non-resident I would have probably drawn one of those units who know's.
I finally decided to throw my name in the hat for one of the other areas. With my points it was pretty well a given I'd draw. Also I'm not getting any younger!
The draw results came out and I drew an Area 5 tag. I chose this area because it has a lot sheep, and as you all know than means more opportunities. A lot of folks stated it was a difficult area to bow hunt since it's so open, but I knew a few folks who hunted it and were successful.
I called a good friend and he's helped a lot people rifle hunt this area many times. He also took a ram himself with a bow. Also this is a 6.5hr trip from my home to the area one way.
You have to go through the big metropolis of Meeteetse WY Population 327. In native american language it means "Meeting Place". I think a lot of the Chiefs use to meet there back in the day in this area.
Also there is a really good chocolate store that is suppose to have the best chocolate in WY.
You have to go through the big metropolis of Meeteetse WY Population 327. In native american language it means "Meeting Place". I think a lot of the Chiefs use to meet there back in the day in this area.
Also there is a really good chocolate store that is suppose to have the best chocolate in WY.
One day I went up on this old two track up on a mountain and hiked about 2 miles back in to glass. A big storm was coming in from the west with rain and thunder boomers.
I ran back to the ATV and it started hailing it was barren ground and I had no place to hide. I hide on the opposite side of my ATV but that didn't help much. It hailed for at least 45 minutes. Now that was fun not!
Here's some more mountain pictures and a selfie.
You can get there by truck 4x4 or ATV. Yiu have to cross quite a few creeks. The buildings are still there. Here's some pictures.
Bowboy's Link
I had all my plans in place and was going to go up the 13th of August and do some scouting since the season started the 15th. About a week and half prior to leaving my plans fell apart. The friend had a bad knee and the doctor didn't want him hiking those hills. The other energetic guy is self employed and had some work deadlines he had to meet and could only go for 3 days tops. I was stressing to say the least!
I don't mind hunting by myself but this is big country and you can easily get hurt or maybe even mauled by the big furry critters in the area. My wife might like that since I have lot's of life insurance!
I had received quite a few Outfitter Brochures and I'm not against using an outfitter. Sheep hunts are not easy to come buy unless your filthy rich and can buy auction tags every year. I called a few friends and they knew some of the outfitters. They gave me some suggestions who to use and knows bowhunting. I called the first outfitters and he was already booked. He recommended Shoshone Lodge Outfitters Josh Martoglio. He stated this guy it hardcore. I figured he was booked but called anyway. He stated his brother was taking a bowhunter in another area, but he would be available. I didn't hesitate and booked.
He told me he had 21 Rifle Hunters already booked for the season.
Hope my butt doesn't get saddle sore!
We ride up a mountain top and get to a good spot where we can glass. We see elk and Josh spots some rams way across a canyon. He has up believable spotting ability. We also spot a big old bull elk that Josh stated he'll got 380 or better. He's in an easy place for a stalk but were sheep hunting.
The fog behind us breaks and Josh spots five rams bedded underneath an over hang. He puts the scope on them and I take a looked and a picture. He stated there's two good rams.
We devise a plan and ride up through a draw. Once on top we tie up the stock and get in a spot we can get a better look at the rams.
Bill v
We just get up and go other direction back to the stock. When we get back Josh tells me to go up the ridge finger above the and hide behind this big rock since their headed that way. Josh tells me he's going to expose himself and most likely they'll come my way.
It's nice and sunny at the moment so I hustle up the ridge finger. I see Josh walk and he signals there headed my way. I range some rocks and only have to shoot maybe 30yds.
About 40 minutes later Josh signals me to come down. I get to the bottom and he states the rams have bedded.
We walk back to the stock and eat something and about 30 minutes later the rams come by my rock at about 25yds. Go figure! ] Day one in the books since it's getting dark and raining. We head back to camp!
We get up in the opposite basin and spot them feeding. We ride up to the other end and on top. We spot 12 rams in one bunch to the west of the feeding rams. One is a true bomber ram in the high 170's. Their all bedded in the open in a 360 and can see every direction. Josh tells me to go on the back side of the ridge rock finger and stay out of sight and see if I can get close to them.
It takes me about 45 minutes but there is no way I can to get near them. The closest I get is 200yds. They finally see me and go over the hill. Into the next basin.
Josh signals to me that the 5 feeding rams are still in the same place and some have bedded.
Our plan is for me to move around and stay above them all day and hopefully they'll feed up.
He get's within 80yds of them and they pay no attention to him. Go figure!
I hide behind this little rock and Josh signals there right below me. I still can't see them. He signals the smallest ram is in the lead.
Josh states there straight below me and closer. I slowly creep toward a little rise were I might be able to see them. I all of a sudden I see the back of a ram with his head down feeding. I'm in the wide open but on my knees. The ram steps out and I range his at 33yds. For some reason I don't seem nervous but calm. I come to full draw and I hold the single pin in the sweet spot and the release goes off!
Also it was the biggest ram in the bunch maybe a mid 160 ram or better.
I see the rams come out the bottom of a draw. I go looked but there is not need I cleanly missed a give shot!
I walk down the hill and just was not happy! Day two in the books!
I relayed that shot a million times over and have no one to blame but myself! It was a rough night.
Josh talked to his girlfriend on the satellite phone and said don't feel to bad she missed an antelope.
I met one of the Martoglio boys when I was hunting elk up north of Cody. Would not hesitate to call them with a sheep tag in my pocket.
Josh gives the mule I'd been riding a day of rest. He saddles up a horse named Buck.
We ride out and head in the opposite direction from camp in a new drainage. Josh will take his stock most places I wouldn't go by myself.
We get in this basin and spot some rams bedded across from us. Josh has me work toward them but they somehow see me and go over the other side of the mountain.
We ride and bushwhack a trail with lots of deadfall. We glass and see some sheep but there mainly small rams, ewes with lambs. It's starts getting dark and so we head back.
Day three in the books!
Josh says let's got back to where we were yesterday. He stated there's always rams there.
We get there and spot some about 8 rams headed up this nasty rocky draw to bed. It's kind of breezy.
We have to cross this steep rocky area and Josh states we'll need to walk the horses across this little rocky narrow draw. We get on the other side and Josh states get back on. I put one foot in the stirrup and Buck my horse goes rodeo. He jumps down into the draw bucking all the way with my bow in the scabbard. We here something like a bow crashing in the rocks. I'm thinking or crap my sights and strings. We run down the hill and Buck is just standing there like nothing happen. Thank god my bow is fine. I ask Josh what he stated Buck just didn't like something and took off bucking.
We ride around to the back side and tie up the stock it's about 12:30 and I'm starving. I walk halfway up the rocky ridge and tell Josh I'm stopping to eat something.
He states I'll just walk up a little ways and see if I can if we can find a place to get on these rams.
I walk up the hill and Josh signals me over to him. He states lets go down this rock slide and and peek over. We get to this one spot where we can see in the draw and Josh whispers ram draw. I come to full draw and these rams step out and there all bunched up Josh says shoot one. Their about 48yds away but I know I can't shoot because I'll hit two. They take off!
About 10 seconds later off to are right a single ram comes out and stands at 54yds. Josh says shoot. I come to full draw but the wind is blowing so hard up the little chute I can't keep the pin in the vitals and will make a bad hit so I let down.
Josh says why didn't you shoot him. I told him not a good shot situation. I practice in the wind a lot but this wasn't a good shot period!
He tells me to go down to where buck did his rodeo and wait there. I find a place to hide out of sight and range some rocks. Only have to shoot about 39yds.
I'm sitting there and it's only been about 30 minutes or so and I here josh coming with the stock. He states the ram went on the other side of the other ridge. Josh crawls up this little hill and there is kind of a bench. He signals the ram is headed back the way we came and run up the hill. I'm moved up the hill and Josh comes up behind me and says run. We get to the top on the north side of the bench and the ram is slowing walking he's 51yds. He see us and runs toward the north. He can't go up the rock face it's to steep. We run to this little spot and he stops broadside in the open Josh whispers the range 72yds. Where both breathing hard I relax come to full draw settle the pin and the and the release goes off. Josh states you drilled him. When the rams bolts and goes over into the draw on the opposite side I see pink stuff. I hit him just a little farther back, but It's definitely a killing shot!
We get back to camp about 9:30pm eat and go to bed.
Day four is over!
Josh has me hold the stock and goes up the hill to glass. I tie up the stock and he tells me he needs his spotting scope. He goes back up above me and I have no idea where he's looking. About 5 minutes later he comes down with a disgusted look on his face.
I ask is he still there he looks at the ground not making eye contact with me. I'm thinking or crap. He smiles and states let's go get your ram. Josh states he never made it past those little trees.
It was an awesome feeling to know I'd just achieved a goal of mine to take a sheep with a bow.
What's funny is the ram die right on the same trail we rode out on the day before.
We take the pictures cape and quarter him out and are back at camp by 10:30am.
Here's some pictures.
PS: I was on a hunters high and couldn't nap unlike Josh!
For inquiry minds my ram grosses 164 1/8 and nets 162 7/8.
I couldn't be happier on the outcome of this awesome hunt.
Scott
I forgot to add my ram was aged by Josh at 10.5 but the WY G&F aged him at 9.5.
Any idea on his age? He looks old, 9 or 10?
I love that are and was lucky enough to hunt elk there twice and been to the chocolate shop!
Likely I will never get back there since I will not save enough elk points and I am applying to lesser sheep units.
Again congratulations!
Thanks for taking the time to share with us all.
What a Ram!
Good luck, Robb
