Bowsite.com

Due to illegal border crossings by both people looking for work and drug smugglers, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol actively patrol the wilderness area.

Management efforts in the area emphasize the preservation of Sonoran Desert ecosystem and an at risk desert bighorn sheep population. More recently, emphasis has been placed on the endangered Sonoran pronghorn. Their numbers in the U.S. crashed to approximately 20 individuals in 2002 but since have increased to well over 200 animals thanks to an active captive breeding program. During your visit, walk carefully among the cryptogamic soils and watch for desert bighorn sheep, Sonoran pronghorn, mule deer, rabbits, kangaroo rats, pocket gophers, and cactus wrens living among the chollas, creosote bushes, mesquite, ocotillo, and even the occasional elephant tree. Hot and dry, conditions at the refuge are ideal for the Saguaro forest and the many reptiles such as side-blotched lizards, desert horned lizards, Great Basin whiptails, and six species of rattlesnakes. Among these are the sidewinders, Mojave, and western diamondback rattlers.

Bordered by Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument to the south and east, and the Barry M. Goldwater Range to the west and north, the Wilderness Area offers brilliant night skies, unmatched desert scenery, and a deafening desert silence. Rare experiences include a walk on a prehistoric trail, a glimpse of an endangered Sonoran pronghorn sprinting across playa lakes, and the opportunity to see wildlife and desert fauna indicative of Southwest Arizona.

Across the southern half of the refuge runs an active 4-wheel-drive trail (a non-wilderness corridor), and the remains of El Camino del Diablo (The Devil's Highway), a trail first blazed in 1540. This infamous trail once connected Sonora, Mexico to California and now provides access to the Wilderness.

At the Refuge visitor center, you can sign the required military hold harmless agreement. The greatest obstacles to your safety include possible encounters with old mine shafts, unexploded military ordnance, illegal border activity, and a rugged, unforgiving landscape where summer temperatures routinely range above 105 degrees F during the day and remain above 90 degrees F at night between May and October. Water is scarce everywhere out here (as little as 3 inches of annual precipitation on the west side), even for the wildlife. Hikers will find no maintained trails. You must bring your own water, at least 1 to 1 ½ gallons per person per day on cool days of 100 degrees or lower. In addition, Cabeza Prieta shares 56 miles of border with Mexico. Illegal smuggling activities are common and visitors should take all necessary safety precautions. Illegal activities can occur anywhere within the refuge.

The best time to visit is during the winter months, especially following a wet year, by desert standards, when the desert wildflowers are in bloom. In the winter, carry extra clothing for cold nights. Dress in layers and be prepared for temperatures which may drop down into the 30 degree range. Lightweight rain gear and sturdy hiking shoes may add comfort to your trip during sudden thunderstorms or cross country hikes through cactus and cholla bajadas.

Now hurry up with the story!!!

Mark

After hiking 10 miles on day 1 we decided to top that with a trip into a long canyon that eventually became a basin. It was 2 miles to the head of the canyon in which we arrived at gray light. We again began glassing and Moving into the canyon much the same as the day before. It was 11 am and we hadn’t seen a single sheep, we all were scratching our heads like what the freak this canyon looks so promising. Again, we moved deeper into the canyon hoping to find a ram in a stalkable position or even just a sheep. This time the move was to a small knoll in the middle of the canyon about 1 mile from our last vantage point, it wasn’t 5 min later and Joe said I got a sheep!! It’s a big Ram !!! The ram had just come out of a cut and was feeding to the north around the ridge he was on, 5 min later he disappeared but we knew we should be able to hike farther into the canyon to get an angle on the canyon he went into. It took us about 20 min to get into position and we found him right away bedded in a spot where he could see the valley we were in, I knew it was going to be a major issue and challenge just getting to the base of the hills was bedded in. My plan was to move slowly directly toward him and try to get below him enough, so he couldn’t see me. I started moving and when I got to 300 yards, he nailed me and stood. I knelt and deployed my ultimate predator Sheep decoy and showed it to him to my surprise he stared at it and then bedded. I then had to move to his right about 200 yards at about 150 he nailed me again. I again showed the decoy and he again bedded. At this point he was facing away from me, so I made a quick move into the small wash that would lead me to the ridge I would climb. I again had a small saguaro as a reference I knew if I got to that saguaro that was above him I would have a 40-60 yard shot. I had finally made it to where he couldn’t see me and I began climbing the treterious Cabeza Mountains. I was thinking the entire time while climbing this ram is toast . Wind is perfect and I am now on solid granite rock that is super quiet to stalk on. When I was about 90 yards from reaching the saguaro I decided to take a 1 min break to catch my wind. That when it all when to hell. I heard the chopping of the wind at a distance of a helicopter and it was getting closer. It wasn’t 30 seconds later and that Homeland Security blue and white bird was flying 100 feet at 230 mph right over mine and the sheep’s head. That’s when it I got the call Abort , Abort , Abort the sheep is gone. Yes I was carrying a radio but it was only utilized for this type of situation , at no time was it used to help me to harvest a ram.

Mark

Scott

Congrats Steven. A dream come true. And thanks for takin' us all along on it.

Thanks for taking us along.

Congratulations on a great hunt.

Lenny

Great ram and story to boot!!

Mark