Kirk
Kirk
That's always a good place to start. Also it's a great way to open a rapport with the Terrestrial Biologist.
Thank for the support. That is what we come here for. When I reply to a post, I try to help the person on the other end plus anyone else that comes across this thread. Being that I am 52 year old; I have helped many to reach their goal. This alone has helped me to be successful. The post from TRACKMAN is uncalled for. Trackman look at my SCI entries and call me.
Kirk
Sent you a PM.
On your next scouting trip stop at the top of Berthoud pass and hike up to the top of the ridge. You can follow the ridge and see sheep along the entire length. Early in the morning is best as they are up and feeding, not bedded in the rocks yet. They are gregarious so you will see them throughout the day, mostly early and late though.
You can find sheep trails going up above timberline. Sometimes the sheep will bed in the trees. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions about the unit.
I'm surprised you didn't see any sheep or only a few rams close to the roads. DON"T BE TEMPTED BY THE ROADSIDE SHEEP...but that's another thread!
Do you have good optics?
Did you spend at least an hour glassing from each spot?
Did you hike up high in the dark and glass from first light to sundown? If you started hiking up at dawn and down before dark you missed the sheep.
If you spent the 4th of July weekend up there I bet you saw tons of hikers and weekend warriors. The sheep headed for the trees to avoid them and the heat.
Try glassing across I-70 not from the same side you are hiking up.
trackman must have edited his post I didn't see nothing wrong with it??? He's 100% spot on if you want to kill a sheep or at least see a bunch call Mark. If you want a nice Colroado vaction hiking around with your bow go it alone.
Sandbrew
PS
Here's a tip......
Arvada Residents Convicted Of Wildlife Crimes
DENVER, Colo. — Two Arvada men have been fined more than $35,000 after their conviction on multiple charges for the poaching of a trophy bighorn ram above Georgetown in 2008.
Henry Butler, Jr., age 57, and his son, Brandon Butler, age 30, were sentenced two weeks ago in the 5th Judicial District Court in Georgetown for illegally killing the ram on September 28, 2008. In addition to their sentences, they face a lengthy suspension of their right to hunt and fish in most of the United States.
The case resulted from a tip called in by a hunter who was scouting the area for a later hunt.
“Bighorn sheep are Colorado’s state animal and a cherished part of our wildlife heritage,” said Area Wildlife Manager Reid DeWalt, who supervised the case. “We rely on the public to stand up for Colorado’s wildlife when they see people abusing it.” Bighorn sheep licenses are so highly prized that hunters can wait decades to successfully draw a tag. Ironically, Brandon Butler did have a valid sheep tag that would have allowed him to legally harvest the trophy ram.
After receiving the phone tip, DOW investigators responded quickly to an area north of Empire along the continental divide off Breckenridge Peak. There, they observed the Butlers walking away from the kill site above tree-line, one with a bighorn sheep head strapped to the top of a backpack, the other carrying a rifle. Later that night, officers encountered the two men on an ATV, but without the rifle or the ram’s head in their possession. Investigators subsequently discovered that both items had been placed in a truck parked near the Empire dump.
Under questioning, the men admitted that Henry Butler, 57, had illegally shot the ram just below Breckenridge Peak after Brandon, having tired of a difficult and challenging hunt used a cell phone to illegally guide his father to a position where he could see the band of sheep. The elder Butler did not care to see the tag “wasted” by remaining unfilled.
“Poachers are criminals,” said Steve Yamashita, DOW’s Northeast Regional Manager. “They give true sportsmen and women a bad name.”
Hunting licenses are not transferrable in Colorado; only the license holder may legally harvest an animal. In addition, meat from the animal must be cared for and brought out of the field for consumption. It is a felony in Colorado to kill an animal and only take the trophy parts from the carcass.
Henry Butler fought the charges, but in April was convicted at trial on a felony charge of willful destruction of wildlife. He was also convicted on misdemeanor charges of hunting without a license, illegal possession of wildlife, transfer of a license, waste of wildlife and the use of electronic equipment in the commission of a wildlife crime.
Butler was sentenced to a 90 days suspended jail sentence, fined more than $8,500 and assessed a $25,000 “Samson surcharge” for killing a trophy-class big game animal.
Brandon Butler accepted a plea bargain resulting in his conviction on illegal transfer of a license, illegal possession of wildlife and waste of wildlife. In addition to the fines, he agreed to make a $2,000 charitable contribution and to the forfeiture of a rifle and ATV.
Later this year, DOW will recommend that the Colorado Wildlife Commission impose lengthy suspensions of the Butlers’ right to hunt and fish in Colorado and the 33 other states who participate in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
You sure have changed over the years. Why would you even post any of that as a tip other than your first couple paragraphs. The guy wanted help in a unit many of us know well; and as you well know, is made for the DIY type of guy. It's not like he's hunting the Sangres. Instead he gets a rash of "Get a Guide".
Think about it, he's a NR who beat the odds and drew. It was his first time in the unit and he was looking in all the wrong areas based on logical thinking. At least he knows he drew a great tag and showed some commitment by coming out from CA for his first round of scouting and struck out. Sounds like the guy has the means for a guided hunt but would rather do it his way. I guarentee you he won't step in the unit again and not see sheep.
This forum has changed so much over the years. Sheep and goats were the one thing we could all help out with since we never seem to draw tags. My how times have changed.
Keep this thread going KW, and nevermind the BS. I hope to see you with a big mountain in the back, with a Ram in hand.
I hope I haven't changed that much...
I thought the article would be a good read. I was specifically refering to this part of the article as far a tip
"area north of Empire along the continental divide off Breckenridge Peak"
and
"had illegally shot the ram just below Breckenridge Peak"
I can't hold the guys hand and show him where to go and how to hunt S32. ;-)
I was just asking some questions and getting a feel for how he had scouted. His methods and level of sheep spotting ability are important. What fun would this thread be if I said drive to XYZ park hike 900 yards at south take left at the fifth tree. Hike 750 yards and hide in the pile of rocks wait until a 3/4 curl walks by pick spot release.....
I never said "Get a guide"
All I said was "trackman must have edited his post I didn't see nothing wrong with it??? He's 100% spot on if you want to kill a sheep or at least see a bunch call Mark. If you want a nice Colroado vaction hiking around with your bow go it alone."
I think he stands a much better than average chance of killing a ram if he hires a guide.
Does he need to? No Does he have to? no.
If he was me and I was from out of state with this tag in my pocket, with enough money to do so I would hire a guide.
These tags are to few and far between to not do everything possible to maximize the experience. If that is going on a DIY hunt for him great. People often say it's all about the experience. I think most people want to harvest ram as well as experience the thrill of the hunt.
Sandbrew
Most sheep guys don't feel like giving away a ton of information that they busted their ass getting...put in your time if you are going DIY and when your hunt is over, see if you feel like giving away every secret thing you learned to anyone who asks...
Most sheep guys don't feel like giving away a ton of information that they busted their ass getting...put in your time if you are going DIY and when your hunt is over, see if you feel like giving away every secret thing you learned to anyone who asks...
KW...keep digging and you'll get all the info you need. Best of luck.
"For those of you whom have ever drawn a Colorado Sheep tag, you realize that this is where it all begins. My hunt started clear back in May after receiving the news that I had drawn. From there, it was a crash course in bowhunting sheep - learning everything I could before my hunt. I attended the Sheep and Goat orientation, met some other hunters and talked to the DOW for my unit (S12). I also utilized Bowsite.com's sheep conference, asking questions and meeting others whom had drawn tags and hunted the region. Next came scouting - getting familiar with my area. I spent nearly every summer weekend in driving, hiking, talking to folks, and most important; glassing for sheep. It was on one of these weekends that I met Gordon Roberts, a rifle sheep hunter who had waited 20 years for his sheep tag. Most weekends we scouted together, and on the odd weekend where one of us could not make it, we'd keep each other informed on what the other had learned. By opening weekend, I had a pretty good plan".
And the last sentence from the article: "Bowhunting draws some real quality individuals, and it seems that sheep hunting elevates that. I met some real helpful individuals and quality folks and someday hope to return the favor".
KW, I hope by now you have received many PM's and your next scouting trip will be filled with sheep sightings, best of luck. I too want to see that picture of the mountain in the background of you and your Ram.
btw, MO (Godon Roberts is stil helping folks who have drawn a S12 tag. Check out that thread on the sheep forum)
KW, I don't know if they recorded the orientation this year, but I've got a call in and will PM you a contact if they did. good luck!
Any confirmation or pics yet?
Sandbrew
Kirk
There was another outstand person that helped me in achieving my success. Everyone can help in different ways. I will not get in to details, but Cazador as you know him was very pivotal in the way we went about the hunt. He shared his skill in hunting and some of his knowledge of the sheep woods. I will just say that any of you that can befriend Cazador, do so. He is the most honorable person I have ever met. I hope I am a good enough of a person to keep him as a friend for the rest of my life.
There were also some other hunters that gave me advise. They also need to be thanked. I talked to some on the phone, some though PM, and others in this forum. I just want to say thank you to all concerned. I will be here for the next group of hunters trying to take on this challenge. This forum and advice given by other successful hunters is in no way meant to take away from a good quality guide service.
Thank you to all
Kirk
Great looking ram!
2 down in 32 first season.....Nice job!
Sanbdrew
Congrats again!
Sandbrew
pm me if you need my #
winner
Good Job! It was your resolve and openness to try something out of your comfort zone that led to your success. I would say that the help you received is simply good Karma for all of the Bowhunters you and your Father have helped over the years. There are many of us that would not be where we are today without your efforts to advance our sport.
Now we just have to finish what we started in New Zealand.
Best of luck to everyone this season, Nate Sisam
winner
The scouting report is on its way. I will call you this week. Nate and I hunted New Zealand early this year. We did a DIY hunt in the back country in May. Nate had taken a real nice Bull Tahr the year before. Last may I took a very small bull Tahr (very small). We also hunted Chamois and learned a lot. We are going back but have not worked out the details. Nate and I will be right here if anyone wants to talk to us about any of our hunts past or present. Best way to contact me is to call. The phone numbers are out there so just call.
Thanks guys
Kirk Westervelt
Nice Ram and thanks for the advice that you gave me over the phone this morning. It is always good to know a few new things as well and knowing that some of the things we are doing are right. Lets keep in touch and again, thanks for the information!
Brett
- Dan
