Lv2hnt

Robt: Always good to hear about young people getting involved in conservation projects --- I'm sure you encourage them! Kudos to all involved ...

21 points finally delivered a desert sheep tag my way! 40B (Gila Mtns) --- can you say "STOKED?"

Yep, I realize I’m tardy on reporting back in on my desert sheep hunt from December (life goes on apart from hunting)... I spent 5 consecutive weeks (the entire hunt) camped in my unit, plus many days scouting during the prior months. Approximately 125 total sheep in 125 sq. mi. made for a real challenge (note: the 125 sq. mi. number is horizontal & doesn’t figure in the vertical aspects of the unit!). Maybe 6-8 “shooter” ram among those 125 sheep. My targeted #1 ram was spotted the first few days of the hunt in the company of 3 other rams --- the problem was they were about 500 feet below the tallest mountain (3,200 ft. elevation). Spent several days glassing hoping to find them in a somewhat accessible spot --- never happened. Went after 1 ram who topped a saddle, hoping he might have bedded down or joined up with other rams --- never caught up with him, but saw fresh hoof prints of several sheep going U-P! Finally determined ram #1 was unhuntable for me (just too dangerous – STEEP and loose, noisy rock). Glassed up rams (non-shooters) the first couple weeks, plus 1 NICE ram that eluded us. Also glassed up a few ewes each day. December 15 was a day I’ll definitely remember. A band of 5 rams (1 shooter) was f-i-n-a-l-l-y spotted, bedded and stalkable. Closed the distance to 300 yards and waited for a ½ hour. Largest ram finally stood up broadside. In my crosshairs, safety off, finger on trigger --- I just couldn’t send a round downrange. Largest ram ever taken from my unit measured 168 5/8. My goal going into the hunt was to take a 165 in. ram. The ram in my sights, although a mature ram, was short of that number – plus I just didn’t feel he was “the one” I wanted to look at on my wall for the next 20 years. The ram walked out of sight (never knew I was there). My congrats go out again to David S. (the other tag holder in my unit) --- he killed his ram the same day I passed. David, you earned your ram --- I’m really happy for you! Exactly 1 week later, we spotted the most sheep ever one morning (just over a doz. scattered about the mountainside, feeding), including 3 rams together (1 possibly the same I had passed on). The rams were approx. 2/3 up the mountain and a stalk ensued. 2 hours later found my buddy and I hunkered down 300 yards from 3 ewes. 2 more ewes and a smaller ram eventually blew out of a cut and took the ewes with them. We never saw the larger ram that glassers said was nearby, nor the 3 rams which had drifted into a deeper cut. I was on my own on Dec. 23 and moved my camp to the other side of the mountains (closer to where I passed on the ram earlier). Unfortunately, sheep glassing became more difficult, especially for rams. A couple days saw WIND, with gusts up to 40-50 mph --- not good! I sent out a text on Dec. 27 that I definitely could use some help glassing. That weekend saw about 10 of the Yuma boys turn out to help me --- true sheep lovers!!! Compressing things a bit, a 160-class ram well-known in the area was glassed up and a stalk was made to within 200 yards. Things didn’t quite work out successfully, and the ram still lives today. Dec. 31 saw a few of the Yuma boys turn out to give it one more go. Wouldn’t you know it, 3 rams were glassed up (1 a bit larger and a shooter on any day)! I was on my way 1 ½ miles across the flats to the mountain’s base, then slowly up and across several fingers. 3:00 p.m. found us above where the rams were last seen, but now nowhere in sight. I called it at 4:15 --- it wouldn’t be wise to bail off the mountain in the dark, headlamps or no. Synopsis: One tough hunt!!! For some reason, most of the rams were found h-i-g-h-e-r on the mountain than seen in prior years (2-in. rainstorm a few weeks before the hunt greened up everything everywhere). This unit (40B Gilas) will definitely test you once a ram is targeted (ask any of the Yuma boys). I’ve hunted Arizona pretty much my entire life (I’m a native). This hunt was the most challenging I’ve ever experienced. At the time I didn’t appreciate the opportunity the mountain gave me when I passed on the ram ½-way through my hunt. I made a few decisions during the hunt I have to live with now --- I came home with my tag in my pocket, without firing a shot. After applying for over 30 years, it’s hard to believe it’s over. Regrets? Maybe. But I know I gave it my best effort, and I can live with the results. I need to give a shout out to those who helped out in many different ways (if I missed someone, it wasn’t intentional) --- Rex, Scott F. (G&F unit mgr), Desert Sheep Society guys! (Ignacio, John C., Don C., Richard, and more), Heat, Chef and Ernesto, Kent, David. P., Jake, Wayne, Stan, Kendall, Bob D., Jim N., Flatlander, and not the least, ALL the Yuma boys (you know who you are)!

Good job, Andrew!

Just too cool not to post (it's already on FB) --- that's one big Nelsoni! Congrats to hunter & Jay and Darr!!!

Woke up this morning and realized our sheep hunts officially start one month from today --- guys, getting more real with each passing day! Hang in there Kent, David, Robbie and all other 2013 tag holders ...

Mack Newton in E. Phoenix: 3243 East Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018 (602)957-6492, Specific self-defense program for women; incredibly qualified!

Where would be convenient for you --- Phx. Valley, Tucson, ??? ...

Yesterday is a day you and your wife will never forget --- great looking youngster. Congratulations!!!

I saw your ram at the recognition banquet --- awesome sheep! And Pat did a great taxi job! You've got my juices flowing for this December (it can't get here quick enough)! Congrats on your trophy of a lifetime ...

Yeehaw!!!

Good mass on your bull --- congrats on a job well done ...

Kudos on a great bull! And always satisfying to re-set the bar for oneself ...

Looks nice, Tony! I know you waited a long time --- you should really enjoy looking at that on your wall ...

Here's the deal: the all-terrain tires on my '98 Chevy 4x4 have served me well until last weekend when I had a side wall failure --- guess I could have bought tires with tougher side walls, but I wasn't planning on driving in desert sheep territory this year (not really complaining here). FYI, my quad IS running 8-ply rubber ;-) Anyone out there have an extra 6-lug 16" steel wheel gathering dust? I'm thinking having a 2nd spare might not be so dumb. I've looked at tire shops (used 16" wheels are scarce), and just can't bring myself to pop for a "new" rim to use as a 2nd spare. I already have a good tire for it. Thanks, Tom (480)760-3868 BTW, I'm in Gilbert ...

Not sure if they have the model you need, but try Sam's Club (Stone/River Rd.) ...

Heck of a weekend --- kudos on a VERY nice buck!

Fantastic ram, alive and as a finished mount!

I knew the lowest number the computer randomly assigned me this year (of my 21 points) was finally an extremely low one --- that's a given. And my tag did come in the "1-2 Pass." Like you guys have stated, in the "20% Pass" it's statistically improbable that out of 598 total applicants (24-, 23-, and 22-point holders added together), 21 tags (the 20% figure of the 107 total sheep tags to be drawn) would NOT have been awarded, given the 48 total sheep "hunt numbers" and both the 1st/2nd hunt choices considered for each applicant. 598 applicants x 2 choices each = "20% Pass" is FULL! It's evident none of those 21 first-drawn by the computer had selected my hunt number as their 1st/2nd choice --- LUCKY ME!!! So what to do for you high point holders??? You need to take a look, analytically, at the 2 choices you enter on your application. Do you absolutely have to hunt the most sought-after hunt unit, and kill a 180-class ram? Only 21 lucky hunters will get drawn in the "20% Pass" --- the odds are against you. Then you're re-entered into the "1-2 Pass" and given a completely new lottery number for that drawing. Like Dirty Harry said, "Do you feel lucky?" Here's where you hope, MOST IMPORTANTLY, to get a VERY low number, AND the hunt number you've picked hasn't been filled. You CAN eliminate some hunt numbers when you apply and improve your odds a bit. You may have to readjust your thinking --- I applied for hunt numbers different than past years. Still, I admit I got lucky with my low number in the 1-2 draw ...

Nick Paul up in Winslow has done several elk for me (Nick has long-time ties with the O'Haco ranch in 4A). NEVER an issue --- and VERY REASONABLE on what he charges! You can reach him at: (928)587-5122 ...

That's what I had thought too, but someone recently told me differently. Heat, your personal example seems to illustrate things pretty plainly --- I just re-read the explanation on G&F's website, which follows along with what you stated.The other tag holder in my hunt successfully drew his 2nd choice in the general draw with only 11 points ...

Point of interest --- I drew my desert sheep tag this year (with 21 points) from the 20% bonus pool and I did NOT have maximum points (which was 24 this year). It depends what unit you apply for with your 1st choice. In my case, the 20% from my unit's 1st choice applicants slid down to include me at 21 points. Then I just got plain lucky when my number came up in that bonus pool lottery ...

I've found some good info on a Polaris forum --- you might ask there: http://www.polarisatvforums.com/forums/atv-general-discussion/

Allen, thanks for the heads-up. J.D. is a friend and a stand-up guy (now in Show Low) --- thoughts and prayers for his wife, J.D., and their family! I know all contributions, no matter the amount, would be appreciated (see the link that Allen included in the original post) ...

Used the Lansky sharpener since back in the '80s; great device over the years. It's been surpassed pretty handily now by the Work Sharp blade sharpener! Knives, scissors, axes, shovels --- you name it. Talk to any knife builder; they'll give it their approval. On-line, or I know Sportsman's Warehouse carries them, if nowhere else near you ...