Would you launch arrow at this bighorn?

Founder · Mar 7, 2020

Here’s the deal .... you’ve been applying for desert sheep for just three years and this year you’ve drawn the late archery tag on the Zion unit.
Prior to the hunt, you did some scouting and found a few better Rams, but now it’s day 7 of the hunt and while hiking up a raven, you spot this one at 56 yards. He’s gonna’ boogie in about 20 seconds.
Are you taking the shot or passing? Do you feel like the angle is ok for a shot? Is he big enough for you?

Bluehair · Mar 7, 2020

No, not me. Wait, are the cameras rolling?

treedagain · Mar 7, 2020

Not even close

hawkbill · Mar 7, 2020

He’s still got milk on his chin

nvguy2 · Mar 7, 2020

My first thought is that he’s a little small and angle is a bit off. Definitely doable, but reach for the camera instead and continue hunting.

Wapitiwilly · Mar 7, 2020

Give him five years and circle back?

Tristate · Mar 7, 2020

LivingTheDream · Mar 7, 2020

No, understand the pressure to get it done. But think I would regret it later on.

Stonefly · Mar 7, 2020

NOPE ,Not only is he 16yds beyond my effective range, i think id let him grow a bit.

Stillwater165 · Mar 8, 2020

He’s young , easy to see that. Let him run !

Zeke · Mar 9, 2020

I agree with every post above^^^

Way too young to tag on day 7.

You’d better have planned 2 or 3 times that many days so on day 7 you’re just getting your sea-legs! It’s sheep hunting after all!

Zeke

Gadjet · Mar 9, 2020

Nope!

NVBighorn · Mar 9, 2020

Not what I'm looking for.

I don't "launch" arrows anyway. Sounds too cavalier to me.

Homer · Mar 9, 2020

that is a 125 ram....not big enough on the last day

sticksender · Mar 10, 2020

Shot angle is poor. But no matter....wouldn't be shooting since that's a tiny ram. No way, in that unit!

elkhunterUT · Mar 10, 2020

Not a good angle at all for an archery shot and agree with others that he is not big enough for that unit. Definitely pass

littlebighorn · Mar 11, 2020

That ram appears to be a three year old and sheep really don't reach maturity until at least 8. I agree with an absolute pass, even on the last day. Shooting him would be akin to taking down Bambi!
Founder, you already ate a OIL tag, so I understand the question, but even my MM handle (littlebighorn) doesn't describe that little fella!

hawkbill · Mar 11, 2020

How about sickle horn

Founder · Mar 11, 2020

Come on, I rarely see bighorn sheep, so that’s the only pic I had to play with. Guess I need to look for sheep.

deerkiller · Mar 17, 2020

Sure. I’d shoot him

Blue Mountain Muleys · Apr 20, 2020

Sheep_addict · Apr 20, 2020

Hard pass.. don’t sound like there is much for age in Zion at the moment. Best to not apply at all and let in bounce back.

elkfromabove · Apr 21, 2020

No! He's too far. It's a risky angle. He has me pegged and I'd never get the shot off before he moved. And he's too small for a OIL animal. Plus, you know there's better ones. Keep hunting!

DoubleDropMuley · Apr 23, 2020

To far for me also but if I drew a tag on the Zion I’d shoot before I ate a couple thousands dollar tag soup and have a critter that would be a once in a lifer for me, and the memories would always be there. Only shoot if range and angle was good for me !! 1/4 him away and put him in within 40 I’m sending it!!

Rackmastr · Apr 24, 2020

Nope! Too young. Unless it was the type of ram that someone was super excited for, you'd be 'settling' for a young ram in order to fill a tag. Not my opinion of a great success.

ColoradoBob · Apr 29, 2020

He's a legal ram according to Colorado's rules------1/2 curl to be legal. I'd shoot but I use a 30/06.

wyflyguy · Apr 30, 2020

Nope. That ram is too young. I've seen too many hunters, apparently out of desperation or pressure to fill a coveted tag, shoot something that later they regret. This would be one of those situations.

BAKPAKR · May 5, 2020

Like many of the others, I would pass on him. I say that after passing on an opportunity at a 3/4 curl (minimum legal at the time) ram in Idaho and then eating the tag.