Well the country kicked my ass on the first try but on the second trip it all happened just the way it does in the magazine articles. It's been awhile since I posted any pics so hopefully this all works. I swung for the fence on the first trip and headed for country that I figured would separate me from the opening day crowds as opening of rifle coincided with the Labor day holiday. I was sure right about thinning out the crowds as I never saw a soul stupid enough to be there but me.
Unfortunately the rest of the plan didn't work as there were no boys around- only tons of women. I moved every day to see new country and the country took it's toll on my pack llamas on some of the "unmaintained" (as in non-existant) trails.
I saw some of the most beautiful country on earth from a perspective few people ever get to see along with my faithful hunting buddy Topaz my dog and 4 llamas, Lester,Levi,Lucky, and Larry. After 5 days I headed home to go with my buddy on a m/l elk trip in Co.- so many tags and so little time!!
After the elk trip a trip to Arkansas for scuba and spearfishing to keep the wife happy took another 10 days from my sheep hunting time- don't try this at home kids, leave the heavy recreating to the professionals, it'll ruin your work ethic.
Came home throwing stuff from suitcases to panniers as I was under the gun for time now as on the 12th I had to be back in Co. for another elk hunt with my dad. Took off immediately for Wy. slept in the truck at the trailhead so as to speed up the packing the next am. Headed up a new trail at daylight and when I got above treeline saw rams immediately- 2 groups of 11 total.
Stalked to 150 yds of the best one for a closer look thru the scope and debated whether to shoot for 1-1/2 hrs. as he lay there chewing his cud. Finally made my decision based on his growth rings of which I was sure he had at least 8, possibly more. When he stood to feed some more the shot was pretty much the anti- climax. The day had been a long one already but I went back to the tent retrieved 2 llamas and went back and butchered him up and made it back to the tent just in time to eat and collapse with meat and cape scattered around- stupid,stupid stupid hunter. Ok stupid and tired hunter giving myself some benefit of the doubt- but mostly stupid.
It blew hard and started snowing in the night and I woke up at 2:30 realizing how stupid I was and couldn't sleep till it turned gray and I could look out and see no sign of Mr. grizz.- good news to say the least. Packed up in a blizzard and took off down the trail and there in the snow, fresh as a daisy, 150 yards below camp grizz tracks!! I don't know why he was such a nice bear to leave me alone but I certainly appreciated his good manners and promised myself to never get so sloppy again.
I haven't put a full tape to my ram yet but his basics are 36-1/2" by 14-1/4" with 10 birthdays under his belt. I promised myself as I was agonizing over my decision to shoot/not shoot that I wouldn't let the tape measure make/break my hunt if he was old and pretty I was going to be happy with him, and I am. thanks to the Wy game/fish guys for advice as well a several of the folks on MM who pm'm me with helpful info.
Unfortunately the rest of the plan didn't work as there were no boys around- only tons of women. I moved every day to see new country and the country took it's toll on my pack llamas on some of the "unmaintained" (as in non-existant) trails.
I saw some of the most beautiful country on earth from a perspective few people ever get to see along with my faithful hunting buddy Topaz my dog and 4 llamas, Lester,Levi,Lucky, and Larry. After 5 days I headed home to go with my buddy on a m/l elk trip in Co.- so many tags and so little time!!
After the elk trip a trip to Arkansas for scuba and spearfishing to keep the wife happy took another 10 days from my sheep hunting time- don't try this at home kids, leave the heavy recreating to the professionals, it'll ruin your work ethic.
Came home throwing stuff from suitcases to panniers as I was under the gun for time now as on the 12th I had to be back in Co. for another elk hunt with my dad. Took off immediately for Wy. slept in the truck at the trailhead so as to speed up the packing the next am. Headed up a new trail at daylight and when I got above treeline saw rams immediately- 2 groups of 11 total.
Stalked to 150 yds of the best one for a closer look thru the scope and debated whether to shoot for 1-1/2 hrs. as he lay there chewing his cud. Finally made my decision based on his growth rings of which I was sure he had at least 8, possibly more. When he stood to feed some more the shot was pretty much the anti- climax. The day had been a long one already but I went back to the tent retrieved 2 llamas and went back and butchered him up and made it back to the tent just in time to eat and collapse with meat and cape scattered around- stupid,stupid stupid hunter. Ok stupid and tired hunter giving myself some benefit of the doubt- but mostly stupid.
It blew hard and started snowing in the night and I woke up at 2:30 realizing how stupid I was and couldn't sleep till it turned gray and I could look out and see no sign of Mr. grizz.- good news to say the least. Packed up in a blizzard and took off down the trail and there in the snow, fresh as a daisy, 150 yards below camp grizz tracks!! I don't know why he was such a nice bear to leave me alone but I certainly appreciated his good manners and promised myself to never get so sloppy again.
I haven't put a full tape to my ram yet but his basics are 36-1/2" by 14-1/4" with 10 birthdays under his belt. I promised myself as I was agonizing over my decision to shoot/not shoot that I wouldn't let the tape measure make/break my hunt if he was old and pretty I was going to be happy with him, and I am. thanks to the Wy game/fish guys for advice as well a several of the folks on MM who pm'm me with helpful info.
