NMTopPredator
Member
- Messages
- 24
Well I'm back and though I haven't got it done yet I had a blast. I had never been to the area and had no idea the about of game in that unit. Saw easily over 150 elk,40 or so deer,watched a grey fox for a bit at about 10yrds and 7 SHEEP!!?
From the maps I was expecting a little more road access so I did not take the quad on this trip and I instantly regretted that lol.
The first morning found me pushing hard up to a peak I planed on glassing from. Once there I set up the glass and literally the first place the glass landed, I was looking at 4 mature bulls. After inspecting the bowl a bit more I found it was totally full of small elk herds. I continued to glass until all the elk bedded and I would not likely bump any elk on my way out. Since there was a youth cow hunt under way I GPS'ed the area and moved on.
The next spot that day had me hiking 2.5 miles to the rim so I was excited. I just knew no one would be out there. Or so I thought. About half way there I found a decent area to glass down from and instantly found a quad with 2 riders going straight to the rim. As I continued glassing I spotted something no quite right. I set up the tripod and slapped the glass on and studied what seemed to be a odd shaped rock. I was in total denial that I actually found some sheep my first day.
After a couple minutes of staring, another odd shaped rock appeared. Yep they were sheep. I snapped a quick photo and began to close the distance. 3/4 of the way there I saw the quad go in that direction so I sat tight and glassed around some more. All the while praying I would not hear a gun shot. After about 15 min I continued down to where I could check the sheep. Good news they where still there,BETTER NEWS there was 5 ewes, 1 baby and a ram. I was pumped.
I planned my stalked and figured the line I chose would put me 50 yrds right above them. I finally heard the quad coming back and hurried to the road to meet them and see what they were up to. Upon meeting them I saw it was a father and son. They said they were hunting cow elk on the youth hunt so I quickly pulled out my GPS and showed them where the elk from this morning bedded down. To say the least they quickly pushed of to see if they could get it done.
With everything clear I continued my stalk. It was a slow stalk making my way down the cliffs. I finally made it to the last cliff. I hadn't seen the sheep in hours and I was praying they would still be there when I eased my rifle over the edge.
I dropped my pack and pulled out the camera. My heart was beating so hard my ears were filled with the sound. My breath getting faster and faster. I could not believe this was happening.
Rifle in one hand and camera/tripod in the other, I took a stepped and before I knew it I was on me butt! As I watched the rock that gave way under my foot start rolling down hill and right over the ledge. I jumped up ditched the camera and deployed my bipod. I made it the edge in what must have been just seconds but I was to late. I saw my sheep high tailing it. I found the ram in the cross hairs but never had a good enough clean shot.
I watched them running amazingly sure footed over the cliffs until they disappeared.
The next two days were spent watching elk and rutting deer. Looking for sheep to no avail and shed hunting.
It was a great hunt and I had a lot of fun in new country and I can't wait to get back after them in a couple weeks
From the maps I was expecting a little more road access so I did not take the quad on this trip and I instantly regretted that lol.
The first morning found me pushing hard up to a peak I planed on glassing from. Once there I set up the glass and literally the first place the glass landed, I was looking at 4 mature bulls. After inspecting the bowl a bit more I found it was totally full of small elk herds. I continued to glass until all the elk bedded and I would not likely bump any elk on my way out. Since there was a youth cow hunt under way I GPS'ed the area and moved on.
The next spot that day had me hiking 2.5 miles to the rim so I was excited. I just knew no one would be out there. Or so I thought. About half way there I found a decent area to glass down from and instantly found a quad with 2 riders going straight to the rim. As I continued glassing I spotted something no quite right. I set up the tripod and slapped the glass on and studied what seemed to be a odd shaped rock. I was in total denial that I actually found some sheep my first day.
After a couple minutes of staring, another odd shaped rock appeared. Yep they were sheep. I snapped a quick photo and began to close the distance. 3/4 of the way there I saw the quad go in that direction so I sat tight and glassed around some more. All the while praying I would not hear a gun shot. After about 15 min I continued down to where I could check the sheep. Good news they where still there,BETTER NEWS there was 5 ewes, 1 baby and a ram. I was pumped.
I planned my stalked and figured the line I chose would put me 50 yrds right above them. I finally heard the quad coming back and hurried to the road to meet them and see what they were up to. Upon meeting them I saw it was a father and son. They said they were hunting cow elk on the youth hunt so I quickly pulled out my GPS and showed them where the elk from this morning bedded down. To say the least they quickly pushed of to see if they could get it done.
With everything clear I continued my stalk. It was a slow stalk making my way down the cliffs. I finally made it to the last cliff. I hadn't seen the sheep in hours and I was praying they would still be there when I eased my rifle over the edge.
I dropped my pack and pulled out the camera. My heart was beating so hard my ears were filled with the sound. My breath getting faster and faster. I could not believe this was happening.
Rifle in one hand and camera/tripod in the other, I took a stepped and before I knew it I was on me butt! As I watched the rock that gave way under my foot start rolling down hill and right over the ledge. I jumped up ditched the camera and deployed my bipod. I made it the edge in what must have been just seconds but I was to late. I saw my sheep high tailing it. I found the ram in the cross hairs but never had a good enough clean shot.
I watched them running amazingly sure footed over the cliffs until they disappeared.
The next two days were spent watching elk and rutting deer. Looking for sheep to no avail and shed hunting.
It was a great hunt and I had a lot of fun in new country and I can't wait to get back after them in a couple weeks
