Would you launch arrow at this bighorn?

Founder

Founder Since 1999
Messages
11,448
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?

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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.
 
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
 
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
 
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!
 
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.
 
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!
 
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!!
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 

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