LAST EDITED ON Jan-08-04 AT 11:06PM (MST)[p]Yes, I have finished mine - #1050
joebuck, as for your questions.
"Does the objective of the slam over shadow the experience"
No way! As you know there is nothing better than being in sheep country. For me, I love the experience. Including the sacrifice, the travel, the work, the pain, the condtioning, the beauty, the wildlife, the opportunity. My first hunt was for Stone and it was a total BUST! but I was hooked on the experience, I had to get there again.
"Would you shoot a lesser ram just to complete your slam"
Everybodys definition of lesser is going to be different. The ram has to legal, right. I always want the best ram we can find, but I don't pass on a good opportunity with a mature ram, on my last hunt(Fannin), My guide & I were behind a rock in the rain 287 yards 60 degrees above, I was undecided as it was the first day so I asked my guide whats it going to take to better this ram, he gave me his opinion. When the ram stood I took him, that hunt my outfitter was 1 for 4, I'm glad I listened to my guide. The weather is just to big of factor, that & the time away from family & work, the expense of the hunt & travel, or maybe its a once in a life time tag you have drawn. Not to mention how phyisically demanding sheep country is. What did I read? "Take what the gods are offering today and leave what you heart desires for another time" anyway, something like that.
One thing to keep in mind when considering your next sheep hunt is, they are not going to get any cheaper! your not getting any younger! and life is short!
Good Luck,
Claude
Lets hear from some more sheep hunters, are we not as passionate as the Mule deer forum?