BassinHunter,
Ahh sheep hunting...one of my ultimate favorites.
Some info from my perspective. I've hunted them for about 5-7 yrs now and am finally figuring out how and where to locate them with semi-consistent success.
Here are some of the things I've noticed:
1. Wind in those units effects them hands down, regardless of what else has been said. When it's howling 30-50, you won't find them anywhere but in a steep nasty canyon, cave or the lee side of the hill. Period. I've fought that notion multiple times. You just end up wind burnt and frustrated. If it's windy, find a steep area out of the wind and take a look. Don't waste your time with windy slopes. Now...the only caveat...windy means 30+. Below that, they don't care. It was mentioned before but when its crazy windy, I usually only find them in the extreme bottoms of steep canyons. Have seen this several times now.
2. If you find some, keep eyes on them at all times. Somehow, someway, this has to be done, especially if you glass them from afar. It has cost me two rams over 30" and a few other opportunities at some good ones. If they bed, they won't stay long. Keep eyes on them. Chances are they've seen you and the second you're out of sight, they'll move and will be too. There isn't a plan good enough to beat these animals unless you have constant eyes. You will get lucky from time to time of course, but more often than not they'll lose ya if you take your eyes down. A few others I've hunted with on this site can vouch for that.
Mornings...we've sure seem them silhouette themselves on sunny rocks at the tops of ridges a bunch. Again no science but it's happened multiple times.
3. They can, do and will use caves. It surprised me too, but it happens and accounts for lots of the mysterious disappearances these animals make. Check out a cave sometime and you'll be surprised how many blocky tracks are in there. Also, they can jump 4-6 ft straight up from a standstill. It's documented and I've seen it. A buddy of ours had vid of one jumping a 4 foot fence from a standstill with no effort. They aren't an ibex...but could compete in some areas I think.
4. I agree the side view and "V" are the best ways to tell how mature a ram is. If you have time to wait and look, it'll give you a good idea. Also, I've only see maybe 3 rams that were legitimately over 30" and they all curled way down and inward towards their high shoulder. No science to this, but if you start to see that awesome down/inward curl...chances are he's a good one.
5. Sheep have a very blocky front track as someone else mentioned. Most Rams I've seen are significantly bigger than the desert deer in the area, with their back feet being pretty comparable. Just takes a lot of practice looking at them. I had to physically see sheep a few times and then spend time studying their tracks before I could distinguish. I actually have a harder time with the scat, especially in areas where deer and sheep are munching the same stuff.
6. Some folks may not like this, but if you find and develop a sheep spot...keep it sacred. I will not share sheep spots except with my very close friends who have helped find them. Elk, deer, Oryx, pigs, are a little different. Sheep...hush hush. There aren't many, and trust me, if you divulge, it'll get out. When you find a spot, "keep it secret, keep it safe"...ha ha. And when you post a pic, crop out the background if possible. Believe me, sheep nuts like me will spend 40 hours on google earth trying to find that exact peak in your pic to add to our list of spots...ha ha. Ohh...and save the ewes!! They aren't enough sheep as it is (just a personal preference).
7. Make sure you have good boot leather, gloves that can handle jagged rock and you don't mind scratching your rifle. It's going to happen. Glass Glass Glass and take the spotting scope. They're worth their weight in gold on a sheep trip.
And finally, in my experience (and this seems to differ from others) steeper is better. If they aren't in a jagged nasty area, they are usually less than a 5 minute run from one. I have yet to find those sweet rolling hill barbs! They usually have us contemplating life on the edge of a bluff, cliff or endless chasm. And of course...they always seem to be across one of these wonderful features when you finally squeeze off a round.
Just my long winded $.02. In any case, good luck and hope you find one.