NAWS Grand Slammers - Tell us your story

[HornPorn]

To those lucky enough to get a grand slam of the North American Wild Sheep:

• How old were you when you killed your first north american wild sheep?
• How old were you when you completed your NAWS slam?
• Any other details of each hunt you can share, or of your sheep hunting career would also be welcomed.

I doubt I will be able to achieve this given the dismal draw odds in the L48, and the ever soaring costs of guided hunts in Alaska (dall), Canada (dall, stone/fannin, rocky mtn/cali), and Mexico (desert), but am hoping some grand slammers will step forward to encourage and inspire those of us who dream of one day completing the slam

 

[cbeard64]

I was 42 when I took my first ram (Stone) 50 on the second (Desert), 53 on the third (Dall) , and 58 on the last (California bighorn).

I didn’t have the GS as a goal but when a miracle happened and I drew a desert sheep tag in AZ in 2014 it opened the door to the possibility.

I am financially secure but don’t think I would make the financial commitments required today. Even if you drew the two bighorn tags. It’s just mind-boggling what Stone and Dall hunts cost these days. We will soon see a complete “flip-flop” where a desert sheep hunt in Mexico will be the cheapest of the four hunts without drawing a tag.

I still apply and encourage others to do so but I think getting all four is more of a dream than a possibility for the vast majority of folks living in the Lower 48. Going on a Dall hunt or two and hoping for luck in the draws are the best options for most. It makes me sad to say that.

 

[Blockcaver]

Drew 5 CO Archery Bighorn tags in a row. Arrowed my first BH DIY at age 31 in the 5th year of hunting them.

Drew a NR NV Desert ram and filled the tag DIY at 39.

Drew and arrowed another DIY CO BH at 46.

Moved to BC and back-pack bow hunted Stones for 6 seasons before arrowing one DIY at age 64.

Completed an archery Grand Slam on a guided NWT Dall hunt at age 65.

Since that time I've helped a buddy arrow a Stone. I always have a sheep license when bowhunting caribou and moose in Stone sheep country. No opportunity at legal rams recently though.

 

[Starbailey]

First ram came with a self guided cali bighorn from Washington at 28 years old.
Second came the next year as an amazing rocky (193 4/8) from Oregon, again self guided.
The hook was firmly planted after that and I worked my ass off the next 2 summers earning enough to go dall sheep hunting in the NWT with Gana River in 2001 where I killed a nice 9 yo ram & mt caribou on my first ever guided hunt. $10,500 was a LOT of money back then for a guy with a new family.
Continuing down the sheep hunting path I started guiding bighorn hunters on my vacations & put all my extra funds into sheep hunt raffles & bookings. 2005 had me in BC where I killed a beautiful 9 yo stone ram on a 15 day backpack trip ($15,000 I booked out 3 years to save ). Seen our first sheep on day 8. Killed my ram the next morning when he stood from his bed. That still to this day has been one of my greatest adventures and made a friend in Wes I'll keep for life.
Added a fannin ram with Blackstone Outfitters in 2007. Went back and killed a moose & dall ram with them again in 2009.
Lightning finally struck in 2011 when I drew a Nevada desert tag after 12 years of applying. A buddy and I went down DIY and found a nice nelson ram to complete my grand slam at 41 years old.
I've added a few other NA sheep since & went on my first international hunt in 2007 ($5,500 mid-asian ibex Kyrgistan) That opened my eyes to all the hunting opportunities the World has to offer. To me it has never been "if", It's been "whats" next?
I have been very blessed with a great supportive wife, obviously, that supports my passion.
Bryan

 

[Fishn4eyes]

Shot my first Dall sheep in the Wrangell Mountains in 2009 at age 40. Killed on Day 8..

Shot my Stone with Dustin Roe in BC in the Cassiar Mountains in 2017. Killed on day 10.

Shot my Desert on the Baja Penisula with Dustin in 2018. Killed on Day 12.

Shot another Dall with Dustin in the NWT in 2019. Killed on Day 1, Dustin shot one with his bow on Day 6 so got two hunts in one on this one.

Completed my Slam with a bighorn in the Wilmore Wilderness area in Alberta with Scott Carter in 2021 at the age of 52 on Day 13.

Shot another Dall sheep in the Yukon with Dustin this past August. Killed on Day 3.

Can't get enough of the sheep hunting but dang I wish the prices weren't going through the roof on all species. Not sure I have too many left unless I am lucky enough to draw a bighorn or desert tag here in the States.