2015 Idaho Bighorn Sheep Hunt

[Mtnboy]

Alright ladies and gents, I'm headed out next Friday to tag along on a buddies Idaho Bighorn Sheep hunt for 5-7 days (work depending). I'm pretty sure there is gonna be cell service in some areas we'll be in, so I'm gonna try to stay motivated to do a somewhat live hunt.

Couple things, I can't/won't say what Unit we are in. I don't know how he feels or if he'll want a photo of the Ram online if I'm lucky enough to be there when he gets one, so we'll cross that bridge when we (hopefully) get there I guess. Other than that, I'll do my best to take you guys along on the ride!

I wish I could say that it's going to be a hardcore backpack hunt like we all love, but, due to being lucky enough to have a plush cabin to stay in right in the hunt area and my buddy wanting to be able to cover A LOT country, we are going to be using a mix of ATVs, motorcycles and some good ol' boot leather to get this done!

Stay tuned, we leave next Friday the 28th for an evening and one full day of scouting and then the hunt is on!

 

[Mtnboy]

Some scouting got done a few weeks ago, mostly for access and glassing points, not a lot of long glassing sessions.

40 sheep found, a dozen or so Rams, nothing worthy of notching a tag in the first week.

 

[Shrek]

Cool ! Can't wait for some bighorn action !

 

[mtnwrunner]

Yup, that will be a great hunt. Trying to think of how many areas will be able to provide cell service...............not too many where the bighorns live. But we'll take what we can get.

Randy

 

[Mtnboy]

We all love gear lists, so here's what I got. Some stuff I will be swapping out, like clothes, simply because I have the luxury of bringing/having back-ups.

Sitka Ascent Pants
Sitka Core Lightweight Bottoms - 2015 Version
Sitka Core Lightweight Crew SS - 2015 Version
Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody - 2015 Version
Sitka Kelvin Down Ultralight Jacket
Sitka Shooter Gloves
Sitka Ball Cap
Sitka Beanie
First Lite Merino Socks
Lowa Tibet GTX Boots
Marmot Precip Rain Gear

Stone Glacier Solo w/1 Camp Pocket & 1 Medium Belt Pouch
70oz Camelbak Bladder
32oz Nalgene w/ 5-10ft of Duct Tape wrapped around it
2 x 23oz Vapur Bottle

Garmin ETrex 20 with OnX Maps Idaho Chip
Spot Messenger

Vortex Razor 85mm Spotting Scope
Schonfeld Medium Carbon Tripod w/Schonfeld Fluid Head
Vortex Tripod-Bino Adapter
Vortex Razor HD 10x42 Binos
PhoneSkope Adapter for Spotter with iPhone 6
Olympus TG-4 Camera
Nikon d3100 Camera w/18-55mm lens

Easton Backcountry AL3 Trekking Poles
Havalon Pirahnta - 3 extra blades
Ibuprofen/Hyrdrocodone
MSR Water Tabs
4 Zip Ties
Hand Sanitizer
50ft of Rope - it's orange and thin and strong, I can't remember the exact kind
Flagging Tape

Spares that might see some use - Kryptek Valhalla Pants, Icebreaker Merino SS Shirt, First Lite Merino Long Underwear, Sitka Traverse Hoody, First Lite Uncompahgre, Sitka Jetstream Glove

 

[Shrek]

I think there is less cell service than he thought

 

[Travis Bertrand]

ah man, I was wanting to follow along on this one. I love sheep...

 

[Shrek]

ah man, I was wanting to follow along on this one. I love sheep...

You and me both ! Way to few Bighorn hunt stories posted imo. Hope he finds some service !

 

[Mtnboy]

Shoulda been more clear, we are leaving this coming Friday. I guess you could say I'm a little excited too so I started this early!

 

[Shrek]

Shoulda been more clear, we are leaving this coming Friday. I guess you could say I'm a little excited too so I started this early!

Hahaha ! I guess everyone is ready for this hunt to start .

 

[NVCHUKAR]

Good luck! Find a bruiser and take lots of pictures

 

[Mtnboy]

Loaded up and headed out!

Should be service on some mountains...I'll do my best to keep this updated.

 

[Shrek]

Good hunting !

 

[Scot E]

following this one! This hunt is on my to do list!

 

[rodney482]

Subscribed

 

[mcr-85]

Good luck

 

[Mtnboy]

We have been covering country this morning, no sheep spotted yet.

Had 2 bear cubs walk by at about 10 feet while we were glassing, pretty cool!

 

[6mm Remington]

Man I wish I was there with you. HOpe where you are hunting that the smoke and fires are not to bad! Cannot even see here in Missoula.

 

[rodney482]

So cool!!!!

 

[Mtnboy]

Found these 2. The 2nd one has decent mass for the unit we are in but super tight curl isn't helping him out.

The first one is pretty cool because of the width. If we can find him in a stalkable spot for a bow tomorrow he might try to get on him.

Saw 2 other smaller Rams besides these and 6 ewes so far.