Dream hunt 30 years in the making

[crashlanding]

Great story, you earned every inch of those antlers, be proud

 

[Aoudad shooter1975]

Super!!!!

 

[Aled24]

This is a hunt that I've dreamed of for 30 years and never pulled the proverbial trigger. Three years and 30 pounds ago I couldn't have attempted this hunt. I've worked my rear off to get into the best condition I could. I still sucked wind going uphill and had some slight knee pain down hill and loaded with 75 pounds.

I applied for 3 southern NM units and drew 2nd rifle.

We scouted for 2.5 days sighting roughly 50 elk. Mostly cows and rag horns but we had 4 good bulls which we thought we could get within range and more importantly get off the mountain. All I read was steep, rough and nasty. Those were all understatements with the hunting area running from 8-9500 feet. Many bulls were safe from me as getting to them and packing out would be a tough haul.

This was to be a DIY with my BIL. He wasn't able to complete the application due to an old account. I still wanted to go DIY but my wife insisted I go guided as it's such a rare draw and for safety (her piece of mind). I conceded and glad I did, I had a much better time and learned more in one trip than I could have 3 solo trips.

Big 5x5 down at 550 yards. Was a late night.

We did 11 miles on the day I killed gaining 1200 feet total and topping at 9400 feet. We did 24 miles in 4 days gaining 1000 feet most days. We packed out the front shoulders and gear the night I killed. My packed weighed 75 pounds with shoulder, rifle and gear. We came in the next day with a mule to finish the job.

This has been a 30 year dream come true. I walked off the mountain just a little emotional. I don't know if I'd do this difficult of a hunt again but glad I have. My young fit local guide is licking his wounds to give you an idea of what we did.

These pics don't do justice to the beauty or rugged steepness of this area.

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So jealous, a hunt to remember

 

[wyohammer]

Beautiful country and great story. Congratulations!

 

[ford32]

Great glad to hear it. We may be seasoned but not dead. Keep squeezing those triggers..

 

[AZHTR]

Congrats! Great story and great pics, thanks for sharing!

 

[Slick8]

Great glad to hear it. We may be seasoned but not dead. Keep squeezing those triggers..

Exactly, hope to have a few more of these hunts in me.

Thanks to all for the comments. Truly a hunt I'll never forget.

 

[littlebighorn]

Great adventure.
Stay in shape and do it again!
Since my first sheep hunt, I've tried to keep in shape and keep the weight off. It has not only extended my hunt opportunities, but it has also extended my life!
Well done.

 

[johnnyk]

That's it right there; Living the dream!
Thanks for sharing that with us brother. It gives us fuel and hope for our dream hunts and keeps this long range hunting life style alive. New Mexico is truly a beautiful place to be.

P.S. Many more may you have.

 

[wharpold]

It looks like they put double the amount of cheese one normally gets on a burger. A satisfying reward for all of the hard work you put in. Plan another trip to give you reason for staying in shape.

How about a caliber and gun report?

 

[Slick8]

It looks like they put double the amount of cheese one normally gets on a burger. A satisfying reward for all of the hard work you put in. Plan another trip to give you reason for staying in shape.

How about a caliber and gun report?

Dang I got so caught up in the hunt and story I forgot to include details of the rifle and load.

It's a 30 Nosler by Alamo Precision Rifles.
Def Tenacity action with APR BDL style mag.
Muller barrel 1:10 twist, micro flutes with Vias radial brake.
AG composites stock in APR design.
Jewel trigger at 1.5 pounds
VX6-HD 6-24 in Seekins rings
Running 230 bergers seated .020 off in ADG brass over H1K at 2980 MV.

This is what has now become thier Maverick line but that would include a trigger tech and harrels brake.

Here's a 1.75 inch group I shot at 600 yards prior to the hunt. No warm up or checking zero, dial and shoot 3.

 

[mdmiller]

Great story and nice pics!!!

 

[sierracharlie338]

Way to go brother! I'm stoked for you!! I've made my mind up to get serious about a hunt like this and getting the prep work done. Rifle is almost there and then gear.

I still love that rifle of yours!

 

[ndking1126]

Congrats, great hunt!