wyogeargeek
Well-Known Member
Awesome, a great ram and accomplishment! Congratulations from one Dan to another.
Last year I hiked up deer creek trial about a mile from top of trail head after switchbacks . Nothing but grizzley and sheep tracks all over. The bear poop was bloody and green. When I got back down the truck the F&G had put a bear warning sign on the post. " Warning. Dead horse on trail 1 mile up". I'm glad I turned around when I did ....Ok, as the late Paul Harvey said, "now, the rest of the story". I first met Dan and his wife at the Sheep Show in Reno 5 or 6 years ago when we were at the same table for one of the events. Since I'm from Wyoming, he wondered if I knew any outfitters who I'd recommend for a sheep hunt since he was getting close in preference points to being able to draw. I mentioned a friend of mine out of Cody and he made contact.
Fast forward, Dan got to Cody the middle of last week to get ready for the ride into camp on Friday the 9th. The ride in is a somewhat adventurous, gnarly trail. It's a 24 mile, 7 hour horseback ride across the infamous Deer Creek Pass. The last half mile of trail especially gives a 'pucker' factor since it's slightly wider than a horse with close to a straight drop off on one side. There are more than one mule/horse at the bottom that became grizzly feed! He said it was foggy going in so he didn't get the 'full pucker' factor until he came out. Anyway, got to camp with no issues. The next day after a couple hours of searching, they found 3 rams, including the one he tagged. The stalk was at about 10,500 ft. altitude, but they were able to take horses a decent way up. He was using a Weatherby Backcountry ti in 6.5 RPM with 140 Nosler Partition handloads. I didn't ask him for the load specifics. He used a Leupold w/ CDS geared for the cartridge. The ram was 275 yds., so he dialed in and made a one shot kill. Unfortunately, before the ram dropped, it went to the edge of a rock cliff and toppled over. Given it's location and safety concerns, Dan stayed behind and let the guides retrieve the ram.
He spent the next couple days relaxing and getting the ram taken care of. The trip out was uneventful. He says it is in at least the top 5, if not the number 1, hunting experience he's had in his lifetime. Other than being a bit stiff, he made it through without any problems. Game and Fish aged the ram at 10 years and a green score was 164 and change! He's on his way back to Missouri to get geared up for the Nevada mule deer hunt!!
He drew Nv. deer also ?!? His lucky year !Ok, as the late Paul Harvey said, "now, the rest of the story". I first met Dan and his wife at the Sheep Show in Reno 5 or 6 years ago when we were at the same table for one of the events. Since I'm from Wyoming, he wondered if I knew any outfitters who I'd recommend for a sheep hunt since he was getting close in preference points to being able to draw. I mentioned a friend of mine out of Cody and he made contact.
Fast forward, Dan got to Cody the middle of last week to get ready for the ride into camp on Friday the 9th. The ride in is a somewhat adventurous, gnarly trail. It's a 24 mile, 7 hour horseback ride across the infamous Deer Creek Pass. The last half mile of trail especially gives a 'pucker' factor since it's slightly wider than a horse with close to a straight drop off on one side. There are more than one mule/horse at the bottom that became grizzly feed! He said it was foggy going in so he didn't get the 'full pucker' factor until he came out. Anyway, got to camp with no issues. The next day after a couple hours of searching, they found 3 rams, including the one he tagged. The stalk was at about 10,500 ft. altitude, but they were able to take horses a decent way up. He was using a Weatherby Backcountry ti in 6.5 RPM with 140 Nosler Partition handloads. I didn't ask him for the load specifics. He used a Leupold w/ CDS geared for the cartridge. The ram was 275 yds., so he dialed in and made a one shot kill. Unfortunately, before the ram dropped, it went to the edge of a rock cliff and toppled over. Given it's location and safety concerns, Dan stayed behind and let the guides retrieve the ram.
He spent the next couple days relaxing and getting the ram taken care of. The trip out was uneventful. He says it is in at least the top 5, if not the number 1, hunting experience he's had in his lifetime. Other than being a bit stiff, he made it through without any problems. Game and Fish aged the ram at 10 years and a green score was 164 and change! He's on his way back to Missouri to get geared up for the Nevada mule deer hunt!!
Been up that trail and across the pass numerous times. That is a trail that one does not forget…especially when there is a bunch of snow and ice.Congrats to your friend for drawing AND shooting a heck of a nice ram ! 83 ! Awesome !
Last year I hiked up deer creek trial about a mile from top of trail head after switchbacks . Nothing but grizzley and sheep tracks all over. The bear poop was bloody and green. When I got back down tho truck F&G had put a bear warning sign on post. " Warning. Dead horse on trail 1 mile up". I'm glad I turned around when I did ....
Your right , south side of trail **** near straight down to the creek at least a quarter mile. Scary trail for a horse.
That's amazing and congratulations!After applying for 23 years my friend drew his Wyoming nonresident sheep license. Rode 24 miles into the Thorofare and got this ram! Oh, and he's 83 years old!!! Congratulations Dan! View attachment 394039
once you locate rams, the actual sheep hunting is not that tough. if you can stay above them, that helps. nice ram. congrats.I hope I've got that many teeth left at 83!
Outstanding! Enjoy the memories made!