What is the hardest big game tag that you were able draw?

I've never tried for a tag for anything from any state and it's because of what I've been reading here. My frustration would boil over so to save myself that grief and money I just won't do it. I've decided that if I want the thrill to go to Africa on a plains game hunt, which ive done. There, the outfitter does everything for you and the odds are virtually 100% and often less than a U S. hunt for just one animal. If you do it, plan on going again.
 
In 2004 I drew a Moose tag in the area that I live in!
I hunted hard for a month riding my mountain bike on the logging roads
Saw more elk than Moose,so opening day of general season I went into the moose terrain figuring to take what ever comes first!
Little fresh snow that day,cut Moose tracks caught him in 30min.
He was about 30" with one side deformed.
I let him walk
Next day I hit elk tracks out feeding in an old clear cut ,took an old road to try to get above them.
Came around a corner and a 43" bull laying on knob below the road.the rest is history!
 
As silly as it seems I am still trying to draw a Idaho Rifle Antelope tag. Currently year 34- Drew a 100% bow tag a couple of times.
 
I recently drew a big horn sheep tag in my home state of South Dakota. As you can imagine, I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet. I was just wondering what other difficult tags members on the forum have drawn? It took me 14 years to pull this tag. What say you?
I've only ever gone on a tag hunt once in Wyoming. I drew an antelope tag as an out-of-state hunter on my first attempt. I keep buying preference points, but have not done one since.
 
Thanks again everyone for your stories! To finish my story and why I started this thread to begin, here is my 2024 south dakota Bighorn sheep tag in Custer State Park taken on 11/30/24. The conservation officers scored him at gross 163 and net 161. Aged at 7.5 years old. A very beautiful ram that I will cherish! Some dreams do come true 😉
 

Attachments

  • 20241130_145707_resized (1).jpg
    20241130_145707_resized (1).jpg
    463.4 KB · Views: 17
  • 20241130_145707_resized.jpg
    20241130_145707_resized.jpg
    837.3 KB · Views: 17
Thanks again everyone for your stories! To finish my story and why I started this thread to begin, here is my 2024 south dakota Bighorn sheep tag in Custer State Park taken on 11/30/24. The conservation officers scored him at gross 163 and net 161. Aged at 7.5 years old. A very beautiful ram that I will cherish! Some dreams do come true 😉
Congrats on your trophy! You're a lucky man.....
 
Thanks again everyone for your stories! To finish my story and why I started this thread to begin, here is my 2024 south dakota Bighorn sheep tag in Custer State Park taken on 11/30/24. The conservation officers scored him at gross 163 and net 161. Aged at 7.5 years old. A very beautiful ram that I will cherish! Some dreams do come true 😉
Great ram...I'm pretty sure I saw that guy before down in CSP a year ago or so. I thought I had snapped a picture of him and two other rams but I can't seem to find it on my phone. Congrats on a super hard to draw tag!
 
Top