Endangered Grizzly Bear Photo Thread

Congratulations! From your pictures it appears the 6.5 bighorn was bigger bodied than the 9.5 dall, is that reality?
 
Jofes said:
Congratulations! From your pictures it appears the 6.5 bighorn was bigger bodied than the 9.5 dall, is that reality?
Click to expand...
Most definitely. I was a little shocked when I walked up to the Bighorn, wondering what I had gotten myself into. I’ve taken 6 Dall Sheep, from 9-12 years old and none were as big as this guy. The Dall from this season was pretty good sized though, as pictured.

Honestly I was looking for something older, 8+. Even when I had this guy in my scope I was ready to let him walk and gave him 30 seconds to do that, as he was staring me down. The internal dialogue I was having was conflicted. In the end I was confident that he was legal and did make the decision to pull the trigger. I’m very happy with him and thankful for how this sheep season came to an end.

7 years from now I’ll certainly hold out for an older ram, if this great opportunity is still available.

IMG_0212.jpeg

IMG_8219.jpeg
 
Bambistew said:
186 miles in 21 days? Superman stuff.

Nice rams!
Click to expand...
Thank you.
2 trips down there. One in September with a couple friends. This was mostly nice weather and really enjoyable. Did not see a single ram though. It felt more like a scouting trip with lots of miles and great fishing.. though I took a stupid Tenkara rod that kept breaking. Wont make that mistake again. The second was solo in November. Less miles overall, but a way more challenging and serious hunt due to the cold and snowy conditions. I definitely took some risks in high consequence terrain.
 
Last edited:
BlueSLYR said:
Do you mind dropping the details on that sheep rifle set up? It seems like you have it dialed in, to say the least
Click to expand...

Here is the build thread for this particular gun on Rokslide.
The gun was in its 6.5 CM configuration, shooting G9 Defense 113 Long Range Hunter ammuntion for the Bighorn, though now it is a 6 CM.
All of my Dall Sheep have been with a Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5 CM and Barnes 127 LRX, with the exception of this years Dall, which was also with the G9 Defense ammo. It is a monolithic brass projectile that shears off petals for a wide permanent wound cavity while still having great penetration.

Help me build a sheep rifle!

***Updated as I gather more info on various components *** Alright guys, My wife has given the go ahead to build a new rifle! I’ve been using a Fieldcraft 6.5 CM, quite effectively, but want something new. Here is what I’m thinking so far. Feel free to critique or post your experiences with...
rokslide.com rokslide.com
 
B_R_AK said:
I thought I might share my ram with the group.
21 days and 186 miles spent in the unit this fall.
Connected on the ram solo in November.

I was on the ram the previous day, as he made his way down a steep ridge line and into the timber.
With the rifle set up on a tripod, I waited 6 hours for him to make a move, which he never did.
The next day I found that he had made his way up the next mountain without coming
in to view. At 10,000 ft. I caught up to him on a windswept slope. 194 yard shot frontal shot as he stood
to look at the movement as I crawled up to a low rise beneath him.

Was able to get him sealed within the time period and then made a trip back in for the second load.
Snow conditions were fairly difficult and I used Vert snowshoes nearly the entire time. These are non articulating climbing tools
that we use for climbing ski/snowboard lines.
6 1/2 years old with 15" bases.

The Dall was also a walk-in, solo hunt from this August in AK. (9 y/o, 40 1/2"x13 1/2, B&C Green 165)





View attachment 312795View attachment 312796
View attachment 312797
View attachment 312794
Click to expand...
Congratulations! A half slam in one year that’s impressive. What’s next?
 
Last edited:
A biological question about the younger harvests, seems like it could hurt the genetics in the area like antler point restrictions have. Removing the quicker growing horns / antlers genetics from the herds. But with the lower harvest number in the unlimited's it might not have a drastic effect. BTW I think if myself or anyone else shoot's an illegal animal you should be done hunting that species for life in that State, Influencers included & made example of.
 
MojaveJim said:
A biological question about the younger harvests, seems like it could hurt the genetics in the area like antler point restrictions have. Removing the quicker growing horns / antlers genetics from the herds. But with the lower harvest number in the unlimited's it might not have a drastic effect. BTW I think if myself or anyone else shoot's an illegal animal you should be done hunting that species for life in that State, Influencers included & made example of.
Click to expand...
Like you said the quotas ensure we aren't taking enough animals to have population level impacts, even if they're both 41/2 year olds. I certainly cant say for sure what the difference between a legal 41/2 yo and a sub legal 41/2yo, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was the mothers body fat and fitness when he was in the womb and not so much who his actual parents where.
 
Bought another google bot tag same unit for this year. Last year season closed quickly but stuck to my plan, even with the extreme terrain. Took a few days after the season ended & have a new plan / destination for this year. Was planning on solid 10 day effort or season closure for 5 years. This year might have to cut it down to a week because I happened to get a NM Oryx "off-range" tag. Snow is melting fast in our mountains, soon I'll be able to start getting some rucking w/elevation. Until then trying to stay consistent with weights & mnt bike. Good hunting to all this year.
 
MojaveJim said:
Bought another google bot tag same unit for this year. Last year season closed quickly but stuck to my plan, even with the extreme terrain. Took a few days after the season ended & have a new plan / destination for this year. Was planning on solid 10 day effort or season closure for 5 years. This year might have to cut it down to a week because I happened to get a NM Oryx "off-range" tag. Snow is melting fast in our mountains, soon I'll be able to start getting some rucking w/elevation. Until then trying to stay consistent with weights & mnt bike. Good hunting to all this year.
Click to expand...
Good luck on that oryx tag. I hear that’s a pretty tough hunt as well
 
BigHornRam said:
Real talent, how the "song writer" masterfully weaved in the "with baling twine in hand" line!😁
Click to expand...
It could have only been better if they had figured out how to make a rhyme that included " We canted the rifle scope sideways to check to see if it was legal " as he wrote in the WSF magazine article that was so perfectly timed following the questionable kill.
 
geetar said:
It could have only been better if they had figured out how to make a rhyme that included " We canted the rifle scope sideways to check to see if it was legal " as he wrote in the WSF magazine article that was so perfectly timed following the questionable kill.
Click to expand...
Hey geetar,

I haven't checked in for ages; is the thread dead now?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

44hunter45
Has this been posted? Grizzly vs hunter incident in Idaho
Replies
7
Views
494
mtmuley
M
J
Grizzly Bear Attack in Canada Injures Eleven.
Replies
6
Views
809
Tmbrgost
T
shrapnel
Got My Dall Sheep And Saved Thousands
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
ArcherBobAlaska
ArcherBobAlaska
Forkyfinder
Letter from western legislators to delist Grizzly bears
Replies
13
Views
2K
El Jason
El Jason
M
Looking down at Grizzly Bear Tracks, Now What
Replies
0
Views
1K
Mustangs Rule
M

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
119,360
Messages
2,224,530
Members
38,877
Latest member
jimross1985

Share this page

Back
Top