How can this be possible? Colorado Unit 17 Bighorn Sheep tag!!

[cgasner1]

3,200’ so it could be worse. Previous experience with mountain hiking tells me I’m decent up to 9,000’ish and then it starts to get hard to breathe a bit from there on up.

Ran 3 miles this morning. I was up to 4 miles earlier this spring but slacked off a little in May and June. Going to start throwing in some lunges for sure and maybe some squats and our treadmill goes up to a 15% incline so might do some walking at full incline in addition to getting back up on the miles running. Should be in better shape but not starting out at zero at least. Lost 20 pounds so far this year already so that should be helpful too.

Did some shooting last night. Working on stretching out to at least 400 yards. First shot with a 10-15 mph crosswind and I hit 3” right and dead one vertically. Thought that was good.

I’ve been hitting the treadmill at a 20% at the gym. Depending on your age this is probably a great option for your knees going into this to keep training and not have issues

 

[Jake.]

Congrats on the reissue, as a fellow recipient of that call I know a bit of what you’re feeling! I think hiring an outfitter is the right move if you’re able to, gotta make the most of the opportunity! Best of luck and get those legs in shape!

 

[npaden]

I'm going to end up posting another thread when the scouting and actual hunt rolls around but thought I would close this one out.

I've decided to book Rocky Mountain Outfitters of Colorado for this hunt. They do have a few bad reviews, but the ones that are posted all revolve around drop camps and pack outs with some communication issues. I spoke with the guide that will be assigned to me and he is very excited about the hunt and actually talking with them today he has already been out scouting looking for the biggest ram in the unit. Already found some rams but thinks there are bigger ones.

Still need to get my workout routine stepped up. Took a bit of a break while in New Zealand, need to remedy that.

Big thanks to @Oak, @Khunter, and @Sandbrew for the hookup with previous tag holders. I've spent a bunch of time on the phone, texting and emailing and gotten a lot of really good information. One of the best tips was that a big part of sheep hunting is getting eyes on the sheep and recruiting as many people to help with that as possible is going to improve your chances. That's part of what helped me decide to go ahead with the outfitter. I'm checking with a few friends and family members to have as a backup for if I don't tag out with the outfitter. The plan will be to spend as much of September in the unit as I can until the season ends or a ram is on the ground.

 

[Oak]

I have a friend who drew it this year. His brother had the tag several years ago and they did not kill a ram. I asked why he applied there this year and he said because he already knew something about the unit.

For various reasons, he returned it.

 

[npaden]

For various reasons, he returned it.

Wow. I guess being a resident the odds are good he would have a chance to draw this tag or another bighorn tag down the road sometime.

I don’t think I have much of a chance drawing another tag ever in any state (although I plan to keep applying).

I’m assuming that the draw pools are separate and the returned tag will go to another resident.

The draw recap showed the nonresident that drew had 3 + 3. I think on the resident side there were a couple pretty high point holders that drew and one in the middle and a couple low point holders if I remember correctly.

Even with a 1 in 6 harvest success rate that is way higher than hunting the unlimited units in Montana which is really the only other real option for hunting sheep for me.

 

[ChaseH6883]

Congratulations and good luck!