Congrats on the new baby and the tag, wish you all the best!
I don't have any experience with Desert Sheep hunting, I only have hunted sheep in MT and WY. That being said, I would try and connect with other past tag holders and try to learn as much as possible from them. I would ask, is this a unit that changes during the rut, as in new rams 'show up'? If so, find the ewes, and you'll find rams. Does weather play a role in when rams typically move in? Or are there resident rams in the unit?
I would get out before the baby comes for a couple overnight trips to get familiar with the country and try to find water sources. The more you scout before your baby comes, the more efficient with your time actually hunting a ram will be.
Although I haven't hunted desert sheep, I do have a lot of experience on parenting/having children during the fall. I have two sons - one born September 17, 2021, and one born 2 years later November 9. I apparently 'rut' in the timeframe from Christmas to Valentine's Day, as my close friends have pointed out...
I wouldn't trade having a child and being there with my wife for any animal or tag, ever. As others have mentioned, having a baby truly is WAY more important than anything else. Be there for your wife and your newborn. As much as a newborn can feel like a 'pet rock' for dads, the support you can provide for your wife at this transition point is super important. I know some people view it as, 'you'll only have this tag once in your life, and you can have another baby later.' But, you only become first time parents, once. And it changes literally everything. So, that's my perspective. Not saying I'm right or others are wrong in their perspectives.
My advice is to clearly communicate your plan for your hunt with your wife, but also be flexible with your plan. I know you stated your wife is fully supportive of you hunting the entire season. But, from personal experience, the mental game of being away from your child and wife pursuing a hobby during a really important time in their lives is very hard. And, sometimes the transition from the hospital to home takes more time and effort than you realize now.
Small things, if you do truly have the 'greenlight' to hunt once the baby comes, can be:
- Prepare pre-made home cooked meals in advance and freeze them. That way, your wife can have meals easily ready when you are gone. We had a meal train set up for us by some friends for both of our sons, and that was really helpful.
- Some babies breast-feed really well, immediately. Some, do not, and it is really hard on the mother if the baby isn't feeding well. Invest in some materials from a lactation consultant. Who knows, maybe that won't be a problem for you guys, but it's helpful to have information and tips/tricks beforehand.
-Do you have family or friends that can 'cover' for you when you are hunting? Having an extra set of hands around the house with a newborn is so helpful. Someone else to change a diaper, rock the baby while your wife takes a shower, etc. Make a plan, again, if you can, to have someone stay with your wife.
-Schedule cleaners to clean your house/windows within a week of the baby coming. It's helpful to come home from the hospital to an organized, clean home.
-Do you typically do any chores around the house? If so, figure out a way for someone else to take care of those for you and your wife.
-Make sure you are stocked up on diapers, wipes, and groceries before the baby comes and continue to be stocked on those when you are hunting. I know with my wife, she couldn't move a ton for about a week after our first baby, she did better with our second, but I ran all the errands during that first week home.
-Make sure all the things in the house are in working function before you go - check the furnace filters, clean the gutters, whatever. Surprises happen, but do all you can to make sure nothing goes haywire while you are gone.
There's more tidbits out there, but that's what comes to mind.
Hope that is somewhat helpful for you. Keep us all posted on how your plans evolve, and congratulations!
Congrats and good luck!
. People don't understand pain and pain tolerance until an experience like that.
