Should I get a tag too?! Alberta Big Horn Sheep hunt

For the sheep guys that get the numbers. The 2019 Ram has 15 1/2 inch bases and is 33 inches long. Any legal ram is a great ram when it comes to the hard work and effort required to get into their backyard and pull one off the mountain. Probably one of my most special hunts and mounts to look at. 6.5 year old ram when taken.
 
Back to the present, my buddy looks at me and says, "I cant go any further, I'm seizing up!". We have both turned 50 in the last couple years and ten years ago, this was no problem! But now, the little things are in the way of being great, sore back, sore feet, can't see as good, excuses I know..... but they are real. Without my kid there I probably would have said screw it too and sat down on that flat rock that day, but he wanted to see if they were still there, at least see them from up close to see if the big ram was legal.

We continued on up the slope. The low/bottom of the green line in the pic above is where my buddy decided to see if the sheep would get pushed down and past his ambush spot......lol
 
The first few miles were not that bad, but a steady incline for sure. My buddy is a big dude, 6'5" and over 240, strong like a bull for sure and very determined. I have always snickered at the saying, " if you are gunna be dumb, you better be tough", and he's as tough as it gets....... lol.

Not saying he's dumb at all, he's smarter and more cunning than most of our group combined, 1000%. But he is always NOT looking for ways to make things easier on himself, which in the end is a big part of this story. His wife, bless her heart, was taking care her of her man and packed him a lunch meant for a trucker as I would later find out when I was in charge of cleaning out the packs at the end of the hunt......OMFG:oops:

To say his pack had a few amenities not normally seen in a sheep hunting pack is an understatement.

Two sandwiches, encased in their own glass, yes I said GLASS containers. One was Peanut butter and jam, and who doesn't have a sippy cup with milk in it for your peanut butter sammy......lol

2 full boxes of bullets, 40 shells plus what was hanging on his sling and gun......

He was struggling. He looked over at me when we were sucking wind going up this steep slope and I had an inclination he was done. I was in bad shape as well. "Have you ever done a marathon without training?!?!", I said. We all laughed but it was crunch time. We were about 2/3 up the slope the rams were possibly on and the thermals were not good for success if the rams hadn't moved.
Ummm. He may not be as smart as you give credit for...Foolish to not consider how to limit weight carried within reason. 40+ bullets, and all the other useless stuff. yikes.

That said subscribed and looking forward to the rest of the story.
 
Ummm. He may not be as smart as you give credit for...Foolish to not consider how to limit weight carried within reason. 40+ bullets, and all the other useless stuff. yikes.

That said subscribed and looking forward to the rest of the story.
Let's just say he was prepared for anything........ lol

the 5 vapes in his pocket would also provide some background info......3 going and two in their unopened respective boxes still.......I was like WTF!!!:rolleyes:
 
We(my son and I) made it to the slope the sheep could be on, nothing in the trees and nothing on the grass bench. We keep moving up slowly. We get to the shoulder of the mountain and peek over. Nothing. I'm bewildered and exhausted at the same time. At this moment, I am wishing i was down on that flat rock with my buddy enjoying the day. My son then goes, "there they are!". He says they are all bedded down and there are 9 of them. Perfect, all are accounted for. Where is the big guy though??!! Then we spot him. He's darker in colour than the rest and the most mature ram there. We confirm he is legal with the spotter and I grab for my range finder. That is when things started to go sideways. I find the rams and range the rock beside them, nothing...... I try again and nada........FFS!!!!! I pulled that range finder out the night before and ranged my neighbours house no problem, today when I need it, its not working, the battery is dead...I'm guessing the rams are 250 yds away, but I cant confirm. At this moment, one of the smaller rams stands up and is staring our way.
 
As an FYi all, the Caesar, the drink, not the Roman dictator, was derived here in Calgary, Caesars Steak House. It’s a Bloody Mary with a twist, Clamato juice not tomatoe juice. We add pickle juice , lime juice, Worchester sauce and a ton of tobasco sauce😍

Red eyes are for breakfast, beer, clamato, add a pickled bean and a stick of pepperoni and you are set for the day 😉
 
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As an FYi all, the Caesar, the drink, not the Roman dictator, was derived here in Calgary, Caesars Steak House. It’s a Bloody Mary with a twist, Clamato juice not tomatoe juice. We add pickle juice , lime juice, Worchester sauce and a ton of tobasco sauce😍

Red eyes are for breakfast, beer, clamato, add a pickled bean and a stick of pepperoni and you are set for the day 😉
Man I love me a good Caesar.
 
If money was no options an Alberta bighorn is near the top of the list for me. Hope you blew $90 and notched a tag.
 

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