Desert Big Horn

[JohnP]

Arguably the most sought after big game in the U.S. is a desert bighorn. I have put in for a tag forever and have never been drawn.  I applied again for a tag, knowing full well that if drawn I can't go as this is a physically demanding hunt.  If drawn I'll donate my tag to Hunt of a Lifetime. For those who don't know this is an organization that tries to grant hunts to kids who are terminally ill but still strong enough for a limited hunt with guides and plenty of physical help.

When I was fit to do so the wife and I would always go scouting in hopes that I would get drawn.  A lady friend of ours put in for a tag, her first attempt at a desert big horn tag.  She had all three of the other North American sheep but needed the desert for her Grand Slam. As luck would have it she drew a tag on her first attempt!  This is a picture of a bachelor herd we found while scouting for her hunt.  Unfortunately the biggest ram is just belown the ridge line on the other side.  When I tried to move and get a picture of him they spotted me and disappeared over the ridge.



She did kill a nice 160+ ram on her hunt a few weeks later. She and her husband invited my wife and I (all expenses paid) to the North American Sheep Society banquet in Vegas when she got her Grand Slam award.  I have a picture of her, the ram and myself and if I can find it I'll post it later.     

[KySongDog]

I'll never get a chance to hunt big horn.  Thanks for the pic.  Looks like it would be a fun hunt to do. 

[GunDog]

Mr John thanks for sharing the story and picture. Any one of those big horns in the picture would be a trophy to me.

[Hawks Feather]

Great pictures John.  Like you I have shot several.  All with a camera.

Jerry

[pitw]

Nice pic John. Being a lazy man I've never hunted any big horns cause they got a rotten tendency to live where gravity works a lot .

[FinsnFur]

Diddo, I was gonna say Big Horn hunting is tough hunting. Never done it, but I would take the opportunity.
Thats a cool pic. If it weren't for the horizon, they would blend right in.

[vvarmitr]

That is so cool.

I grew up reading the accounts of Jack & Eleanor O'Conner & their sheep hunts.  I've always wanted to get a Dall ram myself. 

[Dave]

Your hearts in the right spot, JohnP in trying to draw a hunt for a kid who's being cheated of life.
Always enjoy reading your posts.

[possumal]

John P, that picture is just way cool.  What a hunt that must be. Thanks for sharing.