Author Topic: My 2012 Manson Ram Story (Read 11485 times)

eburg127 · « **on:** March 09, 2013, 09:14:35 AM »

I was probably like a lot of other hunters the day the draw results came out, immediately checking them as soon as they were available. Seeing the results, I couldn’t believe I was selected for the Manson sheep tag. I had been putting in for 12 years, but the thought NEVER crossed my mind that it would actually happen. I quickly called my brother who didn’t believe me for 45 minutes. Convincing him was tough because he had been putting up with my jokes for 36 years. Once he finally believed me, he was in. I called my dad who offered up his boat and to be the driver. My hunting party was now complete.

I went on four scouting trips before the season. I was nice enough to take the kids “camping” in the area during the summer. They had fun swimming at 25 mile state park while I glassed across the lake for sheep. One of the scouting trips was during deer season. My buddy spotted a buck and since it was the only day I would be out during deer season I figured I would put some meat in the freezer.

We ended up seeing quite a few rams during the actual hunt. The hardest part was field judging and knowing which ram to take. Like most hunters, I know what to look for in deer and elk. Maybe it was the added pressure that this was going to be the only ram that I will ever take in my life. I wanted to make sure I took the best I could.

On day two of the hunt, the lake was as smooth as glass so we easily spotted quite a few sheep from the boat. About midafternoon we were glassing and my dad said he saw some sheep near the top. Now, my dad isn’t exactly known for having the best eyesight, and his binoculars of choice are not only “low end”, but have seen some better days. My brother and I couldn’t see them for some time and thought he was seeing things. You know how it is when someone is trying to tell you where they are seeing animals: “By the top”, “by that tree”, “do you see that rock?” Yeah, I see about 1,000 trees and more rocks than that. We couldn’t believe it when we finally saw two nice looking rams, and we knew we needed to get closer to get a better look. Making our way up the steep mountain we finally got within 250 yards. They were nice rams, but I just didn’t know what to expect since it was only day two. I think my brother thought I was crazy for passing them up.

By day four, we knew I shouldn’t have passed those rams up. We had seen quite a few rams at that point, and had viewed the video footage of those rams over and over. The lake was a little rough so we had to glass from across the lake. My brother was able to relocate the biggest one almost immediately so we loaded back on the boat and got dropped off to put on a stalk. The ram was with 8 ewes so we had a lot of eyes watching. We had to change our course a couple of times and ended up getting above all of them. We got within 100 yards, and were able to video him. One shot later my quest for a bighorn sheep was complete. I will never forget the feeling I had when I walked up to that beautiful animal. It was the most emotional hunt I had ever experienced. The reality of taking a once in a lifetime animal set in, and the only way I can explain it was I was in awe. It truly was a unique hunt, being able to hunt sheep from a boat on the beautiful Lake Chelan. We pretty much had the lake to ourselves that time of year and didn’t have 100’s of ski boats on the water. I enjoyed the hunt even more since it got to do it with my dad and brother.

Thank you to all of the WA wild sheep members that provided me with so much information. You definitely found a new member!

Boss .300 winmag · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2013, 09:23:13 AM »

Nice storey and beatiful ram.

ICEMAN · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2013, 09:25:40 AM »

Wow, cool story and nice pics!! Congratulations!!!

lokidog · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2013, 09:32:40 AM »

Nice animal, good job!

Brushbuster · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2013, 09:43:48 AM »

Wow what incredible pics & write-up shared w/ your family. The perfect trip! Thanks for sharing.

Alan K · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2013, 09:49:33 AM »

True hunt of a lifetime! Way to go!

firefighter4607 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2013, 10:23:51 AM »

Nice Ram Congrats!

dewandgin · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2013, 10:32:47 AM »

Very Cool story and beautiful ram

X-Force · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2013, 10:46:08 AM »

Cool story. Oil experience for sure

blackveltbowhunter · « **Reply #9 on:** March 09, 2013, 10:46:58 AM »

Beautiful Ram!! Nice Job!!!

pendoreilleadventures · « **Reply #10 on:** March 09, 2013, 12:44:32 PM »

Great write up and a beautiful Ram can you post the video of the hunt?

ellensburgpo · « **Reply #11 on:** March 09, 2013, 12:49:24 PM »

Good to hear the story again, beautiful ram.

carpsniperg2 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 09, 2013, 01:17:12 PM »

Great and thanks for sharing.

Peloton · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2013, 01:30:17 PM »

Nice one CC. -LD

SkookumHntr · « **Reply #14 on:** March 09, 2013, 01:47:53 PM »

-What a Hunt!!

PAW66 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 09, 2013, 06:27:29 PM »

Nice Ram and story, thanks for sharing

Harborhunter · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2013, 07:03:53 PM »

Nice ram and cool pictures!

Mfowl · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2013, 07:09:21 PM »

Nice ram! Great pics and story. Congratulations!

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2013, 07:16:52 PM »

Very nice pics and story, congrats on a fine animal. Looks like the drag wasn't too bad either, way to go

huntnphool · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2013, 10:59:34 PM »

MLBowhunting · « **Reply #20 on:** March 09, 2013, 11:09:29 PM »

awesome ram and great pics

elkboy · « **Reply #21 on:** March 09, 2013, 11:54:04 PM »

Hunt of a lifetime! Great write-up, and great pictures. Congratulations.

bugs n bones · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2013, 08:05:58 AM »

nice job!

bearhunter99 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2013, 09:07:15 AM »

Great story and pics, congrats on a successful hunt!

Bwana Bob · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2013, 09:17:18 AM »

Eburg, a real great ram . Do you know what he scored. I've been putting in for that area and like to get an idea on trophy quality there. Do you think you may have passed on a better ram during your hunt?.

deadwoodbuck · « **Reply #25 on:** March 12, 2013, 09:27:16 AM »

seriously memorable times with the bro and old man...a lifetime hunt. mount that beautiful animal and you will always have that reminder to look at. love the final picture and symbolism of the lifetime ram at the end of the rainbow.

elkoholic1 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 12, 2013, 09:39:27 AM »

congrats on a true awesome oil animal....

suga · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2013, 09:59:12 AM »

Congrats on the trophy.

eburg127 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 13, 2013, 08:01:50 PM »

Quote from: Bwana Bob on March 12, 2013, 09:17:18 AM

Eburg, a real great ram . Do you know what he scored. I've been putting in for that area and like to get an idea on trophy quality there. Do you think you may have passed on a better ram during your hunt?.

I have not had him officially scored. We scored him at 160, but this is the first one we have done! I don't think I passed on anything better. One of the other hunters took one pretty much identical.

ellensburgpo · « **Reply #29 on:** March 13, 2013, 08:04:32 PM »

In fairness, eburg127 may have confused the hair on his knuckles as the scoring tape, so 160 maybe a random number....

Falcon · « **Reply #30 on:** March 13, 2013, 09:00:26 PM »

Congrats on your ram, and telling a great story.

You mentioned you could only do this once.

You did it right!!!!

Bwana Bob · « **Reply #31 on:** March 14, 2013, 07:51:12 AM »

Thanks Eburg, he looks a bit better than that. Is it possible to see all the sheep in that area from across the lake or are they in small groups all up and down the lake. I've been told they are hard to spot from above on the road system.
I need to draw that damn tag soon.

hunter-4-life · « **Reply #32 on:** March 14, 2013, 08:07:03 AM »

Awesome story and even better trophy of a life time and the memories you share with having your dad and brother on that hunt.

eburg127 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 14, 2013, 10:03:58 PM »

Thanks for all of the comments everyone! The video did not turn out great, but I might try and post it in the future.

Quote

Is it possible to see all the sheep in that area from across the lake or are they in small groups all up and down the lake. I've been told they are hard to spot from above on the road system.

We spotted a lot from across the lake, but you need to get up lake to see more. I went up on top three times, but never saw any sheep. Other hunters had seen some from above. I think the best option is a boat. Only a few months until the draw so let me know if you get it!

actionshooter · « **Reply #34 on:** March 14, 2013, 10:06:46 PM »

Awesome story/hunt! Congrats
I'll take you up on it. I always put in for that unit, great area!

Bwana Bob · « **Reply #35 on:** March 15, 2013, 08:08:54 AM »

Probably have a better chance at hitting Lotto

gunnarnewt · « **Reply #36 on:** March 15, 2013, 08:17:24 AM »

Great ram! Congrats!

Dode · « **Reply #37 on:** March 15, 2013, 09:44:36 AM »

Excellent story! Congrats

seth30 · « **Reply #38 on:** March 15, 2013, 09:52:05 AM »

Congrats on the hunt!

rgalanti21 · « **Reply #39 on:** March 15, 2013, 07:31:06 PM »

Wow, that ram is impressive! Congrats on the excellent hunt!

zackmioli · « **Reply #40 on:** March 16, 2013, 09:24:10 PM »

beautiful animal, and even more beautiful scenery! great pictures, that sounds like a great hunt and memory! congrats.

EyeTooth · « **Reply #41 on:** March 19, 2013, 06:33:47 AM »

I had a dream like that once too. It was great! Drawing the Manson permit, hunting by boat, bluebird weather, great rams, no pressure!! I don't remember the rainbow though. Hmmm? I still keep thinkin "some day", that'll be the life!
Wait a minute. That wasn't a dream was it eburg? Holy mackerel! You actually did that! Those'er real pictures, not just wishfull thinking!! YOU DID IT!!!!!!!! Congrats to you man!
Thanks for telling us your story and letting us know that it's worth the wait. I love the pictures too. The odds are soooo long, but it's definitely worth the price of admission.
Thanks too for helping to keep my dreams alive.
Good luck on your next adventure as well.

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #42 on:** March 19, 2013, 06:45:42 AM »

Great looking ram. A definate trophy for the wall.

Gringo31 · « **Reply #43 on:** March 19, 2013, 06:55:22 AM »

Sawbuck · « **Reply #44 on:** March 19, 2013, 06:59:26 AM »

Great job writing the story of the hunt up

Great hunt and pics, truly the hunt of a lifetime

HUNTINCOUPLE · « **Reply #45 on:** March 19, 2013, 07:50:33 AM »

Labs07 · « **Reply #46 on:** April 02, 2013, 01:48:05 PM »

That was a great story and an awesome animal! Congrats!

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Author Topic: My 2012 Manson Ram Story (Read 11485 times)

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