Umtanum Sheep Tag

[shanevg]

So my uncle (the lucky dog) drew the Umtanum Sheep tag.  We are planning to do plenty of scouting this summer to find the best sheep we can get.  My dad drew a November archery tag in the unit 29 years ago and shot a 154 ram with his bow (currently 7th largest archery ram in WA.)  We know the unit and the area pretty well but don't necessarily know where to find the sheep during the September 15 - October 10 season. 

If anyone has any advice or knows of any good rams, I'd love to hear it!

[Ridgerunner]

pm sent

[Timberstalker]

Congrats.  Should be a blast.  Look forward to following along.

[D-Rock425]

Good luck to you guys

[Elkstuffer]

The later the better. I spent 50+ days hunting sheep in that unit last year with 2 different hunters. Counted over 40 different rams. You will see a lot of sheep from the road. Best advise is to have a quad for scouting from up top and have a raft or drift boat to access the bottom. The sheep migrate towards the dam as the rut nears. Look me up when you are in the area and I can point out some areas on your map and show you some sheep. I have 3 in the shop from Umtanum. Another good piece of advise is to make sure that everyone in your party knows the difference between a shooter and a small ram. EVERY year guys come in to the shop with 2-4 yr old rams because there friend, who said he knew sheep, told him to shoot. Big mistake. Friends and family can be a big help and a huge hindrance on a hunt like this. Look over a lot of sheep. They aren't going anywhere. You can always come back to them if you don't find something bigger. Most importantly....Have fun!!!!!

[huntnphool]

The later the better. I spent 50+ days hunting sheep in that unit last year with 2 different hunters. Counted over 40 different rams. You will see a lot of sheep from the road. Best advise is to have a quad for scouting from up top and have a raft or drift boat to access the bottom. The sheep migrate towards the dam as the rut nears. Look me up when you are in the area and I can point out some areas on your map and show you some sheep. I have 3 in the shop from Umtanum. Another good piece of advise is to make sure that everyone in your party knows the difference between a shooter and a small ram. EVERY year guys come in to the shop with 2-4 yr old rams because there friend, who said he knew sheep, told him to shoot. Big mistake. Friends and family can be a big help and a huge hindrance on a hunt like this. Look over a lot of sheep. They aren't going anywhere. You can always come back to them if you don't find something bigger. Most importantly....Have fun!!!!!

Good offer right there.

[shanevg]

Elkstuffer- from your post I'm guessing your a taxidermist.  Where's your shop at?  What kind of size are we looking at for upper echelon of sheep in the unit?  I've been told not to pass on a 170 ram but I doubt we'll be passing on 150+ rams unless we have a good one picked out ahead of time. 

When you talk about late in the season how late are you talking?  This year season is from September 15 - October 10.  I know they don't usually rut until late November so it doesn't seem like we can rely on them gathering up for the rut. 

Any pictures of past rams to post up?

[Limhangerslayer]

Rick thats why you taxidermists take so long to get animals out . You hunt too much  

You shouldn't have a problem a 150 ram.  I take it you are going to archery hunt?

[shanevg]

I'm not hunting it's my uncle's tag.  He will be rifle hunting but he's in his 60's and doesn't get around as well as he used to.  I don't think we'll have any problem hunting the unit, but we also won't be covering the entire thing on a regular basis and passing on mature rams. 

[Elkstuffer]

You will see rut activity in late September. Bigger rams separate from the smaller rams, ewes and lambs. Early Oct the mature rams groups will start sparing against each other and sizing one another up. This doesn't last long and they will start putting some distance between each other and you will see them chasing the ewes. If you only have 1 week to hunt the last week of the season is best.

You won't see a 170 ram in the Umtanum unless one crosses over from Selah Butte but that doesn't usually happen until they are rutting hard. Last year we killed the largest ram in the unit and he scored 163+. If your uncle is unable to really get after it I would not pass on a 150 class ram. We saw lots of 145 and low 150's class rams. People drive the canyon and see sheep and think it's an easy hunt. It will be hot, dry and those hills are steep with not a lot of cover. Getting close can be tough. Make sure he puts some rounds thru his favorite rifle and is good out to 300 yrds.

Don't get discouraged when you come over this summer and aren't seeing many sheep. They will be there. They just disappear in the summer. DO come over and get familiar with the road system. It's always nice to know what road is closest to that ram that you may see at the top of the canyon and you're down on the river.

I'm located in Tieton just up the hill from Naches. Let me know when you're coming over this way.

[270Shooter]

Pretty steep in there, lt Murray roads are rough and rocky. I would hunt from the canyon myself, but I guess it just depends on where you find them. I don't know a lot about field judging them, but from pictures of 150 class sheep I would say that is a good benchmark for this unit. If you need help packing out I'd love to help if I am off work.

[blacktailer]

Sounds like some Great advice elkstuffer.   Shane, you must be the official field judge for Uncle Mel's hunt I guess???

[coachcw]

rick knows his stuff for sure . I'd pick a ram that looks good and not worry about score . don't  over look the canyons between wenas and the tower on top of rosa . you know rick the one you saved my ass from with your winch . the canyon can be tough for a guy in his sixties

[shanevg]

Sounds like some Great advice elkstuffer.   Shane, you must be the official field judge for Uncle Mel's hunt I guess???

I've not even officially been invited on the hunt yet. 
You're probably a better judge than me!

[blacktailer]

Just wanna give Ric a big thanks for taking time out of your day Friday to share your info and knowledge of sheep and the unitwith Mel and I.   I think it was good to size up the unit and get a refresher on the lay of the land.  Now it's time for the old man to get in sheep shape.  Thanks again, Nathan

[shootem]

There is plenty of good information on this site about sheep hunting in that area. Elkstuffer is a great resource worth listening to. I would give lots of thought on any advice he has to give and pick has brain till there is nothing left to give. You should have a great hunt. When you are done he is good as it gets on mounting the trophy. He did an incredible job on my Clemens Mountain ram from a couple of years ago.

[Elkstuffer]

Just wanna give Ric a big thanks for taking time out of your day Friday to share your info and knowledge of sheep and the unitwith Mel and I.   I think it was good to size up the unit and get a refresher on the lay of the land.  Now it's time for the old man to get in sheep shape.  Thanks again, Nathan

Hey Nathan, No worries! It was great to meet you and your uncle Mel and talk hunting. I just really like to see the OIL tag holder be successful, especially for sheep. They are a truly fascinating and majestic animal and I may never get an opportunity to hunt one. So anything that I can do to help I will. Hopefully we"ll get together again before or during the big hunt.

[blacktailer]

Well said shootem.  I was very impressed with Ric's taxidermy work as well.  Not my tag, but my Ucles' as well as Shane Vg's and Alec Vg's (opposite sides of the family)  I would imagine he will certainly want to hook up with you as the season approaches Ric.  Not real sure if he wants to try things more on his own or what?  I am happy to go if the opportunity arises.  I think lots of eyes in the field are good, but lots of voices chiming in on the shooter at crunch time can be a bad nightmare...

[cem3434]

Like others have said, the river is probably the best access to find the big boys in the canyon. You can drop into the canyon off of Durr Road, but be prepared to hike. I have seen some nice rams in there during deer season. Make sure to also check out Umtanum Falls, which is an easy hike from the trail head. Ive seen a few nice rams in there as well. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Elkstuffer]

Here is that 163 ram from the Umtanum my customer took last year.

[blacktailer]

Good looking mount Ric...

[DeerThug]

Ric - give me a call, i'd like to tag along on one of your scouting trips

[bowhunterforever]

Nice mount