Chelan Butte Disabled Hunt 2015

[popeshawnpaul]

I had been asking the WDFW issue a special "ear tag" hunt in Chelan Butte since 2010.  It was that year Brian/Ridgerunner pulled his tag and we scouted the unit and every ram.  There were 5 ear tag rams that year and they all had essentially stopped growing.  They were born on Cleman Mountain and the first 2-3 years are essential in a ram if they are ever going to be Boone and Crocket class rams.  With little growth early in life, these rams broomed off and their offspring even at 6 years of age were larger than their fathers.  Here are some scouting trip photos of #13 from 5 years ago.  Notice his right horn is not chipped like it is now.









Over the years we saw less and less ear tags until only #13 was left.  My friend and I spotted him and got some images of him from last year.





I inquired about who from the game department was going to take the disabled hunter this year.  This is some steep country and could be a difficult hunt for someone with a disability.  It's also hard to locate one ram in a large herd.  The tag holder contacted me and the bio had told him to contact me to go with him to get #13.  I was excited to be a part of this hunt.  There were about 20 sheep transplanted there 12 years ago, starting this herd.  There must be about 150 sheep in there now. 

While it was controversial to open up the unit for additional hunts this year, I can say we are fine.  I personally saw 5 upper 170's class rams yesterday and one pushing 180".  I saw a lot of nice mature rams.  While I think this unit can handle the 5 rams that will be taken out of there this year, we may want to scale it back next year.

That being said, this is a conservation success story.  I met with the hunter, Dick and his son Cory on top the butte at daylight.  We started glassing the canyons below and I spotted a mature ram in some shade, heading down into a steep canyon.  We put a spotting scope on it and Cory and I thought we might see some white on his right ear.  I got out my 600mm lens, and zoomed in on his head and we could clearly see a white #13 tag in his right ear.  So lucky it was the first sheep spotted.  We talked about driving down below, but ultimately I thought let's just go at him.  We had plenty of cover behind a ridge and he would likely stay in that canyon.  While they are rutting hard now, #13 is just too old to rut and was likely going to stay put in the canyon.

After hours of hiking down to the spot where we could see into the canyon, we finally got the disabled hunter there and in position.  However, we couldn't locate the ram.  Where did he go?  I scanned everywhere but couldn't find him.  With Dick being tired from the long stalk, I offered to go through the canyon and to the next ridge to see if he popped over in the next canyon.  We had also spotted another sheep in that next canyon and I wanted to see if it was #13 but we needed a closer look.  As I was hiking up the opposite hillside, I looked up and a ewe, kid, and small ram stood up from behind some rocks at 30 yards.  They weren't spooked and I didn't see any other sheep with them.  I kept working up and around from them.  When I got a ways away, I heard a boom.  I guess I pushed him out of somewhere was my first thought.  I saw Cory in my bino's and he was happy with his arms up.  Excited, he led me back to where the ram had fallen.  I had apparently jumped it but it was behind rocks I could not see.  I don't mind bird dogging big sheep up! 

It took a while but Dick finally made it to his ram.  Dick is almost 80 years old and I think he killed the oldest ram I've ever heard of in WA.  #13 should be 15 years old but he would never be the size that tag holders would likely pick to kill because most people shoot rams based on score, not age.  I was happy to be the volunteer to help them out and ensure we got the right ram.  What a great couple of guys that I as happy to help with this hunt.  What a great hunt and great trophy this hunt provided.  In looking at his teeth, he didn't really have any molars left.  He likely would have died this winter.  Additionally, his hoofs were torn up and tattered. 

[Brute]

 

[RadSav]

He has much more character up close than I expected!  Score or not he is one beautiful animal.  So glad a deserving hunter was able to harvest him before the coyotes, cats or mother natured did him in. 

[bobcat]

Thanks for the story. I'm glad the hunt went well. What did he shoot it with and how far was the shot?

[huntnphool]

  congrats to the old guy.

[h20hunter]

Like you said, a success story in many ways. Thanks for sharing.

[popeshawnpaul]

Thanks for the story. I'm glad the hunt went well. What did he shoot it with and how far was the shot?

He shot it with a rifle at about 250 yards.  I don't know the type of gun but they all shoot lead at fast enough speeds to kill.  I think it had a silver barrel and black stock.

[Timberstalker]

Thanks for sharing.  Glad a hunter was able to take this ram and it didn't die of old age. 

[h20hunter]

Two old timers on the hill. Two go up one comes down.

[Watimberghost]

Congrats to the hunter! Good on you for helping 

[bearhunter99]

Those are great pictures!  Congrats on a successful hunt!

[X-Force]

Cool Hunt. Thanks for sharing!

[wheels]

nice story beautiful ram  hope to get that tag one day

[deerhunter_98520]

Great story thanks for sharing 

[NOCK NOCK]

Great story, Hope I am able to get out there and hike/get it done, when that old.