GMU 113 added to Rocky Mt Sheep Raffle.

[Timber]

Has anyone else noticed the proposal to add GMU 113 to the list of open areas for the Rocky Mt. Bighorn Sheep raffle? I know there's been some giants in the Hall Mt. herd in the past. Does anyone know about the quality of the rams up there these days? I wonder if it would be worth spending time there vs the Blues.

[ramslam]

The dept. seems indifferent about enhancing the Hall Mtn herd and since big rams have been taken from this herd right on the Canadian border it was recommended to add it to the Rocky raffle.  With the season running until Dec. 31 if nothing shows up around the lake the winner can still hunt most of the Blue Mtn herds.  Plus funds earned by the raffle will go back to Rocky Mtn bighorn projects.

[sagerat]

Can someone enlighten me? If it's possible to harvest a ram in unit 113 and not have a detrimental effect on that herd, why not issue a permit? Even if it's something like one permit every 5 years. There must be reason right???

[ramslam]

The concern about simply offering a draw permit hunt is if no rams are on our side of the border during the hunt.  Imagine how you would feel if you have 12 or so points and draw that permit and rams are nowhere to be found--I know I would be upset.  So the rationale was to add it to the raffle so if that was the case you could still go hunt the Blues.

Hope that helps.

[WDFW-SUX]

I'd gladly roll the dice on any sheep tag..........

Especially Mt Hall

[sagerat]

Makes sense, I didn't know they roamed across the border like that. I wonder if they get hunted in Canada?

[ramslam]

The rams are hunted on the Canadian side which is why I have been lobbying for years go get access for Washington hunters.  I talked to a BC resident a few years ago who drew a BC permit.  He told me he was "within site" of the Washington line when he killed his 190 B&C ram.

[popeshawnpaul]

I've seen a few 190" rams up there back when they had the feed station.  That would be a tough but fun hunt.  Quite a few trees and they are spread out.  No roads.  I would love to see what that population has become since then.