Oregon bighorns

[Pathfinder101]

We took a family trip to Portland Oregon this week.  Around the Dalles, my son mentioned that when he came that way with some friends of his last year they had been looking for bighorn rams on the cliffs above the river.  I have made that trip several times and never seen sheep before, but he got me thinking, so we started looking and pretty soon spotted a herd of what I figured was mule deer.  We stopped and pulled out the glass, and lo and behold, he was right.  Sheep.  I have probably been passing them this whole time and never realized there were sheep there.  We spotted 4 herds on Monday, and spotted another herd today on the way home.  One was a bachelor herd with a couple of decent rams, so I grabbed the camera (admittedly, not wildlife photgraphy equipment) and headed up the rocks to get close enough for a couple of shots.  They let me get within 100 yards, and I snapped a few shots.  Not the greatest quality photos, but was fun.  Never photgrpahed a bachelor herd before.

[bowhunterforever]

Awsome pics! Those sheep look pretty shaggy this time of year.

[MuleySniper]

Cool! Always exciting to see some sheep!
MS

[Thenewguy]

Glad they are surviving!

[Ricochet]

A few years back I spotted a nice herd of rams off of I-84 and did a little stalk and photography session.  Unfortunately it was interrupted by an Oregon State Trooper who informed me that I was A.) trespassing, B.) parked illegally along the freeway, C.) had obviously crossed the freeway on foot.  Those three offenses could have gotten me fines totalling $6400.   The OSP trooper told me the property owner ALWAYS presses charges, so I was obviously lucky in that he let me off with a stern warning.  I won't be going back.

[Pathfinder101]

Good to know Ricochet... I am guessing that I broke all three of those laws also (if I was trespassing I couldn't tell, I didn't cross any fences).  DIdn't think about that.  Probably the same area...

[Ricochet]

I thought I was good to go.  We parked well off the pavement, I safely crossed the freeway, crawled through the right-of-way fence, and wandered up to the rams.  The lighting wasn't good but the rams were not concerned with my presence so I climbed up above them to get a better angle.  I was taking pics like a madman when the trooper showed up.  When a guy with a badge started yelling at me to "Come here, NOW!!!" by golly I did.  I went down the hill so fast I managed to lose my wallet but I guess I don't need to tell you, its still there.

[boneaddict]

Surprised he didn't ask you for ID.   

[agchawk]

LOL...that's too funny ricochet! Glad I didn't have my camera with me or probably would have done the same thing!

Pathfinder, did you drive through there on Sunday? They are probably the same sheep I spotted when I went through there around midday. I have made that drive along I-84 on numerous occasions but that was the first time I saw sheep along that route. I know that there are a good number of them up the John Day (In fact, that is one of Oregon's better sheep units from what I've been told) but I didn't realize they frequented the breaks along the highway.

Nice pics. I was a little upset that I didn't have my camera when I drove through there but now I can go back and enjoy your photos....and I didn't get yelled at like ricochet!!

[Ricochet]

Actually, once I got down there, the trooper was very nice.  He did ask for ID, which was when I noticed the missing wallet, maybe that's why he didn't cite me.  I have fleeting thoughts of trying to get permission to photograph those rams, there was some definite potential among those boys.  

Here's a shot from my ill-fated 2006 session.



Anyway, thanks for sharing your pics Pathfinder101, you brought back some fond, and not so fond, memories.

[Pathfinder101]

LOL...that's too funny ricochet! Glad I didn't have my camera with me or probably would have done the same thing!

Pathfinder, did you drive through there on Sunday? They are probably the same sheep I spotted when I went through there around midday. I have made that drive along I-84 on numerous occasions but that was the first time I saw sheep along that route. I know that there are a good number of them up the John Day (In fact, that is one of Oregon's better sheep units from what I've been told) but I didn't realize they frequented the breaks along the highway.

Nice pics. I was a little upset that I didn't have my camera when I drove through there but now I can go back and enjoy your photos....and I didn't get yelled at like ricochet!!

No, we went on Monday (that's when the pics were taken), and returned yesterday afternoon.  Only saw one herd yesterday.  We spotted 4 seperate herds between Celilo and Hood River on Monday.  Only stopped to take pictures of the bachelor herd, since the others were much further from the road.

Didn't realize I was such an outlaw.  Hell, I should have been wearing a black hat

I also saw a herd down by Asotin last week, but they were on the Idaho side of the river.  7 ewes and 3 rams, about the same size as the ones in the pictures from OR.  Too far for a picture though.
  Maybe this is my lucky year for sheep.  Got my special draw permit and raffle ticket...   Now I just have to find some in Washington.

[agchawk]

Good luck with the draw Pathfinder! I am also hoping my name gets called (Yea, good luck with that!)

Yea, I live in Clarkston and go "window shopping" along the snake out there around Asotin checking out the sheep. There are also quite a few up Asotin Creek. I actually got to watch two nice rams fight over some ewes one morning up that way. I have quite a few pics from my trips up there but have nothing electronic. I'll see if I can get them scanned one of these days and post them up.

[Pathfinder101]

Well, if I get drawn for 17 Ill send you a PM... good luck in the draw...

[agchawk]

Any time, my friend!