Chelan Butte A - Any Ram

[bowhunterforever]

Huge congrats Cant wait to hear about the hunt

[Deepinthetrees]

Thanks everyone!

This is the first real premium tag that I've drawn. It's interesting the thoughts that go through your head, even in the first few days. 

I've done quite a bit of e-scouting and research the last couple of days, these are some of my initial thoughts which seem to be pretty common:
 

• Should I attempt to make this happen with my bow?  I'd love to give it a try but I understand how hard it is to commit to that when you see a ram you want to take if you have a rifle at your disposal.
• How much help should I accept/seek out?  I tend to be a self sufficient type that likes to do it himself but I also like to think I'm not bullheaded and can take the advice of others.  I really appreciate the sentiment of Gringo31 on his 2016 hunt.
• What caliber of animal should I hold out for?  I'm not the guy that has to have the biggest ram as measured by inches.  That's cool of course if it happens to be but to me it's more about the experience and how best to enjoy this gift that I've been given, well paid for and drawn I guess.
• How do I even judge inches on sheep? See above, how much does that matter to me?  Regardless of that answer, I'll dig into it and learn.  Any resources you'd suggest?
• How do I still try to fit in my other hunting that I look forward to all year, especially chasing elk with my bow?  For me it's pretty much out of state every year because I generally put in for the east side draw units. Of course I understand this is a OIL type of tag and want to give it the respect and time it deserves.

These are just some of the things bouncing around in my mind.  I appreciate those of you that have reached out so far on this thread and also by DM. I look forward to getting up soon to get a lay of the country and get my eyes on some sheep!

[emac]

Should I attempt to make this happen with my bow?  I'd love to give it a try but I understand how hard it is to commit to that when you see a ram you want to take if you have a rifle at your disposal.


It's a long season if you have the time I would try with the bow 1st and than switch to the rifle when I becomes crunch time.

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[jstone]

Yes try it with your bow.
If and when I draw I will try with my bow first

[Duckhunter14]

I would definitely take any and all advice that is given, there is a lot of very generous and knowledgeable people right here that I am sure are offering advice in your PM's right now. A sheep tag is a big deal! There are a ton of resources that you can help educate yourself on sheep behavior, judging, etc. a simple google search will provide a plethora of books, articles, videos, etc.

Here's a YouTube Link to Jay Scotts page, he has some good resources on judging and scoring and he's not a blow hard, he's got the experience to back it up.

When it comes to the hunt I would say choosing your crew is the most important part. I've been very lucky to be a part of some special hunts and the thing that made the hunt so special, were the people. Choose people with good attitudes, who are mentally strong and who will give this hunt the effort it deserves. Make sure that you portray your expectations to the people that you do involve. A lot of people will be inviting themselves along and asking to tag along and help, but be sure to assemble the right team. You'll only have this opportunity once. The main objective should be enjoying the hunt from this moment until you are driving home with a cooler full of sheep meat. Its an opportunity a lot of us dream about, a lot! Slow down, soak it up, find the sheep worthy of the tag and take lots of photos.

I would definitely be trying to contact past hunters, talking to biologists, and several of the more knowledgeable sheep guys and locals that watch the sheep all year, right here on the forum. Then be getting boots on the ground and inventorying rams.

Enjoy the ride! We're all extremely jealous.

[liljozie495]

No offense but if your worried about time invested into a ONCE IN A LIFE TIME tag then you should probably surrender it other then that.... being I have a lot of good hunts myself this year... if I was in your shoes, I’d spend every possible second I can in there finding a big ram! Just my  and yes I’d try to shoot the biggest ram you can to be honest.... you only get to do it once in WA and possibly ever 

Can’t wait to see what you turn up and good luck man 

[Deepinthetrees]

No offense but if your worried about time invested into a ONCE IN A LIFE TIME tag then you should probably surrender it other then that.... being I have a lot of good hunts myself this year... if I was in your shoes, I’d spend every possible second I can in there finding a big ram! Just my  and yes I’d try to shoot the biggest ram you can to be honest.... you only get to do it once in WA and possibly ever 

Can’t wait to see what you turn up and good luck man 

😅

I thought long and hard about it but I don't think I'll be surrendering my tag.

I also don't have any intentions of shooting a dink.

I think you may have misunderstood me. I was just giving a window into my thoughts. Just being transparent.


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[Deepinthetrees]

I would definitely take any and all advice that is given, there is a lot of very generous and knowledgeable people right here that I am sure are offering advice in your PM's right now. A sheep tag is a big deal! There are a ton of resources that you can help educate yourself on sheep behavior, judging, etc. a simple google search will provide a plethora of books, articles, videos, etc.

Here's a YouTube Link to Jay Scotts page, he has some good resources on judging and scoring and he's not a blow hard, he's got the experience to back it up.

When it comes to the hunt I would say choosing your crew is the most important part. I've been very lucky to be a part of some special hunts and the thing that made the hunt so special, were the people. Choose people with good attitudes, who are mentally strong and who will give this hunt the effort it deserves. Make sure that you portray your expectations to the people that you do involve. A lot of people will be inviting themselves along and asking to tag along and help, but be sure to assemble the right team. You'll only have this opportunity once. The main objective should be enjoying the hunt from this moment until you are driving home with a cooler full of sheep meat. Its an opportunity a lot of us dream about, a lot! Slow down, soak it up, find the sheep worthy of the tag and take lots of photos.

I would definitely be trying to contact past hunters, talking to biologists, and several of the more knowledgeable sheep guys and locals that watch the sheep all year, right here on the forum. Then be getting boots on the ground and inventorying rams.

Enjoy the ride! We're all extremely jealous.

Thanks Duckhunter!  Yes, I've been watching a bunch of Jay Scott stuff including that video you linked.
Very good input in regards to the hunt, the crew and doing it for yourself and not others. I
I appreciate the input and support!

[JWBINX]

All other hunting (Elk,Deer, Etc) should be be placed on hold till your
finished ( Ram on the ground) hunting that ram tag!

[Stein]

Take your bow, and your rifle on your back.  Shoot any ram you look at and would be happy with.  OIL means you have exactly one shot at it, so do what feels right.  They guys buying governors tags can put a number up, most of the rest of us should calibrate our expectations with the understanding we will have one tag.

If you would be happy with tag soup, hold out.  If not, adjust accordingly.  Nobody can tell you what hunt you should have.

[Deepinthetrees]

All other hunting (Elk,Deer, Etc) should be be placed on hold till your
finished ( Ram on the ground) hunting that ram tag!

I agree. 

[Deepinthetrees]

Take your bow, and your rifle on your back.  Shoot any ram you look at and would be happy with.  OIL means you have exactly one shot at it, so do what feels right.  They guys buying governors tags can put a number up, most of the rest of us should calibrate our expectations with the understanding we will have one tag.

If you would be happy with tag soup, hold out.  If not, adjust accordingly.  Nobody can tell you what hunt you should have.

Good input. This kind of stuff is helpful. When you're in this position it's hard to know what to think sometimes so it's nice to get some good advice.

[DOUBLELUNG]

The core of the sheep habitat is the south side of Chelan Butte and approximated by the wildlife area boundaries.  It's one of the most doable areas to hunt DIY with minimal help/info if that is your inclination.Good luck, pleae share a writeup of your hunt and of course lots of pictures.

[hunterednate]

No offense but if your worried about time invested into a ONCE IN A LIFE TIME tag then you should probably surrender it other then that.... being I have a lot of good hunts myself this year... if I was in your shoes, I’d spend every possible second I can in there finding a big ram! Just my  and yes I’d try to shoot the biggest ram you can to be honest.... you only get to do it once in WA and possibly ever 

Can’t wait to see what you turn up and good luck man 

😅

I thought long and hard about it but I don't think I'll be surrendering my tag.

I also don't have any intentions of shooting a dink.

I think you may have misunderstood me. I was just giving a window into my thoughts. Just being transparent.


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Yeah, I feel you. It feels really weird to suspend all the other hunts you enjoy doing year after year to focus on a new species and new area. I felt the same tension when I drew my WA goat tag last year.

But....I don't regret for a moment focusing on that hunt and that hunt alone. If you end up shooting a smaller ram or eating tag soup, at least you'll know it wasn't because you spent time hunting elk when you could've been scouting for your OIL tag. You can put your mind at rest knowing that you gave your best regardless of the outcome.

And congrats on the tag!!! You'll have a blast.

[jstone]

I have seen them from my boat on the river.