Author Topic: MT unlimited sheep (Read 15520 times)

WDFW-SUX · « **on:** July 29, 2009, 08:18:26 AM »

...thinking about it for next year.

boneaddict · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2009, 08:23:56 AM »

You should try it this year without the tag and see how plausible it is.

Bob33 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2009, 08:34:38 AM »

It's an extreme hunt. The sheep are remote, the country is rugged, and the hunting stops when the quota is filled. You need to check daily to see if the quota has been met.

I read the following from an old Sports Afield article:

In the 1980s, before there were any limited-draw sheep-- hunting areas in Montana, there were often 100 to 120 licenses sold in each of the unlimited areas. Today, the number of permits sold may vary from only one or two in one area to forty to sixty in another. Because only about 60 percent of people who purchase a tag actually hunt, and many who do hunt go home after the first day, these areas are not subject to a great deal of pressure. Depending on how successful the hunters have been, sometimes the unit's quota will be reached within ten days or two weeks; other times it is never reached at all.
Because the regulations limit the harvest to rams of three-quarter-curl or better, hunters can't over-harvest sheep. The harvest controls itself through the number of mature rams available-and, of course, through the quota system. Most rams reach three-quarter-- curl at five and a half or six and a half years old, and start to broom at six and a half. They will typically reach the end of their lives at eight and a half to ten years. The oldest ram I ever saw shot was eleven and a half years old.
It may take an unguided person five to seven years to kill a sheep in one of the unlimited areas. A hunter must do his homework and learn the country, which is why I believe this to be the world's ultimate sheep hunt. Someone who takes a ram in the unlimited area belongs to an elite club.
Hunting in the unlimited areas typically means driving to one of the many trailheads, shouldering your backpack, and hiking into the high country. This is wilderness country where no motor vehicles are allowed, and most of it is inaccessible to horses.
Most people underestimate the rugged nature of the mountains in the unlimited areas. Nowhere have I hunted more challenging terrain: In addition to the steep slopes and high altitude, hunters must contend with endless boulder fields and glaciers.
Sheep have great eyes. If they see a hunter coming, they will leave the area, and may continue to travel for five or six hours. It's important to take sheep seriously-use cover when moving and stay off the skyline. Remember, too, that sound carries well in the high country.
Within forty-eight hours of a kill, a hunter must report to FWP that he has taken a sheep. After that, he has ten days to get a possession permit. Inspectors will check the meat carefully to make sure the hunter has brought all of it out. The typical sheep yields fifty-five pounds of boned-out meat, and the head might weigh forty-five pounds. When a hunter is ten to twenty miles from his vehicle, there is often a temptation to leave some of the meat behind. Don't! It's a violation of the game law.
The law also requires that the hunter be able to physically return to the kill site if asked to do so. The best way to avoid having to do this is to take a lot of pictures at the kill site. Photograph the location, the boned-out carcass, and even the packs to avoid questions later.
Jack Atcheson Jr. has hunted Montana's unlimited areas since the age of nine and spent twenty-seven years as a guide and outfitter in the area. He is a partner in Jack Atcheson 6 Sons International Hunting Consultants, 406/782-2382; atcheson.com.

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2009, 08:50:14 AM »

pretty serious stuff.

Has anyone actually done it? Every year we talk about it and there are always a few that are thinking about it but we never hear about it again

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2009, 08:58:52 AM »

It's it in the Bob? Definately a horseback hunt I would think.

whacker1 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:04:38 AM »

I like the idea, but I am not in good enough shape to do it.

starbailey · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:22:22 AM »

I would like to try it some day just to see if it really is a tough as they say it is. I love a good challenge.

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:27:18 AM »

Don't put it off too many years. Contact Mt Fish Wildlife and Parks and see what they have to say.

Bob33 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:31:06 AM »

Check with Mike Lovely. He guides in that area and knows it as well as anyone.
http://www.rboutfitters.com/hunt/sheep.php

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:31:27 AM »

already have......the clock is ticking no doubt about it.

actionshooter · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:34:07 AM »

Quote from: Bob33 on July 29, 2009, 08:34:38 AM

It's an extreme hunt. The sheep are remote, the country is rugged, and the hunting stops when the quota is filled. You need to check daily to see if the quota has been met.

I read the following from an old Sports Afield article:

In the 1980s, before there were any limited-draw sheep-- hunting areas in Montana, there were often 100 to 120 licenses sold in each of the unlimited areas. Today, the number of permits sold may vary from only one or two in one area to forty to sixty in another. Because only about 60 percent of people who purchase a tag actually hunt, and many who do hunt go home after the first day, these areas are not subject to a great deal of pressure. Depending on how successful the hunters have been, sometimes the unit's quota will be reached within ten days or two weeks; other times it is never reached at all.
Because the regulations limit the harvest to rams of three-quarter-curl or better, hunters can't over-harvest sheep. The harvest controls itself through the number of mature rams available-and, of course, through the quota system. Most rams reach three-quarter-- curl at five and a half or six and a half years old, and start to broom at six and a half. They will typically reach the end of their lives at eight and a half to ten years. The oldest ram I ever saw shot was eleven and a half years old.
It may take an unguided person five to seven years to kill a sheep in one of the unlimited areas. A hunter must do his homework and learn the country, which is why I believe this to be the world's ultimate sheep hunt. Someone who takes a ram in the unlimited area belongs to an elite club.
Hunting in the unlimited areas typically means driving to one of the many trailheads, shouldering your backpack, and hiking into the high country. This is wilderness country where no motor vehicles are allowed, and most of it is inaccessible to horses.
Most people underestimate the rugged nature of the mountains in the unlimited areas. Nowhere have I hunted more challenging terrain: In addition to the steep slopes and high altitude, hunters must contend with endless boulder fields and glaciers.
Sheep have great eyes. If they see a hunter coming, they will leave the area, and may continue to travel for five or six hours. It's important to take sheep seriously-use cover when moving and stay off the skyline. Remember, too, that sound carries well in the high country.
Within forty-eight hours of a kill, a hunter must report to FWP that he has taken a sheep. After that, he has ten days to get a possession permit. Inspectors will check the meat carefully to make sure the hunter has brought all of it out. The typical sheep yields fifty-five pounds of boned-out meat, and the head might weigh forty-five pounds. When a hunter is ten to twenty miles from his vehicle, there is often a temptation to leave some of the meat behind. Don't! It's a violation of the game law.
The law also requires that the hunter be able to physically return to the kill site if asked to do so. The best way to avoid having to do this is to take a lot of pictures at the kill site. Photograph the location, the boned-out carcass, and even the packs to avoid questions later.
Jack Atcheson Jr. has hunted Montana's unlimited areas since the age of nine and spent twenty-seven years as a guide and outfitter in the area. He is a partner in Jack Atcheson 6 Sons International Hunting Consultants, 406/782-2382; atcheson.com.

Thats an interesting article, falls right in line with what I've heard about the hunt.
Probably a tough one.

bearpaw · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:42:49 AM »

In spite of it being a tough hunt there are some good sheep. My taxidermist had a B&C sheep to mount several years ago from one of those units.

boneaddict · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:44:47 AM »

I might just have to challenge this one myself. Don't particularly want to burn my sheep points and that currently is what is holding me back. On the other hand, I might never draw a sheep tag in my lifetime and I'm not getting any younger. I love an endurance challenge and I certainly like a HUNT.

Buckmark · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:49:07 AM »

Dont forget about the bears in this area, have to add that to the list of things to contend with..

bearpaw · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:50:33 AM »

I'm not positive, but I don't think it burns your points, you should double check and see.

don't forget about wolves either if you are planning to use horses.

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:53:10 AM »

I have an understanding with bears..they leave me alone and I dont kill them.

Im pretty sure it burns your points.

The bio I talked to said that they saw some 170+ rams on the areal survey this winter in one of the areas.

I don't know something to think on.... Has anyone actually been on an unlimited hunt?

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #16 on:** July 29, 2009, 07:58:21 PM »

I have been in the area looking at sheep and have talked with a guy/local in Cooke City that had done the hunt. He tagged a nice ram. If I were to do it I would pay the local guy a buddy fee just to hike with me while I did it. You pretty much have to stake out the high country for weeks looking for one. Or get your eyes on one in the park and wait for it to come out. Amazing country down there. There are a few big ones around there but not 200" rams. Most rams are 160-185 that I have seen.

I have taken pictures of rams during the hunting season just outside the park in an unlimited hunting area... I, like you have thought of doing it as well. I don't have 3-4 weeks to dedicate to it though. You need a sat phone as well.

norsepeak · « **Reply #17 on:** July 29, 2009, 08:25:13 PM »

Bone and Pope, I've done some research on this as well, if you guys want to do it, I'm in. Lets go do it, you only live once!

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2009, 06:37:51 AM »

well at least I have the sat phone... That cooke city hunt could be really boring sitting up there waiting for the sheep to show up. ...I guess my biggest worry is that Id be back somewhere and a big storm would show up and bury my way home

You see any legal rams pope? Ive heard about guys shooting rams off the beartooth highway on the Wyoming side but I dont think it happens all the time.

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #19 on:** July 30, 2009, 06:49:02 AM »

I did see a few legal rams just outside the park. That's what peaked my interest as a possible hunt. The guy I talked to hunted it out of cooke city and told me to call him if I ever wanted to try it. Since he tagged out, I guess he has to wait to get another tag... I don't have the time constraints needed to do it this year. If you could locate a ram before the season and sit on him that's the only plausible way to do it, imo.

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #20 on:** July 30, 2009, 06:56:14 AM »

Im thinking about 2010..you have to apply to get the tag so this year is no good anyway. I think there is a 7 year wait if you get a ram too.

Thats pretty good you saw legal rams during the hunt...I bet you wish you had a tag. I might go check it out this year..well see.

starbailey · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2009, 07:56:03 AM »

You do have to apply in the draw(guarantied to get it) and it does burn your points.
It seems most rams in the unlimited areas are very average rockies(160-170) as I've only heard of a couple ever making the 180 mark. No matter, any ram is a good ram!

popeshawnpaul · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2009, 07:58:48 AM »

The one the cooke city guy got was mid 180's. There is a book of a guy that hunted it a lot in the past and he got some decent 180+ rams. That being said, starb is right. I think most people fill it on the first 160-170 ram they see. That's actually not that bad of a ram for the area. Those rams aren't noted for ever going above 190". Just like Glacier park rams I think the winters are too tough.

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #23 on:** July 30, 2009, 08:06:13 AM »

Yeah if I saw a legal ram on an unlimited tag it's going down even if it scores 140.

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #24 on:** July 30, 2009, 08:08:04 AM »

Its kind of amazing we all talk about doing this but no one ever does.....

huntnphool · « **Reply #25 on:** July 30, 2009, 10:30:14 AM »

If you want to do it Pope, I'm in.

littlebuf · « **Reply #26 on:** July 30, 2009, 03:03:17 PM »

is this over the counter? if so im in, i dont know any better any way

boneaddict · « **Reply #27 on:** July 31, 2009, 06:11:55 AM »

Whats kept me from doing it is the burning of the points. Thats a pisser. Then again points make crappy field photos. LOL With the acute lack of draws this year in the entire WEST, points aren't real popular with me anyway. LOL
What turns most folks off is probably that, the investment and the fact your hunt could be over the first day if two lucky *censored*s connect, and the country.

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #28 on:** July 31, 2009, 06:23:18 AM »

Bone, You can do it!!!!

WDFW-SUX · « **Reply #29 on:** July 31, 2009, 06:58:49 AM »

Its so tempting...

I saw somewhere that there were over 4000k apps for sheep tags in montana last year....there are no guarantees that someone is going to draw one

actionshooter · « **Reply #30 on:** July 31, 2009, 08:35:35 AM »

Quote from: boneaddict on July 31, 2009, 06:11:55 AM

Whats kept me from doing it is the burning of the points. Thats a pisser. Then again points make crappy field photos. LOL With the acute lack of draws this year in the entire WEST, points aren't real popular with me anyway. LOL
What turns most folks off is probably that, the investment and the fact your hunt could be over the first day if two lucky *censored*s connect, and the country.

Yep, you could spend a month scouting and if a couple of guys score, its all wasted effort. Thats the main reason I haven't done it. I even have a buddy that lives a couple of hours from one of the trail heads.

News:

Advertisement

Author Topic: MT unlimited sheep (Read 15520 times)

Advertisement

Quick Links

Recent Topics