Vulcan Mt. Sheep Tag (Updated 10-5-10 W/PICS!)

[Elkslayer]

Ok, so my brother in law drew the sheep tag for Vulcan Mountain. He has been up there a few times scouting over the past couple of weeks but is not seeing alot of sheep. Not looking for any handouts, but just wondering if anyone on here might have some information about the area they would like to share. He has contacted a couple of the landowners down low that have sheep frequent the area and they have given him permission to hunt. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[danceswitharrows]

What a great tag   Sounds like he has already did what I would do and talk to some of the property owners.  I have some pictures of rams on vulcan moutian from last year but can not seem to find them  

[carpsniperg2]

congrats to the lucky bugger i do not know that area but wish him luck with his tag. make sure you post some pics for us poor saps that can't get a sheep tag

[Ridgerunner]

Give me a few days, one of my partners had that tag in the 90's, he does his research very well, I should be able to get some info from him or put your buddy in contact with him, he'll really tell him where the sheep were.

[boneaddict]

I believe many will relocate by the time the season starts.  Ridges info if he obtains it would be more useful for specific areas than what he is gathering now.  What he should accomplish now is scouting of the area for roads, property lines, talking to land owners, finding water, that sort of thing.

[carpsniperg2]

that's a nice offer ridge!

like bone said getting to know the area is very important before the hunt as well. also knowing what is off limits, or maybe just inside your area to hunt. sometimes can make or break the hunt.

[johnsc6]

not a gimme hunt for sheep like most best chance at a booner will be late int he season when the rams drift out of the timber from canada ( its only a couple miles away) I deer hunter there for years unti it got to crowded and never saw a sheep.  Hunt the south west corner of the moutain above the river.

[Buckblaster]

When I was working in the area about 5 years ago, we would glass the sheep from the highway in front of the CCC camp.  We saw them at daylight and dark all the time in Sept, Oct & Nov.  Never did see any huge rams though.  The biggest I've seen there was 3/4 curl.  WDFW had an issue with the rams not growing horns as quickly as they should so they took some horses up there and shot a ram and took it back to WSU and did studies on it.  At least that is what a farmer at the base of the mountain told me.  They closed the sheep permits after that for several years so they could rebuild. 
If I were hunting the sheep there, I would hike up from the bottom from the Kettle River Road.  They don't get too far from water.  Just check out the sheep trails that lead right down to the river and the hay sheds at the bottom of the mountain.  Getting permission from the farmers is a good start and you can always ask them their advice too.  It has been my experience that most of the people in that area are decent, friendly people that wouldn't mind helping out especially since those tags are so hard to draw.

[Elkslayer]

I really appreciate all the information guys. Ridge I gave him your buddys info, have'nt heard if he has called him yet or not. Im going up with him in the morning to do some more scouting. We will be there before daylight. Will update when I get back.

[Ridgerunner]

hope you find a nice ram, that herd isn't known for huge rams so hopefully you'll find something heavy and massive or something that makes him happy.

[Elkslayer]

Made it back from the scouting trip without getting bit by any rattler's. A few of you guys forgot to mention those. Did'nt locate any rams. We did spot a small group of ewes about a thousand yards out. Talked with a couple of the locals and they say the rams have'nt been seen for a couple of weeks now but the assured us they are up there. One farmer says he has about 60 head of ewes and lambs coming down into his field like clock work. He said he has given up on farming that field and has pretty much turned it over to them.
It sounds like there is a pretty good herd in that unit. My bro-in law spoke with the biologist and he stated that last november when they did the count they had 47 ewe's and lambs and 27 rams, with 7 of the rams being 3/4 curl or larger. He's gonna try and make it in there a few more times before the season opens up. Saw lots of mule deer. Nothing real big but there are some respectable bucks in that area.

[carpsniperg2]

the population is doin good is the one guys has a group of 60 ewes and lambs. glad to hear that. i don't know the unit but hope he gets a nice sheep.

[muleracks]

Not familiar with Vulcan Mt sheep but in the other area the rams spend the summer in stag groups.  Usually the old ones hang out together and the younger ones in another group.  Along about early October the rut begins to kick in and the rams meet up with the ewes in their breeding area.  Trick is to find out where the rams spend the summer (B.C. maybe).  Might work best to hunt when the rut starts.  The area wdfw bio should be helpful.   

[Elkslayer]

Thought I'd give you all an update. He has been in scouting just about every weekend since he found out he got drawn. I could tell he was getting pretty worried as he had not seen a single ram in the unit since prior to the season opening.
Well he went in on the season opener and camped for (4) days. He finally got into the rams and actually got into them every day. I think he saw a total of 10 different rams. They put a stalk on a group of six and got to within 20yds of them and got some real good video. He said two of them were probably shooters, both about 3/4 curl with some decent mass.
Anyhow he did'nt pull the trigger on any of them as he is just trying to get a feel for whats there and what he has to choose from. Not sure when he is going back up but I will keep you all updated.
Have to see if I cant get a copy of the video and figure out how to post it.

[Ridgerunner]

Glad to hear he is being selective.  CAn't wait to see his ram.