Starbaileys Nevada Ram Quest

[starbailey]

I wanted to keep everyone up to date on my Desert bighorn hunt in Nevada. I had to attend a mandatory bighorn sheep indocrination class befor NV would issue my sheep tag.( All tag holders must attend unless they are guided.) So I took the next 5 days to scout. I stayed mostly in 182 as 044 holds very few sheep and no one has harvested a ram in 044 the last 3 years. 
 My main focus for the trip wasnt to find "the ram" but to learn the over all unit and road systems. I had a lot of info from past tag holders, bios, and outfitters about where rams are usually killed so I knew where to concentrate my efforts. I did want to look over some rams just to see what kind of quality was there. I've been told by most everyone not to pass up a 160 ram and the rams get their score on base size. Leingths are usually very short (27-28 inch)from being heavily broombed.
 Since it was so hot I figured the sheep would do most of their feeding the first and last 2 hours of each day giving me the middle part to hike some of the canyons/ridges. I had to carry lots of water and hiked in my shorts as temperatures ran as high as 104. There is a lot of sheepy looking country back in some of the canyons and lots of water. Almost every big draw had running water or active springs so sheep were not concentrated at all. I was able to find three different groups of bighorns and some singles. But, the only rams I saw were young rams in the ewe groups. Best ram was like 5 years old and 150ish. I kept thinking I would be able to find where the ram groups were hanging but I never did. I even hooked up with a NV guide(old friend of a friend) out of Winnamucca for a day as he has a client in 044,182. All we found was a group of 5 sheep I had spotted two days befor. He had never tried to scout this time of year befor. Wierd. He says they just wait and the rams always show up on the slopes facing the valley. It was nice to have him point out areas to glass and areas where they have killed rams befor. I'm very thankful he took time out of his buisy schedule to scout with me.
 I'll post some pic's I took as soon as I have them off of my camera so you all can see the terain. I was warned about it being steep! Ah, well, it sure aint anywhere as steep as some I've been to but steeper than others. It's made up mostly of crumbly rock so getting down off some of the steep ridges was  challenging, but ok. Its very doable. I just think finding that older-aged ram in the unit after the rut will be the big challenge with this hunt.
Bryan
 

[Bean Counter]

Sounds great, Bryan. Keep us updated with pics and what not. 

[C-Money]

Sounds fun! Looking forward to PIC's!

[Elkstuffer]

Good luck Bryan, I've been waiting for you to start posting about this hunt. Hopefully I'll pull a desert tag out of Nevada before to long. Looking forward to reading all about your hunt.

[actionshooter]

Please post the pics! How long have you been putting in?

[starbailey]

Pics will be coming tomorrow! I drew the tag with 11 points going in so it was my 12th year applying in NV and drew this unit as my second choice.
Bryan

[carpsniperg2]

Thanks for keeping us in mind and sharing. I always love to follow any hunts but really enjoy the special hunts like sheep and goats.

[boneaddict]

Looking forward to the ride.   Definatley different country down there. 

[halflife65]

Very cool, Bryan - looking forward to the story.

[Ironhead]

You got me on pins and needles here, I can't wait for the rest of the story. Good luck on the desert ram of your dreams.

[shortnround]

Bryan,
Stay focused and stay positive. A big ram will show itself. See any rattlesnakes? I ask because I have a healthy fear of them.

[starbailey]

 Thanks for all the intrest in my hunt.
 No problem Shortround! I'm a positive kinda guy and that's just part of the adventure. I'm real excited about spending the time needed in getting a good one down there.
Here are some pics of the unit. The Stillwater Mnts run basically North and South with the East side being the steeper side with most of the better bighorn habitat.
 I included a pic of the best ram I saw and he better be carefull because I'm sure if he is still standing there on Nov 20th one of the tag other 7 tag holders will be gunning for him. 

[starbailey]

Saved the ram for last of course.

[Ironhead]

Some rugged country. I like how the mountains rise up right out of the desert floor. Couldn't see the ram very well, but appreciate the time you spent to upload some pics.
Hope all goes well for you.
I believe you may have helped a friend of mine named Ted, kill a sheep in the Swakane a few years back.

[actionshooter]

Thanks for posting the pics! It will be an awesome opportunity to hunt there!