Post by: eburg127 on March 09, 2013, 09:14:35 AM
I went on four scouting trips before the season. I was nice enough to take the kids “camping” in the area during the summer. They had fun swimming at 25 mile state park while I glassed across the lake for sheep. One of the scouting trips was during deer season. My buddy spotted a buck and since it was the only day I would be out during deer season I figured I would put some meat in the freezer.
We ended up seeing quite a few rams during the actual hunt. The hardest part was field judging and knowing which ram to take. Like most hunters, I know what to look for in deer and elk. Maybe it was the added pressure that this was going to be the only ram that I will ever take in my life. I wanted to make sure I took the best I could.
On day two of the hunt, the lake was as smooth as glass so we easily spotted quite a few sheep from the boat. About midafternoon we were glassing and my dad said he saw some sheep near the top. Now, my dad isn’t exactly known for having the best eyesight, and his binoculars of choice are not only “low end”, but have seen some better days. My brother and I couldn’t see them for some time and thought he was seeing things. You know how it is when someone is trying to tell you where they are seeing animals: “By the top”, “by that tree”, “do you see that rock?” Yeah, I see about 1,000 trees and more rocks than that. We couldn’t believe it when we finally saw two nice looking rams, and we knew we needed to get closer to get a better look. Making our way up the steep mountain we finally got within 250 yards. They were nice rams, but I just didn’t know what to expect since it was only day two. I think my brother thought I was crazy for passing them up.
By day four, we knew I shouldn’t have passed those rams up. We had seen quite a few rams at that point, and had viewed the video footage of those rams over and over. The lake was a little rough so we had to glass from across the lake. My brother was able to relocate the biggest one almost immediately so we loaded back on the boat and got dropped off to put on a stalk. The ram was with 8 ewes so we had a lot of eyes watching. We had to change our course a couple of times and ended up getting above all of them. We got within 100 yards, and were able to video him. One shot later my quest for a bighorn sheep was complete. I will never forget the feeling I had when I walked up to that beautiful animal. It was the most emotional hunt I had ever experienced. The reality of taking a once in a lifetime animal set in, and the only way I can explain it was I was in awe. It truly was a unique hunt, being able to hunt sheep from a boat on the beautiful Lake Chelan. We pretty much had the lake to ourselves that time of year and didn’t have 100’s of ski boats on the water. I enjoyed the hunt even more since it got to do it with my dad and brother.
Thank you to all of the WA wild sheep members that provided me with so much information. You definitely found a new member!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on March 09, 2013, 09:23:13 AM
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Post by: eburg127 on March 13, 2013, 08:01:50 PM
Eburg, a real great ram . Do you know what he scored. I've been putting in for that area and like to get an idea on trophy quality there. Do you think you may have passed on a better ram during your hunt?.I have not had him officially scored. We scored him at 160, but this is the first one we have done! I don't think I passed on anything better. One of the other hunters took one pretty much identical.
Post by: ellensburgpo on March 13, 2013, 08:04:32 PM
Post by: Falcon on March 13, 2013, 09:00:26 PM
Congrats on your ram, and telling a great story.
You mentioned you could only do this once.
You did it right!!!!
Post by: Bwana Bob on March 14, 2013, 07:51:12 AM
I need to draw that damn tag soon.
Post by: hunter-4-life on March 14, 2013, 08:07:03 AM
Post by: eburg127 on March 14, 2013, 10:03:58 PM
Quote
Is it possible to see all the sheep in that area from across the lake or are they in small groups all up and down the lake. I've been told they are hard to spot from above on the road system.We spotted a lot from across the lake, but you need to get up lake to see more. I went up on top three times, but never saw any sheep. Other hunters had seen some from above. I think the best option is a boat. Only a few months until the draw so let me know if you get it!
Post by: actionshooter on March 14, 2013, 10:06:46 PM
I'll take you up on it. I always put in for that unit, great area!
Post by: Bwana Bob on March 15, 2013, 08:08:54 AM
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Post by: zackmioli on March 16, 2013, 09:24:10 PM
Post by: EyeTooth on March 19, 2013, 06:33:47 AM
Wait a minute. That wasn't a dream was it eburg? Holy mackerel! You actually did that! Those'er real pictures, not just wishfull thinking!! YOU DID IT!!!!!!!! Congrats to you man!
Thanks for telling us your story and letting us know that it's worth the wait. I love the pictures too. The odds are soooo long, but it's definitely worth the price of admission.
Thanks too for helping to keep my dreams alive.
Good luck on your next adventure as well.
Post by: h2ofowlr on March 19, 2013, 06:45:42 AM
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Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on March 19, 2013, 07:50:33 AM
Post by: Labs07 on April 02, 2013, 01:48:05 PM