Sheep Shorts

Photo: Duncan Gilcrest

by Roger L. McCosker

Ihave noticed that many older WSF members often arrive at the conclusion that their best sheep camps are behind them and they quit trying/or applying for sheep tag opportunities. They may be making a big mistake! Since I have turned age 70, I have drawn/won three sheep hunts in the Western states, and I’ve had the some of the best experiences of my hunting career while harvesting three quality rams! Remember, you can’t win if you don’t apply!*

Sheep hunting can be a very challenging, strenuous endeavor, no matter your age. But, as we all know, it can be the “most” rewarding as such experiences live in our memories forever! The key is if/ when you draw a good tag, you find an experienced quality outfitter that will work with you so that you’ll be successful and have a great time.

If you can get into sheep shape and still ride a horse, you can probably go sheep hunting!

In 2019, at the age of 74, I drew a Wyoming area # 5 bighorn tag.**

This was my second time to draw this tag in 20 years. I hired Josh Martoglio of Shoshone Lodge Outfitters, one of the best, to guide me. He asked me my age, my physical condition, if I can ride horses, and requested that I get into sheep shape. When the hunt started that fall, we rode through some weather (snow,

cold and winds) four to five hours to his spike camp, and started looking for sheep the next day. It was cold. We finally located two good rams, and one with the curl I was looking for, so the stalk was on.

I harvested my ram in the early afternoon on the third day after a long wait for him to stand. Most of the trip was on horses, except for the stalk(s). And, it was one of my best long distance shots at over 500 yards. (One of the benefits of getting older, I have become calmer, perhaps a better shot!)

In 2021, at the age of 76, to my complete shock/surprise, I won the Oregon bighorn sheep raffle with a minimal ticket purchase. I hired Sheep Mountain Outfitters, the best in the business in the Pacific Northwest. Dan Blankenship, guide and one of the owners, inquired about my physical condition, requested I get into sheep shape (I lost 20 lbs. in two months), and asked if I can ride horses. They had me come out early for a scouting trip in Hells Canyon (once you’ve been there, you understand why they call it Hells Canyon!) We hiked and spotted for sheep in a smoky environment.

My guides, Dan and Todd, certainly knew what they were doing, as we spotted four to five large rams bigger than I have ever seen in the wilds. Physically I can hike OK, but I have to wear a knee brace (osteoarthritis), which slows me down. Of course, it certainly doesn’t affect my ability to ride horses or shoot.

When my opening day arrived, we drove from a high spotting point of Hells Canyon, Oregon, five hours to the Snake River. We spent the night in tents, and the next morning, a jet boat picked us up and we were off on a 20-mile trip upriver to Temperance Creek, an area where a large ram was spotted/observed/at a long distance, and hung out with four other rams. One of our guides spotted two of the smaller rams of the group from the Snake River. That meant that the large ram was probably in the immediate area. We climbed two hours up into the canyon above the Snake River, to get in position. We had spotters ahead on the lookout for the big ram. He was hidden in the grass near another standing mature ram at a steep uphill angle. I had to wait an hour in very hot sweaty conditions until the big boy stood up. This trip was one of the most enjoyable I’ve ever had on a sheep hunt while harvesting my largest North American sheep trophy. Thank you, Sheep Mountain Outfitters.

I have many years of North American sheep hunting under my belt, as well as world sheep hunts (8 No. American/15 World), although most 10-20 years ago. As we get older, we have to keep our options open. I don’t know why, but I have drawn/ won three great sheep tags in the past six years, more than I did in my previous 20 years of sheep hunting.

My experiences keep getting better. If you are lucky enough to draw a good sheep tag, hire the best outfitter you can find, and he will work with you.

If you can’t hike like you used to, horses (and jet boats) can take you almost anywhere. Enjoy the moment. Be open to the risks as the rewards can be most gratifying! WS *Please remember that the fees we pay apply for sheep tags, i.e., drawing/raffles, go to keeping sheep on the mountain! **When you apply for different state draws and you don’t have maximum bonus points, make sure you apply to hunt areas that award “random” draw tags.

If you don’t, you will not draw a tag?! As I get older time is of essence. This is how I drew 2 tags without maximum bonus points: believe it or not, Arizona in ‘15 and Wyoming in ‘19.