Wild Sheep Fall 2023 Issue

Fall 2023

VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 3

the journal of the mounta in hunter a nd committed conservationist

WINTER 2013/14 ~ WILD S HEEP 3

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WINDSTOPPER® by Gore-Tex Labs product technology stops heat-sapping gusts in their tracks, while 4-way stretch panels dump heat and allow unrestricted movement. The result is a jacket you can put on in the morning and not have to think about for the rest of the day.

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ALL NEW TOOL-LESS BOLT TAKEDOWN Showcasing an all-new 3 piece bolt design, featuring a completely tool-less takedown

TRIGGERTECH TRIGGER Provides true zero-creep break, extremely short over-travel, and is externally adjustable

BOLT RELEASE BUTTON All-new bolt release button above the reciever makes for a stronger, safer and quicker bolt removal

B U I L T O N W E AT H E R B Y ’ S N E W E S T ACTION IN 50 YEARS: MODEL 307 ®

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Learnmore more at Learn atWeatherby.com Weatherby.com FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 1

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Fall 2023

®

CONTENTS the journal of the mountain hunter and committed conservationist

Departments: 10 President’s Message 14 Chair’s Corner 18 Biologist’s Corner 20 Sheep Stats 30 Ensuring the Future 32 Legislative Affairs 34 Awards 92 Basecamp Dispatches 100 Chapters & Affiliates List 102 Chapters & Affiliates Banquets 104 Chapters & Affiliates News 110 Women Hunt® 114 Culinary Corner 116 Conservation Education 172 Sheep Shorts 176 Adventure Profiles 180 <1 Club® Kicked Out 182 Last Sheep Camp 188 Travel & Gear 193 Advertiser’s Index 196 On the Adventure Trail

Features:

Lefty

by Brad Baryenbruch

46

Switch hitting on a desert ram at La Palmosa.

54

Marco...

by Greg Stone

Choosing wisely for a Tajikistan Marco...

Polo!

54

66

Bighorn Of The Sun River

by Blair Backen

You never know what you’ll find when you smell twice.

66

74

Distant Mountains

by Craig Boddington Decisions, decisions.

88 74

Aoudad Challenge Rising In Bighorn Country

by Chester Moore

Auodad in the U.S. are doing just fine.

Maybe too fine.

Special Sections: 38 1 More For Four 126 Convention Sponsors 128 Donations & Permits

46

88

On the Cover:

I captured this image in Alaska’s Denali National Park. It had been raining for several days when the clouds parted and the sun lit up and offered this this spectacular contrast between the rams rain-washed white cape and the reds, yellows and greens of early fall.

Photo by Victor Clark.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 3

®

the journal of the mounta in hunter a nd committed conservationist

Official publication of The Wild Sheep Foundation

WSF World Headquarters: 412 Pronghorn Trail • Bozeman, MT 59718 • 406-404-8750 Cody Office: 1285 Sheridan Avenue, Suites 260/275 • Cody, WY 82414 USA • 406-404-8750

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN: Glen Landrus • ramslamvideo@gmail.com........................ Term Expires 2025 VICE CHAIR: Kyle Stelter • kylestelter@gmail.com.............................. Term Expires 2024 SECRETARY: Larry Jacobs • lljacobs4@aol.com.................................. Term Expires 2024 TREASURER: Charlie Kelly • azsheepguy@gmail.com........................... Term Expires 2026 Tony Caligiuri • tcal@boytharness.com.............................................. Term Expires 2024 Jann Demaske • demaskes@msn.com................................................ Term Expires 2026 Julie Chapman • jhelmchapman@yahoo.com........................................ Term Expires 2025 Larry McGovern • ltmcgovern67@gmail.com....................................... Term Expires 2025 Emilio Rangel W. • emiliorw@me.com.............................................. Term Expires 2024 Peregrine L. Wolff, DVM • falcolupus@gmail.com............................... Term Expires 2025 Logan Richard Young • loganyoung270@gmail.com.............................. Term Expires 2026

PRESIDENT & CEO Gray N. Thornton • gthornton@wildsheepfoundation.org

STAFF

PRESIDENT & CEO - EDITOR IN CHIEF, WILD SHEEP® MAGAZINE:

Gray N. Thornton • gthornton@wildsheepfoundation.org • Bozeman HQ Kim Nieters, Vice President of Operations – Auction Director knieters@wildsheepfoundation.org Cody Office

Julie Tripp, Awards & Publications Director jtripp@wildsheepfoundation.org Remote – Lolo, MT

Kevin Hurley, Vice President of Conservation – Thinhorn Programs Lead khurley@WildSheepFoundation.org Remote – Boise, ID

Mike Aiazzi, Expo & Exhibits Manager maiazzi@wildsheepfoundation.org Remote – Reno, NV

Terry Ziehl, Finance Director tziehl@WildSheepFoundation.org Cody Office Keith Balfourd, Director of Marketing & Communications keith@WildSheepFoundation.org Bozeman HQ Paige Culver, Development Manager pculver@WildSheepFoundation.org Bozeman HQ Maddie Richards, Membership Manager/<1 Clubs Manager mrichards@WildSheepFoundation.org Bozeman HQ Megan Costanza, Banquets & Events Manager mcostanza@WildSheepFoundation.org Remote – Reno, NV

Justin Phillips, Graphic Arts & Design Jphillips@wildsheepfoundation.org Cody Office Jaime Teigen, Office and Store Administrator jteigen@wildsheepfoundation.org Bozeman HQ

Charlie Booher, Lobbyist charlie@watershedresults.com Missoula, MT Kurt Alt, Conservation Director – International Programs altwildlife@yahoo.com Brussels, Belgium Marina Meyer, MadebyMimi, LLC, Social Media Consultant mjsams09@yahoo.com San Antonio, TX Clay Brewer, Mexico Initiative Lead & Special WAFWA Projects Claybrewer1@outlook.com

Janessa Kluth, Membership Assistant jkluth@wildsheepfoundation.org Bozeman HQ

Pat Cummings, DNWR – NTTR Project Lead Patrickcummings1002@gmail.com

CONTRACT

Maureen Hullinger, Conservation Permits Jm_hullinger@sbcglobal.net

Dr. Ryan Brock, Youth Education Coordinator rbrock@wildsheepfoundation.org Reno, NV Greg Schildwachter, Lobbyist greg@watershedresults.com Washington, DC

PRODUCTION STAFF Gray N. Thornton, Editor in Chief Scott Morrison, Editor/Art Director Ashley McEnroe, Field Editor/Staff Writer Craig Boddington, Contributor

Andrew McKean, Contributor Ken Nowicki, Field Editor Greg Schildwachter, Columnist Legislative Watch

CONTACT THE PUBLICATION

Contributing photos, articles, stories, and research pertaining to wild sheep or the interests of the members of WSF are always welcome. Contributed material will be published at the editor’s discretion. Please include a selfaddressed stamped envelope if you wish materials to be returned.

Ashley McEnroe, Staff Writer aoliverio@gmail.com Big Sky, MT

CONSULTANTS

Shane Mahoney, Special Conservation Consultant shane@conservationvisions.com St. John’s, Newfoundland

Wayne van Zwoll, Contributor Morrison Creative Company, Inc. Magazine Design/Production Yellowstone Graphics, Graphics/Design Advertising & Editorial Submissions Wild Sheep Foundation Headquarters 412 Pronghorn Trail, Bozeman, MT 59718 ATTN: Editor

For more information on submission guidelines, meetings and convention information, and service, conservation and hunting award criteria, please visit our website at www.wildsheepfoundation.org. All membership dues include $28/ year for a subscription to Wild Sheep® magazine.

PUBLISHED QUARTERLY BY THE WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA, IN CONJUNCTION WITH MORRISON CREATIVE COMPANY, INC. OF LIVINGSTON, MT.

4 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

The Wild Sheep Foundation’s mission is to enhance wild sheep populations, promote scientific wildlife management, and educate the public and youth on sustainable use and the conservation benefits of hunting while promoting the interests of the hunter.

The tradition began on a November weekend at Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, in 1974. Thirteen wild sheep enthusiasts passed the time by sharing stories about their encounters with the majestic mountain creatures.

After realizing how fortunate they were to have all shared such incredible experiences, they decided it was time to give something back. They forged FNAWS so men and women everywhere could get more involved in the positive management of wild sheep. It was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in Iowa on September 14, 1977, and began accepting paid memberships in 1978 as more people joined the cause.

The commitment and noble spirit of FNAWS quickly helped the foundation become the fastest-growing wildlife conservation organization of its kind.

DISCLAIMER While Wild Sheep Foundation strives to attract quality advertisers and donors, it cannot be responsible for the ultimate quality of the products which they may present to our members and buyers. Neither the Wild Sheep Foundation nor its Officers or Directors is a guarantor of your satisfaction with the products it makes available to you. Our dedication is to the wild sheep of the world and not to policing our advertisers or donors. We cannot, under the law, reject an advertiser or donation simply because of a prior complaint from a dissatisfied consumer.

We will strive to make available quality merchandise and hunts, but without warranty or guarantee.

WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION®, WSF®, FOUNDATION FOR NORTH AMERICAN WILD SHEEP®, FNAWS®, WILD SHEEP® MAGAZINE, PUTTING AND KEEPING WILD SHEEP ON THE MOUNTAIN®, PUTTING AND KEEPING SHEEP ON THE MOUNTAIN®, THE SHEEP SHOW®, SHEEP WEEK®, MARCO POLO SOCIETY®, <1 CLUB®, <1iCLUB®, MOUNTAIN HUNTER HALL OF FAME®, and the CHADWICK RAM SOCIETY® and their respective logos are registered trademarks and cannot be used, commissioned, or otherwise represented without permission of the Wild Sheep Foundation. WOMEN HUNT PROGRAM®, WOMEN HUNT®, WH®, WOMEN IN HUNTING INITIATIVE®, WIHI®, and WOMEN HUNT®, are registered trademarks of the Wild Sheep Foundation. TAKE ONE PUT ONE BACK™ is a trademark of the Wild Sheep Foundation.

GRAND SLAM® is a registered trademark of Grand Slam Club/Ovis. Used with permission.

Wild Sheep® (USPS# 009-460) is published quarterly by Wild Sheep Foundation, 412 Pronghorn Trail, Bozeman, MT 59718 Periodical Postage Rate is paid at Bozeman, MT 59718 and additional mailing offices.

Subscription Price $28.00 All membership dues include $28/ year for a subscription to Wild Sheep® Magazine Postmaster: Send address correction to: Wild Sheep Foundation, 412 Pronghorn Trail, Bozeman, MT, 59718

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FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 5

MISSION STATEMENT VISION Our desired future state

To be the best managed, most respected, influential and relevant conservation organization benefitting wild sheep worldwide.

PURPOSE Why we exist

To Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®

MISSION What we do

We enhance wild sheep populations, promote scientific wildlife management, and educate the public and youth on sustainable use and the conservation benefits of hunting while promoting the interests of the hunter.

VALUES The principles that guide us

Honesty Integrity Respect for Others Hunting Ethics

Teamwork Positive Attitude Respect for Wildlife

Accountability Stewardship Loyalty

Putting & Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain Since 1977 6 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

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FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 9

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

by Gray N. Thornton President & CEO

A

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

s I reported in my First Quarter video message to our membership in September, thanks to the support and generosity of our exceptional membership, which now is nearly 11,000 members strong, and all our other exhibitor, donor, and sponsor partners, the foundation achieved a new conservation funding milestone during our July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 fiscal.

Record fundraising and a record 2023 Sheep Show® convention allowed WSF to direct a new record $7.5 million to wild sheep conservation and other mission programs! To break this number down: $2.07 million went to wild sheep Trap & Translocations, Test & Remove programs, habitat improvement, and research. $974,000 was invested in wild sheep advocacy, education, public relations, and grants to support our industry partners.

And, $4.472 million was directed to state, provincial and tribal agencies to fund their wild sheep and wildlife programs through the sale of their conservation permits.

An incredible and record $7.523 MILLION TO MISSION PROGRAMS benefitting wild sheep.

Nearly $1 million more than last FY and the fifth consecutive year of $6+ million of mission funding.

This milestone and incredible level of conservation and mission funding is a credit to this fine foundation and the WSF family.

There is not another organization in our industry that can match our level of annual funding—none!

And yet, are we making an impact BEYOND the funding? Are our members, and most important, the wild sheep resource getting a proper return on investment on our funds 10 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

granted and directed?

The WSF Board recently established an Endowment Development Subcommittee (EDS) to laser focus on building our Wild Sheep Legacy Foundation Endowment Fund to a level to endow WSF conservation funding in perpetuity. It has been a goal since the launch of our Ensuring the Future of Wild Sheep campaign in 2013, but with this new committee, we feel we’ll be more effective.

At an initial planning meeting of the EDS in Denver in late June, committee member and Marco Polo Society member, Gary Raba, asked me “How does WSF determine mission effectiveness? By money spent and funds directed?”

This was a great question, and it deserves a thoughtful response.

Like all similar non-profit organizations, we do judge a great deal of our success by money directed to the mission. But, to my question, are we getting the desired return on our investment?

Did the $2.07 million we spent on Trap & Translocations, Test and Remove campaigns, habitat, and research result in “more sheep on the mountain”? Did the $4.472 million we directed to state, provincial, and tribal agencies “put and keep more sheep on the mountain?”

Did the nearly $1 million we spent on advocacy, public relations, education, and industry support programs move the needle on public awareness of wild sheep issues and/ or their perception of hunting as a conservation tool and “promote the interests of the hunter?”

Did WSF get a sound return of our investment of these $7.52 million of annual funding?

At the end of our 2021-22 fiscal

year we revamped our Grant in Aid process and it resulted in an incredible increase in money on the mountain to projects and programs relevant to our community and wild sheep. Now, we need to get reports back on our efforts, money spent and, most important, results from our incredible investment. We will be looking for reports from our chapters and affiliates, and from our agency and industry partners on what was accomplished, what could have been done better and where we can be more effective in the future.

WSF received this July Grant in Aid window of nearly $3 million in GIA requests from our chapters and affiliates. As I pen this President’s Message, we are about to have a board meeting to evaluate the projects to support. Rest assured Return on Investment will be a litmus test I advocate for in this evaluation process. The wild sheep resource deserves no less.

Lastly, our staff family has expanded with the return of Justin Phillips to the staff team from his 2016-23 contractor position, Jaime Teigen from part-time to full time and Julie Tripp who joins us as our new Awards and Publications Director. Read more on these fine additions in pages 92 of this issue.

Thank you for your membership, your support, and your confidence.

Enjoy this fall issue of Wild Sheep®! WS

Gray N. Thornton President & CEO, Wild Sheep Foundation

Editor-in-Chief, Wild Sheep® magazine Summit Life Member Chadwick Ram Society® Member Legacy Society Member

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 11

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FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 13

CHAIR’S CORNER

by Glen Landrus Chair

F

IT’S ALWAYS SHEEP SEASON

all is in the air! We undoubtedly will have a few more hot days in Washington state where I call home, but the feel of fall is in the air. Fortunately, the smoke of most of the summer forest fires are finally subsiding. I know the severe wildland fires ravaged Canada this summer and wreaked havoc for many of our Canadian outfitters. In the end, I hope our outfitter friends and their dedicated clients fulfilled many dream hunts. I had the privilege of spending three weeks in the northern Yukon in July this summer to hang out with my good friends Spencer and Amanda Wallace. Spencer and Amanda guided me to my last ram in 2019, but more importantly, have taken ownership of Reynolds Outfitting near Dawson City, Yukon Territory. It is exciting to see young, motivated couples such as Spencer and Amada take on the daunting task of providing once-in-a-lifetime hunting opportunities along with being the stewards of a landscape that our northern sheep call home.

This was my first trip up north when I wasn’t hunting. I have to say it was quite refreshing to disconnect, appreciate the vastness of the country and reflect on the challenges ahead.

While in the Yukon we did a little late-night, fly-by over the new operators of Blackstone Outfitting, Luke and Heather Deuling, and later, flew out to Midnight Sun Outfitting and the Young family where we helped a WSF Board of Directors Zoom meeting! Again, two other young 14 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

families entrenched in the outfitting profession and lifestyle. I’m sure there are other new outfitters that are conducting their first season as I type my message. Good luck to you all and always know you have an advocate with the Wild Sheep Foundation!

It is an exciting time for the Wild Sheep Foundation, our amazing staff, dedicated Professional Resources Advisory Board (PRAB) and your Board of directors. Christmas in July means it is Grand-in-Aid time! Staff and PRAB recently sifted through the extensive stack of Grant-InAid applications and the board of directors will soon complete our end of the year process by finalizing the list and amounts. We received the most extensive requests this year and there are some exciting projects on the docket! We want to thank all our conservation partners for putting forth so many valuable projects. With

nearly $3 million in requests, it is time for staff and your board to get to work to make sure Sheep Week® 2024 is another record-breaker! Last year we funded over $1.3 million in grants and I sure hope this year we can move well beyond that number!

Finally, I want to thank our amazing staff of the Wild Sheep Foundation. We used to think of summertime as the off-season with not much going on, but that is no longer the situation. With our commitment to spreading our mission with numerous public functions, membership drives, and chapter/ affiliate connections, there is no offseason for our staff, it is always Wild Sheep Foundation Conservation Season! WS Yours in Conservation,

Glen A. Landrus

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 15

FOR THE FULL LIST OF CRS MEMBERS SCAN ME

LIST UPDATED QUARTERLY

YOU CAN HELP WSF PUT AND KEEP WILD SHEEP ON THE MOUNTAIN BY JOINING THE CHADWICK RAM SOCIETY! In 2013 the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) launched a legacy campaign, Ensuring the Future of Wild Sheep, that includes tax and estate planning opportunities, counsel and advice, major gifts, and giving societies to raise the funds required to ensure the future of the wild sheep resource by directing even more dollars to wild sheep restoration, repatriation and conservation. Our vision is to build a series of funds from which a targeted annual offtake of ~4% will allow WSF to direct 100% of our convention fundraising to mission programs. Our goal is $5 to $6 million annually in mission focused Grant-In-Aid and other funding to “Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain.” With your help we can achieve this vision and goal.

The Marco Polo Society was established in 2008 as WSF’s premier giving society. To compliment the Marco Polo Society and expand this giving concept to ALL WSF members and wild sheep advocates, WSF created a new giving society in the fall of 2013 – the Chadwick Ram Society with five

benefactor levels enabling tax-deductible, donor directed gifts from $250 to $5,000 per year to mission areas of the donor’s desire. Donations can be made to the WSLF Endowment Fund, WSF Conservation Fund, our annual Convention and/or Area of Greatest Need to fund specific programs and initiatives. Chadwick Ram Society members are recognized with an embroidered badge displaying their Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum benefactor level.

Members may also “upgrade” their benefactor levels within the Chadwick Ram Society as well as to the Marco Polo Society.

For more information on the Chadwick Ram Society, the Marco Polo Society or the Ensuring the Future of Wild Sheep campaign, contact WSF President & CEO, Gray N. Thornton, Development Manager, Paige Culver, or visit our website.

We cordially invite you to join the Chadwick Ram Society and help Ensure the Future of Wild Sheep!

The Chadwick Ram Society®, Marco Polo Society®, Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain®, The Sheep Show® and Sheep Week® are registered trademarks of the Wild Sheep Foundation

16 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

WSF SALUTES

THE 2023 NEW/UPGRADE CHADWICK RAM SOCIETY MEMBERS ®

CRS MEMBERS ARE LISTED IN ALPHA ORDER BY BENEFACTOR LEVEL

PLATINUM - $50,000 Darin & Tonya Fiedeldey (OH) Steve Letcher (AZ) Steve & Sue Skold (IA)

Sheep Family Snapshots “UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” This line is from Dr. Suess’s “The Lorax”, a story that was read to my children not all that long ago. The Lorax boldly speaks for the trees as the trees cannot speak for themselves.

In the same way, we must be the voice for the most vulnerable creatures and systems in our natural world.

We must advocate for them. We must make a case for their healthy existence. (Mosquitos may be my only exception to this rule.) We advocate in a number of ways but, to me, there is no greater way of showing support than by how and to whom one gives his or her money. That is why my family and I support the Wild Sheep Foundation through a membership in the Chadwick Ram Society. Being a staff member for the last 6 years, I have first-hand knowledge of the mindful distribution of funds to carefully reviewed Missions and Programs, Grant in Aid projects, and Industry Partners that will move the needle of wild sheep conservation in a tangible way. I urge you to consider showing your support through an annual gift that is right for you.”

-Paige Culver

GOLD - $25,000 Craig & Laureen Nakamoto (IA) Donald Priest (AZ)

SILVER - $10,000 Derek Blake (AK) Joseph Ciavarra (CA) Alan Day (OR) Paul Greene (CO) Patrick Hagens (AK) Shad Hulse (UT) Stacey & Dorcey Hunt (WA) Mike Schmillen (MN) Victor Smith Jr. (CA) JT Tubbs (MT) Zachary Walton (CA)

BRONZE - $5,000

WIN THESE LEICA 10x32 GEOVID PRO BINOS! FROM OCTOBER 1 - DECEMBER 31 Join the Chadwick Ram Society and be entered to win! Already a member? No problem. Existing members can upgrade their pledge and/or enroll in AUTOPAY for a chance to win.

LEVELS Copper Bronze Silver Gold Platinum

(List is current as of press time - Jan1 - Dec.31 2023

NEW $2,500 $5,000 $10,000 $25,000 $50,000

UPGRADE One ticket Two tickets Three tickets Four tickets Five tickets

*Autopay enrollment will earn CRS members (new and upgrades) 1 (one) additional entry.

1 ticket per level Upgraded (max four tickets) Example: Silver to Gold =1 ticket •Bronze to Gold = 2 tickets •Copper to Platinum = 4 tickets

Louis M. Balenko (CO) Don Colter (ID) Matt DeLong (OR) Brian Fienhold (TX) Charles Hartford (CA) Jeff Haynie (WA) Samuel Hays (TX) Chuck Middleton (ID) Nick Negrini (MN) Carl Nelson (AK) Pat O’Neill (MN) Paul Spyhalski (MN)

COPPER - $2,500 Bryan Bailey (WA) Matt Burke (CA) Kaleb Desjarlais (AK) Marcus Gores (OR) Garrett Grant (WA) David Hartwig (CA) Stan Henderer (OR) Eric Mackay (UT) Michael McComas (TX) Brian Nelson (WI) Nate Peckinpaugh (MT) Brian Pelczar (MT) Dan Powell (IL) Michael Salomonson (CO)

To Join/Upgrade contact: Paige Culver • 406.404.8758 • pculver@wildsheepfoundation.org

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 17

BIOLOGIST’S CORNER

by Kevin Hurley Vice President of Conservation

CALENDAR YEAR 2022 WILD SHEEP STATUS REPORTS

A

s many know, in Fall 2006, the collective Directors of 20+ western game and fish agencies agreed to initiate a Wild Sheep Working Group, under the banner of the Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA).

Beginning in January 2007, until my retirement from the Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) in January 2011, I had the great privilege and opportunity to be the first chair of this WAFWA Wild Sheep Working Group, serving for four-plus years as chair. I was ably succeeded as chair by Clay Brewer of Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), who served in that capacity for five-plus years.

Mike Cox of Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) was the “next man up”, serving as chair for six-plus years. In the past year, Daryl Lutz of WGFD has now stepped in as chair of the newly-renamed WAFWA Wild Sheep Initiative. https://wafwa.org/initiatives/wsi/ In many jurisdictions, wild sheep biologists have management responsibilities for other game and non-game wildlife, while in some jurisdictions, agency biologists focus solely on wild sheep management, and in others, wild sheep and mountain goat management

18 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

responsibilities are paired.

Whether it’s from a corner of their desk or “front-and-center”, there is a hard-working cadre of wild sheep biologists, working in management and/or research, that are the lead contacts and representatives for their agency or ministry wild sheep conservation programs.

To help inform not only internal agency personnel, from directors to field staff, but to also inform wild sheep conservation stakeholders and NGO partners such as the Wild Sheep Foundation and our network of chapters and affiliates, summary/ status reports on wild sheep are periodically produced.

In an effort to enhance communication and sharing of recent wild sheep information, current WAFWA WSI Chair Daryl Lutz requested each of the 20 western jurisdictions with wild sheep to produce a summary report, as of the end of calendar year 2022.

With 15 of the 20 WAFWA jurisdictions responding by spring 2023, Daryl Lutz compiled 15 CY 2022 reports into a west-wide summary, for presentation to the WAFWA Directors at their July 14, 2023 Business Meeting this year held in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This compilation report for bighorn and

thinhorn sheep in North America was adopted/approved by the WAFWA Directors in July 2023, and posted to the WAFWA WSI website on August 10, 2023. https://wafwa. org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2022Rangewide-Status-of-Wild-SheepFINAL_APPROVED.pdf .

These “snapshots in time” are, by necessity, high-level overviews of each jurisdiction’s status. If readers and stakeholders are interested in more detailed information, they should contact the respective agency authors.

Beginning with the Fall 2023 issue of Wild Sheep® magazine, jurisdictional summaries will appear in the next four issues of immediately following this column (as space allows). Some of these summaries will be slightly edited for length and format, but content will not be altered from what was provided by the agency representatives from the WAFWA Wild Sheep Initiative.

It is our hope that this information will be of interest to wild sheep conservation stakeholders. Please share these reports with your interested friends and colleagues.

Thanks to the dedicated wild sheep biologists who work hard every day for the critters we cherish the most! WS

dS START SMART SEE THE UNSEEN FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 19

SHEEP STATS IN-DEPTH, STATISTICAL SHEEP INFORMATION Beginning with this issue of Wild Sheep® magazine, jurisdictional WAFWA summaries will appear in the next four issues as space allows.

ARIZONA

Arizona has Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and two sub-species of desert bighorn sheep, with the Nelson’s (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) bighorn sheep occupying the northern areas of Arizona and the Mexican (Ovis canadensis mexicana) bighorn sheep occupying the central and southern habitat areas of the state.

Through aggressive translocation and augmentation efforts over the past couple of decades, Arizona has reached record high population numbers and distribution through native bighorn sheep range after experiencing the same type of nearextirpation wildlife events that many western states witnessed in the early years of the twentieth century.

Since 1955, Arizona Game and Fish Department (Department) has captured and released ~1,397 desert bighorn sheep within and outside of the state, establishing new herd units and augmenting existing herd units within identified native habitat. During this longterm effort, the department has worked collaboratively with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to acquire desert bighorn sheep for conservation efforts. Arizona has also been the source population for augmentations in multiple locations within Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah, assisting with those state agencies management objectives.

Since 1979, the department has released ~154 Rocky Mountain 20 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

bighorn sheep within the state establishing new herd units and/ or augmenting existing herd units and has worked collaboratively with Colorado and New Mexico to acquire bighorn sheep in the past. Recently, the department collaborated again with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and supplied 27 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep for release on Antelope Island, Utah.

within private land and mining operations in the eastern portion of the state. Several new herd groups have been established in Arizona native range, as well as providing a source population for other western state agencies to further conservation and recovery efforts. The current Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep population is estimated at 1,300 bighorn sheep.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Licenses and Harvest

Populations Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep populations throughout Arizona have increased since the late 2000s, primarily as a result of translocations of “nuisance or at-risk” bighorn sheep

The number of hunt permit-tag licenses offered, as established within the department’s Hunt Guidelines, is set at 15-25% of the estimated number of Class III (age 6-8 years old) and Class IV (age 8+ years

Figure 1. Historic Survey Ram and Lamb Ratios from Survey Data – Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.

Test and Remove

No test and remove efforts have been implemented to date.

However, this management tool will be considered in response to any documented disease outbreaks in populations that may be conducive and receptive to a test and remove effort.

Desert Bighorn Sheep

Figure 2. Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunt Data.

old) rams determined through survey observations and population modeling.

During the 2022 hunt season, 20 “Any-Ram” hunt permit-tags were offered. There was a total of 4,665 first choice applicants in the hunt draw process, which is a hybrid, bonus-point type draw system. Eighteen (18) mature rams were harvested, plus one (1) additional ram was taken under the Commissioner’s Special-Tag statewide permit. The average age of the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep rams harvested during the 2022 seasons was eight years old with an average score of 172.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has approved 19

“Any-Ram” permit-tags for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep for the 2023 hunt seasons, plus one (1) Commissioner’s Special Tag.

Disease and Herd Health

Biological samples are taken during capture efforts (includes collaring for population monitoring and/ or translocations) in the following Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep management unit(s) (Table 1).

Populations Desert bighorn sheep populations throughout Arizona have shown variability in population estimates as management units are typically only surveyed once every three years in most occupied habitat. Overall, populations have increased on a statewide status. Currently, the statewide population is estimated to be approaching 5,600 bighorn sheep.

A large portion of the documented increase is in the Kofa Mountains and adjacent mountain ranges in western Arizona. The Kofa National Wildlife Refuge population has increased from a total estimated population of 404 in 2012 to an estimated 941 bighorn sheep based on the 2021 aerial survey.

GMU Actual BTV EHD BRSV BVDV PI-3 MOVI MOVI Samples Taken ELISA PCR Morenci 1/27

27

70

37

0

0

0

0

0

Table 1 – Percentage of bighorn sheep testing positive for diseases or pathogens.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 21

harvested in 2022 regular seasons, plus two (2) additional rams taken under the Commissioner’s SpecialTag permits. The average age of the desert bighorn sheep rams harvested during the 2022 seasons was 7.5 years old with an average score of 160.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has approved 137 “AnyRam” permit-tags for desert bighorn sheep for the 2023 hunt seasons, plus two (2) Commissioner’s Special Tags.

Disease and Herd Health

Biological samples (nasal swabs) were collected during the mandatory check-out process from hunter harvested bighorn sheep (N=51) and strain typing is pending for those samples testing positive for pneumonia. Preliminary positive samples were from management units 15C, 15D, 39W, 44B, and 46B. Biological samples were taken during capture efforts (includes collaring for population monitoring and/or translocations) in the following desert bighorn sheep management units (Table 2).

Figure 3. Historic Ram and Lamb Ratios from Survey Data – Desert Bighorn Sheep.

Licenses and Harvest

The number of hunt permit-tag licenses offered, as established in the department’s Hunt Guidelines,

first choice applicants in the hunt draw process, which is a hybrid, bonus-point type draw system. There were 117 desert bighorn sheep rams

Test and Remove

No test and remove efforts have been implemented to date.

However, this management tool will be considered in response to any documented disease outbreaks in populations that may be conducive and receptive to a test and remove effort. WS — Dustin Darveau, Senior Terrestrial Wildlife Specialist

Figure 3. Historic Ram and Lamb Ratios from Survey Data – Desert Bighorn Sheep.

is set at 15-25% of the estimated number of Class III (age 6-8 years old) and Class IV (age 8+ years old) rams determined through survey observations and population modeling.

During the 2022 hunt season, 120 “Any-Ram” hunt permit-tags were offered. There was a total of 20,450 22 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

GMU

Actual BTV EHD BRSV BVDV PI-3 MOVI MOVI Samples Taken ELISA PCR

16A

26

42

15

16B

4

100

40A

9

33

43B

33

24A

9

Pasteurella Score

50

0

27

42

4

0.08

100

0

0

0

100

75

0.75

100

11

0

0

44

33

0.00

33

52

45

0

12

73

21

0.45

100

100

0

0

25

0

0

1.33

Table 2 – Percentage of bighorn sheep testing positive for diseases and pathogens.

CALIFORNIA Desert Bighorn Sheep

Populations California’s desert bighorn sheep metapopulation consists of 64 herd units spread across the state’s southern mountain ranges. This metapopulation is managed in two distinct segments. The bighorn sheep in the peninsular ranges in the southwestern section of the metapopulation are considered a federally endangered distinct population segment and are therefore managed by a recovery plan drafted under the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Figure 1). All other desert bighorn sheep populations in the State are not considered endangered but have fully protected status except for individual bighorn sheep subject to sport hunting.

Figure 2. Number of general hunt tags offered in each hunt zone for the 2023/2024 hunt season. 23 general tags, as well as 3 special fundraising tags are offered for the season.

in the 10 hunt zones (where population monitoring was most intensive outside of the peninsular ranges), population recruitment and overall health remained variable.

The population in the Marble Mountains in the central Mojave was strikingly estimated to have zero percent recruitment during the last two years. However, data suggests the population on Old Dad Mountain in the central Mojave maintained healthy recruitment levels throughout the drought.

Fortunately, heavy monsoonal moisture in the summer and fall of 2022, as well as significant to historic rainfall in the winter of 2023, has substantially decreased the drought severity throughout bighorn range.

We anticipate higher levels of recruitment among most bighorn populations this season.

Licenses and Harvest Figure 1. Bighorn sheep in California. The desert and Sierra Nevada subspecies are found in California. The desert subspecies is managed in two distinct population segments as seen above.

California’s population was estimated at 5,000 desert bighorn sheep, though expert opinion suggests a decrease of ~10% (500 bighorn, such that 4,500 remain) over the past three years, attributed to impacts of drought and disease on recruitment. Among the populations

Per California Fish & Game Code, hunting of bighorn sheep in California is limited to rams. The California Fish & Game Commission may not adopt regulations authorizing the hunting in a single year of more than 15 percent of the mature rams (Class III or IV) in a single management unit. Hunts usually have a near 100% success rate except in the high-altitude White Mountain Hunt Zone 7. The 2023/2024 hunt season consists of 26 hunt tags (Figure 2).

Disease and Herd Health

Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae poses a significant threat to desert bighorn herds in California. Antibodies to the pathogen have been found in individuals from every herd unit tested in the State. Over the past decade, all age-class die-offs have been detected in the Old Dad, San Gorgonio, and South Bristol herds. Carcasses from the Old Dad herd sampled during the die-off tested positive for Mycoplasma.

Carcasses from the San Gorgonio and South Bristol herds during their respective die-offs did not test positive for Mycoplasma; it is possible that the pneumonia in those herds was caused by a different, as-yet undetermined pathogen. No test and remove efforts have taken place in California.

Connectivity

Historically, California’s desert bighorn sheep formed one large metapopulation. Three freeways (I15, 40, and 10) have divided this metapopulation into six fragments as clearly shown by both genetic and movement data. Re-establishing genetic connectivity remains one of the top priorities for California’s desert bighorn sheep program. Construction is planned to start this year on three wildlife overcrossings traversing I-15 and a planned high speed rail line, designed specifically to benefit the species. WS — Danielle Glass, Environmental Scientist-California Department of Fish & Wildlife FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 23

NORTH DAKOTA Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Populations The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 2022 bighorn sheep survey, completed by recounting lambs in March, revealed a record 347 bighorn sheep in the Little Missouri National Grassland of western North Dakota, up 4% from 2021 and 15% above the five-year average. The 2022 survey was the third consecutive record total and surpassed the previous record of 335 bighorns in 2021.

The 2022 survey saw an increase for the fifth consecutive year.

Altogether, biologists counted 96 rams, 206 ewes and 45 lamb (Figure 1). Not included are approximately 40 bighorn sheep in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park and 80 bighorn sheep in the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

The northern badlands population increased 4% from 2021 and was the highest count on record. The southern badlands population was unchanged at the lowest level since bighorns were reintroduced there in 1966.

Adult rams were down just slightly from 2021, and adult ewes were at record numbers. Unfortunately, following a record summer count of lambs, winter survival was only 54%, the lowest level on record and well below the long-term average.

The lamb recruitment rate was also near a record low. Nearly six months of harsh winter conditions was the likely cause of poor winter survival of lambs.

Department biologists count and classify all bighorn sheep in late summer, and then recount lambs the following March, as they approach one year of age, to determine recruitment.

Department staff, in conjunction with biologists from the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife 24 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Division, also reported the bighorn sheep translocated in January 2020 from Rocky Boy’s Reservation in Montana to the Fort Berthold Reservation performed exceptionally well their third year in the state, as the population has nearly tripled.

There are currently about 470 bighorn sheep in the populations managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, National Park Service and the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish and Wildlife Division.

Department staff were encouraged by the results of the 2022 survey considering the severity of the winter.

Licenses and Harvest

A bighorn sheep hunting season is tentatively scheduled to open in 2023.The status of the season will be determined September 1, following the summer population survey.

Game and Fish issued five licenses in 2022 and all hunters were successful in harvesting a ram. A total of 264 bighorn rams have been harvested in North Dakota since 1975, with a success rate of 98%. A record 19,423 applicants applied for a lottery license in 2022, including 314 non-residents.

Test and Remove

North Dakota experienced a significant epizootic in 2014.

MOVI was detected in 100% of mortalities. Despite the population currently at record numbers, animals that test positive via PCR during annual winter capture and collaring operations are euthanized. No detections occurred during 2021 and 2022. WS — Brett Wiedmann, North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Figure 1. Population change not including populations at Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Fort Berthold Reservation.

NEBRASKA Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Populations The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep (RMBS) population consists of five herds totaling approximately 275 sheep scattered throughout western NE. After a nearly 100-year absence to the state, 1981 marked the first of five reintroductions to establish bighorn sheep back into their historic habitats. Over the past 10 years, RMBS numbers have declined by about 30% (Figure 1).

Test and Remove

Over the past few years, the Test and Remove method has been implemented in three of the five herds showing some initial positive results with greater lamb recruitment in some regions. More recently, a bighorn sheep capture took place in February of this year experimenting and evaluating three different Mycoplasma Ovipneumoniae (MOVI) detection methods. These included the standard lab tests through the Washington Animal Disease

methods, having in-field results with possible MOVI detections did allow for more immediate management decisions to be made.

Initial plans to transplant some of these captured sheep from this previously clean herd were put on hold until further evaluations can be made. Below are comparisons amongst WADDL and the Biomeme unit from the Hubbard’s Gap and Cedar Canyon herds in Nebraska’s southern panhandle. Kate Huyvaert, Washington State University, conducted the Biomeme testing and results analysis. Evaluation from the Working Dogs for Conservation is ongoing.

Disease testing will continue with each herd through future helicopter captures, darting and any mortalities, along with future plans to fill unoccupied habitats with RMBS sheep from clean herds. WS —Todd Nordeen, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission

Figure 1. Bighorn sheep population estimates.

From 1981 to present, Nebraska has conducted five translocations of approximately 175 RMBS. One internal translocation was conducted in 2014. Other translocations are being considered in unoccupied habitats as RMBS become available for transplant.

Licenses and Harvest

Since 1998, 32 rams have been harvested in Nebraska with a success rate of 100%. Permits typically consist of one auction permit and one Nebraska resident lottery permit.

Any sheep (ram or ewe) is allowed for harvest but only rams have been taken thus far.

Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) as well as the Biomeme field testing unit (Table 1) and Working Dogs for Conservation. While there was not a 100% percent match between

Test

Hubbard’s Gap (n=25) Positive Indeterminate Negative

Cedar Canyon (n=11) Positive Indeterminate Negative

WADDL PCR

0

0.04

0.96

0.18

0

0.81

Biomeme PCR

0.12

0.04

0.84

0.18

0.18

0.54

WADDL cELISA

0.36

0.12

0.36

0.36

0.18

0.45

Table 1. Movi infection and serologic status (proportion of total tested) by testing method. Animals were captured by helicopter and sampled during February 2023, Wildcat Hills, NE, USA. FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 25

Conservation Through Hunting

DSC is a mission-focused conservation organization, funded by hunters from around the world. Every year, DSC hosts its annual Convention that raises funds for grants in conservation, education, and advocacy.

To become a member or learn more about DSC, head to biggame.org.

Mark your calendars! DSC 2024 Convention – January 11-14

26 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Dedicated to artistic wildlife design.

3538 Cottonwood Avenue Cody, WY 82414 (307) 587-4863 Info@DeweyWildLife.Com www.DeweyWildLife.com ® FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP

27

MPS Reception - Reno, NV - 2023

T

he Marco Polo Society® (MPS) is the Wild Sheep Foundation’s premier major giving “society” whose members have given and/or pledged a minimum of $100,000 to the Foundation. Gifts are donor-directed, tax-deductible and can be made to the WSLF Endowment Fund, WSF Conservation Fund, or Area of Greatest Need. Additionally, funds may be allocated to specific grant-inaid, education or advocacy initiatives and programs. The $100,000

pledge can be contributed in annual installments up to a maximum of 10 years.

Since its inception in 2008, more than $9.1 million in MPS gifts/ pledges have been directed to WSF and mission programs. WSF’s objective is 100 Marco Polo Society members resulting in a $10 million major gift campaign.

WSF SALUTES OUR MARCO POLO SOCIETY® MEMBERS TO DATE - Alphabetical Order Shane & Angela Alexander (TN) Lee & Penny Anderson (FL) Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Stanford & Pamela Atwood (CA) John & Jane Babler (MN) Scott & Erica Barry (MI) Brian & Debbie Benyo (OH) Gary Bogner (MI) Dan & Kathy Boone (TX) Louis & Patti Breland (AL) Jerry & Amy Brenner (NC) Steve & Jackie Bruggeman (MN) Peter & Wendy Burchfield (PA) Tony & Virginia Caligiuri (IA) Ron & Billi Carey (AB) Oscar & Valerie Carlson (MN) Walt & Joan Coram (TX) Guinn & Betsy Crousen (TX) Sam & Tracy Cunningham (TX) Denis & Diane Dale (AB)

Dean & Paige Darby (MI) Monty & Becky Davis (TX) Jeff & Jann Demaske (CO) Chris & Jaimie Dianda (NV) Mike & Julie Dianda (NV) Mark & Janice Dickson (CA) Billy Dunbar (AK) The Fiedeldey Family (OH) Tom Foss (AB) Ronald S. Gabriel, MD (CA) Kevin Gilbert (MT) Brian and Susan Ham (AZ) Marc & Cheryl Hansen (PA) Jim & Sue Hens (NY) Tom & Denise Hoffman (NY) Steve & Jill Hornady (NE) Larry & Jane Hunts (OR) Kevin Hurley (ID) Ross & Nicole Jackson (CO) Scott Jesseman (IL) Kaan & Nurgul Karakaya (TUR) Roger Kenner (ND) G. Thomas & Patricia Lang (FL)

Paige Culver - Development Manager 406.404.8758 or pculver@wildsheepfoundation.org

George & Kelly Lawrence (WA) Doug & Dana Leech (WV) Thomas Lemmerholz (GER) Wayne & Denise Lennington (TN) Jeff Lindgren (MN) Robert Hall & Jane Link (FL) Paul Mattes (MI) Kyle & Joanne Meintzer (NV) Joe & Christine Michaletz (MN) Craig & Therese Mueller (ID) Richard & Linda Murphy (NM) The Olmstead Family (BC) Mark & Gabriela Peterson (MI) Ron & Vicki Pomeroy (WY) Larry & Brenda Potterfield (MO) Rancho La Palmosa (MEX) Joni & Gary W. Raba (TX) Terry Rathert (TX) Gary & Yvonne Rigotti (OR) Christopher Ring (TX) Kevin & Janine Rinke (MI) Alan & Barbara Sackman (NY) Doug & Shelly Sayer (ID)

Gray N. Thornton - President & CEO 406.404.8750 or gthornton@wildsheepfoundation.org

The Marco Polo Society® 28 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Roger Segebrecht (WI) Steve & Sue Skold (IA) Kip & Sue Slaugh (UT) Kevin & Tuesdy Small (CA) J. Alain Smith (WA) Mike Snider (MI) Jeff Sorg (MT) Daryll & Shauna Southwick (CO) Brandon & Kristi Stokes (OR) Jelindo & Sandee Tiberti (NV) Matt Tomseth (OR) Mark Watkins (MN) Tim & Ruth Van Der Weide (IA) Ken & Anna Vorisek (AK) Mark Watkins (MN) Jay & Martha Webster (TX) Craig West (NC) Steven & Ardyce Whisler (MT) Clayton & Modesta Williams (TX) Lyle & Jennifer Wood (AB) Russ & Debi Young (TX) Gary & Penny Young (WV) Alan Young (YT)

Ensuring the Future of Wild Sheep

Current as of press time

RACE TO THE SUMMIT I

n 2008 the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) set out to bring $10,000,000 in Mission and Program funding through a single giving society.

That year, the Marco Polo Society was born.

This premier giving society, comprised of donors who have generously pledged a cash gift of $100,000, just welcomed member #92. To date this incredible group has committed $9.2 Million to our Purpose of Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on The Mountain. We are on the final countdown to our 100-member goal! Wild sheep need your help today as the WSF board along with the Professional Resource Advisory Board and knowledgeable WSF Conservation Directors have carefully reviewed and approved a record $1.55 Million dollars in Grant-in-Aid projects for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.

Come and join this special group of conservation heroes and help ensure the future of wild sheep and wild places with your pledge. I promise you will be in good company.

76. Tony & Virginia Caligiuri (IA)

88. Jay & Martha Webster (TX)

77. Lyle and Jennifer Wood (AB)

89. Joe & Christine Michaletz (MN)

78. G. Thomas & Patricia Lang (FL)

90. Jeff Sorg (MT)

79. Wayne & Denise Lennington (TN) 91. Roger Kenner (SD) 80. Tom Foss (AB)

92. Steve & Sue Skold (IA)

81. Anonymous

93.

82. Anonymous

94.

83. Sam & Tracy Cunningham (TX)

95.

84. Robert M. Hall & Jane Link (FL)

96.

85. Louis & Patti Breland (AL)

97.

86. Kevin Gilbert (MT)

98.

87. Mark Watkins (MN)

99.

100. Sheep Show Auction Item!!

Paige Culver - Development Manager • 406.404.8758 or pculver@wildsheepfoundation.org

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 29

ENSURING THE FUTURE

by Paige Culver WSF Development Manager

GROWTH: OUR ONLY OPTION

P

“In this world, you’re either growing or you’re dying so get in motion and grow.” ~ Lou Holtz

hew. That quote packs a real punch. Primarily because it can be applied to virtually anyone and anything. We all know life and the systems within it aren’t static but in a constant state of flux. If we aren’t actively working the muscles in our bodies, they are naturally inclined to deteriorate. If one isn’t learning new skills in the workplace, he or she is slowly becoming irrelevant. If the lamb recruitment rate in any given wild sheep heard is low, then the heard itself will inevitably dwindle to non-existence. In the same way, we at the Wild Sheep Foundation understand what is at stake if we aren’t growing, changing, learning, and adapting. This is evident in the weekly, monthly, and yearly efforts put forth by the Wild Sheep Foundation, its board of directors, volunteers, committees, chapters and affiliates and industry partners. Each year, the Wild Sheep Foundation strives to do better in every way from creating new and exciting programs, to funding impactful Grand in Aid projects, to proactively standing against proposed legislation that threatens to thwart science-based wildlife management as well as hunters’ rights. Everything is always

30 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

in a state of change…it’s up to us to make sure the change is positive.

Last year, WSF’s Board of Directors approved an additional $1.2 million dollars in Grant in Aid funding which was distributed to jurisdictions all over North America and abroad for key, legacy conservation projects submitted by our eyes and ears on the ground…our chapters and affiliates. Always aiming for growth, the board of directors has approved a record $1.55 million dollars in Grant in Aid funding for the 23-24 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) in addition to the ~$6 million raised and distributed each year for mission and program funding and industry support. Given there were $3 million dollars in requested funds, the selection process is no easy task.

These numbers can be overwhelming at first glance. However, each year our generous members and donors continue to make these ambitious conservation funding goals a reality.

In the spirit of growth and ensuring that the Wild Sheep Foundation can continue To Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain® “Today, Tomorrow, and Forever”, we are excited to have a talented group of members who are volunteering their time and

incredible talents to help us build the Endowment Fund to a level that will allow continued, guaranteed annual funding for necessary conservation work, IDEFINITELY! This committee will help usher the Wild Sheep Foundation into an even more certain future. Thank you to Kevin Rinke (Endowment Development Committee Chair), Gary Raba, Tim Van Der Weide, Jeff Lindgren, Zach Higgins, Dean Darby, Bryan Bartlett, and Jack Atcheson, Jr. for your dedication and efforts toward this very noble cause.

We are thrilled to be seeing our WSF Family soon! As usual, we will have our Ensuring the Future Societies Lounge open to all Legacy, Marco Polo, and Chadwick Ram society members as well as the Thursday evening cocktail reception and Saturday evening Marco Polo Society reception. Details to come.

Thank you for believing in WSF and the work that we do. If you would like more information on how you can help achieve our conservation funding goals through a membership in one of our prestigious giving societies, please call Development Manager, Paige Culver, at 406-404-8758 or email at pculver@ wildhsheepfoundation.org. WS

T

he Conklin foundation board is pleased to announce the 2024 winner of the Conklin award. Eduardo Negrete, is the 22nd winner of the “Tough Man” award, named after the late Dr. James Conklin, a Weatherby award winner, who liked to pursue difficult animals throughout the world.

Eduardo, began his big game hunting in 2001 at the age of 33. Since then he has been on over 170 hunts throughout the world taking over 580 animals including 237 Conklin animals. This includes taking 65 sheep and 58 goats.

Eduardo has been married for 28 years to Julia and has a son and a daughter. He lives in Mexico City and has a commercial real estate company.

2024 Conklin Award Winner

sponsored by:

Eduardo Negrete

The Conklin Foundation would like to gratefully The support of donors makes it possible acknowledge and thank the following businesses for the Conklin Foundation to continue and individuals for their generous donations. its efforts to educate youth about hunting.

Go with Bo Giuseppe Carrisosa Iberian Hunters Laser Shot Brilliant Stars Point Blank Hunts

Finstincts Hunt Conexion Mexico Champion Ranch Spanish Mountain Hunts Baranof Jewelers Vidale Safaris

MJ Miller & Company Legelela Safaris Salvaforcaza Renaud Desgrees du Lou Fernando Saiz Spain Caprinae Safaris of Turkey

Canada North Outfitting Deron and Suzie Millman Alan and Barbara Sackman Renee Snider Rex Baker FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 31

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

by Greg Schildwachter WSF Lobbyist

T

LEAD AND NON-LEAD AMMUNITION

he US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed in June to impose a nonlead requirement starting in 2026 for hunting on several eastern National Wildlife Refuges.

FWS acted despite many arguments lodged against it (and several more urging a wider requirement). FWS’s position may be legally supportable; courts will decide, as they’ve been asked to do before. The bigger issue for mountain hunter conservationists is how to handle the debate over lead.

Gripes, kudos, scares, and cheers on this subject are easy to find.

Other agencies, state legislatures, and congress have proposals of their own. There are proposed bans on lead and there are programs to encourage non-lead ammo use. Sportsmen have taken a variety of positions. Some have pioneered voluntary incentive programs. Some have adopted nonlead ammo as a personal choice.

Some resist regulation as a needless cost, complication, and constraint on hunting.

FWS has brought this issue into new territory. Unlike the ban on lead shot for waterfowl hunting issued in the 1980s, which addressed indisputable, direct, and meaningful risks to waterfowl populations, FWS is acting now on disputable risks. Unlike the ban on lead bullets in California condor range, where losing one bird sizably risks the whole species, FWS is acting on marginal, hard-to-detect, potential harm to bald eagles—a recovered and growing continental population.

Poisons and pollutants make difficult policy choices. Scientifically, there are safe levels of toxins in small amounts. Politically, toxins are, well,

32 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

toxic. Arsenic in drinking water, for example, is detectable in many water supplies. Knowing that, some people want drinking water regulations to reduce it even below background levels. That’s easier to put on a bumper sticker than something about “safe enough” and needless costs.

So it is with lead. Reducing lead is costly and some proposals are needlessly so. Others have a popular point that reducing a toxin is a good idea.

The issue is teetering on a political stalemate. Recall that the Obama Administration banned lead ammunition on Federal lands, and the Trump Administration reversed that ban. This is now a common sequence, possibly to be repeated.

We sportsmen—all of us, including our industry partners—are not stuck, however. We must continue making the case for a scientifically sound lead policy. We will continue to find that, with science in hand, people will still differ on policy choices. We should continue promoting voluntary nonlead options. And, we may be able to open a new path forward in expanding what those options are.

Bullets now are basically either lead or copper; other materials are available but prohibited. The Law Enforcement Officer Protection Act of 1986 outlawed the manufacture or import of “armor piercing ammunition”, which includes projectiles made from tungsten alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium.

(Shotgun shells are excluded.)

Obviously, this connection to the “cop killer bullet” issue complicates the already difficult policy choices on

lead. No one—not us, anyway—wants to add to the risks law enforcement officers face. At the same time, if we could use prohibited materials for sporting purposes, we could create new non-lead alternatives, which could increase availability and decrease cost.

The law provides exceptions allowing for non-copper alternatives that keep the police safe. One is known as the “sporting purposes exception” but attempts to use this have not been approved.

Another involves ammo used by the government, which is a potential new avenue for us. In either case, part of the problem is that the law defines “armor piercing” not only by what it is made of, but also whether it “may” be used in a handgun—and we have handguns now that can chamber what once were exclusively rifle rounds.

The greatest test for the “government use” opportunity is whether anyone joins an effort to explore it—especially whether FWS joins the effort. FWS believes—as stated in rejecting concerns about cost and availability—that restricting lead will promote alternatives. FWS can promote alternatives more directly by helping create a government-use angle to developing alternatives. Other agencies, both Federal and state, may be able to help.

Of course, none of this goes anywhere without advice, expertise, and support from law enforcement.

And the basis for the entire issue is our set of principles as sportsmen conservationists. We take concerns seriously, we insist on scientific justifications, and we find a way—or make one. WS

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AWARDS AWARDS

by Tony Caligiuri Chair, Ram Awards Committee

J

ANOTHER GREAT AWARDS SEASON ON TAP

udging by the number of big sheep pictures going around the internet, this season has been a banner year for quality rams. With the Dall’s and Stone’s sheep hunts in full swing during August and some Rocky and California bighorn seasons that were open in August as well, no doubt at least a few of these 2023 rams will find their way into the WSF Ram Awards prior to the November 1st entry deadline. Since the inception of the Ram Awards, it has always been thrilling to see what comes in at the last minute.

And while big rams are always big news around here, even bigger news is the announcement of Julie Tripp as WSF’s new Awards Director and queen of all things creative. I have had the pleasure to work with Julie on several projects in her long career with the Boone and Crocket Club and she brings a wealth of experience to WSF not only with her background in big game awards but expertise in book and magazine production and graphic arts. If you are familiar with Robert Anderson’s Great Rams book series, then you already know Julie’s work as she shepherded the Great Rams III and Great Rams IV books through both the editorial process and the production process from start to finish. The future of all things awards for WSF is in good hands and we welcome Julie on board.

For me, this year’s award cycle marks more than 30 years of being involved, first from a hunter 34 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

standpoint with a gold medal desert sheep in 1991, a few more medals and honorable mentions over the years, later as a committee member and now the committee chairman. To say that a lot has changed since the first Ram Awards in 1978 would be an understatement.

Take for instance the desert sheep entries, seven out of the first eleven entries were sheep from North Baja. When hunting there was shut down, the top desert rams were then dominated by Arizona rams for the next ten years. Now with new reintroductions of desert sheep herds across three different Mexican states, Mexican rams are again garnering a good share of the medal slots, although there are still plenty of giant rams coming out of Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.

Not a lot has changed with the quality and location on the Stone’s side of the Ram Awards, although high 170’s and even a few 180-type rams appeared with more frequency in the early awards. Garry Vince, Dave Wiens, Gary Moore and Kevin Olmstead accounted for most of the outfitter-assisted Gold Medal Stone’s in those days and those concessions are still producing big, big rams.

Then as now, the first 20 years’ worth of Gold Medal Dall’s sheep were spread out between the Yukon, Alaska and the NWT, and then as now, the Chugach Range and the South Wrangell’s were two big hot spots.

No doubt that the greater number

of auction tags now available for bighorns of both varieties have changed the dynamics in those categories as well, but even at that, some of the largest Rocky Mountain bighorns and California bighorns ever taken continue to come from WSF member ranks who were blessed by a premium draw tag. Many of the rams taken on raffle tags facilitated

by WSF chapters throughout the western states end up in the awards as well. The auction tags, raffle tags and premium draw tags have affected this category more than any of the others as the early Gold Medal bighorn rams were absolutely dominated by Alberta outfitters and back then a bighorn from the lower 48 rarely found its way into the top three.

But the awards certainly are not exclusively to auction, raffle and premium draw tags, each year we see entries from hunters who were on their first outfitted sheep ever, along with Alaska, Yukon and British Columbia resident hunters who take advantage of their home state or province’s readily available general permits. As Jack O’Connor was fond of pointing out, a sheep camp might find the president of an oil company eating caribou steaks in the kitchen shack next to the guy who welds on the same oil company’s pipeline, in daily life their paths would never cross, but in sheep camp they are undisguisable from each other. The Ram Awards are just as eclectic, the winners and the 700 people in the audience are kindred spirits for a few

short hours, each just as excited as the next to see big rams up on the big screen. No sport holds in common with hunters from uncommon backgrounds like sheep hunting does, it’s part of what makes convention and the Ram Awards so great.

For B&C official measurers, scoring a big ram is a rare opportunity and most will jump at the chance. A complete list of official measurers can be found on the Boone and Crockett website. International sheep and goats are scored under the SCI measuring system, which is slightly different from B&C, but again, a very simple process as an entry

requirement in the Ram Awards and Mountain Monarchs. Both Boone and Crocket and SCI are repeat sponsors of this year’s program.

Remember, the entry timeframe for International Awards has been expanded to include those trophies taken between August 30th, 2020, through August 30th, 2023.

The entry guidelines for North American sheep will remain the same with rams taken between August 30th, 2021 through August 30th, 2023 eligible for entry in the 2024 awards. Entry forms and score sheets for both international and North American sheep must be sent in by

November 1st each year to allow adequate time for processing prior to convention. More information and entry forms can be found on the Wild Sheep Foundation web site at www. wildsheepfoundation.org All members who attend the Ram Awards will be eligible for a drawing for a free-range aoudad hunt with longtime convention exhibitor and donor, Rowdy McBride, of Rowdy McBride Hunting Services. I hunted with Rowdy last year and saw literally dozens of big aoudad rams over the course of three days – this is an opportunity that you don’t want to miss! WS

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 35

25 per chance • $100 for 5 • $250 for 15

$

Hot spots today for chasing trophy speed goats are within tough-to-draw units that are mostly private land. We’ve found one, and we’re raffling off a fully guided hunt in New Mexico.

New Mexico historically ranks second to Wyoming for B&C pronghorn, and Union County, NM, ranks second in the state for record book entries.

ENTER BEFORE OCT. 31 • DRAW DATE NOV. 15

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE https://wildsheep.eventgroovefundraising.com/nmantelope

Questions: 406.404.8750 • info@wildsheepfoundation.org 36 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

State gaming laws prohibit residents of Kansas, Hawaii, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington from participating in online drawings. Debit cards (or cash/checks) for Montana residents. Canadian residents are eligible to participate in this drawing.

FREE CASH BAR

FREE LUNCH RECEIVE 1 TICKET AT ENTRY •MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

5-DAY AOUDAD HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN WEST TEXAS

AWARDS DEADLINE NOV. 1 12:00 NOON - 2:00PM • THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2024 Mt. Rose Ballroom • Reno-Sparks Convention Center

EVENT SPONSORS

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 37

ONE MORE

WSF will be once again giving away a FREE SHEEP HUNT to one of the following members to help them complete their FNAWS (Four North American Wild Sheep). Each “One More for Four” member listed will have their name put in the drawing for a FREE SHEEP HUNT! For any questions about how to register for the “One More for Four”, please contact Julie Tripp at the WSF Headquarters; 406.602.8138 or jtripp@wildsheepfoundation.org

2023-24 OMF4 List - Desert Adams Brent Adams Jacob Andrews Ron Arnett Jamie Arnett Steve August Jim Baer Mike Ballantine John Barker Chris Barrett FJ Bate Steve Baugher Daniel Berger Bruce Bernard Duane Best TJ Bianchi, Jr. Paul Black Carl Bloomquist Joe Bouton Mike Bull David Callahan Dick Campbell Mark Carter Scott Cassell Bob Clark David Coburn Jerrell Coleman Calem Cota Dallas Coulter John Currey Larry Curry Joe Dahm Richard Davie Steve DeMars Scott Dolph Doug Edall Michael Eddy Charles Edelen Richard Eisenach Kurt Elms Russell Eyster, II John Fanizzi Fred Fear John Finstad James Fischer Tom Fitterer JD Gabrick Jim Garland Rod Gelzer Sandy Gochenaur Dwight Gonfiantini Chris Gores Marcus Grabowski Tony Gray Robert Grimes Tom Grinde Harold Halmes Matthew (Skip) Hanlon Bill Hansen Terry Hanson Bradley Hardy Joe Hart Lee Hatala Jeremy Henderer Stan Henderson Dennis Henderson James Henderson Wayne Hettinger Willie Hodges Dana Holbrook John Hope Brian Hope Ralph Horne Don House Robert Hubbard Bryce Jackson Steven Janousek Waylon Jobe John Johnson Breck Johnson Breck Johnson Ed

38 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Parkland County Bend Emporium Calgary Sedgewick Portland Henderson West Simsbury LadySmith Central Point Cascade Taneytown St. Louis Rainier Black Forest Loomis Rozet Wolf Creek Chaska Pocatello Downers Grove Fort Collins Darwell Wasilla Albion Fort Worth Ft. Steele Red Deer Tracy Washington Boise Mead Bezanson Red Lodge Billings Okanagan Falls Solgohachia Thornton Sheridan Baker City Seven Valleys Condon Big Piney Clifton Meridian Spokane Fountain City Antioch Litchfield York Springs Reno Milwaukie Whitehorse Drayton Valley Sheridan Rimbey Cascade Sparwood Moses Lake Westminster Soldotna Gallatin Gateway Rimbey Pendleton Bargersville Hattiesburg lodgepole Harlowton Belding Yuma Bragg Creek Red Deer Odem Houston Davenport Gilbert Great falls Hood River New Castle New Castle Bozeman

AB OR PA AB AB OR NV CT BC OR ID MD MO OR CO CA WY MT MN ID IL CO AB AK ID TX B.C AB MN WV ID WA AB MT MT BC AR CO WY OR PA MT WY TX ID WA WI IL AZ PA NV OR YT AB MT AB MT BC WA CO AK MT AB OR IN MS SD MT MI AZ AB AB TX TX WA AZ Mt OR CO CO MT

Jonsson Greg Joseph Edward Kadlec Harvey Kellogg Robert Kelso Andy Kemble Bryan Kemery Mike Kennedy Glenn Kish Lester Kline Steve Kling Craig Koerner Tim Kopecky Rob Koski Terry Kronberger Lance Lakich David LaMar Chuck Lancelot David Langlois Kevin Lansing Karl Larson Mike Leedom Mike Legnard John Leibold Brian Letourneau Michel Lewton John Lokey Ernest Luke Dion Lunceford Leverett MacDonald Shawn Magness Tim Marshall Jim Marshall Robert Marshall Steve Martell Kevin Martin Hal Maxwell Chris McCormick Robert ‘Bob’ McElroy Nathan McEnroe Jim McMillen Ron Mees Jeff Menke Mike Miller James Mitchell Matt Moore Noel Moore Thomas Morris William Morton Jeff Morton Mark Muir Kevin Musil Barry Newman Scott Niedmeyer Colin Nowicki Ken Nucci Mark Obeid Bill Obeid Billy Olson Aaron Oswald Chase Ottman John Pabst Ed Padilla William Paganucci David Pallister Greg Pallister Shane Palmer David J. Papazyan Armen Parker Rick Parten Dave Passey Derrick Pastorek Bill Pelczar Brian Phillips Terry Pierce Ken Podrasky Clayton Ponterio Richard Powers Tom Pulliam Earl Putnam David Rath Craig Ray James Rea Thomas Reishus Allan

Peace River Regional Dist Burbank Turtle Lake Longview Graham Carbondale Clearfield Odessa Bozeman Superior LaPorte Coeur d’ Alene Edmonton Calgary Eagle River Richfield Rockport Weston Mt. Pleasant Creston Rexburg McCall Conifer Orwigsburg Bristol Belgrade Salida Hotchkiss Athens Cranbrook Billings Basalt Sheridan Midland Middletown Kimberly Okotoks Chehalis Rimbey Big Sky Cambridge Denver Kalispell Sparks Sedro Woolley Central Point Lancaster Dallas Benbrook Muleshoe New Meadows Sparwood Petersburg Telkwa Cranbrook Montgomery Wilkes-Barre Wilkes-Barre Bismarck Dawson Creek Missoula Brush Cheyenne Fresno Charlie Lake Charlie Lake Green River Calgary Crescent City West Fork Prince George Canyon Billings Kerrville Ketchum Sparwood Santa Ana Stevensville Phoenix Glenns Ferry Red Deer County Twin Falls Berthoud Craig

BC CA WI WA WA KS IA TX MT MT CO ID AB AB AK WI TX FL MI BC ID ID CO PA CT MT CO CO GA BC MT CO WY MI NY ID AB WA AB MT IA CO MT NV WA OR OH TX TX TX ID BC AK BC BC TX PA PA ND BC MT CO WY CA BC BC WY AB CA AR BC BC MT TX ID BC CA MT AZ ID AB ID CO CO

FOR FOUR Reynolds Daniel Dawson City YT Rhea JH Roswell NM Rivers Dave Kimberley BC Roth Jon Middleton ID Rough Jim Port Coquitlam BC Saar Nathan Red Deer County AB Saar Nathan Red Deer County AB Salomonson Michael Berthoud CO Schneider Lance Drayton Valley AB Schwartz Mark Eagle River AK Selby Wayne Cranbrook BC Sessions Gary Flora Vista NM Shaw Robert Davenport IA Shinabarger Tim Billings MT Shoman Kyle West Fargo ND Shuey Larry Annville Pa Simpson Flint Canmore AB Sindlinger Ray Fort Dodge IA Sitton Don Rockport TX Skold Steve West Des Moines IA Smith Houston Kings Mountain NC Soliday Daniel Perkasie PA Sorg Maurus Saint Marys PA Speight Doug Kemp TX Spies Edward Watertown SD Stanek Jon McMurray PA Stapleton Lance Salem OR Stefanitsis Jerry Bronx NY Stock Richard Pineville LA Stormer James Ridgeway WI Strathearn Ronald Ashcroft BC Swank David Paxinos PA Sword Darryl Canal Flats BC Taylor Justin Canal Flats BC Teeples Jason Lander WY Thagard Neil Clarkston WA Thomson Darren Okotoks AB Tidwell Troy Bellevue WA Todd Charlie San Jose CA Toliver Doyle Darby MT Treichel William Green Valley AZ Trudell Ken Green Bay WI Turley Brandon Redmond OR Tymchyna Derek Cranbrook BC Van Belleghem Dave Calgary AB Van Hilten Andre Nanton AB Van Valkenburg Kyle Cora WY Vanderhoff Dave Klamath Falls OR Vetter Bern Kaysville UT Vipond Waylon Pouce Coupe BC Wall Les Coaldale AB Walter Brian Dallas TX Warner Lyle Cody WY Warwick Rodger Billings MT Wasserfall Stanley Dix Hills NY Weatherby Adam Sheridan WY Widdifield Scott Calgary AB Wiebe Kelly Nanton AB Williams Dillon Hillcrest Mines AB Williamson Brent Powhatan Va Witthuhn Dan Appleton WI Woslum Edd White Bird ID Wright Justin Pinedale WY Younkin Gary Hume VA Zachary Marc Denver CO

Griffin Jim Pinedale WY Grundman Paul Rio Dell CA Gutsmiedl Mark Larsen WI Hardy Garth West Jordon UT Heidemann Ron Hayden ID Hendrix John Anchorage AK Jardine Brady Wellsville UT Jensen William Wellsville Ut Kappe Robert West Chester PA Kenny Mark Pittsburgh PA Kidder David Hesperia MI Kitzul Blaine Vernon BC Lande Edward Yakima WA Lindgren Jeff Mebane NC LoMonaco Joseph Anchorage AK Manly Richard Augusta GA Marinelli Mike Alpharetta GA Mitchell Richard Mechanicsville IA Moran Kenneth Tuba City AZ Morehouse James Tucson AZ Musser Robert Aspen CO Naugle Robert Visalia CA Naugle Robert Visalia CA Nielsen Loren Casper WY Opre Thomas Columbia Falls MT Patton Blake Tomball TX Perchetti Mike Lamoille NV Pettett William Hart MI Petznick, Jr. Earl Paradise Valley AZ Powell Ryan Olds AB Pritchett Evan Johns Creek GA Raats Taylor Las Vegas NV Rogers Mason Austin TX Rue Marc Fargo ND Schultheis Paul Clovis CA Shoman Cody Hardwood ND Skinner Neal Sun Lakes AZ Spillers Larry Ennis TX Tilzey Scott Reno NV Torgerson Eric Ethridge MT Tripp Justin “Bo” Reno NV Turner Kurt Burleson TX Walton Zachary Rocklin CA Watson Darwin Hudson Hope BC Weber Dr. Tony Spokane WA Womack Kenneth Fallon NV Young Mark Augusta MT Young Rick M Boring OR Zunino Gary Spring Creek NV

2023-24 OMF4 List - Stone

Anderson Robert Casper WY Barlow Bob Story WY Barrickman William Anchorage AK Brock Alan Alpharetta GA Carter Jason Cedar City UT Davis Marvin Reno NV Deputy Toby Winnemucca NV Fine Keith East Greenwich RI Fitzgerald III Jim Orange Cove CA Fuss Rob Reno NV Hemmert Jared Gunnison CO Jeffries Kent Gillette WY Jessop Travis Sparks NV Johnson Steven calgary alb Lough Stephanie Ponoka alberta Can Lundstrom Gary Rapid City SD Maddock Joseph Bryn Athyn PA McGovern Kyle Bozeman MT McVeigh Mark Reno NV Montgomery Dan Wasilla AK Nimer Blaine Huntsville UT Pierson Jason Cambridge MN Pinello Jim Falcon CO Saad Tom Glendale AZ Samuelson Bill Anchorage AK Sellin Thomas Eagle ID Sewall Pat Boise Id Shaffer Justin Anchorage AK Shanks Tyler Reno NV Solan Brian Helena MT Stogdell Donald Scottsdale AZ Van Diepen Thomas Baker City OR Warren Remi Reno NV Williams Fredrick Davie FL Yardas Rocky Lander WY Ziehlke Dave Medford WI

2023-24 OMF4 List - Bighorn

Ableidinger Dale Alexander Harold Arnold, Jr. John Arnoldi John Bedlion John M. Behrns John BIllingsley Jim Blackstone Amy Bottomley John Carlson Pete Chard Thomas Clark Michael Clark Scott Clayton Neil Daniels Farley Davis Kelly Deason Wayne Decker Alisha Dieren Terry Dominy Mathew Evenson Dan Fain Murray Foutz Ryan Fowler Steve Frasher David Gilbert Kevin Gilbertson Dustin Gleason Mike Green John Greer John

Yakima West Richland Zionsville Rock Springs Las Vegas Wabasha Winnemucca Aberdeen Red Deer Maple Plain Winston Kingman Colorado SPrings Delta El Paso Mead Floresville Juneau Rock Rapids Mesa Fort Atkinson Surrey North Salt Lake City Boiling Springs Oak Grove Clancy Lamoille Morgan Oxford Boise

WA WA PA WY NV MN NV SD AB MN MT AZ CO UT Tex WA TX AK IA AZ WI BC UT SC MO MT NV UT MS ID

2023-24 OMF4 List - Dall

Aranguena Dave Cheng Kevin Hoffman Denise Lennington Wayne Mattes Paul Reed Jake

Winnemucca Redwood City Troy Franklin Grosse Pointe Farms Spring Creek

NV CA NY TN MI NV

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 39

40 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 41

F

or the 2024 Convention, January 18-20th, in Reno, NV, WSF will be accepting officially scored rams taken August 30, 2021 - August 30, 2023.

All entries must be received in the WSF office by the absolute deadline of November 1, 2023. *Rams that have already received a WSF award will not be eligible.

NEW HUNTING SEASON DATES FOR MOUNTAIN MONARCH AWARDS: Sheep/ Goats taken between August 30th, 2020 – August 30, 2023, will be eligible for the 2024 Awards Program.

42 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Rules & Regulations

1. Only official 60-day dry scores will be considered. Green scores will not be accepted.

2. Rams taken August 30, 2021 August 30, 2023, will be eligible for the 2023-24 Ram Awards program.

The absolute deadline for the 2024 Convention will be November 1, 2023. *Rams that have already received a WSF award will not be eligible. Please note: New dates for Mountain Monarch Awards – August 30, 2020 – August 30, 2023.

3. An official Boone & Crockett Scorer must score rams taken by a firearm and the entry must be on an official B&C score sheet.

4. An official Pope & Young Scorer must score rams taken by archery and the entry must be on an official P&Y score sheet.

5. A photograph of the sheep (acceptable for public viewing) must accompany an official B&C or P&Y score sheet.

6. All entries must have the name of the outfitters and guides if they were used. Hunters entering MUST be a MEMBER in good standing of WSF PRIOR to the hunt. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards will be given for the largest sheep entered in both the Rifle and Archery categories. Rams which do not receive one of the top three

Boone & Crockett Minimums Bighorn – 175, Desert – 165 Dall’s – 160, Stone’s – 160 CA Bighorn – 165

awards, but which exceed the alltime record book minimum will receive an Honorable Mention Award. California bighorn rams exceeding 165 B&C, which do not receive a top award, will receive an Honorable Mention Award.

California bighorn sheep must have certification from the Fish and Game Department that identifies the ram as a “California Bighorn.”

Youth Awards will be given to any youth not more than 18 years of age who takes a legal ram. A score sheet is required to receive a youth award, however an official B&C or P&Y score sheet is required for a youth to be eligible to receive the

Youth Award of Excellence.

A photograph of the sheep (acceptable for public viewing) and names of the outfitters and guides are required for all youth entries.

Please submit all B&C, P&Y, and SCI score sheets and Hunt Report Forms to: WSF World Headquarters Attn: Julie Tripp Awards & Publications Director 412 Pronghorn Trail Bozeman, MT 59718 jtripp@wildsheepfoundation.org www.wildsheepfoundation.org 406.602.8138

Pope & Young Minimums Bighorn – 140, Desert – 120 Dall’s – 120, Stone’s – 120 CA Bighorn (though not recognized as separate species by B&C or P&Y) - 140 recognized as separate species

by B&C or P&Y) IMPORTANT DEADLINES TO REMEMBER!!

Entries must be submitted by: NOVEMBER 1st, 2023 Ram/FNAWS/Mountain Monarchs Award Program: Thursday, JANUARY 18th, 2024 FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 43

NEED ONE MORE SHEEP TO COMPLETE YOUR F.N.A.W.S.?

Bernie Fiedeldey has once again generously offered to match donations (up to $25,000) to the “1 MORE FOR 4” drawing for a FREE sheep hunt of qualified individuals needing one more ram to complete their Four North American Wild Sheep (F.N.A.W.S.)

Become A Sponsor!

You can help keep the tradition going for the 2024 Convention “1 MORE FOR 4” Drawing and have your contribution matched by Bernie (up to $25,000.)

Our sincere appreciation to Bernie Fiedeldey and the “1 MORE FOR 4” participants for making this drawing and hunt of a lifetime possible!

For more Information Contact: Paige Culver: 406.404.8758 PCulver@wildsheepfoundation.org Receive one of these beautiful medallions commemorating the “1 MORE FOR 4” Challenge. Donations of $500 receive a bronze medallion and contributions of $1000 or more receive a 1.75” silver medallion (2 Troy ounces of .999 pure silver) in a presentation case.

44 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

tuudi soaring eagle The bald eagle is a symbol of America, a nation strong, bold, courageous, and free just like our Wild Sheep organization. This eagle sculpture is a special copy just for the Wild Sheep Foundation show for the live auction Saturday Night Banquet, January 20th, 2024 in Reno, NV! The life-size bronze eagle, limited edition of 36 (special copy) stands 91” tall weighing approximately 300 pounds which includes inner stainless-steel structure for added strength mounted on a beautiful hardwood base. Entirely made in America.

Come see at the 2024 Sheep Show® in booth #2645 and check out our bronze creations.

You can also check out our website at: www.wildernesscreations.com This project was a product of love created with lots of blood, sweat, & tears by myself & Sue. We sincerely thank-you for the many years support.

‘24 JAN. 18-20 RENO, NV

Frank & Sue Entsminger WSF Life Members 907.883.2833 FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 45

BY BRAD BARYENBRUCH y heart raced as I crawled over the rocks trying to avoid the cactus. I nestled into my gun on my offside, (lefthanded) due to a broken collar bone, settling the crosshairs on a beautiful, chocolate caped, light-coloredhorned desert sheep. It was a shot 46 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

that I knew may only come once in a lifetime.

Rewind back to early October, and I was talking to a friend of mine, Ron, about when his desert sheep hunt at La Palmosa would be. He said he might not be able to go—and soon after—he offered me his spot. After

a brief discussion with my girlfriend, Shelley, and her blessing to go, we quickly changed the dates of a trip we had planned, and I secured a loan for my desert sheep hunt at La Palmosa.

About two weeks later, I ran out to the rifle range to sight in a rifle with a suppressor on it instead of a muzzle

brake. I went prone for a quick sight in and at the first shot, I said to myself, Dang that was loud! and Dang, that kicked a ton compared to the muzzle break! I also thought, Oh my God my shoulder hurts! and then chastised myself with, You wimp its just recoil.

But as it turned out, it really hurt. I

told myself just to lay there for a bit.

As I got up, I felt a scraping sensation and intense pain in my collar bone.

I reached up and felt a distinct line across my collar bone. I felt the back side of the collar bone as well, and felt the same line. I knew then that it was broken all the way through.

Wondering what had happened with the gun, I noticed the baffle stack was missing from the suppressor and could see a weld had failed causing the HUGE recoil. I called Shelley and told her, and she started out to the range to give me a ride to the ER. I was sitting in the ER waiting FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 47

room wondering if this hunt would even happen now, as I felt the bones bump on top of each other. Of course, it was broken with a displaced fracture.

When I saw the orthopedic doctor five days later, he immediately told me I would need surgery to fix it. The surgery was November 3rd, and went well. The doctor thought I would be ready to do the hunt right-handed, but with the unique, straight, almost-saw-cut break, healing could be terribly slow.

I called my friend Sam Gearing to see if he would like to go along to help carry stuff and get the hunt on video for Own the Season TV, a program I do some filming for. He said heck yes he wanted to go along on a desert sheep hunt. I then just had to try letting the shoulder heal, and pretty much miss my entire fall hunting season. Workouts to prepare for a sheep hunt became nonexistent.

Thinking of this hunt was the only thing that kept me in a good state of mind when I was sitting around missing seeing my bird dogs work and missing my first deer season in over 40 years.

At nine weeks on a follow-up doctor visit, the x-ray showed little to no healing, but the plate and screws were still secure. The doctor said right-hand shooting was out, and if I proceeded with doing the hunt, it must be left-handed. NOT good news for a very right-handed person.

I had already started dry firing almost daily off my tripod left-handed, but this news had me really stepping up the dry fire practice as well as getting out for some live fire practice. It also 48 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

meant I could now at least get on the bike in the basement, as long as there was no lifting with the right arm. As the hunt neared, the excitement was huge for such a special opportunity at a desert ram.

February 11th had Sam and I arriving in Monterrey, Mexico with Rafael Villarreal of La Palmosa meeting us at the airport to help us smoothly get the rifle cleared through customs and the military. A short drive later, with an enjoyable conversation with Rafael, we were going through the ranch gate.

The drive up to the La Palmosa is stunning when I saw the amazing facility, an oasis in the middle of a high desert, they have created.

Entering the main lodge and getting into my room convinced me of how special of a place it really was.

As I went to get my gun out of the case, I noticed that somehow one of the tumblers had fallen out of my padlocks, but with a little work with a screwdriver we could open the lock.

A quick check on the rifle zero at their rifle range and we were ready to start sheep hunting the next day.

Sitting down to the first meal that night I knew I was in for a treat and

would be actually gaining weight on a sheep hunt with three-course meals that were fabulous.

The next morning, we met our guides, Juan and Davide, and hopped in the Jeep for a short drive to where we would hunt for the day. Like most sheep hunts, we started climbing—climbs as steep as any of my other sheep hunts and LOTS more cacti! I was told to bring snake gaiters, not for snakes, but for cacti.

It was not too long into the climb and Sam spotted the first sheep, a ewe. We kept climbing and glassing until around lunch when Juan spotted a few rams. One was a good ram, but we could tell with his lack of any excitement about it that it was not a ram we would be after at this place, which even got me more excited about the possibilities.

After a couple more hours of climbing, continually stopping to glass different angles and cuts, we did not find much else. We moved over the ridge line and started down. Juan again glassed some sheep way off and way down towards the lodge. Sam had the spotter up and glassed a darkcaped and light-color-horned ram just as it moved into a cut. Not being sure of how big it was from that distance, we started down back to the Jeep as darkness was setting in.

Day two had us lower and looking for the ram to verify its size. Soon into the day Juan spotted sheep, and when he said with extreme excitement, “Ram and it is a good one!” I knew we were on a shooter.

We could tell the ram matched the description of the one Sam saw the night before.

We were trying to get set up for a shot as the ram started over the top of a high cliff. With him facing away there was no shot, but it really got the heart going watching him. Rafael quickly translated that Juan said we needed to move­—and fast.

Our stalk had us move up and around a point for about 45 minutes to stay out of view. As we worked up the ridge of the cliff the ram had gone over, we spotted him down below, relaxing with his ewes. I quickly worked to get set up, with the guides throwing their pads down so I would not lay in too many cacti.

With the gun on the tripod prone, I had to keep moving it forward almost over the cliff edge to get enough downward angle for the shot. The ram was behind some brush, so all we could do was wait a few minutes for it to move, but as it moved into a nice spot broadside, there was a lamb standing right in front of it. As I tried FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 49

No matter how much left-handed dry fire practicing I had done, at that moment, the thought of blowing a left-handed, once-in-alifetime desert sheep shot crept into my mind. to settle my heart rate and make sure of my position (I needed everything perfect for a left-handed shot), the lamb finally moved. No matter how much left-handed dry fire practicing I had done, at that moment, the thought of blowing a left-handed, once-in-a-lifetime desert sheep shot crept into my mind.

Settling in, I released the shot and got a quick call of a hit low in the lungs. As the sheep scattered, we knew he was hit hard but still on his feet. I quickly moved to a different position and had to shoot sitting as there were rocks in front of us and I could not get prone. All the practice left-handed got me settled in quick and I made a shot that put the ram down! All of us were excited and knew we had a great ram, while I was pretty much speechless in the video camera, forgetting for a minute the long fall season with the broken collar bone.

Picking our way down the cliff took

50 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

us through a narrow area and low overhanging rock walls we had to duck under with many fresh sheep beds.

Once getting to the sheep, the beauty of the chocolate cape, the massive light horns, and just how majestic these animals are really set in. With many congratulations to all, and many pictures, we sat down for a quick lunch and talked about the hunt.

After skinning and getting the packs loaded, they decided it was closer and easier to hike it an hour back to the lodge then back up the cliff to the Jeep. So, we hiked the first sheep back to the La Palmosa lodge!

We spent the rest of the day enjoying talking about such a fun hunt with great people.

Though the hunt was over, the adventures continued, and we spent the next few days exploring the ranch, seeing the petroglyphs, natural springs, fluorite mine, and the amazing water system they have on the ranch for conservation.

A story of a hunt at La Palmosa would be lacking if you did not talk of the huge conservation success story the owner Emilio has achieved for wildlife. Sheep had totally become nonexistent until 2007 when he got the government to release 69 sheep back into the area and 49 more the next year. Emilio has worked hard with the government, WSF, and neighboring landowners to remove and keep cattle and goats out of the areas. Along with the large watering setup, they now have 600-700 sheep living on the ranch, allong with mule deer, elk, antelope, and Miquihuan deer. Sitting over the amazing meals and listening to the passion he has and the committment he has made to conservation makes this place even more special.

Emilio, Rafael, Juan, Davide and the rest of the staff along with my good friend, Sam and the book Desert Sheep truly make this a hunt I will always cherish. WS

COVER STORY

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BY GREG STONE told my younger daughter that someday I was going far away to hunt a special kind of sheep called a Marco Polo sheep. A mischievous grin formed on her face and she said “do you hunt them by hiding behind

54 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

a rock and shouting ‘Marco’ and when they say ‘Polo’ you jump up and get them?” We both laughed, her hysterically, and me at my good fortune of life and of having such a wonderful daughter.

An opportunity to go on that hunt came up at the 2022 WSF Convention when Jack Jr. of Atcheson and Sons put up my dream hunt, an ovis ammon polii in the Pamir mountains in Tajikistan. On

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 55

56 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

We climbed a couple hundred yards of what I would normally call a small hill, but at 13,000 feet there are no small hills. the evening of the auction I had had a few glasses of Crown Royal and I started bidding on Jack’s donation.

In hindsight, it was probably not the best bidding strategy, but shored up with possibly a little too much brown liquid courage, I won the auction.

The next day I panicked. It was a lot of money. I had talked to guys in various sheep camps about hunting Marco Polo sheep and many had dismal descriptions of their hunts being super cold with 50 to 60 hours to just get to the hunting area.

Once there, they drove around in a car while Tajik spotters got out and looked for suitable animals.

Once spotted, whoever’s turn it was, jumped out of the car, shot it (or at it), and then escaped back to the warmth of the running vehicle. That really did not sound like something for me.

I cheered up when I spoke to my guide, Ansten Ostbye. He told me I had a choice of two hunts – one like the one I just mentioned – and one that was a classic horseback hunt.

The horseback hunt was in early October when there was less snow and we could go further into the Tajik backcountry and spike camp out. He said the rams might be a little smaller, but I told him that the second hunt was the one I wanted.

Both Jack and Ansten assured me that this would be a 100% fair chase hunt and that I would not face the troubles I had heard about on other hunts.

Like everyone, I was exhausted when I finally got to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. One of Ansten’s staff, met me at the airport, quickly got me through customs and into a nice hotel. I had a day of rest and a tour of Dushanbe the next day.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 57

The third day was I driven to the airport at 3:00 AM and I met Ansten in person for the first time. He and two Norwegian ibex hunters, Ray and Arne, with him.

We took off from the airport and drove all day and stayed at a hotel, the “Pamir Palace.” We drove another day and stayed at the winter camp Belenkik. Then, we drove another half day to get to the hunting area. I’ll have to say, the roads could use some work and you might want to bring headphones unless you want to hear 25 hours of Tajik music.

The eastern part of Tajikistan is beautiful with towering, jagged, snow and glacier covered mountains. Wide open spaces were complimented 58 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 59

with beautiful glacial rivers and streams. The highest pass we crossed was 15,000 feet, though the camp itself was “only” around 12,500. It was snowing when we arrived and it seemed like there was no air to breath anywhere.

The next day we shot guns, loaded horses and headed out. My hunting group was made up of Ansten, two Tajik guides, Islam and Majin, an old hunting guide named Nostradin, and me. Ansten told me Nostradin was the first guide to bring western hunters into Tajikistan after the Russians left. He was 72 years old.

60 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

There were no roads in this part of the hunting area and all travel was by foot or horse. We planned to spike out and used two horses. Each horse pulled double duty, carrying a person, either Nostradin or me, and half the gear. Ansten and the two Tajiks walked. I felt guilty because everyone but me and 72-year-old Nostradin were walking. I kept offering to walk and let someone else ride but they would not have it, possibly because they were taking care of me, but I thought more likely that they knew how much I would slow us down.

At about three or so hours out

of camp, one of the guides spotted some tracks. One was a big ram print. When we found him, Ansten thought he was about 54” and we decided to keep going. At about the six hour mark, not far from where we were planning to camp, Nostradin spotted a band of rams and they spotted us. Since there was no place to hide in that open country, we kept moving along the trail hoping not to spook them or let them know we had seen them.

When we were finally out of sight we snuck back to look at them. We climbed a couple hundred yards of

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what I would normally call a small hill, but at 13,000 feet there are no small hills. There were two good rams in the group. Ansten said that one of the rams was really good and we should try to take him. The band was maybe 400 yards off and sort of wandering away from us. I lined up behind my rifle. Through my rifle scope it appeared to me that the darker of the large rams was the better one. Ansten insisted that it was the lighter ram. Finally, a glimmer of sunlight reflected off the tip of the lighter ram’s horn and I could see he was bigger. I shot and hit him solidly. The ram fell and didn’t move.

When we got to him, he was a beauty of a ram. He measured 58” on one side and 56” on the other.

He was missing some teeth and the others were loose or going. Ansten thought he was 10 years old.

We camped out that night, which was a fine experience; cold and clear, maybe 20 degrees with a night full of stars. I was full of energy and happiness. We would camp out again for a couple nights when we went after some of the terrific MidAsian ibex that live in that area. We hunted them sort of the same way, but with more walking, including by me, which confirmed for me that I was by far the slowest member of the team and to never underestimate a 72-year-old. We even had the good fortune to see an Asian bear.

I couldn’t have been happier with the experience. While I doubt I will ever do that particular hunt again, I am thrilled that I did and that it was so enjoyable. I cannot say how thankful I am to Jack, Ansten and the whole crew for taking care of me on this adventure. WS 62 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

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BIGHORN OF THE SUN RIVER

BY ZACH BORLEIS

66 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL SUMMER 20232023

H

aving been the conservation intern at the Rasmuson Wildlife Conservation Center for the Boone & Crockett Club at the TRM Ranch in Dupuyer, Montana for the last three years, my position has offered countless rewarding opportunities and experiences. I am now a rising senior at Clemson University majoring in Forest Resource Management and was first exposed to the B&C as an Outdoor

Adventure Camp participant.

This job consists of various tasks including working summer camps, ranch maintenance, trail camera monitoring, and weeks’ worth of hiking with scouts during the MOHAB program.

MOHAB takes groups of scouts and adult participants into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex on packrafting and backpacking excursions. While on trek I always

have an eye out for what we call “Trail Treasure”, often this is trash, gear ,or belongings left behind by other recreationalists not being keen on Leave No Trace principles, however every now and then I get lucky and find treasures such as an elk or deer shed.

When we got back to the ranch after our second week out, my coworkers and I who were out on separate treks caught back up

SUMMER FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 67

while cleaning our gear. They told me they had seen a dead bighorn ram on top of mountain on a rock cliff. They said it was far too heavy to pack out, so they left it, however I was skeptical because by this time in the season it had become a running joke between my friends as they knew how bad I was hoping to find a “dead head” before returning home to South Carolina for the school year.

By the third week of the season, I was trekking on the South Fork of the Sun River, and by this point, the water levels had dropped a significant amount since the beginning of the season. I had completed this trek itinerary three times already and was very familiar with the area. The evening of the first day, we camped at

68 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

a place called Pretty Prairie. We set up our shelters and relaxed for a bit.

Before dinner I decided to hike up to the top of the mountain, where my coworkers had claimed to have seen the dead ram. I climbed all over the mountain and searched for hours and found nothing. I went back to camp coming to the realization that they may have been just pranking me.

The next morning, we got back on the river at Pretty Prairie to continue rafting. Shortly after getting on the water, I passed a log jam on the river that had a strong odor of a dead animal, but I was unable to see anything while floating by and did not think too much of it. We rafted to the next camp five miles

downriver, and as we were eating our dinner by the campfire, I couldn’t stop thinking about the smell.

Perhaps the guys weren’t joking about that ram and a bear had drug it off the mountain to eat it or cache it for later.

On the third morning of camping, now farther down river, I bit the bullet and decided to embark on the five-mile hike back up to Pretty Prairie to try and identify what was causing that unforgettable aroma.

Once I got to the area on the river where I smelled the odor two days prior, I walked over to the log jam to see if I could find the source. I scanned the log jam and quickly realized I had found a true trail treasure. There, camouflaged in the

pile was a dead bighorn ram! It was wedged in at the bottom of the log jam! I couldn’t believe my eyes!

After assessing the area and making sure the log jam arrangement was safe, I then twisted the head off the decaying carcass covered in maggots.

I knew Montana had just recently passed a law which allows people to keep dead head sheep found in the wild. It was not legal four years ago.

I secured the head to the front of my packraft and began the smelly float back down the river to camp.

The whole float back I had several thoughts of how this ram might have ended up in the log jam. I imagined the large ram must have been trying to cross the river in late spring when the water was much higher, moving at greater speeds. As he made his way through the river, his feet got washed out from under him and he began to float down river. He then must have hit the log jam where he became entrapped in the logs and drowned.

Not a very magnificent fate for a truly beautiful ram.

Once I got back to the campsite, my crew was amazed at my discovery.

I feared the possibility of a bear coming into camp to investigate the rancid odor, so I was sure to secure it far away from camp in a tree.

The next day I began the strenuous six-mile hike to our take-out, with the head strapped to the top of my pack. The head must have weighed roughly 30 pounds in addition to my rafting gear and pack, and the stench it gave off certainty didn’t make for a pleasant hike.

When I arrived back at the ranch my coworkers didn’t believe it when I told them what I had found until they laid their eyes on it. They thought I was making up the whole FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 69

story as their dead ram encounter had all been one big prank. After seeing it, my boss Luke Coccoli, gave me a few numbers to call to help me get the horns plugged, and I eventually connected with local FWP Biologist Brent Lonner. Brent and I set up a date to meet in Choteau, MT. It was there where I was able to show him my ram and tell him the story of my find.

I shared photos and GPS locations with him along the river of a large, healthy herd of bighorn sheep on a 70 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

salt lick. He said he would be able to follow-up on them for his own professional interests. Brent and I were both saddened by the death of such a spectacular animal, but we were able to find peace that the ram died a natural death, and it was not a case of pneumonia that has taken out large numbers of sheep in this greater area in years past. We both concluded that it had likely gotten washed away trying to cross the river in early spring during the snowmelt and it hit the log jam and drowned. I

had not smelled the decaying carcass on previous treks, likely because the higher water levels hid it and its stench underwater.

Brent aged the ram at 6.5 years old, collected several measurements of each horn, and then began the plugging process. Plugging consists of inserting a aluminum plug into each horn with the letters MTNFS (Montana not for sale) along with a unique plug number, which is done by drilling a hole in the back of each horn and then hammering in each plug with a mallet. Getting a dead head ram plugged is important because it allows biologists to collect data, and learn more about the sheep, while also preventing people from being able to sell the head. A large ram can be worth thousands to the right buyer.

I don’t understand how anyone would want to sell their once-ina-lifetime find of a bighorn sheep head. This is a trophy I will have and cherish for the rest of my life. I also hope to spread awareness about the species and its challenge of surviving deadly diseases, brutal environments, and an ever-changing world.

The Boone & Crockett club encourages and accepts the collecting of naturally killed sheep dead heads for many reasons. Collecting the found trophies allow them to be appreciated by others and can be used for educational purposes to teach others various facets of sheep ecology, how to score sheep horns, and maintaining respect for these magnificent animals among other things. Although this ram will not get the chance to make any record book scoring 161”, it will always be a once-in-a-lifetime trophy for me.

Unless I smell one again… WS

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 71

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New Zealand tahr country…from the top.

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distant mountains

BY CRAIG BODDINGTON

M

y theory is that sheep hunters want to hunt sheep. Few are fortunate to pursue our passion frequently. It is difficult here in North America, with short seasons, limited permits, and ever-escalating costs.

Fortunately, it’s a big world. There are other mountains, inhabited by a wide variety of mountain game… and much opportunity.

Among the continents, no native wild sheep in South America. In Africa, native range, free range aoudad are scarce, but still widely distributed in the north. I hunted them in Chad’s Ennedi range, saw some in Tunisia, and aoudad hunting has recently opened in Morocco.

Africa also hold two wild goats.

Nubian ibex hunting is currently possible in Sudan’s Red Sea Hills.

The heavy-horned, long-threatened and endangered walia ibex is found only on Ethiopia’s Semian Plateau.

Australia also has no wild sheep

or goats. However, within the South Pacific region, New Zealand’s Southern Alps holds two wild goats, Himalayan tahr and Alpine chamois.

Neither are native but very much free range, introduced a century ago.

Relatively inexpensive and hasslefree, New Zealand needs to be on any mountain hunter’s bucket list.

Especially on the South Island’s west coast, the mountains rise so precipitously that drop-off by helicopter is common. Elsewhere, walk-up hunting is often practical.

The Himalayan tahr is a bit like our Rocky Mountain goat: short, thick horns, with luxurious winter coat as important as the horns. NZ’s government is removing tahr from various areas, considering them a noxious pest rather than a valuable resource. Regrettable, but there still is, and will be, excellent mountain hunting in New Zealand.

The vast land mass of Eurasia is the real treasure trove. From Spain

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 75

Worldwide, most goat hunting is much less expensive than sheep hunting. There are exceptions.

to Siberia, more than 30 species, subspecies, and races each of wild sheep and goats. North America’s paltry four wild sheep and our one goat are barely a drop in the mountain hunter’s bucket. Not all are huntable or importable to the U.S., but for hunters who want to hunt mountain game, opportunities are endless.

SHEEP OR GOATS

We love to call ourselves sheep hunters. I can’t recall anyone proudly proclaiming to be a “goat hunter,” and this is not the publication of

the Wild Goat Foundation. These nuances relegate the goats of the world to second-class status. I like to lump them together as “mountain game.” There are differences…and strong similarities between the two families.

Europe has several varieties of ibex and chamois, but her only wild sheep is the mouflon. Ibex and chamois are mountain dwellers, loving it up in the rocks. Mouflon may be found in hilly country but are primarily creatures of lower forests. In our northern Rockies, we might find wild sheep and our Rocky Mountain goat

in the same general area, but rarely on the same mountain. In Asia, sheep and goats are often like that.

Varieties of both may be found in the same mountain range, but not often close together.

This is because, almost universally, goats gravitate to rougher, rockier country. Or, as I like to say, goat country starts where sheep country stops. The experience of hunting goats is much the same as hunting sheep: Climbing, glassing, studying.

Then more climbing, glassing, studying. Goats are generally hardier and more prolific and tend to form

Okay, sheep hunters, can you honestly say that any wild sheep is more majestic than a good, long-horned ibex? This excellent mid-Asian (now Pamir) ibex was taken in Tajikistan in February 2022.

76 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

These are Altai argali, Ovis ammon ammon, largest-bodied and heaviest-horned wild sheep in the world, hunted only in northwestern Mongolia.

into larger groups. On average, I think goat hunting is more successful.

On a given day goats may require more climbing in steeper terrain, but most goat hunts are shorter, with success expected in a shorter period.

Depends on your luck and how picky you are, but the experience is so similar that I don’t rate one as more satisfying or more difficult than the other. As for beauty and majesty, a big ram of any species is hard to beat.

But so is a really big ibex!

Across much of Central Asia, ibexes are generally hunted from the same camps as argalis…by the same mountain guides. There is, however, one significant difference.

Worldwide, most goat hunting is much less expensive than sheep hunting. There are exceptions. With sharply limited permits, hunts for the twist-horned markhors come dear.

However, all chamois and most ibex hunts are priced at a fraction of, say, a Dall’s sheep hunt.

Hunts for our white sheep have increased significantly but, absent drawing a tag, are still the least costly North American sheep hunts.

Of course, we, the sheep hunting culture, have done this to ourselves; costs for all guided hunts are market economics in practice, controlled by supply and demand. Relegated to second-class status, there’s a lot of great goat hunting available at comparative bargains. In Spain and much of Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan— prices for ibex hunts have increased little in years.

Asian sheep hunts are costlier, but several varieties can be hunted for similar cost to Dall’s sheep. These include most of the urial sheep and Himalayan blue sheep in Nepal. The long-horned argalis are more. Against this, success is routinely high, which applies to almost all mountain hunting across Eurasia, and in New Zealand.

WHERE TO START

Easy answer. If you haven’t done any mountain hunting outside of North America, three likely candidates come immediately to mind…for altogether different reasons: New Zealand, Spain, and Mongolia.

The Himalayan tahr is like a lion in winter, so often seen standing proudly up on the skyline, golden mane fluffed out in full display. For me the tahr is a special animal…and New Zealand is a special place. I’ve hunted in 56 countries. Other than the good old USA, New Zealand is the one other country where I could happily live out my days. Her red stags are amazing and chamois are more widespread, but for me the Himalayan tahr offers New Zealand’s best hunt.

I’ve done a couple for myself (plus native range in Nepal), no reason to do more, so I’ve climbed along with FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 77

A fine Himalayan tahr, taken in New Zealand’s Southern Alps. The mountains are magnificent. The valleys below, pure Hobbit country.

family and friends a number of times.

Gorgeous mountains, the valleys below surely filled with Hobbits. In walkup areas, it’s a tough hunt but do-able. In 2011 I climbed up with a friend and watched him shoot a fine tahr…about three months after my heart attack. Figured if I could do that, I’d be okay, and have been ever since.

Whether hunting or just sightseeing, New Zealand is wonderful friendly folks, no language barrier, reasonably priced, and beautiful. The window is tight; for tahr you need to be late enough for manes to be full…but not too late, because the Southern Alps get a lot of snow. Late April through early June is probably the best time.

With four varieties of ibex, two 78 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

chamois, and excellent mouflon, Spain is a natural. Great country to visit, not a tough place to persuade a non-hunting spouse to go along. My first Spanish ibex was the Gredos, thirty years ago. Back then, permits were scarce. The splitters hadn’t yet won; we hadn’t even identified four distinct types of Spanish ibex. Since then, Spain has done a great job with her wildlife. They’re breeding about as many ibexes as they can possibly sell. Prices vary, but if you shop around, good hunts can be found for about the same price as decades ago.

Typical of Europe, good road and trail networks often get you partway up the mountains. In my experience, Spain offers the physically easiest of all ibex hunting. Her Beceite ibex lives in high forested hills. I had to

do more climbing for the Gredos, Ronda, and southeastern ibex.

Both the Cantabrian and Pyrenean chamois were more difficult. That said, most hunts in Spain are successful. On government reserves, the license is often valid for just three days. Sounds short for a mountain hunt, but is generally enough, a tribute to outstanding wildlife management.

It’s easy to combine multiple species, or just enjoy great sightseeing and the wonderful Spanish hospitality and cuisine. Seasons are long, early fall through to March.

Any time can be good, but early is often too warm, with the ibex going into rut in late November.

Mongolia, of all places? You bet!

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Mongolia is a great horse culture, with horses used for much sheep and ibex hunting. The country isn’t generally all that steep, but horses always save footwork.

Of all hunting destinations in Asia, Mongolia has the longest track record, open to visiting sportsmen for nearly 60 years. As such, Mongolia has the most experienced mountain guides in Asia, many now second and third-generation.

One of the least-inhabited countries on Earth, the land of Genghis Khan is fascinating, and her vast Gobi Steppe is breathtaking.

Hunting camps are the signature round felt tents. We call them “yurts,” a disliked Russian word.

Preferred is “ger.” They are warm and surprisingly comfortable, now usually with generator power. I was first there in 2006, most recently in 2018. In that time, I saw huge improvement in camp fare, and much more English spoken.

Mongolia has three argalis, including the world’s largest-bodied and heaviest-horned wild sheep, 80 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

the Altai argali. With permits carefully managed, her argalis are expensive. She also has two ibexes, the big Siberian or Altai ibex, plus the smaller Gobi. While her argalis have skyrocketed, both ibexes have remained static and affordable. That’s good news. Better, it doesn’t matter what you hunt; Mongolia is mustsee. Altai ibexes are hunted from the same camps, with the same guides, as the Altai argali. Likewise, Gobi ibex are hunted from the same camps, with the same guides, as the Gobi argali. Although the price differs, the experience is much the same.

Throughout, I found Mongolian mountain hunting relatively easy.

The Altai is not a precipitous range; the Gobi isn’t true mountains, mostly tall ridges, rarely steep. Much Mongolian hunting is done on horseback, saving a lot of steps.

HARD OR EASY

This always depends on your luck, right? Difficulty varies greatly from one range to another, and among the species. Urial sheep are not naturally creatures of high mountains. Rather, of low, rolling Mediterranean hills.

In southwest Pakistan, the Sindh ibex shares desert hills with Blanford urial, both hunted by moderate hiking. Pakistan’s other ibex, the big Himalayan, is hunted in the far north, in the shadow of some of the world’s tallest mountains.

Most Asian ibexes are in tall, rough, and difficult terrain. To some extent, it depends on how they hunt.

In Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, horses are generally used, makes a huge difference.

The same (mid-Asian) ibex is also hunted in Tajikistan’s Pamirs, along with Marco Polo argali (same camps and guides). Ibexes are found

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FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 81

I’ve done much more climbing for European chamois than for any of her ibexes. in steeper, rougher, rockier pockets, but the Pamirs, the “Roof of the World,” are different from any other mountains I’ve seen: Ridiculously high, wide-open alluvial valleys, with the tops not dramatically higher.

After freeze-up, most of the hunting is done by cruising the valleys and glassing from Russian jeeps. Stalks can be grueling, but this mobility prevents Marco Polo hunting from being the physical challenge that it could be.

My first Asian ibex was for Turkey’s Bezoar goat (Persian ibex), in the early 90s. Back then, those animals were fewer; it was one of my toughest ibex hunts, spike-camping in a cave way up in the Taurus Mountains.

Today, Turkey’s ibex herd has

exploded and spread out. They are still found in her tallest mountains, but also in lower forested hills, with lodging most likely in comfortable country hotels.

Europe actually has six ibexes: the four Spanish varieties plus Alpine ibex and kri-kri or Cretan ibex. She also has a bunch of regional, mostly indistinguishable, races of chamois.

I’ve done much more climbing for European chamois than for any of her ibexes. This applies in spades to the two Asian chamois, Turkey’s Anatolian chamois, and Caucasian chamois. Both were successful the first time, not common. I worked hard for them.

Also consistently difficult are the three turs, big sheep-like goats

of the Caucasus Mountains: The Dagestan or eastern tur; the Kuban or western tur; and mid-Caucasian, in the middle. The difficulty lies in the Caucasus itself, the steepest mountains I have ever hunted. In normal times, I would recommend a tur hunt as a good first Asian hunt (if you’re young). Inexpensive, lots of turs, just tough. Regrettably, Azerbaijan, with the best Dagestan tur hunting, has not issued permits since Covid began. Promised, didn’t happen. Hunting for the other two turs is primarily in southern Russia, technically open but a bit dicey because of the Ukraine war.

I’m not sure I could handle the Caucasus again. Luckily, I don’t have to. I beat the odds and took

In Tajikistan’s Pamirs, the “Roof of the World.” Very high alluvial valley, not much elevation between tops and valleys. Argali horns often stick up out of the snow, ambush sites for wolves. Trafficability in the valleys prevent hunting from being as physical as it might be.

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In Nepal, the Sherpas cross a steep canyon and head up the other side. The loads these tough guys carry is amazing, making this one of the world’s best mountain-hunting experiences.

all three turs in just three separate hunts. There are other tough Asian mountain hunts, and some not especially difficult. With so many choices, plenty of hunting for mountain hunters of any age.

HIDDEN VALUE

Hunting Himalayan blue sheep and tahr in Nepal is one of the tough ones, what I’d call a post-graduate mountain hunt. It’s deserving of special mention because, provided you’re in shape for it, Nepal was my best and most memorable mountain hunt. Compared to an argali, a markhor, or a big ibex, neither the blue sheep nor the tahr are imposing creatures.

Rather, the whole experience was magic. Two dozen Sherpas carried a magnificent camp, two days to hike into the game preserve in the shadow of Annapurna. Another day up to tahr country at timberline, then on up toward the sky for blue sheep, highest-dwelling large mammal. This is not a hunt for everyone. It’s one I’d like to do again.

Comparatively, the hunts for

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Marco Polo argali have always been costly. They have gone up but have not escalated as much as North American sheep hunts. Cost is always relative to one’s means. Having shoe-stringed these things my whole life, I must say my hunts for Marco Polo argali, both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, were worth every cent.

Not especially comfortable. Freezing cold, very high, camps and food short of great, language and cultural barriers aplenty.

Against minor discomfort, the long-horned Marco Polo argali is one of the natural wonders of the world. But here’s the real deal: In November, especially in eastern Tajikistan, when sheep are in from China, you will see more sheep in a week than in a lifetime elsewhere.

500 sheep in a day is common, a thousand not unusual. They’re not all rams, and you may not see a giant, but the spectacle is something mountain hunters need to see.

I choked it up once and did a Suleiman markhor hunt in Pakistan’s Torghar Hills. Tough hunt, the only

time I’ve been genuinely scared on a mountain. Don’t regret it, would do a Kashmir or Bukharan markhor hunt if I could. Just not realistic.

In February of ’22 I did an ibex hunt in the Darvoz Range of central Tajikistan. At the time, we called it mid-Asian ibex. The splitters won again and now we call Tajikistan ibexes “Pamir ibex.” Doesn’t matter to me; I wanted one more tough Asian hunt. In ’22, the cost was $6500.

Value enough, on par with an average whitetail hunt. The hidden value: We were in the community conservancy where they’ve done a great job with Bukharan markhor. I’d hoped to see just one. Good Lord, we saw markhors every day, some days more than ibexes. One day I saw a group of 13 males, several incredible.

Worth the trip to see them, and we saw plenty of ibexes. Four of us were hunting. Despite unseasonal rain and fog, three of us got magnificent billies. Our fourth partner missed a shot, didn’t get a second chance.

No doubt still kicking himself, but it happens. It was easily my favorite

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Whether Africa or Asia, in Third World economies, wildlife’s only chance is to pay its way. ibex hunt…made so by seeing those magnificent markhors.

TROUBLE IN PARADISE?

Until Covid, Azerbaijan was, like Mongolia, an Asian stalwart.

Expected to reopen, but despite promises, has not. Right now, the Ukraine war has effectively blocked, not just tur, but also the Siberian snow sheep. Iran is technically open, but a concern for US passport holders. I hunted Turkmenistan in the 90s, now long-closed. Nepal closed for several years, has been consistent lately. Kyrgyzstan has threatened closure but has not followed through. And the list goes on. Reality: Much Asian hunting has been on-again, off-again. Strike while the iron is hot…but stay loose and flexible…and get the best travel insurance available.

Then comes concerns about importation of legally taken trophies.

That depends on what country you are from, and US Fish & Wildlife is one of the strictest. Markhors require USFW import permits, but most wild goats (as second-class citizens, also internationally considered “least threatened”) do not. Most urials, mouflons, and blue sheep (also “least threatened”) do not. But argalis do.

USFW is wielding an iron hand with range states, requiring extensive population and management data.

On the one hand, this has the sniff of environmental imperialism. CITES, the international body, issues a quota, so why should USF&W enact more stringent requirements? On the other hand, as ethical hunters, don’t we want the science to be right when harvesting vulnerable species? And the wild card: USF&W walks a thin tightrope between American hunters

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and their organizations…and the anti-hunters and their organizations.

Must get it extra right, otherwise just gets tied up in court.

In terms of harvest and applicants, Asian argalis aren’t as big a problem as Africa’s sensitive animals: Elephants, rhinos, the great cats.

Understaffed since Covid, USF&W’s permit branch is grossly backlogged.

Argali (and African) hunters are reluctant to go on expensive hunts without knowing their legallytaken animals will be importable.

Frustrating and, in the larger sense, counter to conservation. Whether Africa or Asia, in Third World economies, wildlife’s only chance is to pay its way. Sustainable sport hunting does that by placing value on the harvest. Higher value if hunters know they can take their trophies home and preserve their memories.

It’s a dilemma. WSF’s Kurt Alt has recently spent much time working with wildlife biologists and game managers in Central Asia, especially Kazakhstan and Mongolia, and with USF&W officials. Alt was a career Montana wildlife biologist, now WSF staff. Part of the problem is a long-held belief that Central Asian countries don’t have good wildlife biologists and managers. Kurt told me that’s just not true. “Both Kazakhstan and Mongolia have as good biologists as I’ve worked with over my 40-year career.”

Other Central Asian nations are making strides. Right now, Mongolia has answered all USF&W’s questions and provided all requested data. Kazakhstan is close behind.

Kazakhstan is open for ibex and maral stag, but her argalis are not currently hunted. Kazakhstan is important because she hosts five different races of argalis. Hunting

could open, and US importation is possible. There are still unanswered questions to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. However, the four Central Asian countries that hold the majority of argalis are starting to work together, including a multinational sheep/goat expert group of biologists and wildlife managers from all four countries.

Meantime, we still have a permit backlog. We also have USF&W’s commitment, made to our major hunter/conservationist groups, including WSF, that they will fix the problem and return to a “sixto eight-week” turnaround. Kurt believes there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Mongolia’s wildlife ministry has been the most pro-active, and Mongolian argali permits will almost certainly be the first to flow. Kurt believes the rest will follow.

We all have our opinions about USF&W. So do I, but I have personal experience. The backlog is not new; at the time of my 2018 hunt I had not received all necessary import permits. Despite “do not ship” instructions from both me and my customs broker, the expediter in Ulan Bator shipped argalis without USF&W import permits. That’s a kiss of death, within USF&W’s purview to seize and destroy. They did not; they allowed them to be shipped back to Mongolia, and when import permits were eventually issued, they were imported. Took some time…and constant effort on the part of customs broker Lisa Jamnik (D&LCHB in Chicago). The current permit situation requires patience… and diligence. Make damn sure all i’s are dotted and all t’s are crossed… at every step along the chain. Then have more patience. WS

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 87

AOUDAD CHALLENGE RISING IN DESERT BIGHORN COUNTRY

BY CHESTER MOORE

A

oudad are impressive, tenacious animals.

Males reach up to 350 pounds and sport long, thick horns that curl back and they have striking “chaps” of hair down their neck and front legs.

Hunters experienced with the species talk about their incredible ability to evade detection and unrivaled stamina, while biologists marvel at their ability to reproduce and survive in hostile environments.

And all of these traits are putting the desert bighorn sheep at risk.

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American Aoudad Origins

Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia), also known as Barbary sheep, are a North African native first imported into America via the New York Zoological Park and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo circa 1900.

They are in the family Bovidae and subfamily Caprinae and are genetically more similar to goats than sheep, although appearance-wise they undoubtedly look more like wild sheep.

In the 1940s aoudad were

introduced on the Hearst Ranch in California and McKnight Ranch in New Mexico. In the 1950s Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials released them into the Trans Pecos and Palo Duro Canyon in the Panhandle, and in the ’70s, translocations occurred in Pajaros Azules, Sierra Morena, and San Luis Potosi in Mexico.

The goal was to create a new species for hunters to pursue, and on that end, the stockings were highly successful.

Populations quickly flourished and hunters were happy to pursue something so exotic and sheep-like, but in coming years, some wildlife managers would begin to see aoudad in a different light.

Drama In the High Desert

A 2018 survey showed 3,808 aoudad in three mountain ranges in West Texas compared to 1,500 desert bighorns in seven.

“We’ve seen 200-plus aoudad on one mountain flying helicopter surveys,” said Froylan Hernandez, TPWD Desert Bighorn Program Leader.

“They have taken a big foothold in the Trans Pecos that is very challenging from a management perspective, especially since Texas is 97 percent privately owned.”

In Texas, aoudad are considered exotics so they have no regulatory oversight. TPWD can and does conduct aoudad culls on public land as these animals outcompete bighorns, mule deer and other native

wildlife for food and water.

“It’s a complex issue because aoudad hunting has become very popular ,and since there is no season or bag limits and populations are high, there are opportunities for landowners and outfitters to make substantial money and we can’t fault them for that,” Hernandez said.

Free-ranging aoudad hunts run from $5,000-$10,000 and it’s a virtually unlimited resource. Desert bighorn tags might go for $50,000 where they are issued on private land, but these tags are extremely limited.

“We know we can’t eliminate aoudad and we’re not going to try, so we are going to focus on dealing with them on public land where we have leeway, and communicating to landowners the value of bighorns and other native wildlife.”

According to Dr. Sam Cunningham, President of The Texas Bighorn Society, it is disease that has taken the aoudad concern to a new level.

“Aoudad carry, but have resistance to disease. All organisms in the

sheep pneumonia complex as well as others have been identified and isolated from aoudad, and according to research by Texas Tech University, they carry a Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (MOVI) strain similar to domestic goats,” Cunningham said.

MOVI is the pathogen that has plagued wild sheep since Europeans brought domestic stock into the Western United States. Even more concerning is that Texas A&M University research shows aoudad can transmit it to desert bighorns.

“That complicates things in a major way and inspires us to do even more to conserve our Texas desert bighorn populations,” Cunningham said.

Texas was for many years a bighorn disease-free state, but in 2019 that changed.

“After years without major disease issues, there was a disease event south of Van Horn in the fall of 2019 and another at Black Gap WMA in the spring of 2020. And then FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 89

and little-known Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep herd.

A TPWD biologist 500 miles from the Trans-Pecos in the Pineywoods verified game camera photos of an aoudad in the Angelina River bottoms. Photos have also surfaced from along the Texas-Louisiana border on the Sabine River. These were no doubt game ranch escapees and will likely not flourish due to low numbers and connectivity issues, but it does show their incredible adaptability and knack for evading confinement.

A Questionable Future

the numbers in some of the other mountain ranges are lower than average,” Froylan Hernandez said.

He said as of the latest surveys conducted in Nov. 2022, the estimates were between 900 and 1,000 and that’s down from an historical high of 1,500 in 2019.

While no one has with certainty linked these outbreaks to aoudad, the new research gives a growing concern in managing bighorns in what is increasingly becoming the lair of the Barbary sheep.

Secrets Of Their Success

Aoudad are not only adaptable from the perspective of habitat and diet but they are also extremely prolific breeders.

They are sexually mature at nine months old, have a 5.5-month gestation cycle, and usually have twins. Research from Sul Ross State University shows the harvest of ewes would have to be in the 80 percent range just to stop the population from increasing.

A group of aoudad is called an “anger” and to put it in perspective,

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Cunningham said if you had an anger of 1000 aoudad and 50 percent are ewes you would need to remove 400 ewes just to maintain, not decrease their numbers.

“When you look at it that way, you see how the population is growing so rapidly,” Cunningham said.

Although it is rarely mentioned in the media, aoudad are moved with impunity across Texas and in other states.

They are captured in nets and traps and trailered to high-fenced hunting ranches throughout Texas in particular. One source who brokers exotics said his group caught 60 in one netting and moved them in a trailer to a buyer in another area hours away.

Aoudad are infamous for their ability to trash a fence, which explains free-ranging aoudad in South Texas, all over the Edwards Plateau, along some river bottoms in the Rolling Plains, and even in Oklahoma.

There is a verified, established and growing population in southwestern Oklahoma, a state that has a small

How far the aoudad population will expand is up for debate.

The low-ball estimate for freeranging populations in Texas is 25,000. New Mexico, which manages them as a game animal, has lower numbers but they are believed to live in and flourish in most of the state.

Oklahoma is much like Texas as far as private lands go and there is already a lot of attention put on aoudad hunting opportunities there.

There have been instances of aoudad in Colorado as well as Arizona.

In terms of competing with wildlife on a large scale, these fringe areas may never see major issues. However, now with MOVI in the mix it makes the threat less about overall numbers, but aoudad reaching bighorns. One infected animal could impact an entire herd of bighorns.

Aoudad are remarkable creatures and we are just now starting to understand their dynamic role as an introduced species. It will take the combined efforts of researchers, wildlife officials, private landowners, and hunters to address this issue and make a positive impact for sheep and native wildlife’s sake.

There are at least as many aoudad in Texas alone as there are desert bighorns in the United States.

That’s a sobering statistic that should inspire us to make sure their rise doesn’t contribute to the fall of bighorns in Texas and beyond. WS

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BASECAMP DISPATCHES WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW STAFF

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aime Teigen grew up in Northern Idaho where her love for the outdoors flourished with skiing, camping, fishing with her dad and grandpa, and playing ghosts in the graveyard with the neighborhood kids. She grew up at a house that everyone came to, so with that, there were always friends, family, and food around. It wasn’t until after high school, that her curiosity about food really came to life. She went to Western Culinary Institute in Portland, OR, then went on to be an Executive Chef in Portland, and then moved to Jackson Hole, WY to do the same. That is where she met her husband, Caleb, and began her journey with hunting and the field-to-table experience, by learning the whole process of truly knowing where your food comes from and sharing that with others. Jaime currently is the Owner/Chef of her company Mountain Pines Catering, an instructor for wild game cooking for OutdoorClass, an Ambassador for Montana Wildlife Federation, chef for Carnivore’s Kitchen in Bugle Magazine for RMEF, and works for Wild Sheep Foundation as their Administrative Assistant. WS 92 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

J

ulie Tripp was born and raised in Missoula, Montana. She attended the Art Institute of Seattle where she earned a degree in Visual Communications in 1991.

She worked as the lead designer for a small hunting magazine for two years before moving back to Missoula to launch Boone and Crockett Club’s first-ever quarterly magazine, Fair Chase. Her career at B&C spanned nearly 30 years where she served as their Director

of Publications. Her focus was on content management, graphics, book publishing and managing their design and communications team. One of her favorite projects at B&C was leading the design of the triennial Awards Trophy Display and related publications, books, and presentations.

She is excited to bring her variety of experience and project management to the Wild Sheep Foundation Team. She is looking forward to growing WSF’s variety of Awards Programs, as well as supporting other staff by helping them enhance their programs with her publishing and communications skills.

Julie loves spending her time away from work in Montana’s great outdoors. When the snow flies, that means hitting the slopes with Matt.

Once the lakes warm up and the winter weather clears, you’ll find them wake surfing and running trails in the mountains. WS

J

ustin grew up in the small town of Thompson Falls in northwest Montana.

He was surrounded by hunting, fishing and shed hunting, and not a day goes by that he doesn’t daydream about one of his many passions away from the computer.

He graduated with an Associate’s degree in Multimedia from the Art Institute of Seattle in 2001 and continued his education at Montana State University receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Graphics and Design in 2006.

After fighting fires for seven years on the Lolo National Forest, Justin

accepted a position with FNAWS in 2007. He has worked diligently for Wild Sheep Foundation in several capacities ever since. His biggest WSF success would be being a catalyst in the creation and momentum of the <1 Club® (The only club you join to get kicked out of).

This will be his 17th convention doing graphics for the Sheep Show® and everything in between.

Currently, Justin lives in the great state of Wyoming with his wife, Dakota, son Fletcher, and dogs, Quigley and Kimber. WS

2024 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE Notice is hereby given for the 2024 Wild Sheep Foundation Annual Membership Meeting to be held Friday, January 19, 2024 from 9:00 am – 10:30 pm in Room A6 of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 93

BASECAMP DISPATCHES

T

2023 DIRECTOR ELECTIONS

he fall 2023 Director Elections commence October 15th through December 15th 2023. This cycle there are four vacancies to be filled out of the eleven WSF Board of Directors positions for a three-year term commencing May 1, 2024.

The seven candidates running for the four (4) open positions include the following (in alphabetical order by last name): 1. Clint Bentley – Nevada, USA 2. Sam Cunningham, MD - Texas, USA 3. Larry Jacobs – Oregon, USA (current Director) 4. Rob Kopecky – Alberta, Canada 5. Emilio Rangel – Nuevo Leon, Mexico (current Director)

6. Kyle Stelter – British Columbia, Canada (current Director) 7. Frank Turner – Alberta, Canada The candidate’s biographies and photos are provided below.

Per the WSF Bylaws ARTICLE VI Sections 1-4 (available on the WSF website at ABOUT/ BYLAWS & POLICIES) candidates for the WSF Board of Directors are annually solicited from WSF Chapters and Affiliates during May and June. Candidates can also self-nominate. A Director Candidate Evaluation Committee then reviews the candidates and makes recommendations to the Nominating Committee (made up of board members NOT running for reelection) who set the slate for the

INCUMBANTS:

Emilio Rangel Woodyard

Appointed to the WSF board in April 2017, and reelected in 2021, Emilio Rangel is CEO of Mexicobased ‘Ecumene Desarrollos’, a real estate investing firm, and brings more than 30 years of NGO, private sector and governmental agency leadership experience to WSF. Rangel, a former Ducks Unlimited Mexico executive, has served as President of the Wildlife Management Trust,

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National Association of Water Works Institutions of Mexico, CEO of Water Works for Nuevo Leon state, and General Director of the National Rural Registry of Land. Rangel received a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Management and a BS in Agricultural Engineering. Rangel is the first Mexican citizen to serve on WSF’s Board.

Emilio and his son Emilio, Jr., are owners of La Palmosa. They started this ambitious project in 1994 with the objective of re-establishing the once-extinct native species to the region, such as desert sheep, mule deer and pronghorn antelope.

They successfully reintroduced these species throughout the years, resulting in very healthy populations today. They estimate their freerange population to be over 600 sheep, which made Emilio win Conservationist of the Year in 2020 and La Palmosa earn the WSF’s Special Conservation Award in 2016.

Most recently, Emilio and La Palmosa were internationally recognized

fall ballot.

All WSF members in good standing are sent a paper and/or electronic ballot on October 15th and have until December 15th to cast their vote.

NOTE: To be a member in Good Standing and receive a ballot, members must apply on or before September 15th per the Bylaws: “…a properly completed, fully paid application for membership shall have been received by the Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the mailing or emailing of said ballot…”

The WSF Board of Directors provide strategic direction, oversight, and perform a fiduciary for the Foundation. Please exercise your right to vote this fall! WS

in December 2022 by the CIC in Europe with the prestigious Markhor Award for their efforts to repatriate desert bighorn sheep to historical habitat. Their next challenge is converting the ‘ejido’ business model to hunting outfitters from one of barely subsisting by producing domestic goats.

At the beginning of his career, he served as a Game Warden for the Federal Department of Wildlife.

Emilio spearheaded the initiative to de-centralize wildlife matters and signed the first pact in the history of Mexico that allowed a state to selfregulate in wildlife matters; after this, all other northern states in Mexico replicated this agreement.

He currently serves as the Chair to the ‘WSF – Mexico Council for the Conservation and Sustainability for the Desert Bighorn’, whose main goal is to extend WSF’s conservation efforts in Mexico. Right now, his main goal in this council is to delist the Mexican desert bighorn sheep from Cites Appendix II. WS

Kyle Stelter

Kyle Stelter – husband, father, conservationist, advocate for wild sheep, and hunter. Currently serving as Vice-Chairman on the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of the Wild Sheep Society, I have a keen desire to continue my commitment to wild sheep conservation. I have been actively involved in the conservation community for the past decade.

As Chief Executive Officer and Past President of the Wild Sheep Society of BC, I have led our team resulting in 400% growth in membership over the past seven years. I was part of the leadership team that created the Monarch Membership program resulting in $795,000 being directed to mission programs. This past fiscal year our dedicated membership and conservation partners contributed $629,000 to conservation initiatives in British Columbia.

I am currently serving as President of the Mountain Wildlife Conservation Society, a registered Canadian Charity. I am the founding president of the organization and was instrumental in creating the charity. I worked closely with Wild Sheep Foundation staff to secure a Memorandum of Understanding that offers WSF’s valued Canadian members a tax reduction opportunity while supporting wild sheep.

I am one of two individuals that

created and launched the Wild Sheep Jurassic Classic, a sturgeon-fishing experience that fundraises revenue for wild sheep. In its sixth year, this event has brought conservationists together from around the world supporting Wild Sheep Foundation and chapter and affiliate fundraisers across North America.

It is my honor to serve the dedicated members of the Wild Sheep Foundation, having been on the board of directors for the past five years. I serve on the Executive Committee as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors. I have chaired the Membership Committee for the past five years and currently chair a newly created Marketing and Communications Committee. I also serve on the Budget and Finance, Chadwick Ram Society, Life Member Breakfast and 1Campfire initiative committees.

One of my goals is to increase our North American conservation footprint focusing on our vision of being the best managed, most respected, influential and relevant conservation organization benefitting wild sheep worldwide. WS

Larry Jacobs

I would like to thank the membership for your confidence in allowing me to serve on the WSF Board of Directors the last six years and would appreciate the opportunity

to continue to serve the Wild Sheep Foundation as one of your directors.

I am currently on the Executive Board serving as the Secretary of the WSF. I also chair the Legislative Affairs Committee and the Chapter and Affiliates Committee. The other committees I serve on are: an Budget and Finance, Compensation, Membership, Ethics as secretary and the Professional Resource Advisory Board as the liaisons to the WSF Board.

Whatever the task, I am not afraid to jump in, roll up my sleeves, get the job done and get it done right. I have a good knowledge of disease-related issues, research, predation and how these issues relate to the needs of bighorn sheep. My past experience in working closely with elected and appointed officials, in the natural resource arena, has had a pro-active outcome.

I have always spent a good deal of time volunteering to local, county, state and regional non-profit groups, and after drawing a bighorn tag in OR in 2002, I joined OR-FNAWS for an opportunity to give back. I became a board member in 2003, served as vice president in 2004 and as president in 2005, 2006, 2016 and 2017. I had the opportunity to start numerous hands-on projects in OR – including guzzlers, spring projects, weed project and juniper cutting to name a few. I have actively participated in the Hells Canyon Initiative as the OR WSF representative since 2004. I was extremely honored to be presented the Gordan Eastman Award in 2010 and the Outstanding Achievement Award in 2016. I have a deep passion for Wild Sheep and will do all I can to Put and Keep (more) Wild Sheep on the Mountain®, whether it is in the field, in the board room, or in the political arena to develop consensus to direct the future of our public lands and wildlife strategies for those lands.

I believe I have the skills and the capacity to add value to the WSF, and would appreciate your support. WS — Continued on following pages.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 95

BASECAMP DISPATCHES NEW:

Clint Bentley

Clint was born and raised in Parowan, Utah and attended Utah State University and Southern Utah University. He also served four years active duty in the U.S. Navy and has resided and worked in Southern Nevada for the past 51 years. Clint was president and owner of ICI Contractor doing commercial and general contracting in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and California for 30 years. He has been actively involved as a board member, president and volunteer for the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn, working on planning, construction, and maintenance of big game guzzlers in Southern and Central Nevada for over 30 years. Presently, Clint is a Summit Life Member (Life Member 28 years) and Chadwick Ram Society member of WSF. His other memberships include Life Member of the Fraternity of Desert Bighorn, and numerous NGO’s and national groups. He served six years on the Nevada State Wildlfe Commission as a member, vice chairman, and chairman, as well as six years on the Nevada State Public Works Board as a member and vice chairman. Clint has been politically active for the betterment of wildlife management and access to public lands since 2000, representing the Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn, himself, and numerous other interested groups. Those endeavors have mainly 96 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

been related to new wilderness issues, national monuments, and Desert Nation Refuge with the Air Force.

This role also involves helping craft the language for the MOU’s on the issues.

Clint has had the distinct pleasure of having hunted wild sheep in Canadian provinces, Alaska, Utah and Nevada, which has developed friendships and knowledge of the different secenarios involving wild sheep and feels extremely fortunate for participating in those ventures.

Clint feels it would be an honor if given the opportunity to serve WSF as a director, devoting himself to the betterment and continuity to the best of his ability and resources with his extensive and knowledgeable background and service of Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain.® WS

Rob Kopecky

My name is Rob Kopecky and I live in Edmonton, Alberta. Those that were in Reno for Sheep Week® in 2023 may recall I was the lucky winner of the 1 More For 4 draw with an amazing opportunity to hunt in Mexico! Winning this has fueled my desire to want to give back even more to this amazing organization.

I am a life member of the Wild Sheep Foundation, WSF Alberta, the Wild Sheep Society of BC and

Yukon WSF. I have been involved in wild sheep conservation efforts for many years. I have held director positions, the vice president role, and the president role of both the Wild Sheep Society of BC and WSF Alberta and am currently the vice president with WSF Alberta.

My involvement includes fundraising efforts and convention planning, as well as planning for one of the WSF Chapters and Affiliates Summits.

My education consists of a BS in Biology and much of my professional career has been spent working as a senior manager for the Forest Service in British Columbia. When I moved to Alberta, I continued in a senior management role involved in consultation on resource development projects on behalf of the province. Most recently, I decided to pursue a new career in the private sector where I hold a senior management role for an organization involved in federal and provincial advocacy work for the oil and natural gas sector in Canada. This combination of experience would help me greatly in this role.

I come with a diverse skill set, a good work ethic, policy development experience, significant stakeholder relations background, and a good understanding of the work that needs to be done for the organization. I’ve developed strong leadership skills throughout my working career and understand that developing strong relationships, listening, and building trust is essential in ensuring we are successful in achieving the work to further our mandate.

I feel this is the right time for me to do more to contribute to the work we do and I would be honoured to serve you on the board of directors. WS

Frank Turner

Raised on a family farm north of Cochrane Alberta, has provided me the opportunity to build a strong work ethic, with a passion for everything outdoors. My love for the mountains and the sheep that inhabit them came at the early age of 14, when I harvested my first sheep—a bighorn ewe. This fueled a drive to help others fulfill their dreams, thus leading me to guiding sheep hunters for my father’s outfitting business...all along the way still looking for my first and only, special bighorn ram, while leaving many on the mountain!

I reside with my lovely wife of 32 years, Lois on a little slice of heaven, our 40-acer Ranch in the foothills of the Southern Alberta Rockies. We have raised four wonderful children, two sons, two daughters, a son-inlaw, plus a little grandson. I was lucky to have a father that taught me all about hunting, land stewardship, and conservation, which I have instilled into all my children.

This passion for conservation drove me to join the Wild Sheep Foundation of Alberta as a “Life Member.” Elected to the board in 2011, I sat on the executive team as secretary for eight years, having recently stepped down from the board to allow others to feed their passions of conservation.

Over those years, not one to sit still when initiative needed to be tackled, I participated on numerous committees: project, election & bylaw lead, conservation scholarship

liaison and on the Alberta Game Policy Advisory Counsel.

As a WSF life member I am currently on the following committees: membership and the Chadwick Ram Society. As a WSSBC Life member, I sit on their membership committee as well. I believe in collaboration with others for the good of all conservation.

I am a Life member of SCI national, numerous chapters and a GSCO Member.

My past 19-year leadership career has been in patient healthcare with three non-profits: Stars Air Rescue, Canadian Blood Service, and Alberta Health Services. I hold several professional designations, including chartered and professional manager.

I have been involved in many grassroots fundraising initiatives.

My objectives for the next three years are primarily: 1) domestic sheep separation, continued research in the reduction of disease transmission to wild sheep; 2) continued involvement in all committee work to strengthen our membership voice in North American and beyond; 3) strengthening chapters and affiliates in support of common goals across all jurisdictions.

Conservation in paying it forward is key. I come with strong leadership, conservation, and leadership experience. It would be an honor to service on the board. Thank you for your consideration.

A humble sheep guy. WS

Sam Cunningham

I was born and raised in a small farming and ranching community in the Texas Panhandle. I was engaged

in the outdoors at a very early age by my grandfather. He introduced me to hunting and fishing at the age of five.

It was through hunting and fishing that I learned about conservation, or “taking care of the animals and where they live” as he put it. I, like most of you, grew up reading Jack O’Conner and Field & Stream. The conservation principles learned at this early age have remained with me my entire life.

Having always been intrigued with the iconic wild sheep, I was fortunate to go on my first sheep hunt when I was in my 40’s, and shortly after, completed my wild sheep FNAWS, an accomplishment that I cherish as my most memorable hunting achievement. Being blessed to spend time in the mountains and in sheep country, I have developed a deep devotion to sheep and their conservation and have dedicated most of my adult life to them. I am a Life Member of the Wild Sheep Foundation and several of its chapters and affiliates. I have been the president of the Texas Bighorn Society for the last five years during which I have increased our membership yearly, raised funds for scientific research projects as well as boots-on-the-ground conservation projects, translocations and aerial surveys. I have served on the TBS scientific committee for the last ten years. The commissioners of Texas Parks and Wildlife appointed me to the Desert Bighorn Advisory Council in 2022, and I work closely with TPWD, private landowners, academic institutions, and NGOs for the betterment of desert bighorn sheep in Texas. Other memberships in conservation organizations include being a regular member of the Boone & Crockett Club, and Life Member of Grand Slam Club Ovis.

I look forward to continuing to work for the betterment of wild sheep and will strive to obtain my goal of maintaining large, healthy herds of wild sheep throughout their native ranges for all to enjoy. WS FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 97

BASECAMP DISPATCHES

A

WE GIVE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

t the request of WSF supporters and consistent with the 2% for Conservation program of which WSF is a Founding Partner, we have launched the WSF Conservation Revolving Fund “We Give” campaign. Watch for WSF “We Give” partners who proudly include the “We Give” logo in their advertisements and/or promotions as those advertisers, exhibitors and businesses give a percentage or portion of their sales to the WSF Conservation Revolving Fund. 100% of WSF Conservation Revolving Fund contributions are directed to initiatives benefiting wild sheep and the habitat they call home.

Proceeds are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law and are directed to Grant In Aid and other specific conservation projects to Put and Keep Wild Sheep on the Mountain®.

Participants to date include:

1. Jack Atcheson & Sons 2. The Journal of Mountain Hunting 3. The Wildlife Gallery 4. Backcountry BC and Beyond, Ltd. 5. Stone Glacier 6. RPS Bancard, LLC 7. YETI 8. SITKA Gear 9. Benchmade Knives 10. Kenetrek 11. Full Curl Spirits 12. RMP Rifles 13. 5.11 Tactical 14. Best of the West/Huskemaw Optics 15. Clarke – “1% For Tomorrow” 16. Brown Precision 17. Diamond Outfitters of Arizona 18. Black Rifle Coffee 19. Eventgroove 20. iHunt Apparel

For more information and to become a part of the “We Give” team, please contact Gray N. Thornton at 406-404-8750 or gthornton@

wildsheepfoundation.org

NEW LIFE MEMBERS Josh Allen Todd Anderson John Anderson Smokey Andler Chad Bell Ben Blakeley John Boer Clark Bomgaars Jess Brensrud Jake Brunette Jeffrey Carlton Cody Cassidy Randy De Biasio Edward Dwyer Sean Evans Abraham Fernandez Lou Fierens Cooper Foss Hudson Farm Fdn.

Rocky Mountain House AB CAN Sycamore IL USA Hurricane UT USA Montello WI USA Prairieville LA USA North Logan UT USA Dalhart TX USA Helena MT USA Cranbrook BC CAN Pinedale WY USA Fort Collins CO CAN Donalda AB CAN Trail BC CAN Yerington NV USA Delta BC CAN Taos NM USA Bingham Farms MI USA Calgary AB USA Andover NJ USA

JamesGarrity MarkGibson MatthewHickey MattHoobler EricHutton Michael Johnson Jeff Johnson Wyatt Kent Earl Landrus John Lyons Cooper T. McGovern Michael Metteauer Cameron Michell Ross Milton Shawn Morris Sherrill Neese Daniel O’Brien Robert Parker Peter J Probasco

Anchorage Heber Springs South Orange Cheyenne Wixom Raymond Dallas Halkirk Clarkston New York Bozeman Chireno Downington Montney Fallon Millersville Monroe Pine Mountain Palmer

AK USA AR USA NJ USA WY USA MI USA AB CAN TX USA AB USA WA USA NY USA MT USA TX USA PA USA BC USA NV USA MD USA NY USA GA USA AK USA

Trevin Reed Kyle Reedy Charles Roady Eric Rominger Richard Sand John Sherman Eric Sieben Dale W. Sims Adam Summers Evan Thompson Charles Turner George Utley, III Julian Weel Brad Weiss Brian Williams Evan Wujcik Kevin Wurst

Platte City MO Great Falls MT Bonners Ferry ID Phoenix AZ Farum DENMARK Roswell NM Fort Saskatchewan AB Cody WY Elizabeth CO horsham PA Sandersville GA Wilton CT Fort St John BC Kenosha WI Austin TX Eagle River AK Mauckport IN

Michael Scott James Sheehan George Tasich Curt Thompson Angelo Tiberti Rodney Zeeman

Midland Stamford Pacific Junction Whitehorse Las Vegas Oliver

USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA CAN USA USA USA USA

NEW SUMMIT LIFE MEMBERS Cindy Alexander Bentley Henderson NV Lance Banning Monument CO Clint Bentley Henderson NV Ben Berukoff Powell River BC Ben Buntrock Williston ND Nathan Carr Parkland County AB Benjamin Cox Fort St. John BC Mike Dobson Anchorage AK

98 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

USA USA USA CAN USA CAN CAN USA

David Kestner Jeffrey Lee Ray Martin Michael Mcdonald Robert Parker Matt Pestorich Michael Piazza Daniel Sanders

Bird Creek Des Moines Marinette Dutch Harbor Pine Mountain Kingsburg Largo Silt

AK IA WI AK GA CA FL CO

USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

TX CT IA YT NV BC

USA USA USA USA USA CAN

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 99

CHAPTERS & AFFILIATES NOTE: bold/italics font denotes a joint WSF membership Chapter/Affiliate. Membership in these chapters and affiliates include membership in Wild Sheep Foundation.

FOR COMPLETE CONTACT INFORMATION GO TO: www.wildsheepfoundation.org/memberships/chapters-and-affiliates

CHAPTERS:

ALASKA WSF Kevin Kehoe, President 907-441-6323 kevin.kehoe@alaskan.com WSF ALBERTA Matt Mellon, President (403) 872-7033 matt@wsfab.org www.wsfab.org WSF ALBERTA Chapter Office Deena Arychuk, Chapter Staff info@wsfab.org 403-845-5544 CALIFORNIA WSF Donald C. Martin, President 310-766-3921 Don-martin@earthlink.net CALIFORNIA WSF Chapter Office Beverly Valdez, Chapter Staff 650-472-3889 forthesheep@gmail.com www.cawsf.org EASTERN CHAPTER WSF Robert Rogan, President robert.rogan@gmail.com 203-885-2194 EASTERN CHAPTER WSF Chapter Office 610-704-1704 www.ecfnaws.org IDAHO WSF Josh Miller, President Joshmiller65mm@gmail.com 575-749-8859 Tracy Rowley, Chapter Staff P.O. Box 8224, Boise, ID 83707 208-345-6171 info@amsidaho.com www.idahowildsheep.org IOWA FNAWS Craig Nakamoto, President 402-650-1383 nakamoto01@sbcglobal.net iowafnaws@gmail.com www.iowafnaws.org WSF—MIDWEST CHAPTER Gregg Boeke, President rockprogb@gmail.com 507-491-4429 www.midwestwildsheep.com WSF—MIDWEST CHAPTER Mike Bouton, Executive Director 612-940-1979 mikwbouton@hotmail.com www.midwestwildsheep.com MONTANA WSF Ty Stubblefield, Executive Director 406-696-3003 ty@montanawsf.org www.montanawsf.org Brian Solan, Volunteer Executive Director 406-461-7432 brian@montanawsf.org www.montanawsf.org MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT CHAPTER OF WSF Janessa Kluth, Chapter contact 208-420-4240 montanastatewsf@gmail.com facebook.com/MSUWSF

NEW MEXICO WSF Bryan Bartlett, President (575) 635-3499 BartleBC@yahoo.com newmexicowildsheep@gmail.com

Bear Trust International Logan Young, Executive Director 406-595-6583 logan@beartrust.org www.beartrust.org

OREGON WSF Walter Chuck, Jr., President (541) 574-9078 The4chucks@aol.com www.oregonfnaws.org

Cody Country Outfitters and Guides Association Lee Livingston 307-527-7416 Livingston@tctwest.net

UTAH FNAWS Travis Jenson 801-641-5453 tjenson@xmission.com www.utahfnaws.org

Colorado Outfitters Association Kelly Nottingham, Office Manager 970-824-2468 office@coloradooutfitters.com www.coloradooutffiters.org

WASHINGTON WSF Garrett Grant grant16garrett@hotmail.com www.washingtonwsf.org

Custodians of Professional Hunting & Conservation—South Africa Coira Goss +27 0 81 036 1151 admin@cphc-sa.co.za www.cphc-sa.co.za

WYOMING WSF Zach McDermott, President 307-752-1212 zach@wyomingwildsheep.org Wyoming WSF Chapter Office Katie Cheesbrough, Executive Director 307-399-4383 katie@wyomingwildsheep.org www.wyomingwildsheep.org YUKON WSF Spencer Wallace, President 867-689-2074 yukonws@gmail.com www.yukonwsf.com

AFFILIATES:

Dude Ranchers Association Colleen Hodson 307-587-2339 colleen@duderanch.org www.duderanch.org Elko Bighorns Unlimited Cory Mahan, Vice President 775-397-4465 cmahan@ram-enterprise.com Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn Patrick Cummings, President Patrickcummings1002@gmail.com Michelle Mercer, Treasurer mercerlvnv@yahoo.in www.desertbighorn.com

2% For Conservation Jared Frasier, Executive Director 406-221-3102 contact@fishandwildlife.org www.fishandwildlife.org

Fundacion De Vida Silvestre En Sonora, A.C Jacobo Artee, President 011-52-662-212-5510, 011-52-662-217-4119 jacoboartee@prodigy.net.mx

Alaska Professional Hunters Association Deb Moore, Executive Director 907-929-0619 Deb@alaskaprohunter.org www.alaskaprohunter.org

Grand Slam Club/Ovis Mark Hampton, Executive Director 205-674-0101 gsco@wildsheep.org www.wildsheep.org

Alberta Outfitters Association Kevin Stanton, President 403-762-5454 aoa@albertaoutfitters.com www.albertaoutfitters.com

Guide Outfitter Association of BC Scott Ellis, CEO 604-541-6332 ellis@goabc.org www.goabc.org

Alberta Professional Outfitters Society Jeana Schuurmaan, Executive Director 780-414-0588 jeana@@apos.ab.ca www.apos.ab.ca

International Caribou Foundation Cheryl Lind, Executive Director 406-404-1297 cheryl@internationalcariboufoundation.org www.internationalcariboufoundation.org

Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Inc. Kazakhstan Wildlife Foundation Orynbassar Shaimukhanbetov, President Bill Davis acbkarlan@mail.ru 602-314-0376 william.davis@psc.com Lubbock Sportsmans Club, Inc. www.adbss.org Tim Gafford, President 806-771-1717 Ph Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep 806-789-2441 Cell Society Office gaffordpest@gmail.com Tracey Martin lubbocksafariclub@hotmail.com 480-854-8950 admin@adbss.org Montana Outfitter & Guides Association Mac Minard, Executive Director Association of Mackenzie Mountain 406-449-3578 Outfitters moga@mt.net Tavis Molnar, President www.montanaoutfitters.org 867-633-4934 info@arcticred-nwt.com

www.huntnwt.com 100 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

National Bighorn Sheep Center Sara Bridge, Executive Director 307-455-3429 info@bighorn.org www.bighorn.org Navajo Nation Department of Fish & Wildlife Jeff Cole, Wildlife Manager jcole@nndfw.org 928-871-6595 Nebraska Big Game Society Jim King (402) 430-6566 jim@glsbinc.com www.nebiggame.org Nevada Bighorns Unlimited Tom Fennel, President 775-250-6600 tfennell@dicksoncg.com www.nevadabighornsunlimited.org Nevada Bighorns Unlimited, Fallon Jay Lingenfelter, President jay.lingenfelter@cccomm.co 775-427-1254 Northern BC Guides Association Craig Kiselbach, President terminusmtn@gmail.com 250-442-7103 Northern Nevada SCI Chapter Brandon Weise bweise@nnsci.com 775-721-4700 www.nnsci.com Northwest Guides & Outfitters Association Colin Niemeyer, President 250-306-8624 hunting@kawdyoutfitters.com Northwest Sportsman’s Club Nate Perrenoud 509-994-6795 www.northwestsportsmansclub.com Purkersdorfer Jagdklub Gunther Tschabuschnig, Vice President 011-43-676-496-6691 info@jagdklub.eu www.jagdklub.eu Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Donna Noel, Director of Natural Resources 775-574-0101 Ext: 17 www.plpt.nsn.us Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society Jeff Mees, President 303-304-6597 jdmees@hotmail.com www.bighornsheep.org Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance Marvin Kwiatkowski, Chairman marvin@goatalliance.org www.goatalliance.org Contact: Kendrick Chittock, Fundraising Coordinator kendrick@goatalliance.org Safari Club International 520-620-1220 info@safariclub.org www.safariclub.org Sheep Hunters of the World (SHOW) Billi Carey, Administrator 480-292-1674 www.sheephunters.com Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep Steve Marschke, President 310-339-4677 info@sheepsociety.com www.desertbighorn.org

Tahltan Guide Outfitters Association Rudy Day, President 250-235-3395 Dayrudy84@gmail.com Spanish Professional Hunters Association Diego Satrustegui, President +34 618 621 690 Direccion.aptce@gmail.com www.spanishprofessionalhunters.com Taos Pueblo Michael Martinez, Hunt Manager 575-758-7410 hunting@taospueblo.com Texas Bighorn Society Dr. Sam Cunningham, President 806-262-6889 scunningham@quailcreekent.com www.texasbighornsociety.org Wildlife Stewardship Council John Henderson, President sirjohn55@gmail.com wildlifestewarship@gmail.com www.wildlifestewardshipcouncil.com Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia Korey Green, President 250 793-2037 kgreen@wildsheepsociety.com Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia Office & Staff Kyle Stelter, CEO/Executive Director 250-619-8415 kylestelter@gmail.com www.wildsheepsociety.com Michael Surbey, Executive Assistant 604-690-9555 exec@wildsheepsociety.com Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association Jeff Smith, President 307-265-2376 wyoga@wyoga.org www.wyoga.org Yukon Outfitters Association Mac Watson, President 867-668-4118 (Office) info@yukonoutfitters.net www.yukonoutfitters.net Yukon Outfitters Association Staff Shawn Wasel, Executive Director 780-213-4301 (Cell) swasel@mcsnet.ca Brenda Stehelin, Office Manager info@yukonoutfitters.net

TECHNICAL/ ADVISORY AFFILIATES:

Northern Wild Sheep and Goat Council Kevin Hurley, Executive Director 307-899-9375 info@nwsgc.org www.nwsgc.org Desert Bighorn Council Patrick Cummings, Chair Nevada Department of Wildlife (Retired) (702) 486-5127 patrickcummings1002@gmail.com www.desertbighorncouncil.com

Drawing will be held when the last ticket is sold.

Need not be present to win.

Visit our website for tickets and detail.

We are proud to debut our N E W conservation t-shirt.

Shirts are available to purchase online for $20 each.

Sheep Sickness shirts on sale now for $10.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 101

CHAPTERS & AFFILIATES

2023-2024 BANQUET DATES NOTE: Dates noted are as of press time.

Please check C&A websites for updates.

Sheep Week® ........................January 15-20, 2024.......................Reno, NV Sheep Show®.........................January 17-20, 2024.......................Reno, NV WSF C&A Summit XVI...........June 13-16, 2024...................Calgary, AB WSSBC Jurassic Classic......August 23-25, 2024..............Chilliwack, BC

WSF CHAPTERS: Chapter

Date

Location

Date

Location

Alaska WSF............................................................. April 13.............................Anchorage, AK California WSF....................................................... April 27.......................... Sacramento, CA Eastern Chapter WSF..............................February 16-17................................ Lancaster PA Idaho WSF.............................................................March 16 .......................................Boise, ID Iowa FNAWS.................................................March 22-23............................ Des Moines, IA Midwest Chapter WSF.................................March 15-16..........................Minnetonka, MN Montana WSF............................................February 23-24................................ Missoula, MT MSU Student Chapter WSF............................................................................................... N/A New Mexico WSF .................................................................NM G&F BHS & DBHS Raffle Oregon WSF.............................................................. May 4.......................................Bend, OR Utah WSF..............................................................March 23........................Salt Lake City, UT Washington WSF................................................... March 9................................. Tacoma, WA WSF Alberta – 25th Anniversary.................. March 1&2....................................Calgary, AB WSF Alberta – Yellowhead.................................. April 20...................................... Edson, AB Wyoming WSF....................................................... June 7-8.............................Cheyenne, WY Yukon WSF................................................................... TBD........................... Whitehorse,YT

WSF AFFILIATES: Affiliate

Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society.. May 11, 2024.............................. Scottsdale, AZ Elko Bighorns Unlimited............................................ TBD........................................ Elko, NV Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn........... April 13, 2024............................... Las Vegas, NV National Bighorn Sheep Center.....November 4, 2023.................................. Dubois, WY Nebraska Big Game Society..................................... TBD................................... Lincoln, NE Nevada Bighorns Unlimited........................April 5, 2024.......................................Reno, NV Nevada Bighorns Unlimited - Fallon....................... TBD..................................... Fallon, NV Nevada Bighorns Unlimited - Midas ...................... TBD......................................Midas, NV Northern Nevada SCI Chapter.................. May 9, 2024.......................................Reno, NV Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society............May 3-4, 2024............................... Loveland, CO Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance............................................................................ Online TBD Society for the Consv. of Bighorn Sheep........................................................................ N/A Texas Bighorn Society...................................June 8, 2024................................... Odessa, TX Wild Sheep Society of BC–Northern.February 2-3, 2024...............Dawson Creek, BC Wild Sheep Society of BC–Salute to Conservation...Feb. 22-24, 2024...Penticton, BC

102 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

‘24 JAN. 18-20 RENO, NV

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REGISTERED GUESTS OF THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY BANQUETS ARE ENTERED NIGHTLY TO WIN $10,000 AUCTION CREDITS ATTENDEES ARE ENTERED DAILY INTO DRAWINGS FOR $1,000, $2,500 & $5,000 FLOOR CREDITS TO BE USED WITH THE EXPO EXHIBITORS

wildsheepfoundation.org • 406.404.8750 FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 103

CHAPTERS & AFFILIATES

by Ty Stubblefield Executive Director, Montana WSF

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE COMING TO FRUITION

A

fter many years of planning and organizing by WSF Conservation Director, Kurt Alt and the board of directors of the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation (MTWSF), the first meeting of the newly formed Conservation Committee was held.

The meeting took place this past August at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) Beartooth Wildlife Management Area near Helena, Montana.

The committee consists of seven MTWSF representatives from each of the seven FWP regions in the state. The representatives by region: Region one, past MTWSF volunteer Executive Director and President, Jim Weatherly. Region two, past MTWSF President, actor, musician and long time conservationist, Shane Clouse.

Region three, life long outfitter, hunter, sheep advocate and chair of WSF International Conservation Committee, Jack Atcheson. Region four, retired after 30 years as FWP wildlife biologist on the Rocky Mountain front, Gary Olson. Region five, self employed mason, avid sheep hunter and wild sheep advocate, Brian Duffy. Region six, Pat Gunderson, retired both as a FWP wildlife biologist and regional supervisor as well as BLM district manager. Region seven, John Ensign, with over 30 years as a FWP biologist and regional manager out of South Eastern Montana. Also on the committee is Brent Roeder who works for the Montana State University College of AG as the domestic sheep research biologist and is a representative for the Montana Wool Growers Association (MWGA).

The committee will be working

104 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

directly with FWP regional biologists and regional wildlife managers to offer support for funding projects as well as boots-on-the-ground aid. Montana bighorn sheep herds have been in decline across many regions of the state for the past 20 years. Meanwhile, other herds have remained healthy and strong. Reasons vary from herd to herd based on many factors and will require different approaches to address the varying issues. FWP’s Game Management Bureau Chief, Brian Wakeling, Research Administrator, Justin Gude and Quentin Kujala, Chief of Conservation Policy out of the Director’s Office highlighted the commitment of $8 million for bighorn

and rocky mountain goat research and management at the meeting. MTWSF is excited to be working with FWP on this research/management effort.

The MTFWP work will involve both adaptive management and research on commingling between domestic and wild sheep. These projects are designed, in the long run, to give deliverables including a scientific understanding of commingling in order to develop science-based separation management strategies and to evaluate and move forward augmentations, new herd establishment, habitat management, test and remove, evaluating population demographics and

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 105

CHAPTERS & AFFILIATES

understanding additional limiting factors including respiratory disease and predation.

Brent Roeder and his team at Montana State University College of AG will play a critical role in connecting willing producers and FWP wildlife biologists for the commingling portion of this research. Dr. Mark Jutila, Montana State University College of AG’s, Immunology Department, will also be a big part of these efforts with his work on research in respiratory pathogens in domestic sheep. In addition, Working Dogs for Conservation, whose dogs are trained to sniff out MOVI, could also be trained and used as a separation tool. These partnerships are unique and will help us understand the disease issues in both wild and domestic herds.

“MTWSF has been steadfast in that to be successful with wild sheep conservation in Montana, partnerships are required between wildlife and agricultural interests” says DJ Berg, President of MTWSF. MWGA representation and involvement on the committee is essential to moving both domestic and wild sheep interests forward, together.

The newly formed MTWSF Conservation Committee will bring together the shared passion of a diverse and well-experienced group of wild sheep conservationists. The group will play a critical role in helping MTWSF achieve its mission to increase the number of sheep on Montana’s landscape. It is an excellent example of Montanans working together in what is truly the “Last Best Place.” WS

106 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Wyoming Wild Sheep Foundation Super Sponsor!

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 107

Wanted SHEEP ENTHUSIAST Must be willing to buy expensive gear, walk long distances, drink questionable water, eat food from a foil bag, sleep on hard ground next to friends that smell worse than you, maintain a sunny disposition, and risk divorce.

Must provide your own participation trophies.

Photo Credit: David Wetzel

Inquire at: www.akwildsheep.org

Join Our Cause

108 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

https://www.texasbighornsociety.org Saving West Texas sheep since 1981

CHALLENGE COINS

15

$

1.75 INCHES APPROX ACTUAL SIZE

GET YOURS NOW!

www.wildsheepfoundation.org/shop REVERSE DESIGNS

Life Member Copper Coin Antique Finish

Summit LM Nickel Silver Coin Antique Finish

Member Brass Coin Antique Finish

WSF’s Legacy Society recognizes individuals, families and foundations making testamentary bequests or contributions of major gifts, gift annuities or other charitable-giving instruments. Since inception of the Ensuring the Future of Wild Sheep (ETFOWS) campaign, 46 Legacy Society members have been recognized through WSF’s Legacy Society for contributions or pledges of future gifts.

Anonymous Anonymous Lee & Penny Anderson Jack, Jr. & Cindy Atcheson Derek W.O. Berry Mike Borel Cabela’s Outdoor Fund David W. Campbell Rick & Heather Carosone Dr. Robert W. & Cynthia Cassell David & Sona Combs Monty & Becky Davis

Howard & Mary Deters Doug & Patty Dreeszen Buddy DuVall Tom Grimes Eric & Sue Hansen Robert & Arlene Hanson Dr. Paul F. & Kathy J. Havey Zach & Amber Higgins John R. & Mary Ann Justus Blair A. & Victoria M. Kenewell Robert M. Martin, Jr. Robert and Lisa Mays

Bequests made through the New Beginnings Campaign* or other bequests may be recognized through the Legacy Society by contacting WSF. For more information on the Legacy Society or Estate Planning resources available through WSF, please contact Paige Culver at 406.404.8758 or PCulver@WildSheepFoundation.org.

Roger McCosker Kyle & Joanne Meintzer Chuck Middleton David Mode Brad R. Plaga Robert L. & J.P. Puette Kevin & Janine Rinke Lanny Rominger Louis & Pauline Rupp SCI Foundation - Hunter Legacy Fund (HLF-100) Roger Segebrecht

Kasie and Jason Sheridan Tim & Roxane Shinabarger Steve & Sue Skold Curt & Marcia Thompson Gray & Renée Thornton Jim Travis Tim & Ruth Van Der Weide The Estate of Robert B. Johnson Zachary Walton Wayne W. Webber The William H. Donner Foundation, Inc

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 109 *New Beginnings Campaign was the FNAWS Capital Endowment Campaign conducted 1998-2003.

WOMEN HUNT®

by Paula McClain

I

I NEVER KNEW WHAT I WAS MISSING

grew up with a family that never went outside just to be in nature.

We never went fishing or hunting.

I was never allowed to hold one of my dad’s guns, or even the cases that they came in. I, subsequently, grew up afraid of guns.

I can distinctly remember one time when I was at my grandmother’s house, I was about ten years old.

My uncle had just returned from a successful deer hunt. My uncle had the deer hanging up on a tree in the backyard and was cleaning it. I had heard about the deer and wanted to see it. My father looked at me and told me I was not to look in the backyard, that “young ladies” did not

110 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

need to look at, “things like that.”

My mother made a comment about how gross it was, and I needed to go into the other room. Of course, I had to wait until they were both busy with other things, and then I looked.

To my surprise, it was not gross at all. I thought it was actually quite interesting, I mean, after all, I really loved eating my uncle’s deer meat.

Flash forward to marrying a wonderful man, Chaz, who came from a family where men always went hunting and fishing. Guns and fishing rods became a part of life in our home. I still never went, because I just did not think that was something for women to do. I mean,

my mother-in-law never went…so I still had the mindset that hunting and fishing was really just for men.

My son, Caleb, got to the age where he was going on his first bird hunt, and I thought that was the perfect time to see what actually took place. I went as a spectator and really enjoyed being outdoors, minus the Texas fire ants that took a liking to me. I did that again when our oldest daughter, Sydney, went on her first hunt.

My son was a natural hunter and fisher from the age of about four.

He took to the outdoors. He would rather go fishing at the nearby pond than do just about anything; he is still that way today in his mid 20’s.

During summer break while Chaz was working, I would even take Caleb and his younger sisters to the lake to fish.

I never purchased a fishing license, so I was just the mom who kind of sat in the background rather than being a true participant. I loved being near the water and out in nature, it was so calming and relaxing.

Now, let me get to the real point of this all…I NEVER KNEW WHAT I WAS MISSING!

Caleb called me on the phone one day telling me to apply for a Wild Sheep Foundation new hunting program just for women.

He explained that I did not need any skills; that if I was chosen, they would teach me how to hunt. This, I thought, might be just what I was looking for. I had wanted to learn about hunting, but never took the time to do just that. So, with Caleb’s strong encouragement, I did.

Getting that email notification from the Women Hunt® program that I was chosen to participate in was astounding! I could not believe I was actually chosen! I can say that week has changed my life in ways I never knew.

The first day at the FTW/SAAM delivered New Hunter Course, I was really terrified to hold a bullet.

I honestly thought it might go off in my hand (which now I think is funny). I learned the parts of a bullet and how they work inside the gun, which gave me knowledge I did not know I was missing. I found it empowering. The more we learned, the more confident I became. The more we were outside, the more I wanted to be outside. The more we shot, the more I wanted to shoot.

The more we went hunting, the more

I wanted to hunt. I found it peaceful, calming, and a place where I could bond with others. By the end of the week, I was shooting targets at 1000 yards and hitting them every time!

(Those instructors at FTW Ranch were amazing!)

Now, I not only have a couple of great hunting partners in my husband and son, but I also have the skills and confidence to be able to hunt. This fall I will hopefully be successful at harvesting an animal or two.

The part I have left out, until now, is that I wear hearing aids (I am Deaf/ Hard-of-Hearing). You see, I thought that hunting was out of reach for people like me. I thought you had to be able to hear perfectly in order to hunt and boy am I glad I was wrong!

I wanted to share my new-found knowledge and love for the outdoors and hunting with others; especially with those in my Deaf community.

After my week of the Women Hunt® sponsored FTW New Hunter Course, I went back to work…which happens to be at The Mississippi School for the Deaf. I am the principal there. I wanted to share what I learned with my students, staff, and others in the Deaf community.

I shared some of what I learned through social media, but I wanted to have a more tangible way to share as well. I decided our campus would focus on Wildlife and Water Conservation for Earth Day. The Wild Sheep Foundation

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 111

has a program called S.H.E.E.P. that allowed me to use all sorts of wonderful hands-on activities for my students to learn about wildlife habitat conservation.

The students were enthralled! For my students, most had never been exposed to wildlife in their natural habitats, hunting, or conservation.

I was able to share my own hunting experiences with them and how much fun I had and what I learned about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The students were able to touch and feel and learn about how our actions have impacted our wildlife. They learned about how littering affects wildlife and their habitats—about guzzlers and how important they are to improving the numbers of wild sheep in North America—and some even had a little fun acting like wild sheep.

This year, I plan on building on what we did last year. This year, we will continue to learn about taking care of wildlife habitats.

My campus and district (Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind) has partnered with The Mississippi

Meet the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Women Hunt® Committee Bios and photos at: www.wildsheepfoundation.org/about/ women-hunt-committee 112 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks as well.

We started a program where our students can learn to raise animals.

We are bringing a program to teach our students about archery and encouraging them to get outdoors even more.

I want the young girls at my school to know that they can do anything— including hunting and fishing and that they should not let anyone tell them they cannot.

I want all of my students to know that just because they are Deaf/ Hard-of-Hearing they should not let that get in the way of them getting outdoors, getting involved in protecting wildlife, hunting, fishing, and just enjoying nature with their family.

I cannot thank everyone who made this all possible enough!

Thank you both Renée Thornton

and Gray Thornton for your vision.

Thank you Women Hunt® program, Wild Sheep Foundation, and all of the sponsors: SITKA for the gear, Kenetrek for the boots, Boyt Harness for the gun cases and bags, Weatherby for the guns made just for women, Leupold Optics for the scopes, YETI for the cooler, FTW Ranch for the amazing accommodations and training, and Chef Joshua Schwencke of Gastronomy Outdoors for the cooking classes. WS

Renée Thornton, Chair Rachel Ahtila Julie Chapman Linda Demmer Sara Domek Brandi Love Rebecca Peters Sue Skold

Connect with us: https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/womenhunt womenhunt@wildsheepfoundation.org @womenhunt

@women_hunt

@womenhunt

I would like to thank

Alcampo Hunting Sierra El Alamo

for the hunt of a lifetime! Thank you to the amazing Artee family for hosting me!

Paul K. Bacchus

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 113

CULINARY CORNER

by Joshua Schwencke WSF & Women Hunt® Executive Chef in Residence

I

HOME BUTCHER’S TOOL BOX

n the meat cutters case of your local supermarket sits animal protein ready to purchase and wrapped in the glow of flourescent light. This transaction between merchant and consumer has shut away the fact that an animal had to give its life.

Meat cutters now hide behind sanitized walls, out of view of the consumer, cutting the same small variety of proteins. Maybe it’s our lack of being confident in our cooking. Maybe it’s just what is easier for the consumer. What is for certain, is that we have now offered this task up in a way that we are able to forego the labor of its meaningfulness.

We as hunters feel the lure of what it means to bring protein home to feed our loved-ones that has been butchered by our own hands. Though this is enjoyable for most hunters, it offers challenges in skill level, and time and overall reluctance to others.

I don’t have to tell you, this is a tall order for some. Though this task may line the pockets of game processors, it also discourages some from hunting at all.

All this offers many a chance to go down the deep dive that so many hunters have taken into butchering their own kill past just field dressing.

When all the YouTube videos have been played and you’ve dusted off your library card in the search for butchering knowledge, it’s my hope that this article will spark the next level of your education.

While teaching butchering and cooking courses, I am frequently asked what tools, knives and other

114 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

equipment are the “best”. Besides the overall subjective nature of the request, I often offer the same answer, “whatever works best for you.” What I mean by that statement is every-one has different requirements to the ease

of use, comfort, durability and overall strength of a particular item. My quick answer? “Go where the chef’s shop.”

Every major city has a restaurant supply store or at least an online presence. This is where those who are tasked with running a restaurant often choose to source such items.

These tools are in most cases durable, easy to clean and often budgetfriendly. Check with your local store on the need of membership requirements in order to shop prior to going to the store.

The first leg of our journey together starts with the hardware. More importantly, knives. We at Wild Sheep Foundation share this passion with our friends over at Montana Knife Company. Their strength and durability are unmatched, evident by their massive overtaking of the hunting/culinary market. If you haven’t heard of MKC, you will.

Moving forward however, we will focus more on the blade style and function rather than the brand.

First on the block is the BONING KNIFE. Besides the chef’s knife, this is a workhorse for most butchers making it a very popular blade. Its semi-stiff and angled blade offers agility and strength perfect for slicing back straps while also cutting large primal cuts. The blade’s sharp, fine tip is ideal for seam butchering which means using the natural seams between muscle groups to parcel out different cuts. Chef Hack: use a wooden-handled knife when butchering. Though it requires more cleaning than its plastic counterpart,

While teaching butchering and cooking courses, I am frequently asked what tools, knives and other equipment are the “best.” the wood absorbs the animal fat helping to prevent it from slipping in your hand.

Measuring 10- to 12-inches, a BREAKING KNIFE offers a heavyhitter approach to cutting larger primals. The scimitar-style lends itself to more versatility in cutting through the hind quarters of larger breeds of deer, sheep, and antelope. The curve on the top blade of the knife offers a safe place to apply pressure with your other hand to cut through tougher muscle groups.

If ever there was a knife for the people, this is it. The CHEF’S KNIFE comes in multiple sizes and is the go-to for all forms of cooking.

Ideal for chopping and standard prep, its popularity is due to the broad and rigid blade. I recommend checking out the culinary set at Montana Knife Company. Their chef knife has quickly become the knife I prefer for everyday use.

The HANDSAW is a must for every serious home butcher. With a replaceable blade and a sturdy handle, this offers the ability to cut through bone easier and cleaner.

Look for medium-sized teeth that can be pushed forward and back.

Using a knife to make the cuts through the protein, the handsaw can make quick work of even the largest bone structures. Find these online or at a butchers supply. Do not use that saw from your garage you’re thinking about right now, you won’t like the outcome. Chef Hack: at the

ranch in the skinning shed, we use a reciprocating saw for large bones like the spine, ribs or hind quarters.

Though this is not easy to clean after the job is done, it makes quick work of large bones.

Lastly, CUTTING SURFACE is super important. Gone are the days of butchers using heavy cleavers swinging at beef bones, so the need for a large butcher block are few and far between. Wood cutting boards offer a soft place for the blade to land, thus not harming the blade.

The major drawback however, is the cleaning. Due to its porous nature, wooden cutting boards remain a great place for pathogens like bacteria to find a home. Salting the boards overnight after a good wash will aid in the sanitation of the cutting surface.

For all wild game jobs big and small I suggest a polyurethane cutting board. These are easy to clean while also being gentle on the knife blade.

Best of all they come in multiple sizes, are durable and lower in cost.

The task of butchering your own harvest is yours for the taking. It’s my hope that whatever knowledge gained serves you well by offering an insight into the industry’s techniques and the know-how to save time and money. Get your hands dirty, take your time and enjoy the process. You and those you feed will be happy you did. WS

NEW Mountain to Plate Video Series with Chef Josh Schwencke

Recorded live in the Culinary Corner booth at the 2023 Sheep Show® in Reno, Chef Josh Schwencke presented an informative and entertaining look into all aspects of wild game preparation and cooking.

Josh broke it all down for us, and we’ve broken it down for you into a series of 5 instructional video sessions that cover everything from off the mountain to your plate.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 115

CONSERVATION EDUCATION

by Ryan Brock, Ph.D. WSF Youth Education Coordinator

CREATING A YOUTH PROGRAMMING LEGACY The Beginning and the Y.W.C.E.

S

ometimes a simple step, initiative, or suggestion can put into motion collaborative work that eventually produces something that is quite amazing and productive. That is the case when Larry Potterfield approached Gray Thornton early in 2011. Larry and his wife Brenda had the idea of targeting key conservation groups to offer a Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE), where students would have the opportunity to learn

about conservation, ethical hunting, wildlife research and more.

The Wild Sheep Foundation thought it was a fantastic idea, and soon received $400,000 from the Potterfields in March 2011 to create a permanent endowment to fund the YWCE each year at our national convention. Less than a year later, WSF had hired its first education coordinator, Laura Dalles, and the first YWCE for the organization occurred from January 19-21, 2012.

That first YWCE invited a school from the Reno area, Bud Beasley Elementary, to attend on Thursday

and three schools from Carson City to attend on Friday. Unfortunately, a wildfire between Reno and Carson City prevented buses from bringing the 160 students from Carson City, and the YWCE did not occur on that Friday. One Reno school, Jessie Beck Elementary, attended on Saturday alongside several other youth from the community who pre-registered.

In total, about 120 youth learned through the YWCE that year.

The first event included six stations student groups would rotate through every 45 minutes, with a lunch in the middle. Three keynote speakers presented for 15 minutes each at lunch as the students ate.

For the first year, except for the fire preventing one group from attending, it was considered a great success.

The Shooting, Hunting & Ethics Education Program Begins

Luke Briant displays his awards earned at both WSF sponsored shoots, as well as national and state shoots.

116 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

After a successful YWCE, the Wild Sheep Foundation approached the Potterfields with an idea, to create a sort of Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience that could be taken on the road, where a few events a year could take place at various locations, specifically involving WSF Chapters and Affiliates. The idea was accepted, and the MidwayUSA Foundation was to support the first three years of the program to get it up and going.

A name was needed, and Kevin Hurley connected WSF’s passion to the naming of the program by coming up with the Shooting, Hunting & Ethics Education Program, or simply, S.H.E.E.P. Laura Dalles had left WSF, and a new Youth Education

Coordinator was hired in July 2012.

Dr. Ryan Brock, who was the Reno teacher that had brought many of his students to the prior year’s YWCE was hired for the position. Being a teacher, the thought was to do five to eight events, which would occur mainly when he was out of school for the summer.

Much of the funding the first years went to purchasing items that could inspire youth. Although not always easy to ship, a Laser Shot system and Daisy BB gun range, along with a somewhat-portable Crosman pellet gun range were brought into the program. Eventually, two years later, a hover archery range was purchased.

Big and bulky for shipping, yet eye candy to youth, these would help with events that occurred indoors, at places such as chapter and affiliate banquets and conventions. Other shippable kits were developed, such as the repliskull kit, animal tracking kit, animal hide kit and even a setup with compound bows, arrows, and targets that could be utilized with outdoor venues.

The first chapter to take up the offer of including a youth component from national was the Eastern Chapter of Wild Sheep Foundation in February 2013. A few others followed suit, including Oregon FNAWS, Montana WSF, and Utah WSF. For the most part, the first year involved various small events and partnering with existing youth shooting teams and outdoor camps, and putting on a few archery clinics for youth. During the first fiscal year of S.H.E.E.P., fifteen events occurred and 2,621 youth had been involved.

Of the events that occurred, only two took place during the summer, and the job was certainly evolving into a

Six of the fifteen members of the new WSF archery team during before competing in a local tournament

full-time filler for Ryan.

Funding Evolves

As the initial three-year funding by MidwayUSA Foundation came to a close, once again Larry and Brenda Potterfield presented an idea that would further move WSF’s entire youth programing even further forward. They suggested WSF transfer the YWCE money held in a WSF endowment account (which was initially started in 2011), into their MidwayUSA Foundation endowment for youth shooting teams. The kicker was that they would match the money transferred. In late December 2015, $600,000 became $1.2 million. This basically doubled the amount each year WSF had to run youth programs, as WSF could request a withdrawal once a year of 5% of the balance.

Now, WSF had funding each year for the YWCE and partial funding for S.H.E.E.P. Additionally, WSF could

now participate in MidwayUSA Foundation’s fundraising programs to grow the endowment. For example, Iowa FNAWS has utilized the FREE fundraising products (guns, coolers, trap shooter, etc.) they provide for raffles. A certain portion must be sent back to the endowment, and the chapter keeps any money over what is required for youth programing in their own chapter. And, most importantly, the Larry & Brenda Potterfield Matching Program matches what is sent back, basically doubling what is raised. The past two years, Iowa FNAWS sent back $17,200, which was then matched!

This really helped the endowment grow. Chapters, affiliates, and individuals have participated in “National Day of Giving”, which takes place the end of every November. In 2019, WSF really pushed this for the endowment, and $6,540 was raised for the endowment FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 117

One of the cooking classes through S.H.E.E.P where participants learned how to cook with wild game.

in one day, and then matched close to 100%. This past January 2023, WSF hammocks were offered at the YWCE for anyone who donated $40 or more to the endowment, raising an additional $490. Any money put into the endowment is matched on a monthly basis, thanks to the Larry & Brenda Potterfield Matching Program.

The Youth Programs Today Many aspects of the YWCE and S.H.E.E.P. have evolved over the years, while others have stayed the same. Today, the YWCE has around 1,500 youth participate in the three-day event. School groups

118 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

are still bused in on Thursday and Friday. A 45-minute keynote welcomes them and educates them on the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, sheep adaptations, and how conservation/ hunting organizations such as WSF raise money and give back through their volunteerism and other conservation efforts. Next, three outdoor career-related sessions occur, and student select one seminar each session to attend, based on their interest. During lunch, WSF’s Life Membership Fund Scholarship award (university-level) winners discuss conservation, college, their future

career, and provide advice for what young students can do now to move forward into a similar career. After lunch, two hours are filled with over 30 hands-on stations which often range from rock climbing walls, lots of different archery, BB and pellet gun ranges, conservation, fly tying, duck calling, and more. Saturday the event is opened to the public youth.

Although no seminars or keynotes take place on Saturday, a free youth raffle does occur.

Additionally, the YWCE is used as a recruiting area for “post-events”.

After inspiring youth, we offer free events by teaming up with local

Teaming up with a local indoor shooting facility after the YWCE for a post event where youth learned firearm safety and shot .22 rifle and pistols in their indoor range.”

gun and archery ranges, and have even recruited and sponsored a few kids to attend the outdoor camp put on the Boone and Crockett Club in Montana. In all, the first twelve years of the YWCE had 14,205 youth participate in the educational experience.

The Shooting, Hunting & Ethics Education Program has also changed, mainly in additions to the program and its growth. The past three years has had an average of 70.3 events a year WSF was involved with. A perfect balance has currently been established of providing quality events and subprograms alongside a high number of events. Since inception, a total of 94,486 youth have been educated in some way due to S.H.E.E.P. with a total of 671 events.

In addition to collaborating with chapters and affiliates, strategic programs have been developed as part of S.H.E.E.P. A Wild Sheep Teacher Kit is shipped out to teachers nationally, alongside two similar kits that teachers can check out in

Northern Nevada. Teachers use a curriculum WSF developed alongside hands-on learning items (e.g., skull,

radio collar, horn plugs, games, etc.) to educate their classroom on wild sheep and conservation. Last year

Wild Sheep Foundation and MidwayUSA Foundation Team Up for Youth” The Wild Sheep Foundation relies on grants and its endowment with MidwayUSA Foundation to fund youth programing. Created in 2015, the endowment lets WSF withdrawal 5% a year to use for the YWCE and SHEEP, they key aspects of our youth programing. Since inception, $514,999 has been taken out to run youth programing.

For 2023, the Larry & Brenda Potterfield Matching Program will match all money put into the account at a 1:1 ratio. So your donation is doubled. It is simple and easy to do.

Simply scan the QR code below to make your donation today.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 119

alone, 44 classrooms utilized these kits and 1,732 kids learned from them.

Besides the YWCE, the Nevada Outdoor Experience has become the largest event WSF plans, organizes and executes. Originally a more simple “Outdoor Experience” in collaboration with the late Mike Borg with USA Youth Education in Shooting Sports (USAYESS), this event has evolved into northern Nevada’s largest youth outdoor expo.

The free event pulls together as many outdoor-related organizations in the area as possible. Each organization then promotes their passion of the outdoors. Over thirty different stations take place for families to learn and become excited from, including: metal detecting, trap and skeet, .22 rifle, gold panning, rock climbing, conservation, animal tracking, and archery. This past spring, while organizing the event, John Guzman with Carson Valley Trails Association said this about the event: “We have learned to recognize your activity as one of the most effective manners to reach out to youth populations in our region...”

More recently, we have teamed up with Graveyard Hunt Club in Indiana to help sponsor the two-day youth turkey hunt event put on by Julie Chapman. Hunting areas are secured, mentors are found, and a dinner occurs where youth get to show what they harvested on the final night. With few youth hunting opportunities in Nevada, WSF has partnered with a few families to split the cost in getting five or six youth to the event each year the past few years. Most of them were able to harvest their first turkey!

The newest aspect of S.H.E.E.P. is the Wild Sheep Foundation’s youth archery team. WSF has offered many “Learn to Shoot” archery development opportunities for a decade. In the past few years, the same kids kept showing up for the clinics, but needed something more for taking their skills to the next 120 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

level. The families were not ready to jump into the commitments of some of the local travel archery teams. The WSF created a team in late 2022 where only two of the fifteen youth on the initial team owned their own bow the first few months. The most popular Christmas present was a bow for many of the team members, and

by January 2023, over three-fourths of the team had their own bow and were learning to use sights and releases. The team practiced twice a month, and by March, most had committed to a level of purchasing their own team jerseys.

Examples of Our Impact

Luke Briant, a current 6th grader, is one stellar example of the outcome of the programs. Now on the WSF Archery Team, Luke started coming to the YWCE as early as he could remember. Neither he, nor his parents, were into archery.

He heard about the archery clinics on the morning announcements at his elementary school one day, as WSF partnered with his school to create a school community event.

Luke recalls this was probably in kindergarten or first grade. Year after year Luke showed up to these clinics as well as themed shoots WSF put on.

Years later, he started participating in the YWCE as a volunteer, while in fifth grade. One of the initial members of the WSF archery team, he has traveled with the team to several official tournaments including the Vegas Shoot in January where he took 1st place in his division for USA Archery Nevada State Champion and the NFAA Nevada State Shoot in Eureka, NV in May where he took 1st place in state for marked, 1st in unmarked, and 1st in the 900 field shoot. He also took 1st in the NFAA indoor state shoot in March. These simple archery clinics inspired Luke, and he has no desire to slow down, as he has found a true passion.

We often hear years later how the YWCE changed the life of a child.

For example, this past May, Megan

Mellor invited Ryan Brock to her graduation, where she was receiving an associate’s degree as a senior in high school. During her high school years, she had participated in a trapping and collaring study of bobcats in the Reno city limits. She clearly gave acknowledgement to the YWCE for inspiring her love of science and her new found interest in sciences involving wildlife.

William Garcia reached out in April 2023 to WSF through an email regarding the YWCE. Here is what he had to say: “In eighth grade, I took a field trip to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center for a student view of the Sheep Show®. I had tons of fun. Then at lunch there was a presentation from people who work in this field. I was very interested and I changed my mind about what I wanted to do as a career path. I am now halfway through my freshman year, and I want to investigate this, as I look to it as my number one option for my future job.” William still isn’t certain of the career, but he has narrowed it down to “Captures, Predation Monitoring, Prescribed Burning. In that order.”

This year marked a big benchmark for the Wild Sheep Foundation and its programs. WSF exceeded reaching 100,000 youth impacted by the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience and the Shooting, Hunting & Ethics Education Program. In total, as of when this was written, WSF has impacted 108,691 youth in 24 states and Canada.

It is fascinating how one small suggestion or idea, once planted, can grow. When like-minded individuals and organizations with a similar goal work together, network, and put in the time, amazing things occur. This has been the case with the Wild Sheep Foundation’s youth programing. The past decade WSF has impacted youth in many meaningful ways. It will be great to see where we are a decade from now. WS

BIGHORN SHEEP CURRICULUM KIT DO YOU KNOW A TEACHER WHO TEACHES LIFE SCIENCE, OR THEMED UNITS ON WILDLIFE? The Wild Sheep Foundation has put together an educational kit that includes a variety of information and hands-on items that teaches about bighorn sheep and their conservation. The kit can be checked out for week-long segments for free and shipping is paid for.

Kit includes a ram skull, GPS collar, hide sample, curriculum book with over 20 lessons, Ovisopoly game, consumables to hand out to the students, a curriculum book and a USB drive with PowerPoints and movies for lessons with an optional “talk to a sheep expert” through Skype or Zoom class meeting.

To reserve your week, contact: Ryan Brock Youth Education Coordinator Rbrock@wildsheepfoundation.org

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 121

SEAN KECK

THANK YOUR

GUIDE / OUTFITTER Thank your Guide/Outfitter for a job well done in the Winter issue of Wild Sheep Magazine.® This generates business for them and shows how appreciative you are!

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SPONSORS ARE CURRENT AS OF PRESS TIME

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For sponsorship opportunities or more information contact: Gray N. Thornton • 406.404.8750 • gthornton@wildsheepfoundation.org Keith Balfourd 404.404.8750 • keith@wildsheepfoundation.org FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 127

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FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 129

B1

7 - DAY WINTER PREDATOR HUNT IN ALASKA FOR 1 HUNTER

B1

B2

MIDNIGHT SUN SAFARIS Coke Wallace P: 907.978.0929 E: info@midnightsunsafaris.com W: www.midnightsunsafaris.com B2

5 - DAY BLACK BEAR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER ON KUIU ISLAND, ALASKA (100% FULLY DONATED) ADAMS ALASKAN SAFARIS Dale and Lori Adams P: 907.738.3040 E: daleadams458@gmail.com W: www.adamsalaskansafaris.com

B3

B3

12 - DAY SPRING KODIAK ISLAND BROWN BEAR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER ROHRER BEAR CAMP Sam Rohrer P: 907.486.4074 C: 907.539.1828 E: sam@kodiakbearcamp.com W: kodiakbearcamp.com B4

COLLAPSIBLE DOG CRATE & BOYT HARNESS PACKAGE (100% FULLY DONATED) SUMMIT LIFE MEMBER & WSF BOD GLEN PYNE P: 714.323.1092 E: pawsnclaws@sbcglobal.net

B4

B5

TROPHY ROOM CLEANING (100% FULLY DONATED) HEADHUNTER TROPHY CARE LLC Wade West P: 817.988.2312 E: trophycare@rocketmail.com B6

5 - DAY TROPHY WOLF HUNT IN ONTARIO FOR 1 HUNTER

(100% FULLY DONATED) KAP RIVER OUTFITTERS Peter & Terry Martin P: 705.335.3163 E: kroceo47@gmail.com

130 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

B5

B6

B7

B8

B7

LIFE-SIZE NORTH AMERICAN SHEEP MOUNT

(100% FULLY DONATED) THE WILDLIFE GALLERY Dan & Charlotte Catlin P: 989.561.5369 E: dan@thewildlifegallery.com W: www.thewildlifegallery.com B8

5 - DAY HUNT FOR NYALA, BLUE WILDEBEEST, ZEBRA, BLESBUCK, WARTHOG & IMPALA FOR 3 HUNTERS

B9

(Trophy fees for 6 mentioned species to be split between 3 hunters) SUPERIOR AFRICAN HUNTING SAFARIS Eli Van Der Walt/Jeffrey Austin P: 830.313.8724 E: rancho1024@yahoo.com W: www.superiorsafaris.com B9

7 - DAY CAPE BUFFALO HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER

($5,000 credit towards trophy fees) (100% FULLY DONATED) IBAMBA SAFARIS Johan & Zelda Pretorius P: +27832261690 E: johan@ibambasafaris.com W: www.ibambasafaris.com B10

7 - DAY SABLE & 2 - DAY TOUR OF KRUGER NATIONAL PARK F0R 1 HUNTER & 1 NON-HUNTER B10 B12

(Trophy fee for 1 Sable is included) THORMAHLEN & COCHRAN SAFARIS Peter Thormahlen P: +27.845.000.370 E: peter@africatrophyhunting.com E: anso@africatrophyhuntig.com W: www.africatrophyhunting.co.za

B11

4 - DAY IBERIAN ROE DEER HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER

B11

IBERIAN HUNTERS Luis Ruiz Del Olmo P: +34.620.28.3418 E: luisruizdelolmo@outlook.es W: www.iberianhunters.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711 B12

LIFE-SIZE WILD SHEEP MOUNT WITH HABITAT AND BASE DEWEY WILDLIFE STUDIO Dawayne Dewey P: 307.587.4863 E: info@deweywildlife.com W: www.deweywildlife.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 131

C1

2 - DAY HUNT FOR HYBRID EUROPEAN MOUFLON/ HAWAIIAN SHEEP FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 DAY DEEP SEA FISHING FOR UP TO 3 PEOPLE

C1

(100% FULLY DONATED) MAUNA LOA OUTFITTERS Colin Onaka - WSF Life Member Steven Onaka P: 808.960.7373 E: MaunaLoaOutfitters@gmail.com Capt. Mark Bartell of the Ambush P: 808.366.4808 C2

8 - DAY BULL ELK HUNT IN WYOMING FOR 1 HUNTER

(100% FULLY DONATED) HIDDEN CREEK OUTFITTERS, LLC Cayla Norris P: 307.899.5159 E: cayla@hiddencreekoutfitters.com W: www.hiddencreekoutfitters.com

C2

C3

C4

C5

C3

ONE WEEK STAY IN A MOUNTAIN CABIN IN THE BEAUTIFUL BIGHORN MOUNTAINS OF WYOMING (100% FULLY DONATED) Jeff Geiger P: 614.668.8222 E: jeffrey_geiger@ml.com C4

WSF - UPGRADED VIP TABLE - 2025 SHEEP SHOW

‘25

C5

8 - DAY CENTRAL BARREN GROUND MUSKOX HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER

CANADA NORTH OUTFITTING Shane Black P: 250.961.7100 E: sblack@canadanorthoutfitting.com W: www.canadanorthoutfitting.com C6

(2 available)

WINE TASTING FOR 50 PEOPLE ANYWHERE IN THE CONTINENTAL USA AFRICAN TRADITION Clive Botha P: 561.379.8243 E: blksem7@aol.com W: www.sabestwine.com

132 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

JAN. 16-18

C6

C7

C7

14 - DAY SPANISH IBEX GRAND SLAM HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER

(Trophy fees included for 1 Bronze Medal Gredos Ibex, 1 Bronze Medal Beceite Ibex, 1 Bronze Medal Southeastern Ibex, and Bronze Medal Ronda Ibex and 21% VAT Fee!) IBERHUNTING SPAIN Antonio Teruel Farrugello P: +34 664.283.512 E: iberhunting@iberhunting.com W: www.iberhunting.com C8

7 - DAY WALRUS ARCTIC ADVENTURE HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER

C8 C9

(Tag and license are included) CANADA NORTH OUTFITTING Shane Black P: 250.961.7100 E: sblack@canadanorthoutfitting.com W: www.canadanorthoutfitting.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711 C9

APHA LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

C10

C11

(100% FULLY DONATED) ALASKA PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS’ ASSOCIATION Deb Moore P: 907.394.3435 E: deb@alaskaprohunter.org W: www.alaskaprohunter.org C10

LIFE-SIZE WILD SHEEP MOUNT WITH BASE

ZIMMERMAN WILDLIFE Marcus & Ken Zimmerman P: 814.793.2821 E: marcus@zimmermanwildlife.net E: ken@zimmermanwildlife.net W: www.zimmermanwildlife.net C11

5 - DAY AOUDAD SHEEP HUNT ON THE WILLIAMS RANCH IN TEXAS FOR 1 HUNTER ROWDY MCBRIDE HUNTING SERVICES Rowdy McBride P: 432.837.2047 C: 432.553.4724 E: rowdymcbride@sbcglobal.net

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 133

D1

10 - DAY DALL’S SHEEP/ ARCTIC GRIZZLY/BARREN GROUND/CARIBOU HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN ALASKA’S ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE OR (HUNTER’S CHOICE) 10 - DAY DALL’S SHEEP/ BROWN BEAR/BLACK BEAR IN THE LEGENDARY SOUTH WRANGELLS (WRANGELL ST.

D1

ELIAS PRESERVE) ALASKA OUTFITTERS UNLIMITED Aaron Bloomquist P: 907.982.2471 E: bloomya@hotmail.com W: www.alaskaoutfittersunlimited.com W: www.huntalaska.net

D2

WSF - VIP TABLE FOR 2025 LADIES LUNCHEON IN RENO

D4

D3

THE BEARTOOTH PRO-SKINNING BLADE

D2

(100% FULLY DONATED) MONTANA KNIFE COMPANY Josh Smith & Sloan Brown P: 352.212.9564 E: info@montanaknifecompany.com W: www.montanaknifecompany.com

JAN. 16-18

D4

12 - DAY DALL’S SHEEP/ WOLF/WOLVERINE HUNT IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES FOR 1 HUNTER & 1 NON-HUNTER GANA RIVER OUTFITTERS LTD. Harold Grinde P: 403.357.8414 E: ganariver@pentnet.net W: www.ganariver.com D5

10 - DAY LA PALMOSA DESERT SHEEP HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 2 NON-HUNTERS (100% FULLY DONATED) LA PALMOSA - HUNTING OUTFITTER Emilio Espino P: +521.811.916.4668 E: info@lapalmosa.com

134 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

‘25

D3

D5

D6

D6

BEAR TRUST INTERNATIONAL - NAPA VALLEY WINE EXPERIENCE – 2 Trips Available for 2025!

Hosted by Marc & Janice Mondavi CHARLES KRUG WINERY W: www.charleskrug.com BEAR TRUST INTERNATIONAL Logan Young P: 406.595.6583 E: logan@beartrust.org W: www.beartrust.org

D7

D7

12 - DAY STONES’ SHEEP HUNT IN NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA

(100% PROCEEDS TO SUPPORT NW BC STONE’S SHEEP INITIATIVES) SPATSIZI RIVER OUTFITTERS Mike Gilson P: 250.847.9692 E: mike_gilson@bcsafaris.com E: admin@spatsizi.com W: www.spatsizi.com D8

D8

D9

5 - DAY MULE DEER HUNT IN NEW MEXICO FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) FRONTIER OUTFITTING GT Nunn P: 505.350.9775 E: gtnunn@aol.com W: www.frontieroutfitting.com D9

TWO HORN GOBLETS ORIGINAL ART ANTLERED ART Todd Strupp P: 715.642.3937 E: toddstrupp@gmail.com W: www.antleredmugworks.com D10

Sample of Work D10

10 - DAY MOUNTAIN CARIBOU HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN NWT CANADA (100% FULLY DONATED) RAVEN’S THROAT OUTFITTERS Griz & Ginger Turner P: 867.332.7286 E: hunts@ravensthroat.com W: www.ravensthroat.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 135

E1

10 - DAY CHIHUAHUA DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER

E1

RANCHO LA GUARIDA Jose Antonio Vallina Laguera P: 011.52.1614.427.0840 E: jav@laguaridaranch.com W: www.laguaridaranch.com E2

SIG SAUER - ROCK GLASSES (SET OF 4) SIG SAUER P: 603.418.8102 E: andy.york@sigsauer.com W: www.sigsauer.com

E2

E3

E3

SHOOTING STICKS

(100% FULLY DONATED) RICK YOUNG OUTDOORS LLC Rick Young P: 503.702.5960 E: rick@rickyoungoutdoors.com W: www.rickyoungoutdoors.com E4

KLYMALOFT SLEEPING PAD XL

E4

(100% FULLY DONATED) KLYMIT P: 888.655.3632 E: marketing@klymit.com W: www.klymit.com

E5

E5

PEAK REFUEL BASECAMP BUCKET 3.0 (100% FULLY DONATED) PEAK REFUEL P: 801.361.5751 E: madyson@peakrefuel.com W: www.peakrefuel.com

E6

E6

SIG SAUER - SIERRA 3000BDX - 10X42 BINOCULARS SIG SAUER P: 603.418.8102 E: andy.york@sigsauer.com W: www.sigsauer.com E7

SPEEDGOAT FIXED BLADE

(100% FULLY DONATED) MONTANA KNIFE COMPANY Josh Smith & Sloan Brown P: 352.212.9564 E: info@montanaknifecompany.com W: www.montanaknifecompany.com 136 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

E7

E8

E8

10 - DAY ALASKA-YUKON MOOSE HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN NORTHWEST ALASKA

FREELANCE OUDOOR ADVENTURES Lance Kronberger P: 907.854.2822 E: freelanceOA@mac.com W: www.freelanceoutdooradventures.com E9

BEAR TRUST INTERNATIONAL HAND-CRAFTED WHISKEY GLASS BOX

BEAR TRUST INTERNATIONAL Logan Young P: 406.595.6583 E: loganyung270@gmail.com W: www.beartrust.org E9

E10

E10

SIG SAUER - KILO 3K 6X22MM RANGEFINDER SIG SAUER P: 603.418.8102 E: andy.york@sigsauer.com W: www.sigsauer.com E11

E11

5 - DAY IBERIAN MOUFLON SHEEP & IBERIAN RED DEER OR FALLOW DEER FOR 2 HUNTERS & 2 NONHUNTERS (Trophy fees included

for 2 mouflon and 2 deer) SPANISH MOUNTAIN HUNTS Gonzalo Colomina P: +34.69.028.1553 E: gonzalocolomina@yahoo.es W: www.spanishmountainhunts.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711 E12

BOSWELL’S CUSTOM TITANIUM SUPER LIGHT RIFLE IN A 6.5 PRC

E12

BOSWELL’S CUSTOM RIFLES Steve Boswell P: 301.739.3632 E: boswellscustom@yahoo.com W: www.boswellscustomrifles.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 137

F1

HOWA M1500 CARBON FIBER 6.5 PRC THREADED 5/8X24 W/BIPOD & NIKKO STIRLING 4-16X44 OPTICS (100% FULLY DONATED) LEGACY SPORTS INTERNATIONAL Chad J. Peters P: 775.221.7363 E: cpeters@legacysports.com W: www.legacysports.com

F1

F2

F2

MKC CULLINARY SET - BLACK

(100% FULLY DONATED) MONTANA KNIFE COMPANY Josh Smith & Sloan Brown P: 352.212.9564 E: info@montanaknifecompany.com W: www.montanaknifecompany.com F3

TROPHY CLEANING FOR HOME OR OFFICE

F4

(100% FULLY DONATED) OLD WOLF TAXIDERMY CLEANING & REPAIR Fritz Richards P: 775.303.2969 E: oldwolfcleaning@att.net W: www.oldwolftaxidermycleaning.com F4

3 - DAY WATERFOWL & SAND HILL CRANE HUNT IN ALBERTA CANADA FOR 1 HUNTER

(100% FULLY DONATED) AMERI-CANA EXPEDITIONS INC. Nick, Dan, & Pat Frederick P: 780.469.0579 E: ameri.cana@shaw.ca W: www.ameri-cana.com F5

4 - DAY MOUFLON & FALLON DEER FOR 2 HUNTERS (Trophy fee included for each species to be shared by both hunters) (100% FULLY DONATED) HUNT IN SPAIN & ALFONSO FABRES Alfonso Fabres P: +34.923.380001 E: info@huntinspain.com W: www.huntinspain.com

138 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

F5

F3

F6

F7

F6

5 - DAY ARIZONA MOUNTAIN LION HUNT WITH HOUNDS FOR 1 HUNTER

DIAMOND OUTFITTERS Dan and Terri Adler P: 520.730.8147 E: Dan@DiamondOutfitters.com W: www.DiamondOutfitters.com F7

5 - DAY COUES DEER HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN ARIZONA LET’ER RIP OUTFITTER & GUIDE SERVICE Bill Babiash P: 520.370.5457 E: badbullz@aol.com W: www.leterripoutfitters.com F8

F8

4 - DAY DUCK, PERIZ & DOVE HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN ARGENTINA

(100% FULLY DONATED) ROD & GUN RESOURCES, INC. J.W. Smith P: 800.211.4753 E: venture@rodgunresources.com W: www.rodgunresources.com F9 F9

F10

5 - DAY COLUMBIA BLACK TAIL DEER & COASTAL BLACK BEAR HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) SPOON CREEK OUTFITTERS Ken Wilson P: 541.396.2726 E: spooncreek13@gmail.com

F11

F10

THE TACTICAL - T-4-16-HD CUSTOM SERIES TACTICAL HEARING Tim Sparks P: 801.822.6888 E: tim@tacticalhearing.com W: www.tacticalhearing.com F11

7 - DAYS OF HUNTING IN LIMPOPO PROVICE FOR 2 HUNTERS (1,000 credit

towards trophy fees per hunter) (100% FULLY DONATED) IBAMBA SAFARIS Johan & Zelda Pretorius P: +27832261690 E: johan@ibambasafaris.com W: www.ibambasafaris.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 139

G1

7 - DAYS HUNTING FOR SABLE OR ROAN ANTELOPE FOR 1 HUNTER IN SOUTH AFRICA (3,000 credit towards a Sable

G1

Bull or Roan Antelope) (100% FULLY DONATED) IBAMBA SAFARIS Johan & Zelda Pretorius P: +27832261690 E: johan@ibambasafaris.com W: www.ibambasafaris.com G2

4 - DAY RIO GRANDE WILD TURKEY HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS - (CROSSBOW/ BOW HUNT ONLY)

(Trophy fees for 2 turkeys are included) LAS HAYAS (100% FULLY DONATED) Luis H. Salinas V P: 844.419.2832 E: luishsalinasv@hotmail.com W: www.puertalashayas.com

G2

G3

G3

3 - DAY SINDH IBEX (up to 39”) HUNT IN PAKISTAN FOR 1 HUNTER - (Trophy Fee up to 39” is Included -$1,000 per inch over 39) CAPRINAE SAFARIS OF TURKEY Mehmet Alkan & Riza Gozluk P: +90.532.583.9108 E: info@caprinae.com W: www.caprinae.com

G4

5 - DAY WATERFOWL

(DUCK AND GROUSE COMBO)

HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN ONTARIO (100% FULLY DONATED) KAP RIVER OUTFITTERS Peter & Terry Martin P: 705.335.3163 E: kroceo47@gmail.com

G4

G5

WYO BACKCOUNTRY CUSTOM REPLICA OF YOUR NA WILD SHEEP

WYO BACKCOUNTRY DECOR (100% FULLY DONATED) Josh & Jenny Taylor P: 307.899.4553 or 4645 E: wyobackcountrydecor@gmail.com W: www.wyobackcountrydecor.com G6

FNAWS HORN MUGS ORIGINAL ART

ANTLERED ART Todd Strupp P: 715.642.3937 E: toddstrupp@gmail.com W: www.antleredmugworks.com 140 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

G6 Samples of Work

G5

G7

G7

10 - DAY MOUNTAIN GOAT HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN BC TUCHODI RIVER OUTFITTERS Nathan Digby P: 403.809.1246 E: info@tuchodiriveroutfitters.com W: www.tuchodiriveroutfitters.com G8

7 - DAY LADIES SOUTH AFRICA HUNT, FOR 4 HUNTERS ($500 credit per

hunter toward trophy fees) (100% FULLY DONATED) NUMZAAN SAFARIS Jaco Swanepoel P:+27.82.498.7061 E: lenette@numzaan.com W: www.numzaan.com G8

G10

G9

2 - DAY RIO GRANDE TURKEY HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) 805 OUTFITTERS Greg McGill P: 805.610.4014 E: 805OUTFITTERSCA@gmail.com G10

G9

“CRITTER OF THE CRAGS” AN ORIGINAL BRONZE #6/36 FRANK ENTSMINGER WILDLIFE BRONZE ARTIST Frank Entsminger P: 907.883.2833 E: bronzeart@aptalaska.net W: www.frankentsminger.com G11

8 - DAY SOUTH AFRICA HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS G12

G11

(100% FULLY DONATED) NUMZAAN SAFARIS Jaco Swanepoel P:+27.82.498.7061 E: lenette@numzaan.com W: www.numzaan.com G12

DALL SHEEP HORN VASE ON A ROCK BASE

WYO BACKCOUNTRY DECOR Josh & Jenny Taylor P: 307.899.4553 or 4645 E: wyobackcountrydecor@gmail.com W: www.wyobackcountrydecor.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 141

H1

H1

7 - DAY ARCHERY MULE DEER HUNT IN ARIZONA FOR 1 HUNTER (August Velvet Hunt or

December Rut Hunt - Hunters Choice) BIG CHINO OUTFITTERS JP Vicente P: 928.925.9395 E: bigchinooutfitters@gmail.com W: www.bigchinooutfitters.com H2

7 - DAY FISHING TRIP ON THE AMAZON RIVER BASIN IN BRAZIL FOR 1 ANGLER (peacock, araprima, catfish & many others) (100% FULLY DONATED) ROD & GUN RESOURCES, INC. J.W. Smith P: 800.211.4753 E: venture@rodgunresources.com W: rodgunresources.com

H3

SIG SAUER P229 PRO 9MM

H2

SIG SAUER P: 603.418.8102 E: andy.york@sigsauer.com W: www.sigsauer.com

H4

5 - DAY TROPHY WHITETAIL DEER HUNT IN KANSAS FOR 2 HUNTERS BELL WILDLIFE SPECIALTIES DIRT NAP OUTDOORS, LLC Paul Davis P: 870.243.9491 E: dirtnapoutdoorsllc@gmail.com W: www.dirtmapoutdoorsllc.com Daniel Bell P: 789.589.2321 E: bellwildlife@earthlink.net H5

2 - DAY / 2 - NIGHT FISHING TRIP FOR 2 ANGLERS AND 1 NON-FISHING COMPANION ON THE BRAZOS RIVER, TX (100% FULLY DONATED) FINSTINCTS J.D. Roberts & Kade Wooton P: 817.733.3615 E: fishingwithfinstincts@gmail.com W: www.finstincts.net THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711

142 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

H4

H5

H3

H6

H7

H6

“TUUDI SOARING EAGLE” AN ORIGINAL BRONZE FRANK ENTSMINGER WILDLIFE BRONZE ARTIST Frank Entsminger P: 907.883.2833 E: bronzeart@aptalaska.net W: www.frankentsminger.com H7

REVERSIBLE SHEARED BEAVER MINK (This fur is

non-exchangeable, size medium) WILLIAM FURS Caline Asmar P: 775.828.0995 E: williamsfurs@yahoo.com W: www.williamfurs.com H8

5 - DAY FALLOW & RED STAG HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER

H8

(Red Stag up to 320 SCI points) FN HUNTING Martin Neuper P: +43.664.133.4870 E: fn-hunting@gmx.at W: www.fnhunting.com H9

7 - DAY SITKA BLACKTAIL DEER HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS ON KODIAK ISLAND KATMAI GUIDE SERVICE Joe & Joey Klutsch P: 907.246.3030 E: joeklutsch@gmail.com W: www.katmaiguideservice.com H10 H9

H10

NATURAL BROWN BEAVER THROW PILLOWS (SET OF THREE) & LARGE SHEARED BEAVER BLANKET WILLIAM FURS Caline Asmar P: 775.828.0995 E: williamsfurs@yahoo.com W: www.williamfurs.com H11

H11

GARMIN GPSMAP 64SX

(100% FULLY DONATED) SUMMIT LIFE MEMBER LOUIS RUPP

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 143

I1

SWAROVSKI NL PURE 10X32 BINOCULARS

I1

I3

SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA (100% FULLY DONATED) Dean J. Capuano - Comm. Manager P: 800.426.3089 Ext. 2957 E: dean.capuano@swarovskioptik.us W: www.swarovskioptik.com

I2

I2

1965 ORIGINAL 53x48 OIL ON CANVAS BY MICHAEL COLEMAN (100% FULLY DONATED) JAMES & JULIE ABBOTT P: 307.679.6549 E: jabbotta@yahoo.com I3

SPRUCE STOVE PACKAGE

(Includes: Nested Stove pipe, damper, coal grate, warming tray, stainless water tank, 12 inch legs, and mesh spark arrestor) (100% FULLY DONATED) COLORADO CYLINDER STOVESTM Wes Beaver P: 970.986.0047 E: wes@coloradocylinderstoves.com W: www.coloradocylinderstoves.com

I4

I4

5 - DAY BULL TAHR HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS

SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES Croc Adams P: 00.64.344.35113 E: croc.adams@hotmail.com W: southernmountainadventures.com I5

4 - DAY GOULDS TURKEY HUNT IN SONORA, MEXICO FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER (100% FULLY DONTED) AMIGOS GUIDES & OUTFITTERS Nayo Balderrama P: 011.52.1.662.256.2166 E: amigosoutfitters@hotmail.com W: www.amigosoutfitters.com I6

VACATION PASSPORT - CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION (2 ADULTS) HGA RESERVATIONS Matt Ashley P: 406.351.2335 E: matt@hgafundraising.com W: https://www.hgavacations.com/ caribbean-all-inclusive 144 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

I6

I5

I7

I7

SAMPLE RUG

ZEBRA RUG FROM ZIMBABWE I8

(100% FULLY DONATED) PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN WILDLIFE STUDIOS Chris Cammack P: 605.515.0769 E: prairiemountain@goldenwest.net I8

PRO-MASTER SC423K SCOUT TRIPOD

(100% FULLY DONATED) SUMMIT LIFE MEMBER LOUIS RUPP

I9

WSF ENDOWMENT YETI TREASURE - 45 YETI COOLER & SURPRISE GIFT INSIDE 1 in 8 CHANCES TO WIN BIG! FRIENDS OF WSF P: 406.404.8764 E: knieters@wildsheepfoundation.org W: www.wildsheepfoundation.org I10 I9

I10

6 - DAY RED BROCKET DEER HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN CAMPECHE MEXICO (100% FULLY DONATED) MEXICO HUNTING SPECIALISTS Mario Canales P: 52.552.299.9935 E: mexicohuntings@gmail.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711

I11

“GOING HOME HEAVY” METAL SCULPTURE SAMPLE OF WORK

I11

I12

METAL MONKEY DESIGN CO Jennifer Phillips P: 780.914.0312 E: metalmonkeydesignco@gmail.com W: www.metalmonkeydesignco.com I12

LIFE-SIZE WILD SHEEP MOUNT W/HABITAT

(100% FULLY DONATED) CEDAR MOUNTAIN TAXIDERMY Donny & Rachel Paul P: 307.250.8918 E: cedarmountaintaxidermy@gmail.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 145

J1

EAGLE RARE 10 YEAR OLD WHISKEY

J1

J2

(100% FULLY DONATED) JULIE & BRANDON CHAPMAN P: 812.610.0097 e: jhelmchapman@yahoo.com J2

4 - DAY CANTABRIAN CHAMOIS HUNT IN SPAIN FOR 1 HUNTER

(Trophy Fee for 1 Cantabrian Chamois) GIUSEPPE CARRIZOSA - SPAIN Giuseppe Carrizosa P: +34.68.693.5651 E: giuseppecarrizosa@gmail.com W: www.giuseppecarrizosa.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711 J3

6 - DAY ALBERTA WHITETAIL DEER HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) CARTER OUTFITTING LTD. Scott Carter P: 780.977.8188 E: carteroutfitting@gmail.com W: www.carteroutfitting.com

J3

J4

4 - DAY 2 IBERIAN MOUFLON SHEEP HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS IN SPAIN

(Trophy Fee included for 2 Iberian mouflon) GIUSEPPE CARRIZOSA - SPAIN Giuseppe Carrizosa P: +34.68.693.5651 E: giuseppecarrizosa@gmail.com W: www.giuseppecarrizosa.com J5

9 - DAY ALASKAN ADVENTURE FOR 1 ANGLER IN LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK AT STONEWOOD LODGE CAVNER & JULIAN Preston & Stacie Cavner P: 907.717.4427 E: cavneralaska@gmail.com W: www.huntingadventure.com

146 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

J5

J4

J6

J6

9 - DAY ALASKAN HUNT FOR 2 MOUNTAIN GOATS AND 1 SITKA BLACKTAIL DEER FOR 1 HUNTER

KODIAK OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Paul Chervenak P: 907.486.3008 E: paul@kodiakoutdoors.com W: www.kodiakoutdoors.com J7

BLANTON’S GOLD LABEL (100% FULLY DONATED) JULIE & BRANDON CHAPMAN P: 812.610.0097 E: jhelmchapman@yahoo.com J7

J8

J11

J8

STAGG JR. BARREL 130 PROOF WHISKEY

(100% FULLY DONATED) JULIE & BRANDON CHAPMAN P: 812.610.0097 E: jhelmchapman@yahoo.com J9

SWAROVSKI CL POCKET 10x25 GREEN WILD NATURE BINOCULARS

SWAROVSKI OPTIK NORTH AMERICA (100% FULLY DONATED) Dean J. Capuano - Comm. Manager P: 800.426.3089 Ext. 2957 E: dean.capuano@swarovskioptik.us W: www.swarovskioptik.com

J9

J10

2 - DAY RIO GRANDE TURKEY HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER IN KANSAS J10

THE ORIGINAL KANSAS TROPHY WHITETAILS Stan Christiansen P: 314.851.7911 E: stanc942@gmail.com W: www.kansas-trophy-whitetails.com J11

RMP LITE TI RIFLE (100% FULLY DONATED) RMP RIFLES Dustin Crandall P: 970.317.0157 E: dustin@rmprifles.com W: www.rmprifles.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 147

K1

“TEXAS BIGHORN SOCIETY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

K1

K3

(100% FULLY DONATED) TEXAS BIGHORN SOCIETY P: 806.754.7783 E: info@teaxasbighornsociety.org W: www.texasbighornsociety.org K2

RAMSHORN SOCIETY LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP TO WYOMING WSF (100% FULLY DONATED) WYOMING WSF P: 307.213.0998 E: info@qhomingwildsheep.org W: www.wyomingwildsheep.org

K2

K3

4 - DAY ROE DEER HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER

(Trophy fee for Roe deer is included) THE IBERIAN HUNTING EXPERIENCE Fernando Diaz P: 972.994.6924 E: contact@theiberianhuntingexperience.com W: www.theiberianhuntingexperience.com

K4

K4

6 - DAY BLACK BEAR HUNT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) ARCADIA OUTFITTING, LTD. Ben Stouric P: 403.763.8553 E: info@arcadiaoutfitting.com W: www.arcadiaoutfitting.com K5

“BILLY THE KID” 12X18 FRAMED PHOTO

(100% FULLY DONATED) MOUNTAIN GIRL PHOTOGRAPHY Tessa Fowler P: 307.250.9424 E: wyomingmountaingirl@hotmail.com W: www.mountaingirlphotography@ shootproof.com K6

“KING OF THE CLARK’S FORK” 24X30 METAL PHOTO (100% FULLY DONATED) MOUNTAIN GIRL PHOTOGRAPHY Tessa Fowler P: 307.250.9424 E: wyomingmountaingirl@hotmail.com W: www.mountaingirlphotography@ shootproof.com 148 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

K5

K6

K7

K8

K7

“OLE CHIP HORN (B/W)” 16X20 METAL PHOTO

(100% FULLY DONATED) MOUNTAIN GIRL PHOTOGRAPHY Tessa Fowler P: 307.250.9424 E: wyomingmountaingirl@hotmail.com W: www.mountaingirlphotography@ shootproof.com K9

K8

“BIGHORN LAMB” 12X18 FRAMED PHOTO

(100% FULLY DONATED) MOUNTAIN GIRL PHOTOGRAPHY Tessa Fowler P: 307.250.9424 E: wyomingmountaingirl@hotmail.com W: www.mountaingirlphotography@ shootproof.com K10

K9

“HALF RAM” 24X30 METAL PHOTO

(100% FULLY DONATED) MOUNTAIN GIRL PHOTOGRAPHY Tessa Fowler P: 307.250.9424 E: wyomingmountaingirl@hotmail.com W: www.mountaingirlphotography@ shootproof.com K10

“SKYLINE BILLY” 20X24 METAL PHOTO

(100% FULLY DONATED) MOUNTAIN GIRL PHOTOGRAPHY Tessa Fowler P: 307.250.9424 E: wyomingmountaingirl@hotmail.com W: www.mountaingirlphotography@ shootproof.com K11

K11

4 - DAY YUCATAN ENSI WHITETAIL DEER HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER

(100% FULLY DONATED) RANCHO SANTA ELENA P: 55.999.947.7550 E: calipan2103@hotmail.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION BRADFORD BLACK P: 330.802.2711 E: doc3girls@aol.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 149

L1

PRE 64 WINCHESTER MODEL 7O FEATHER WEIGHT IN 270 WITHN 3x9x36 SWAROVSKI RIFLE SCOPE

L1

LIFE MEMBER: CLEVE HOLLOWAY L2

AZYRE - WILDLY HIGHPERFORMANCE GEAR FOUNDED BY AVID HUNTER AND OUTDOORSWOMAN

L2

(100% FULLY DONATED) AZYRE Cari Goss E: contact@azyregear.com W: www.azyregear.com L3

4 - DAY/3 - NIGHT EL CARMEN ISLAND FISHING VACATION FOR 4 ANGLERS

MEXICO HUNTS/SERGIO JIMENEZ Sergio Jimenez P: 011.52.81.8863.1563 E: sjimenez@vitro.com W: www.mexicohunts.com

L3

L4

L4

GOABC LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

(100% FULLY DONATED) THE GUIDE OUTFITTERS ASSOCIATION OF BC Jennifer Johnson P: 604.541.6332 E: programs@goabc.org W: www.goabc.org

L5

L5

FNAWS OF WILD SHEEP #320 - DELUXE FRAME W/4 FNAWS STAMPS (100% FULLY DONATED) CHARLES D’LOU WILDLIFE GALLERY Diane Hazen P: 307.331.1530 E: charlesdlou@bresnan.net L6

4 - NIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE CARIBBEAN TRIP FOR 2 ADULTS HGA RESERVATIONS Matt Ashley P: 406.351.2335 E: matt@hgafundraising.com W: https://www.hgavacations.com/ caribbean-all-inclusive

150 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

L6

L7

L7

5 - DAY NEW ZEALAND HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS FOR 2X RED STAG, TAHR & CHAMOIS (TROPHY FEES FOR 2 RED STAG UP TO 400” & a $1000.00 credit towards a TAHR or CHAMOIS INCLUDED) FOUR SEASONS SAFARIS NEW ZEALAND Shane Johnston C: 011.64.274.399129 USA Cell- Jan/Feb: 214.535.9265 E: info@fourseasons.co.nz W: www.fourseasons.co.nz L8

6 - NIGHT/5-DAY HALIBUT & SALMON FISHING TRIP FOR 2 ANGLERS IN KENAI, ALASKA

L8 L9

L10

SALMON CATCHER LODGE Justin & Gloria Hilgendorff P: 518.965.5264 E: salmoncatcherlodge2001@gmail.com W: www.salmoncatcherlodge.com L9

BONFIRE - SOLO STOVE (100% FULLY DONATED) SUMMIT LIFE MEMBER LOUIS RUPP L10

GUNWERKS CLYMR RIFLE SYSTEM IN 7 PRC AND TRAINING SCHOOL L11

(100% FULLY DONATED) GUNWERKS Mitch Libby P: 307.290.7289 E: m.libby@gunwerks.com W: www.gunwerks.com L11

6 - DAY RIFLE ONLY HUNT FOR ELK IN MONTANA FOR 1 HUNTER JACK CREEK PRESERVE FOUNDATION Abi King P: 406.682.3358 E: aking@jackcreekpreserve.org W: www.jackcreekpreserve.org

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 151

M1

4 - DAY HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS IN SPAIN INCLUDING 2 MOUFLON SHEEP, OR 2 RED STAG OR 2 ROE DEER (Hunter’s choice)

M1

(Trophy fees included for 2 Mouflon Sheep or 2 Red Stag or 2 Roe deer) ESPACAZA JOSE MALLO- SPAIN Jose Mallo P: 34.91.575.76.29 E: jose@espacaza.com W: www.espacaza.com M2

BANISH SUPPRESSOR RIFLE PACKAGE

(100% FULLY DONATED) SILENCER CENTRAL Karter Keefer P: 605.705.3358 E: donations@silencercentral.com W: www.silencercentral.com

M3

M2

M3

BANISH 30

5 - DAY ARIZONA COUES DEER HUNT (with Mountain Lion Bonus) FOR 4 HUNTERS DIAMOND OUTFITTERS Dan and Terri Adler P: 520.730.8147 E: Dan@DiamondOutfitters.com W: www.DiamondOutfitters.com

BANISH BACKCOUNTRY

BANISH 22

M4

5 - DAY BULL ELK HUNT IN NEW MEXICO FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NONHUNTER (Proceeds of This Hunt

M4

Will Go To Benefit the Ranchitos De Los Ninos Childrens Home in New Mexico) FOUR DAUGHTERS RANCH Mike Mechenbier P: 505.301.4404 E: 4dcattle@sundancemech.com W: www.elranchitonm.org

M5

4 - DAY MULE DEER HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS

SHOSHONE LODGE OUTIFTTERS & TRAILS WEST OUTFITTERS Josh Martoglio P: 307.899.4673 E: shoshonelodgeoutfitters@gmail.com W: www.shoshonelodgeoutfitters.com M6

ITHACA CLASSIC DOUBLES EXHIBITION GRADE 2BBL SET 28 GAUGE SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN (100% FULLY DONATED) TERRY RATHERT P: 713.504.1789 E: flyfish2@sbcglobal.net 152 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

M6

M5

M7

M7

JUNIPER CHANDELIER

WYO BACKCOUNTRY DECOR Josh & Jenny Taylor P: 307.899.4553 or 4645 E: wyobackcountrydecor@gmail.com W: www.wyobackcountrydecor.com M8

ORIGINAL WILDLIFE ART BRONZE & PAINTING COMBO “MOUNTAIN LION” (100% FULLY DONATED) CRAIG PHILLIPS ORIGINALS Craig Phillips P: 406.827.3702 W: www.phillipsbronze.com M9

M8 M10

in progress

3 - DAY BECEITE IBEX HUNT FOR 1 OR 2 HUNTERS (Includes Trophy Fees for 1 Beceite Ibex scoring up to 70 SCI and 1 Beceite ibex scoring up to 50 SCI points) (100% FULLY DONATED) SMC SPAIN HUNTING IBEX Salva Monforte P: +34.670.765.336 E: info@spainhuntingibex.com W: www.spainhuntingibex.com M10

EXQUISITE 40CT TRIANGLE SHAPED TANZANITE - 18K ROSE GOLD & DIAMOND HANDMADE PENDANT

M9

(Accompanied by a GIA Certificate & 3rd party appraisel) BRILLIANT STARS P: 516.365.9000 E: nicole@brilliantstars.com W: www.brilliantstars.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711 M11

M11

5 - DAY NEW ZEALAND RED STAG HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS & 2 NON-HUNTERS (Trophy fee for 1 Red Stag Scoring up to 430” SCI included) SPEY CREEK TROPHY HUNTING Wyatt McBride P: 830.444.2128 E: hunt@sctrophyhunting.com W: www.sctrophyhunting.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 153

N1

5 - DAY GULF COAST MEXICAN WHITETAIL DEER HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER

N1

BELLREGUART DE SOCHIAPA Rafael Ros P: 52.934.119.0482 E: rrost@prodigy.net.mx THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711 N2

5 - DAY PYRENEAN CHAMOIS HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER (Trophy included for 1 Pyrenean chamois up to 84 CIC score) TROPHY HUNTING SPAIN Bruno Rosich P: +34.655.901.611 E: info@trophyhuntingspain.com W: www.trophyhuntingspain.com

N2

N3

“THE GATHERING ON LOOKOUT RIDGE” ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING 24”X36

(100% FULLY DONATED) BEAR CREEK FRAMES Mark Reynolds P: 530.616.0230 E: mvreynoldsfineart@gmail.com W: www.mvreynolds.com

N3

N4

GOABC 3 COOKBOOK COLLECTION (100% FULLY DONATED) THE GUIDE OUTFITTERS ASSOCIATION OF BC Jennifer Johnson P: 604.541.6332 E: programs@goabc.org W: www.goabc.org N5

5 - DAY CANTABRIAN CHAMOIS HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER CANTABRIAN MOUNTAINS OF SPAIN

IBERIAN HUNTERS Luis Ruiz Del Olmo P: +34.620.28.3418 E: luisruizdelolmo@outlook.es W: www.iberianhunters.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711

154 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

N5

N4

N6

N7

N6

4 - DAY FREE RANGE CUSTOMIZED HUNT IBERIAN RED DEER OR ROE DEER FOR 1 HUNTER & 1 NON-HUNTER (Trophy fee for Iberian mouflon sheep or Aoudad is included)

EUROHUNTS SPAIN & ALVARO VILLEGAS Alvaro Villegas P: +34.670.90.86.55 E: info@eurohunts.es W: www.eurohunts.es N7

3 - DAY/4 - NIGHT FALLOW BUCK HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER AND 1 NON-HUNTER N8

(Includes trophy fee for 180-200 CIC) (100% FULLY DONATED) WILD INSTINCT HUNGARY Georg Versch P: 49(0) 171.936.9605 E: wild@instinct-hungary.com W: www.wild-instinct-hungary.com N8

12 - DAY MOUNTAIN GOAT OR CARIBOU HUNT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA FOR 1 HUNTER

N9

N10

(100% FULLY DONATED FOR WSF THINHORN INITIATIVE) GOLDEN BEAR OUTFITTING Blake Williams P: 250.794.8350 E: gbowilliams@gmail.com W: www.goldenbearoutfitting.com N9

STONE GLACIER GEAR PACKAGE (Chilkoot 0 sleeping bag, Zenith Fleece Hoody, Sky Archer 6400 Pack) (100% FULLY DONATED) STONE GLACIER P: 406.404.0641 E: info@stoneglacier.com W: www.stoneglacier.com

N10

STONE GLACIER GEAR PACKAGE (Chilkoot 0 Sleeping Bag,

Zenith Fleece Hoody, Terminus 7000 Pack) (100% FULLY DONATED) STONE GLACIER P: 406.404.0641 E: info@stoneglacier.com W: www.stoneglacier.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 155

O1

5 - DAY ELK OR MULE DEER HUNT FOR 2 HUNTERS

O1

(Mule deer based on points or purchase land voucher (not included) HIGH MOUNTAIN HUNTS, LLC Nicholas Maragas P: 33.413.8534 E: nick@highmountainhuntsllc.com W: www.highmountainhuntsllc.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Brad Black P: 330.802.2711 O2

ORIGINAL SHEEP PAINTING BY ONA GOLTER 35”x 46” FRAMED

O2

ONA GOLTER FINE ART Ona Golter P: 307.259.4683 E: wyofineart@gmail.com W: ona-golter.pixels.com O3

E.H. TAYLOR SMALL BATCH

(100% FULLY DONATED) JULIE & BRANDON CHAPMAN P: 812.610.0097 E: jhelmchapman@yahoo.com O4

3 - DAY IBERIAN MOUFLON HUNT FOR 1 HUNTER

O4

(Trophy fee for 1 Iberian mouflon included) FERNANDO SAIZ - SPAIN Fernando Saiz P: 34.629017589 E: info@fernandosaizspain.com W: www.fernandosaizspain.com THE CONKLIN FOUNDATION Bradford Black P: 330.802.2711 O5

STEYR CL11 CARBON FIREARM 300 WIN MAG (100% FULLY DONATED) STEYR ARMS USA P: 205.807.8208 E: j.barton@steyr-arms.com W: www.steyr-arms.us.com

O5

156 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

O3

O6

O6

5 - DAY COLUMBIA BLACKTAIL DEER AND BLACK BEAR COMBO HUNT IN OREGON FOR 1 HUNTER (100% FULLY DONATED) EDEN RIDGE OUTFITTERS John McCollum P: 541.572.2305 or 541.290.2671 E: edenridgehunts@aol.com W: www.edenridgeoutfitters.com O7

O7 O9

10

LEGACY SPORTS & WSF YOUTH HUNTIN’ BUDDY PACKAGE PUMA PUMP ACTION IN 12GA (28”), 20GA (28”) AND 20GA (26”)

(100% FULLY DONATED FOR WSF S.H.E.E.P. YOUTH PROGRAM) LEGACY SPORTS INTERNATIONAL Chad J. Peters P: 775.221.7363 E: cpeters@legacysports.com W: www.legacysports.com O8

“MOUNTAIN MAN” – CERTIFIED FREDRICK REMINGTON REPRODUCTION

FRATERNITY OF THE DESERT BIGHORN Ron Luri & Paul Dixon Contact: Brett Jefferson P: 702.461.2996 W: fraternityofthedesertbighorn.com O9

STEYR MONOBLOC GRADE 6 (EXHIBITION GRADE) FIREARM

O8

(100% FULLY DONATED) STEYR ARMS USA P: 205.807.8208 E: j.barton@steyr-arms.com W: www.steyr-arms.us.com O10

BEST OF THE WEST SIGNATURE SHOOTING SYSTEM – 6.5PRC W/ HUSKEMAW 5-20 TACTICAL HUNTER SCOPE (100% FULLY DONATED) BEST OF THE WEST P: 866-754-7618 E: info@bestofthewestarms.com W: BestoftheWestArms.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 157

2024 SHEEP SHOW PERMITS

* A 5% buyer’s premium will be added to the final bid price of this special permit/tag (unless prohibited by statute.)

Proceeds will be dedicated to WSF Conservation Initiatives. If the winner of this item refuses to pay the premiums required, the item shall be offered to the next highest bidder for the price he/she bid. * NAVAJO NATION DESERT

BIGHORN - 2 AVAILABLE FOR 2024 SHEEP SHOW®

NAVAJO NATION DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE Jeff Cole P: 928.871.6595 E: jcole@nndfw.org

WYOMING GOVERNOR’S SHIRAS MOOSE LICENSE

(2 available) WYOMING GAME & FISH DEPARTMENT Tim Thomas (WGFD) • P: 307.752.0659 E: tim.thomas@wyo.gov Kurt Eisenach (WY-WSF) • P: 307.751.6251 E: keyes555@msn.com

* NEW MEXICO DESERT

BIGHORN SHEEP

NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME & FISH - WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION Caitlin Ruhl • P: 505.476.8063 C: 505.414.5029 Nicole Tatman • P:505.476.8035 C:505.469.3966

* NEW MEXICO BIG GAME

ENHANCEMENT PACKAGE

NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME & FISH - WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION Nicole Tatman • P:505.476.8035 C:505.469.3966 Caitlin Ruhl • P: 505.476.8063 C: 505.414.5029

ALASKA CHUGACH DALL’S SHEEP PERMIT - BACK FOR 2024 SHEEP SHOW®!!

ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME Tom Lohuis P: 907.267.2412 E: thomas.lohuis@alaska.gov

158 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

* 2024 OREGON SPECIAL

PRONGHORN ANTELOPE AUCTION TAG

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE Don Whittaker 503.947.6325 don.whittaker@state.or.us

* BRITISH COLUMBIA

MOUNTAIN SHEEP SPECIAL HUNTING PERMIT

FISH & WILDLIFE BRANCH, MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND THE HABITAT CONSERVATION TRUST FOUNDATION Michael Burwash P: 250.312.7305 Alicia Bates P: 250.739.8683

ARIZONA DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP

ARIZONA GAME & FISH DEPARTMENT Callie Cavalcant - Terrestrial Wildlife Branch P: 623.236.7355 E: chartson@azgfd.gov

* TAOS PUEBLO ROCKY

MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT

TAOS PUEBLO DIVISION OF NATURAL RESOURCES Michael A. Martinez - Hunt Manager P: 575.779.4105 E: hunting@taospueblo.com

STATE OF NEVADA NELSON DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP TAG

STATE OF NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE P: 775.688.1556 - Mike Cox

COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP LICENSE

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SOCIETY Terry Meyers, Executive Director - RMBS E: meyers.terry@gmail.com P: 970.640.6892 FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 159

* NEW FOR 2024 SHEEP

SHOW® OREGON - CA BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT

THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF WARM SPRINGS RESERVATION Austin Smith Jr. P: 541.553.2046 E: austin.smithjr2@ctwsbnr.org W: https://warmsprings-nsn.gov/program/ wildlife-department/

* STATE OF WASHINGTON

CALIFORNIA BIGHORN

STATE OF WASHINGTON DPT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Kyle Garrison Ungulate Section Manager Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife P: 360.584.3315 E: kyle.garrison@dfw.wa.gov

* NEW MEXICO ROCKY

MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP PERMIT

NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF GAME & FISH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT DIVISION Caitlin Ruhl • P: 505.476.8063 C: 505.414.5029 Nicole Tatman • P:505.476.8035 C:505.469.3966

* 2024 OREGON

BIGHORN SHEEP TAG

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH & WILDLIFE Don Whittaker P: 503.947.6325 E: don.whittaker@state.or.us

* ALBERTA MINISTER’S

SPECIAL LICENCE, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP

ALBERTA PROFESSIONAL OUTFITTERS Jeana Schuurman P: 780.404.0588 E: jeana@apos.ab.ca W: www.apos.ab.ca.com

ARIZONA GAME & FISH COMMISSIONER’S SPECIAL PRONGHORN TAG ARIZONA GAME & FISH DPT. Callie (Hartson) Cavalcant P: 623. 236.7355 • W: www.azgfd.gov ARIZONA ANTELOPE FOUNDATION E: info@azantelope.org W: www.azantelope.org 160 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

* NEBRASKA GAME

AND PARKS 2022 ELK

NEBRASKA GAME & PARKS COMMISSION Todd Nordeen P: 308.763.2940

COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT LICENSE ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT ALLIANCE Carla Rhyant E: info@goatalliance.org

STATE OF MONTANA BIGHORN SHEEP LICENSE

MONTANA FISH WILDLIFE & PARKS Emily Cooper P: 406.444.2663 E: Emily.Cooper@mt.gov

* IDAHO BIGHORN SHEEP IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME Jon Rachel - Wildlife Bureau Chief P: 208.334.2920

* TEXAS - DESERT BIGHORN

SHEEP PERMIT

TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE P: 512.389.4800 Froylan Hernandez - DBS Program Leader P: 432.837.0666 ext. 227 E: Froylan.Hernandez@tpwd.texas.gov Mark Garrett - Trans-Pecos WMA Project Leader P: 432.837.3251 ext. 229 E: Mark.Garrett@tpwd.texas.gov

STATE OF NEVADA PRONGHORN TAG

STATE OF NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE Cody Schroeder P: 775.688.1659

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 161

CURRENT AS OF PRESS TIME

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:1.307.527.6261 NEED NOT BE PRESENT TO WIN DRAWING DATE JAN 20, 2024 • RENO, NV

1 for

40 • 3 for $100 • 12 for $300 • 25 for $500 65 for • $1,000

$

13 - DAY STONE’S SHEEP HUNT IN BC FOR 1 HUNTER

10 - DAY BIGHORN SHEEP HUNT 2024 SHEEP SHOW RAFFLE

TERMINUS MOUNTAIN OUTFITTERS Craig & Alana Kiselbach • P: 250.442.8195 E: terminusmtn@gmail.com • W: www.terminusmountain.com

CARTER OUTFITTING LTD. • Scott Carter • P: 780.977.8188 E: carteroutfitting@gmail.com • W: www.carteroutfitting.com

10 - DAY CHIHUAHUA DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP HUNT RANCHO LA GUARIDA Jose Antonio Vallina Laguera • P: 011.52.1614.427.0840 E: jav@laguaridaranch.com • W: www.laguaridaranch.com

162 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

12 - DAY BACKPACK DALL’S SHEEP HUNT IN THE NWT GANA RIVER OUTFITTERS LTD. • Harold Grinde • P: 403.357.8414 E: ganariver@pentnet.net • W: www.ganariver.com

10 - DAY BROWN BEAR HUNT ON THE AK PENNINUSULA

5 - DAY BLACK BEAR HUNT IN ONTARIO FOR 1 HUNTER

ALASKA HUNTING EXPEDITIONS, LLC KAP RIVER OUTFITTERS Jim Kedrowski • P: 907.373.4773 Peter & Terry Martin • P: 705.335.3163 E: jimkedrow@mtaonline.net E: kroceo47@gmail.com

5 - DAY TROPHY WHITETAIL DEER HUNT IN KANSAS 1 HUNTER ARCHERY ONLY

5 - DAY ALASKAN CARIBOU HUNT ALASKA HUNTING EXPEDITIONS, LLC Jim Kedrowski • P: 907.373.4773 E: jimkedrow@mtaonline.net

BELL WILDLIFE SPECIALTIES & DIRT NAP OUTDOORS, LLC Daniel Bell • P: 789.589.2321 E: bellwildlife@earthlink.net

8 - DAY FALL MUSKOX ADVENTURE FOR 1 HUNTER

7 - DAY LATE SEASON MOUNTAIN GOAT HUNT IN ALASKA

6 - DAY NEVADA MTN. LION HUNT

ULTIMA THULE OUTFITTERS Paul & Donna Claus E: uto@starband.net W: www.ultimathulelodge.com

CANYONS WEST GUIDE SERVICE Dave Gowan • P: 775.934.2557 E: dave@canyonswest.com W: www.canyonswest.com

CANADA NORTH OUTFITTING Shane Black • P: 250.961.7100 E: sblack@canadanorthoutfitting.com W: www.canadanorthoutfitting.com

LOUIS VUITTON GRACEFUL MM & ZIPPY WALLET Larry & Gay Johns

BOSWELL’S CUSTOM RIFLE w/SCOPE (CALIBER OF CHOICE!) (Some calibers/scope limitations apply) BOSWELL'S CUSTOM RIFLES Steve Boswell • P: 301.739.3632 E: boswellscustom@yahoo.com W: www.boswellscustomrifles.com

ULTIMATE FLORIDA EXPERIENCE FOR TWO PEOPLE (2 alligators, peacock bass, snook, redfish, tarpon, sea trout cobia & much more!)

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FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 163

WIN YOUR FIRST INTERNATIONAL

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RULES AND REGULATIONS www.wildsheepfoundation.org/memberships/less-1-club

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164 WILD S HEEP ~ FALL 2023 ®

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FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 165

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WIN YOUR FIRST SHEEP HUNT

3

1st Drawn - Need not be present to win 2nd Drawn - MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN 3rd Drawn - MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN

SHEEP HUNTS TO WIN! FOR WSF MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT TAKEN A WILD SHEEP RAM* DRAWINGS: FRIDAY JANUARY 19, 2024 SIGNUP DEADLINE: NOON, JAN. 19 <1 BEER RECEPTION • MT. ROSE BALLROOM RENO-SPARKS CONVENTION CENTER SHEEP SHOW® - BE THERE!

SIGN UP HERE

RULES AND REGULATIONS www.wildsheepfoundation.org/memberships/less-1-club

SHEEP SHOW® BEER RECEPTION SPONSORS

406.404.8750

BRETT JEFFERSON

www.wildsheepfoundation.org

Prize Packages are approximate &have not been confirmed as of 9/5/23

166 WILD S HEEP ~ FALL 2023 ®

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FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 167

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Now Accepting Nominations

Outstanding Woman Conservationist Simply email your nominations to: Kim Nieters @ knieters@wildsheepfoundation.org 168 WILD S HEEP by~ November FALL 20231, 2023 ®

Full criteria: wildsheepfoundation.org/awards/service/artemis-award

Annuli

36th ANNUAL DUNCAN GILCHRIST PHOTO CONTEST PHOTOS JUDGED AT THE 2023 SHEEP SHOW

People’s Choice winner receives a pair of Leica 10x42 Trinovid HD binoculars

UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSIONS HERE

2023 People’s Choice winner

JERRY HERROD

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 169

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170 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

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QUESTIONS? Kim Nieters knieters@wildsheepfoundation.org 406.404.8764

bid.wildsheepfoundation.org FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 171

SHEEP SHORTS

Photo: Duncan Gilcrest

by Alan Sackman

COMPLETING MY OCTOGENARIAN NORTH AMERICAN SLAM

T

he idea came to me as I was leaving a luncheon and ran into Rex Baker. Rex, who had just turned 80, is a renowned sheep hunter. He mentioned that he was planning to complete a FNAWS, start to finish, while in his 80’s. The feat had never been accomplished. I am two years older than Rex, so, liking his idea, I decided to go for an old-man FNAWS of my own. I knew the most difficult ram would be the Stone’s sheep. If I could snag that trophy, I would be on my way.

I booked a Stone’s sheep hunt with Billy Oestreich of Bluestone Outfitting. I’ve known Billy for many years and successfully hunted two Stone’s in his area—the first one in the early 1980’s. Billy told me if I can ride a horse, he could get me a ram.

My grandson, Austin Nick, and I arrived in Dease Lake, British Columbia in August 2021. After three days hunting on horseback and setting up a spike camp, we had no sheep. We moved to Plan B. Austin and his guide would take the horses and hunt in one direction. I would go in another direction with Billy.

The following day, we got into Billy’s plane and flew northwest for about 45 minutes. Billy told me

172 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

that he had not hunted in this area for about 10 years. We landed on a small lake and set up our spike camp. I went fishing while Billy went scouting. It was a productive day followed by a great evening.

I caught four trout for dinner and Billy spotted five sheep on the nearest mountain range.

It rained all night and into the morning. There was no trail on the mountain range, and we had no horses. We started out in the rain at 8:30 am, and reached the summit at around 2pm. Billy spotted the five sheep sleeping at 350 yards. He watched while I took a short cat nap. Billy finally poked me awake and said the sheep were up. We both felt they would feed down the mountain toward us. They did just that. Of the five rams, two were shooters about nine years old.

We decided on the dark one, now standing at 250 yards. When I pulled the trigger on my STW, he fell right over. Number one—and the hardest trophy—down.

Our trip down the mountain with the meat, cape, and skull took three hours more. I fell three or four times. Halfway down, Billy kindly volunteered to carry my rifle.

I completed the downhill journey with my walking stick and small backpack. Back at spike camp, I drank the most satisfying beer I’ve ever drunk!

Two days later, Austin shot his ram, which completed a great outing in the Cassiar Mountains of British Columbia.

For Christmas 2022, my wife Barbara bought me a desert sheep permit for Carmen Island, Mexico.

Our good friend Alain Smith helped Barb with the permit and also bought one for himself. In April 2022, we both headed for the Island.

Hunting with Alain is always a fun trip. He brought his guitar and sang funny songs that all the Spanish guides enjoyed. We both got our rams on the third day. We spent the next few days laughing, drinking, FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 173

The challenges, the excitement, and, most of all, the outdoor adventures with great people, are what I have always enjoyed. fishing and listening to Alain play his guitar. We had a really great time.

In August 2022, I went Yukon Dall’s sheep hunting with Mervyn’s Yukon Outfitting. Several of my family members have hunted with Merv and Jen. Barb shot her ram there 20-plus years ago, and two of my grandchildren also have taken rams here. On this trip, I was joined by my grandson, Alan Nick, on his first sheep hunt.

I was assigned to the Willow Camp, one of the five main camps.

This is a true horseback hunt. The camp is on a lake full of lake trout and grayling, and the hunting area is about a three-hour horseback ride each day. We saw rams each day, but not always in the right spot.

On the third day, my guide, Chad Smith, decided to go in another direction—and it turned out to be a good decision.

After our three-hour horseback ride, we tethered the horses and climbed for an hour-and-a-half to the top of a large ridge line.

Rebecca, who was with us, is a great asset, both as a wrangler and someone not afraid to skin and gut rams and caribou. Both Chad and Rebecca were patient with me while climbing. I can’t say enough about Chad, a world-class guide. His knowledge of the mountains and animal behavior is fantastic. I got my ram that afternoon at 254 yards.

The next day we relaxed in camp and went fishing. We had delicious fresh fish for dinner, followed by sheep fillets.

I also had a caribou tag, so we went horseback riding in the rain on

174 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

the fifth day in search of a trophy.

On our way out, we saw one large herd of mountain caribou, but there was no way to get to them. We rode for about three hours and spent another hour-and-a-half glassing in the rain. When glassing, you tend to get cold because you’re not moving.

Time to move on to Plan B, again.

We rode around the mountain until we spotted five caribou—two males and three females. Rebecca stayed with the horses while Chad and I hiked forward 200 hundred yards to some rock outcroppings.

Then we watched and waited. The caribou would cut across to our right at about 250-300 yards. I took the shot at 260 yards, and we had our bull caribou. This was an amazing animal—a triple shovel with great bezezs, the largest caribou I have ever taken.

The three-and-a-half hour ride back to camp with our packhorses was pleasant, as the rain had stopped. The next day, we relaxed and went fishing. Word came to us that my grandson Alan had gotten his ram the same day. We were two happy hunters. The following day, the float plane came to fly Alan and me back to Whitehorse.

Three rams down, and now to get a Rocky Mountain bighorn.

Rex told me he spent 14 days in Alberta without seeing a shooter. I met Brendan Burns earlier that year at the Safari Club International convention and he asked me if I could be “on call” for a bighorn. Of course, I agreed. Brendan has access to the Chippewa Cree tribe lands in Montana. His native guide, Justin Fourcolors, watches out for when the

rams get to an accessible location to hunt.

In October, while sitting at home in New York, I received a call from Brendan. He told me the rams were in a great location and asked if I could come immediately. I quickly had my granddaughter Samantha book me a flight to Great Falls, and the next morning I was on a flight to Montana. When I arrived at the airport in mid-afternoon, my gun did not arrive with me. We waited anxiously a couple of hours for the next flight—I was antsy to get out there and take the bighorn.

The rifle arrived and we headed out to the reservation. There we met Justin, who was very excited as the rams were located in a great spot. I changed clothes in the field and we headed up the mountain— about a 30-minute climb. The group consisted of six rams, with one good shooter. All the rams were lying down. With about 15-20 minutes of light left, they all finally got up.

The big one was 364 yards away and a complete broadside shot. I took it, the STW did its job, and the ram fell in its tracks. In my life of sheep hunting, this goes down as the fastest hunt I’ve ever had—just a half day. Huge thanks to both Brendan and Justin for this fine ram.

Well, thus at 83 years and eight months, I completed my FNAWS —all in my 80s. I don’t know if Rex has gotten his yet, but I must thank him for the idea. The challenges, the excitement, and, most of all, the outdoor adventures with great people, are what I have always enjoyed. WS

What separates posers from the real deal?

This badge.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 175

ADVENTURE PROFILES

Mark Wells

SPECIES: Desert Sheep OUTFITTER: Lancaster Expeditions GUIDE: Ryan Harder ERRATA: In the summer issue, Wild Sheep® incorrectly listed Mark’s information about the beautiful desert sheep that completed his FNAWS. Correction: his guide for this ram was Ryan Harder, and his outfitter was Lancaster Expeditions. Our apologies Mark, and congratulations!

Brian Austin

SPECIES: Stone’s Sheep OUTFITTER: Prophet Muskwa Outfitters GUIDE: Gary Van Hee LOCATION: British Columbia, Canada After eight days of hunting, I was able to connect with this eight-year-old Stone’s sheep to complete my FNAWS.

Cale Perry Charles Byrd

SPECIES: Beceite Ibex OUTFITTER: Salva Monforte GUIDE: Salva Monforte LOCATION: Spain I hunted for five days and took this billy. Good Food, quality lodging and quality guiding!

176 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

SPECIES: Stone’s Sheep OUTFITTER: Scoop Lake Outfitters GUIDE: Garth Olafson LOCATION: British Columbia, Canada Going on three stalks in four days was such a rush, I always felt like success could happen any moment. I passed on a couple squeaker rams and karma gave me my FNAWS ram on day four. I had spent 24 days, over three consecutive years spotting 48 rams and four stalks to get on an animal of this caliber and I couldn’t have written a better end to this chapter of my first FNAWS.

Russell Bolton

SPECIES: Stone’s Sheep OUTFITTER Self-Guided LOCATION: British Columbia, Canada After two days of pre-season scouting through smoke and haze from the fires, a foggy opening day where we were busted by a band of rams with a mature lighter colored ram, and then a second day of steady rain, I was fortunate to take this beautiful dark stone ram on the third day of the 2023 season, my fifth day in sheep country. We stepped out of the tent at 4:30 am and for the first time could clearly see distant peaks in every direction. As we hiked up we spotted sheep feeding in every direction. We had just reached a saddle that would take us around the side of a mountain with several bowls on the back side. As we glassed the first bowl we saw this ram with a ewe and two younger rams. They were over 500 yards away, but luckily they fed right to us, and I was able to take him at 120 yards as he stepped onto a bluff just below us. Taking this Stone’s ram was easily the highlight of my hunting career, and taking it with the .270 my dad gave me in 1996 for Christmas (three years before he passed away) put an exclamation point on how special this hunt was, and this ram is, to me.

Brian Jones

SPECIES: Stone’s Sheep OUTFITTER: Spatsizi River Outfitters GUIDE: Reg Collingwood LOCATION: Canada In February of 2020 after multiple inquiries with outfitters I got on the phone with Reg Collingwood. Through that conversation I made the choice to reserve a spot for a 2023 Stone’s sheep hunt with Spatsizi River Outfitters.

Through countless hours of training and compiling the appropriate gear, the time had continued to pass and suddenly it was here. I made the decision to drive from Minnesota which was an amazing experience to truly see Canada.

After flying in on a Beaver float plane to our base camp, the hunt was on. I left the following morning with two amazing guides, Jay and Pete, three of the hardest working wranglers Ryan, Warick, and Nea,l and 26 draft/cross horses. We rode horses for two days to get into the hunting area. We saw multiple rams and ewes during the first few days of the hunt. Everything was just as I thought it would be.

On day four of my hunt we noticed three rams late in the day perched on a grassy, rock ledge. We were watching from above. The decision was made to go after them. We traversed a very steep crevasse to get to the bottom of the canyon for a better angle on the ram.

After about an hour of descending and crossing ridges one by one, we were able to close the distance and get into position to make a 275-yard shot. I was able to keep my composure enough to seal the deal on that beautiful ram.

I can say unequivocally that this was the most beautiful and amazing place I have ever been, and so thankful to everyone at Spatsizi River Outfitters that was involved in making it a truly memorable experience.

Photo: Tim Shinabarger

Cody Carlon

Philip Lennox

Getting to hunt sheep in an area that does not allow public access except during a small time frame in December makes this hunt pretty special. No boots-on-the-ground pre-scouting the area. It’s a look-at-maps-and-guesswhere-the-sheep-will-be-and-get-afterit-type hunt. I was lucky enough to get invited two years before on a friend’s hunt in the same unit, so already being there before was somewhat of an advantage. I also had two other friends in camp that had been on hunts in the area. I was really fortunate to have that type experience in my corner. After five days of eight-plus-mile hikes, I could see everyones’ batteries starting to wear down. With Christmas coming up in a few days I would be losing the help of my sons and friends, so I decided we would all go look into the area where we had seen the most rams. It didnt take long, as the ten-year-old, flat-topped ram that tugged at my temptation strings on day two showed himself. I had let him walk a few days before, after watching him for a few hours. I wasnt ready to be done hunting and knew the mass measurement was going to land on the eroded part of his horn. The rams were in a good spot for them, but not me. So, after a long stalk that changed course about four times, I was finally within comfortable rifle range, and the rest is history. I’ve been fortunate to hunt a few sheep, but having my wife, Becky, and sons, Evan and Hardy, with me when it all went down made this one hands-down my favorite. And a big thanks to friends Doxey, (aka Justin), Dusty and Chris, for taking the time to come down to hunt some sheep.

The First Area 7 Type 6 As anyone reading this can attest to, the West and its jagged wildness calls us, holds us, pushes and pulls. I’m a transplant here and like so many other pilgrims, I showed up hungry to connect. Certain landmarks, legends and creatures are totems that conjure what it means to be wild and western, the Rocky Mountain bighorn being high on that list.

Other than my beautiful wife, hunting is the only thing to have swept me off my adult feet, and to hunt sheep as a youngish man is to be fully swept. This year I drew an area 7 type 6 ewe/lamb tag, honored to do so as it’s the first year being offered and one of the only times ewe hunting has been allowed in the region. As I understand it, WGFD’s primary goal with sheep is maintaining and improving overall herd health. This tag was the result of research by local biologist, Aly Courtemanch, University of Wyoming nutritional ecologist professor, Kevin Montieth, and others, the idea being that targeting ewes and reducing herd size would lead to more food per sheep and greater overall health.

Underneath red and grey cliffs overlooking Crystal Creek in the Gros Ventre River drainage, a mature ewe fell to my efforts. Crazy enough to take my bow, I became the first hunter to fill this tag opening day 8/15/22. She immediately went on to provide valuable data to further sheep research and the conservation of her species, as well as feed my family with protein of the highest caliber. In a more spiritual sense, the memory of the hunt will snowball my dreaming, tying me to the landscape, and the horns on our living room wall will be a token reminder of the freedom and frailty of life on the edge.

SPECIES: Desert Sheep OUTFITTER: Self-Guided LOCATION: Nevada

SPECIES: Bighorn Sheep OUTFITTER: Self-Guided LOCATION: Wyoming

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 177

The nerves and shakes were kicking in. We immediately threw backpacks down and went prone—the months of breathwork and trigger control practice took over. The nerves calmed down just enough and BOOM! The stars aligned for a wonderful hunting experience, and to take a past-his-prime (but still CIC gold medal) trophy—hunting and conservation at its finest. The adrenaline killed the back pain, and while my wife was not 100%, she was getting by with the Covid—and I knew I owed her one.

John Moncrief

SPECIES: Gredos Ibex OUTFITTER: Nacho Arias Spanish Hunt GUIDE: Nacho R. Arias LOCATION: Spain This was my first international hunt, and I couldn’t have been more excited.

We arrived to the Gredos Mountain range after a couple days in Madrid to acclimate to the time change. I had no idea what to expect with this hunt. The mountains were as rugged as they were beautiful—and after the plane flight and car ride, my slipped disc was acting up—I was a bit nervous about how it would hold up once we hit the trail. My friend Cameron and I met our guide, Nacho, and the entourage of national park officials. Our Spanish was just as minimal as their English. We did our paperwork over espressos and cakes, and they tried to explain to me what I was after—it sounded like they had a specific, solitary and very mature ram in mind—one that had been pushed down to lower altitudes, had already lost a lot of weight, and would likely not survive the winter.

As we were ascending the winding mountain roads, I received a text from my wife right before we lost service saying that she had just tested positive for Covid. I was told we’d have a chance to sight our rifles in, but here we were, in the hunting area and I had not fired the gun since before the trip (and my Pelican case looked a bit more beat up than before the trip, too). With all of that on my mind, and a twinge in the lower back with each step—we set off.

We got to an open area and he said it was where we would sight the rifle in.

We set a small paper at 160 yards and as the boom from the 6.5 PRC echoed through the mountains, I was a bit nervous we had just put every animal within miles on alert. The terrain changed from rocky rolling hills, to steep brushy mountainsides with rock outcrops and there he was, 260 yards and a bit uphill in a grassy opening on a hillside.

178 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Tom Foss

with wary whitetails, but this was much more intense. Temir’s knowledge of ibex came to the forefront and I was able to put an arrow through both lungs at forty yards. He was eleven years old and fulfilled my goal to always try to take the oldest trophy on the mountain.

We enjoyed cooking up the meat at a shepherd’s primitive hut and it was a well-rejoiced meal in true Turkish fashion. Sadly, only a few months later the country was hit by two terrible earthquakes. I feel fortunate to have experienced the hospitality and kindness of the people and learn that this was the only archery taken ibex in the past few years. My friends tell me that if you are going to do some international hunts you need to be even more patient and flexible and positive than you might be here in North America. Working with Temir and Kurshat and their company, Wild Hunting in Turkey eliminated many problems and sure made this trip special.

After the hunt Temir was able to show me some wonderful sights in Adana and their beautiful citrus orchards, some restaurants and I left Turkey as a friend.

I look forward to more hunts with them, they truly deliver more than they promise.

SPECIES: Bezoar Ibex OUTFITTER: Wild Hunting Turkey GUIDE: Temir Ekenler LOCATION: Turkey In October of 2022 I was able to hunt Turkey for a Bezoar ibex with Temir Ekenler of Wild Hunting in Turkey.

The flight to Istanbul and then to Adana was uneventful and Turkish Airlines was awesome. My luggage made it, so that is such a relief when bowhunting.

After some hard scouting by his team, they had located a group of ibex with one particularly good male. When we went searching for them, we turned up another even larger, ancient, beautiful male, that was alone on the mountain.

This would make things much easier for this Canadian bowhunter to stalk.

Temir had warned me that ibex are much spookier than sheep and that they wouldn’t stand for any movement or noise. My guide pointed out something in a bush only forty yards away. How he saw those horns with his naked eye is beyond me as it took me some time with my binos to finally locate six inches of its horns hidden behind some trees. We were pinned down and it was too noisy to move, but glassing and ranging the ibex, I thought there was a basketballsized hole to shoot through if the ibex gave us a chance. I have had showdowns

Boyd Wilson

SPECIES: Stone’s Sheep OUTFITTER: Northcurl Outfitters GUIDE: Milan Marcettaa LOCATION:Yukon Canada I was back to hunt just northeast of Whitehorse, and we put 30km on the first day.

We woke the next morning and rounded the base of the mountain to see 13 rams skirting the bottom, but lost them for a few hours and thought they had went over the pass. As we climbed to the peak to look down we realized that we had been within 100 yds of them earlier. I found a rest on the side of the mountain and made a 465-yard shot on a beautiful Stone’s ram...an amazing hunt!

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@wildhuntinginturkeyasia FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 179

OFFICIALLY KICKED OUT!

The following <1 Club® or <1iClub® members have LOST their membership status by taking their nt! u h p e e h s T S R I F r u o win y sign up to first wild sheep rams! win you r FIRST sheeirpt)h unurt!FIRST sheep hunt!Congratulations!

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James Wisley Dall’s/NWT

ftwoutfitters.com

I have dreamed of hunting sheep for most of my life, and was finally able to achieve my goal this year! My wife Janice and I flew to NWT in early August for a hunt with Stan and Helen Stevens of Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters. We located some rams early on day two of the hunt. We covered a lot of ground and finally got in position late in the evening. After crawling up the back of a knob, we got in position at 350 yards away from the sheep. What a blessing to achieve a lifelong goal and have my wife right next to me! Thank you to Stan and Helen and our guide Jordan Wagner. They are the best and Jordan was awesome!

Way to go James, you are Kicked Out! 180 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

John King Dall’s/Alaska

Thanks for the work everyone puts into <1 Club®.

We got it done. I’m out of the club. It was an amazing opportunity and life experience.

Way to go John, you are definitely out of the club!

Terry Mehlhaff Fannin/Yukon

It was late August of 2022 when I began the hunt-of-alifetime in the Yukon Territory. I started my journey at the base camp of Reynolds Outfitting, but only for the night, because tomorrow would begin my quest for a ram.

Spencer, my young but experienced guide, had an ambitious plan. We hiked up and down ridge lines, over mountains, often following century old sheep trails. We spotted several head of sheep but not one that Spencer felt was worthy. One afternoon we breached a ridge, and started glassing a large grassy bowl just ahead. Spencer quickly spotted a small band of rams that looked to have potential.

Two rams were legal and one was spectacular! Slowly, we were able to close the distance but they were still beyond my comfort zone. I laid ready and waiting, hoping they would start feeding my direction. We continued to watch, me through my rifle scope, and Spencer through the spotting scope. They were feeding closer, but the ram I was targeting wasn’t giving me an ethical shot. Two of the rams bedded, but the one I wanted kept standing. He finally started to bed as well, and suddenly took a slight uphill turn towards me. A squeeze of the trigger and the ram was down! As we made our way to the ram, I realized I had taken down a Fannin, a ram that far exceeded my dreams, with a B&C net score of 167 4/8`.

Way to go Terry, you are Kicked Out in award-winning style!

Jonathan Blank Dall’s/NWT

Jonathon Blank, Retired U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant was involved in an IED explosion in 2010 while conducting a long-range reconnaissance mission in Afghanistan. He sustained shrapnel wounds to his left arm and head. The blast also severed his legs. That hasn’t stopped Blank’s drive to continue doing epic adventures.

Jonathon attended the Wild Sheep convention in Reno last year and became a member of the foundation and <1 Club®.

Thanks to an amazingly generous family, Blank was able to go on his first sheep hunt in the Northwest Territories at Canol Outfitters!

With team work, Blanks drive, and amazing shooting abilities, his dream came true on lucky day two with a nine-year-old, broomed ram!

Congratulations Jonathon! You are officially Kicked Out of the <1 Club®!

Crew involved: Guide: Kash Mair Sherpa/ Friend: Cole Kramer Cameraman 1: Matt Hines Cameraman 2: Riley Connell

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LAST SHEEP CAMP

Robert Garry “RG” Vince

Robert Garry “RG” Vince commercial bush pilot, guide, outfitter, rancher, and hunter, wore many hats through his long life in Northern British Columbia. Garry was born in Dawson Creek in 1936, the youngest child of Ted and Lucy Vince, who early on, cut his own trail. He spent his informative years in Hudson’s Hope roaming the land freely and learning all that he could from the old-time trappers and hunters. Garry knew from an early age that the “bush” and mountains were where he wanted to be and quit school young to tag along on any trip he could. Garry built up his pack string and crew, taking geological survey crews in summer, hunters in the fall and working on oil and gas rigs in the winter.

In the late 50’s and early 60’s, Garry formalized his first hunting territory, built up his business,

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married, and his two oldest children Sherre and Tom joined him in the mountains.

In 1959, Garry was ready to stake land in the mountains. From the ranch on the Muskwa River Garry built up Muskwa Safaris Ltd., where his later marriage and partnership with Sandra Vince included two more kids, Karrilyn and Jolene.

Together it grew into one of the most well respected and successful hunting operations in British Columbia.

In 1965, Garry got his pilot’s license and began a lifelong passion for flying, becoming a commercial pilot and logging over 20,000 hours mostly in the mountains with 45 years in the cockpit. RG believed strongly that wildlife was a priority, and over the decades continued to advocate for prescribed burning, predator control, wildlife management, and conservation.

He was one of the early members

RPS Bancard LLC is the preferred merchant services provider for the Wild Sheep Foundation, and proud participating partner of the WSF WE GIVE Program.

RPS provides Retail and E-Commerce businesses with ultracompetitive rates for credit/debit card processing.

RPS will help minimize your company’s merchant services fees while maximizing your support of WSF, as RPS donates a percentage of your processing fees to the WSF Conservation Revolving Fund.

Join RPS in supporting the WSF WE GIVE Program, and support our shared passion for “Putting and Keeping Wild Sheep on the Mountain®”.

PAYMENT INNOVATIONS FOR A CHANGING WORLD.

For more information or to receive a no obligation rate review please call: RPS BANCARD LLC JUSTIN WISE | WSF SUMMIT LIFE MEMBER Office: 541.326.8984 • Justin@rpsbancard.com www.rpsbancard.com FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 183

of Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (now WILD SHEEP FOUNDATION), he served on the board as director for eleven years and was honored and proud to be appointed president serving as president 1994-1995.

In 1999 Garry and Sandra retired, (well not entirely) selling the ranch on the Muskwa River and the hunting company and moving to Grande Prairie, Alberta. After purchasing a quarter section with room for an airstrip, hanger for the Super Cub, a building big enough to house their trophy room, and fencing for horses, Garry began a second career as a waterfowl guide. They took a few hunters a year and Garry worked hard to build relationships with the farmers around Grande Prairie and exemplified respectful hunting practices.

Garry eventually retired permanently, including selling the

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Super Cub and moving to Creston, British Columbia, a place he and Sandra had kept an eye on over the years. Garry and Sandra successfully completed his book Reaching the Dream in 2011.

On June 29, 2023 the mountains were calling once more and Garry passed away with Sandra and kids beside him.

Garry’s influence in Northeast BC and the hunting world is wide and diverse with an extended network of family and friends that became family over the years. While RG will be greatly missed, anyone who met and spent time with him has cherished stories, either stories that RG shared (often colorful) or stories of lessons that he shared. Garry was a pilot, a guide, an entrepreneur, a conservationist, outlaw, husband, dad, grandparent and, most of all, a man of the North. WS

Cyril G. Elsinger

Cyril G. Elsinger, 87, of Dubuque, died Monday, July 24, 2023, at Oak Park Place in Dubuque.

Cyril was born April 17, 1936, in Guttenberg, IA, the son of Andrew

Bartholomue and Irene (Miller) Elsinger. On May 28, 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Carol Rose Kluesner at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Guttenberg. Together they shared a journey of love and companionship for over six decades, before she died December 8, 2018. He found love again and married his longtime friend, Lois DeSotel-Burr at St. Jude Catholic Church on April 23, 2022, in Cedar Rapids.

Cyril graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Guttenberg. He graduated from Indiana Technical College in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1958.

Cyril worked for John Deere Dubuque Works as a Mechanical Engineer for 30 years, retiring in 1992. During his retirement, Cyril worked as a black jack dealer at the Diamond Jo casino and also transported trailers for the Avalon.

Cyril was the City Clerk of Rickardsville for 14 years. In recognition for his dedication and fundraising efforts for the Foundation of North American Wild

Sheep a Waterhole Project in Arizona was dedicated in his name.

Cyril enjoyed hunting, golfing, camping, playing cards, and homesteading. He also enjoyed spending time maintaining the Rickardsville City Park.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Elsinger; four sons, Dave Elsinger, Bruce (Amie) Elsinger, Jim (Pam) Elsinger, and Mark (April) Elsinger; daughter, Linda (Pedro) Hermon; step-children, Gary (Chris) Burr, Alan (Tracy) Burr, Marcia (Scott) Bell, and Brian (Debra) Burr; 22 grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Tom (Debbie) Elsinger, Joan Saunders, and Lois Davis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; daughter, Susan Hohmann; brothers, Cyrenus, Andrew, and Frank; sister, Verna; one grandchild; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many siblings-in-law.WS

Sonora, Mexico Mule Deer • Coues Deer • Javelina • Desert Bighorn

441 N. Grand Ave., Suite 4-200 Nogales, AZ 85621 Phone: +52-6622562166 Phone: +1-5203436707 E-mail: amigosoutfitters@hotmail.com www.amigosoutfitters.com FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 185

Bear Trust International would like to congratulate the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for delisting the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Based on the scientific data, this population met the Demographic Recovery Criteria in 2008.

For the past 4 years, Bear Trust has been working to educate our youth about why grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are ready for delisting, based on the scientific data.

Watch the free introductory video to learn more: https://beartrust.org/ grizzly-bear-delisting-stem-lesson.

WWW.BEARTRUST.ORG 406.523.7779

Specializing in custom Sheep horn Chandeliers, Art and Replicas.

Josh & Jenny Taylor • 307.899.4553 or 4645 wyobackcountrydecor@gmail.com www.wyobackcountrydecor.com

186 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Minister’s Special Licence Auction 47TH SHEEP SHOW® | JANUARY 17-20, 2024, RENO, NV

PHOTO: LC OUTFITTING LTD.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WSF SHEEP SHOW® wildsheepfoundation.org Alberta has a long reputation for maintaining the healthiest and most robust Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep populations in the world. Our genetics are second to none, which is why Alberta, in the name of conservation, has shared over 700 of its own sheep with 11 states and one province over the past few decades.

Holding the world record for 89 years, then breaking its own record again in 2000 and yet again in 2015, it still boasts nine of the top 25 bighorn sheep in the world (over one-third).

For more information visit:

apos.ab.ca/MSL

Still capable of producing 200-inch-plus rams, this highly coveted Alberta’s Minister’s Special Licence just got even better! With encouragement from the Alberta Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation and help from the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society (APOS), the rules surrounding this permit are NOW OPEN to YEAR-ROUND HUNTING!!!

This premier tag allows the buyer an unprecedented opportunity to hunt at the best possible times, extending their chances for a full 365 days of UNPARALLELED possibilities. Don’t miss your chance to bid on this world-class hunt with its new and improved conditions!

Funds derived from the sale of these licences will be used to support Alberta’s understanding and conservation of its wildlife resources.

For more information:  comehuntalberta | apos.ab.ca | Tel: 780-414-0249 *This licence does not authorize hunting in any location where hunting is prohibited as outlined in the Wildlife Regulation and the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations.

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 187

Travel & G TRAVEL & GEAR

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Gear

Canada, Alberta CANMORE ARCHERY BIGHORNS Michael Simpson

3 Generations Specializing in Bow Hunting Bighorn Rams Michael Simpson 403-715-1961

Flint Simpson 403-678-8491

www.canmorearcherybighorns.com canmoresleighs@gmail.com

HUNT ALBERTA BIGHORN SHEEP IN CANMORE BOW ZONE Outfitting and Guiding in this area for over 40 years • Archery Bighorn Sheep • Archery and Rifle Mule Deer • Archery Elk • Archery Whitetail

Frank: (c) 403.682.9079 (h) 403.625.2150 simpsonrams@gmail.com • www.franksimpsonoutfitting.com FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 189

Canada, Alberta ALBERTA CANADA Backpack Hunts for Bighorn Sheep Foothill hunts for Mule Deer, Whitetail & Black Bear

A GREAT TEAM, TWO GREAT AREAS

André van Hilten P: 403.549.0111 info@willowcreekoutfitters.com www.willowcreekoutfitters.com

COME EXPERIENCE THE STONE AND FOLDING MOUNTAIN ADVANTAGE!

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Canadian Moose Tibourn Island Desert Bighorns Sheldoni Mule Deer Riie & Archery

WWW.GUINNOUTFITTERS.COM - (403) 688-1321 - KANANASKIS, ALBERTA

Blair & Rebecca Miller Box 7630 Mile 428 Alaska Highway | Toad River, BC V0C2X0 Phone: 250.232.5469 | E-mail: info@foldingmtn.com Website: www.foldingmtn.com

Canada, British Columbia We believe in providing exceptional service and unequalled opportunity on all our hunts... featuring not only a premier area for sheep, but exceptional opportunity for large Canadian moose, mountain caribou and mountain goat.

GUNDAHOO RIVER OUTFITTERS INC. MUNCHO LAKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

WE HUNT: Stone Sheep, Moose, Goat, Caribou, Elk, Black Bear & Wolf WE FISH: Lake Trout, Bull Trout, Arctic Grayling, Dolly Varden, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout & White Fish

Darwin & Wendy Cary

5615 Deadpine Dr, Kelowna, BC V1P 1A3 Tel: 250-491-1885 | Cell: 250-681-3117 Email: scooplakeinfo@gmail.com | www.scooplake.com

Canada, Northwest Territories Recent Trophies

For information contact:

Quintin & Hailey Thompson BOX 2941 ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, ALBERTA T4T 1P2 CANADA TOLL FREE 1-866-GRO-HUNT (476-4868) 1-403-391-7879 Quintin cell

www.gundahoo.com / info@gundahoo.com

190 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters Stan Stevens Phone # 250-719-8340 www.mmo-stanstevens.com mmostanstevens@gmail.com Facebook Mackenzie Mountain Outfitters

RS

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7522

Canada, Northwest Territories

South Nahanni

COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE Hunts Offered

OUTFITTERS LTD.

River raft and heli-assisted back pack hunts for:

Alaska/Yukon Moose, Dall Sheep, Mountain Caribou,

Wolf, Wolverine

GRIZ & GINGER TURNER are excited to offer exceptional

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Dall Sheep • Mt. Goat • Mt. Caribou • Alaska -Yukon Moose

Backpack Hunts enjoyed by all – using Bushplanes and Helicopters Phone: (867) 399-3194 Werner and Sunny Aschbacher Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

www.huntnahanni.com NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – CANADA

GREG ‘GRIZ’ & GINGER TURNER PO Box 58, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 5X9 867-332-RAVN(7286) | hunts@ravensthroat.com

www.ravensthroat.com Canada, Yukon EXPERIENCE THE YUKON, WHERE EVERY MOUNTAIN IS A MEMORY.

hies des dge unts

Horseback hunts for quality Dall sheep, Alaska/Yukon Moose & Mountain Caribou

Ross Elliott • 867.335.4188 www.rubyrangeoutfitters.com • info@rubyrangeoutfitters.com

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HORSE OR BACKPACK HUNTS

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DALL SHEEP • MOUNTAIN CARIBOU • MOOSE • WOLF • WOLVERINE

Contact: Harold Grinde Box 528, Rimbey, AB, TOC 2JO Phone: 403-357-8414 Email: ganariver@pentnet.net • Web: www.ganariver.com

FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 191

Alaska HUNTING ALASKA WITH DAVE MARSH Master Guide – Outfitter

(859) 338-4710 www.biggamebigcountry.com dave@biggamebigcountry.com

Texas

MULE SHOE OUTFITTERS, LLC

FREE RANGE Aoudad Red Sheep Armenian Sheep Mountain Lion Mule Deer Antelope

Justin and Sandy Wright

888-803-7316 www.muleshoeoutfitters.com muleshoe@wbaccess.net

30 Years Guiding And Outfitting West Texas Pinedale, Wyoming

BG# 283

Wyoming Big Game Hunts And Summer Pack Trips

Wyoming 2021

“Specializing in quality custom hunts” 2021 2021

2021

Meade & Andrea Dominick Cody, WY | Outfitter: WY BG -122 307.899.1490 or 307.587.9885 www.7dranchoutfitting.com meadedominick@hotmail.com

178 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2019 192 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

LET THE WILD SHEEP WORLD KNOW ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS OR SERVICE IN WILD SHEEP® MAGAZINE! Photo: Tim Shinabarger

Advertiser’s Index 1MF4 B.Fiedeldey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Marco Polo Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

2% For Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Mackenzie Mtn. Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

7D Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Mervyn’s Yukon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Alberta Professional Outfitters Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Mexico Hunts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Amigos Guides & Outfitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Monarch Taxidermy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Antlered Mugworks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

Mule Shoe Outfitters, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

BC Trophy Mountain Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Mystery Ranch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 13

Bear Trust International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Rancho La Guarida. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Bergara. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Race To The Summit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Best of the West/Huskemaw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Raven’s Throat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Big Game Big Country . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Revic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Boswell’s Custom Rifles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Boyt Harness Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Rowdy McBride Hunting Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Browning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

RPS Bancard, LLC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Canada North Outfitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Ruby Range Outfitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Canmore Archery Bighorns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Schnee’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Cervantes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Scoop Lake Outfitters, LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Chadwick Ram Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17

Shikar Safaris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Challenge Coins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Shoshone Lodge Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Conklin Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Sierra El Alamo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Dallas Safari Club (DSC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Sig Sauer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Dewey Wildlife Studios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Sitka Gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover

Epic Outdoors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194, 195

South Nahanni Outfitters, LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Federal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

St. James Sporting Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Frank Simpson Outfitting, LTD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Stone Glacier. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Full Curl Spirits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Stone & Folding Mountain Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Gana River Outfitters, LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Swarovski . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Gear Fool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Texas Bighorn Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Global Rescue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

The Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

GOABC. org. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

The Hunting Consortium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Go with Bo & Guide Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Tuudi Soaring Eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Guinn Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Vortex Optics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Gundahoo River Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Weatherby. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Hilleberg Tents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Wild Hunting in Turkey & Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Hornady . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover

Wildlife Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Jack Atcheson & Sons, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Willow Creek Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Kenetrek Boots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

WSF Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Kuiu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 9

WSF Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Legacy Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

WSF Sheep Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Leica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

WSF Wyoming. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105, 107

Leupold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Wyoming Backcountry Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Lost Creek Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Zimmerman Wildlife Studios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 193

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FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 195

ON THE ADVENTURE TRAIL

by Ken Nowicki

GEOMETRIC FORMULAS FOR FINDING SHEEP This was the culmination of a long hunt—seventy-four days of continuous search with few breaks, forty-three of which had been in steady pursuit across fifty miles of tough and rugged mountain country under all kinds of conditions from blazing sun to hailstorms. We were honed down to hard muscle and bone, but right there as we sat watching the ewes and lambs, the hard work and frustration was forgotten.* *Andy Russell in Horns in the High Country

L

ead-On Highfee and Packtrain MacNamee will argue about anything, and this day it was over the merits of a blueberries over the huckleberry. As most sheep hunters know, one of the joys of hunting in the mountains is the plethora of wild berries ripe for plucking during sheep season.

“My druthers is a ripe patch of Hucks,” smacked Lead-On. “You get the finest quality in the mountains down in Montana, and around the old burns in Southern B.C.” “But them blueberries is all over the North Country and you’ll find them in Alaska and parts between,” insisted Packtrain. “I filled many a Stetson with blues for the cook to make pies.”

“Say, why don’t we sample some of Ruby’s finest?” Lead-On lifted his nose like a dog in the wind and gazed down the counter to the pastry display. I knew I would be on the hook for the coffee and pie. But it might be worth it. See, I like to meet my venerable old outfitter friends at Ruby’s Café. I try and ply them with sweets to get them to give me some tips on where to find rams. These old birds are outfitting legends and they

196 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

have nearly a century of combined experience hunting sheep. Packtrain used horses most of his career and Lead-On favored airplanes and backpacks. Both had fine reputations for producing big rams.

“More than likely, you had the wrangler picking berries while you and the hunter wuz snoozing,” snarked Lead-On. “I dried berries and carried them for my hunters to spark up the morning granola.”

“You done all the mustering on a little old Optimus Swedish 8R. I had my grub prepared in style in a cook shack,” gurned Packtrain. Oh no, I hoped they wouldn’t start bickering!

“A chokecherry or a Saskatoon makes a right fine potion if you let it fester a bit,” further mused Packtrain.

“I always felt a little fine wine could complement a piece of sheep meat.”

“You probably like wine, Boy, I heard you whining lots, or are you still nursing those bottles of Buddy Light.” This got the two old outfitters cackling and hacking. There is nothing they like better than picking on me. I hoped I could get them talking about rams.

Truth be told, I have heard neither of these old timers cared very much about the groceries they fed

clients. But the great hunting kept most people from complaining.

“Guys, I need a tip on where to find some rams,” I pleaded. “Hunting season is coming fast.”

“You find the ewes,” said LeadOn. “Then you know you are in sheep country.”

“Yup, you have to have ewes to have rams,” said Packtrain sagely as he forked rhubarb pie into his maw.

“The more ewes you find, the more rams you find.”

“But I always thought that ewes are never found with rams, except during the rut?”

“That’s a fallacy. You need to study any group of sheep with care,” he continued. “Sometimes the real old bruisers get senile and stay right with the bunch.”

“But more often than not, during hunting season, the rams aren’t right in the bunch of ewes,” Lead-On added. “The rams will be diametrically opposed to the ewes.”

“Oh Boy,” I thought, “Will this ever be a good tip?”

“So what’s that mean— diametrically opposed?”

“Well, think of a mountain, Boy. It’s a cylinder or a cone, with some twisted like a sheep horn, but they are

all roughly the same.”

“The rams change behavior over the seasons, but you can predict where they will be depending on whether it’s early fall or late season before the rut,” lectured Lead-On. “In August and September a group of rams will be living on the other side of the mountain, 180 degrees from the ewes.

If the ewes is on the south slope, the rams will be on the north.”

“Yup,” said Packtrain. “And if the

ewes come around the mountain to the north side, the rams will circle around to the south. Usually, they like to do this in a counter-clockwise direction.” Packtrain was absent mindedly swirling his spoon and I noted it was churning the coffee in a clockwise fashion. Was he trying to mess with my head? He sometimes tries to do that.

“Now come October,” said LeadOn, “It starts getting frosty and the

sheep start getting haired up and you will find that rams like to be diametrically opposed to the ewes they know, but they also like to be looking across at a mountain 180 degrees in the opposite direction. They like to look at other ewes from a different mountain.”

“Yes, it’s like they are trying to figure out who to take to the dance.

The good looking ewes they can see over on the cross mountain, or FALL 2023 ~ WILD S HEEP® 197

the ewes they can visit by taking a sheep trail in the counter-clockwise direction on the home mountain.”

“As you get to the fall solstice and the harvest moon, you can see the behavior begin to change and the rams will sneak around clockwise to try and bump into the ewes making the circle.”

“Then, when they start to get interested in the ewes at the end of October, those rams can be seen running back and forth in both directions and sometimes they bail off the mountain and head over to the opposite mountain to check on it.

Depending on how long that takes, they might run into either rams or ewes also making the same rounds.”

“Where could I make observations and actually see this?” I asked.

Perhaps I would get a tip after all.

“We can show you where there is a fine example of diametric opposition right out there on the Steeples Range close to town. And, we can pick a few berries too.”

198 WILD S HEEP® ~ FALL 2023

“And we might even make a little old fashioned Guide’s Brew,” said Packtrain. I made lots because I got rams early in the game and had to wait around for the new clients on the hunter change day.”

And so we were soon piled into my Rusty Bucket and headed for the mountains. I had a little secret weapon

in a cooler in the back. I figured I would ply them with some Moose Drool, Huck It, Summer Honey and Campfire Cans. Then I was sure to get them talking about the best place to find bruiser bighorned rams.

As it turned out, I got neither tips, nor berries, and they cleaned me out of that good Montana beer. WS

Editor’s note: Nowicki advises he picked a beer case full of huckleberries and another full of Saskatoons.

His outfitter pals took them and promised to bring him a jug of wine, but he has not seen it yet.

Nor has he been able to put into practice the diametric theories as of this time because he later learned that you have to time the movements of the sheep by the moon phase and that the sheep only make the circuit at night.

He was told by Lead-On that he

should go out and collect some fresh dimple berries or dangle berries and learn to identify whether they are produced by rams or ewes. Lead-On called them smart pills and suggested there was a way to size and sex them and thereby determine if the sheep were moving clockwise or in the other direction.

Nowicki says he will continue his studies on berries of all kinds in his quest to learn everything he can about hunting rams.

Hilleberg tents.

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Hunter Byrnes

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Aron Snyder

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Adam Foss/foss.media

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