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RAM AWARDS SHOW DETERMINATION, CONSERVATION
The Ram Awards at the 2023 Sheep Show® in Reno were a highly successful showcase of epic hunts for quality animals.
But they were even more than that.
This ceremony embodied the very spirit of the Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) and mountain hunters from around the world and their steadfast dedication to conservation and perseverance.
No other moment was as inspiring to the crowd as Camryn Cunningham being recognized for completing her FNAWS.
This encompasses Dall’s sheep, Stone’s sheep, Rocky Mountain, and desert bighorn.
It’s the absolute pinnacle of North American hunting accomplishment, but it’s taken up a notch when you realize Camryn is only 13.
She is the youngest female ever to complete a FNAWS.
She began her quest when she was just ten years old and connected to a powerful family lineage.
Her father also bagged his first wild sheep when he was ten and now her sister Stormy has as well. This Texas family shows there is indeed great hope for the future of sheep hunting.
Camryn not only exhibited resilience during her hunts but some serious grit.
When a grizzly took her Dall’s sheep cape in Alaska, she recovered it by making a 700-yard shot and taking out the bear.
More than a few tears of joy were in the room as she accepted her award.
And there were also tears when Erik Weingarth was recognized for taking a 162 7/8 Dall’s sheep with
Alaska Trophy Adventures and guide Hank Flatlow.
This hunt was a tribute to Erik’s 28-year-old son Stefan who died in a tragic boating accident while hunting in Alaska in 2021.
The awards showed that even though North American sheep face many challenges, including disease and extreme weather, rams are still reaching their highest potential.
Michael Kinney took a new California bighorn record in Oregon with a massive 191 3/8 ram while hunting with Ridge Outfitters and guide John McCollum.
Robert “Bobby” Theis took the new Texas state record desert bighorn while hunting with guide Jasper Klein of High West Outfitters. The monster ram scored 187 2/8.
The Texas program was also represented by Brenton Scott’s 167 6/8 desert bighorn, guided by Cody McEntire.
“It was great seeing a new state record and other nice rams taken in Texas. That’s a testament to the hard work not only of TPWD but its partners like WSF, the Texas Bighorn Society, Dallas Safari Club, and private landowners in the Trans Pecos,” said Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) Desert Bighorn Program Leader Froylan Hernandez.
The awards also included International Awards and a Mountain Monarch category that includes wild goats. These were equally impressive and showcased hunterconservationists’ efforts in Asia.
After introducing hunter James Lines with his 122 3/8 gold-level Punjab urial, announcer J. Alain
Smith noted this is a tribute to the conservation of the species in its native Pakistan.
“Some great things are going on for Punjab urials. Hunting-conservation programs are making a difference for them across their range as they are sheep and mountain wildlife around the world,” he said.
The largest wild sheep on the planet is the Altai argali, and this year, hunter Lines was also recognized for taking a massive 253 1/8-inch ram with Wild Hunting in Turkey and Asia and guide, Kursat Ekenler.
In the past, WSF has auctioned off Altai argali tags in Mongolia to benefit the on-the-ground conservation of the species directly.
Europe was well-represented by the new SCI #1 Central European mouflon taken by hunter James Soulliere while hunting with Inferno Outdoors and guide Roland Volley. The huge specimen scored 154 5/8. Considering mouflon are the smallest among wild sheep, that’s an extremely impressive amount of horn.
Most hunters opted to stay quiet, accept their award and enjoy watching, but a couple spoke up while on stage.
Robert Cerone, whose 45-year FNAWS quest was completed in 2022, said his love of wild sheep and hunting is as strong as ever.
“Mountain hunting still gives me goosebumps.”
Donald South, who bagged a gold Dall’s, took it to another level by giving an appeal everyone in attendance could focus on in 2023.
“The mountains and wild sheep are still calling.” WS
