Bighorn Sheep

After applying for 16 years I finally drew a Bighorn sheep permit in my home state of Wyoming. Next is the decision about whether to hire a guide or DIY. My hunt area is about 5 hours away. This is most likely the only sheep permit that I will ever get in WY. I am inclined to hire a guide. Unfortunately that will keep me from going to Africa for probably 3-4 years. Have to save back up again. Anyway I'm excited to go sheep hunting. Now I got lose 20lbs and get the legs in shape. Bruce

Bruce my advice: HIRE A GUIDE NOW! if you have the money.
Unless you have a lot of time to DIY and can spend the entire season out hunting.

Once in a lifetime is too good an opportunity to waste.

Get on the stair climber and work the hill muscles. (Don't blow your knees out)

Know how to shoot up and down a very steep incline.

Good luck. That is exciting.

Awesome and congrats! What cartridge will you be using on this hunt?

I have a new 6.5-06 that is being built. Should be done either this month or next. Should be very flat shooting. My 2nd choice would be my Tikka T-3 in a .270WSM. Very light weight and is also a flat shooting rifle. I'll have to see how the weight comes in on the 6.5-06 as well as how it shoots.
If I can't get either of those to my satisfaction then I'd use my .300WSM w/ a 150gr Barnes TTSX. It will shoot a 1 1/2 inch group at 300 yards. Its also in the Tikka so its light weight. I have several good choices. That's the top 3. Bruce

Any of those guns will do the job.

Definitely get a good guide. A once in a lifetime hunt is not the time to learn to hunt sheep especially in an area that you are not familiar with.Learning their patterns and haunts takes years and plenty of boot leather, trust me I have been there as has Brickburn. Go with a Guide and not just any guide, one with plenty of experience in the unit you are drawn in.

Bruce we are all jelous, My advise to you (only because you asked ALL of us) is defenently HIRE A GOOD GUIDE! and try and hunt the first part of the season with him. And heven forbid that you don't get a Ram with him, well pay him to let you stay untill you do. Worst case you will at least know the area a little better and could finish up yourself DIY. I have done both (guided and DIY) and taken many Sheep. And I know that the price of a good guid is hard to swallow. But what the heck even you will pay for an African hunt. and Africa may change over the next couple of years but It will be there for a long long time.

Originally Posted by detutt

Bruce we are all jelous, My advise to you (only because you asked ALL of us) is defenently HIRE A GOOD GUIDE! and try and hunt the first part of the season with him. And heven forbid that you don't get a Ram with him, well pay him to let you stay untill you do. Worst case you will at least know the area a little better and could finish up yourself DIY. I have done both (guided and DIY) and taken many Sheep. And I know that the price of a good guid is hard to swallow. But what the heck even you will pay for an African hunt. and Africa may change over the next couple of years but It will be there for a long long time.

Great advice there. Hope you get a big ram and congrats to you.

I would hire a guide and get in shape. Congrats on the tag!

Originally Posted by enysse

get in shape.

Good call, I didnt even think of it. Jogging is great but still nothing like climbing (different muscles) The hunters that I guided that did the best were the ones who worked out on the stairs, usually climbing instead of taking the elevator to work each day, just be careful not to fall and break your neck.

Originally Posted by gillettehunter

I have a new 6.5-06 that is being built. Should be done either this month or next. Should be very flat shooting. My 2nd choice would be my Tikka T-3 in a .270WSM. Very light weight and is also a flat shooting rifle. I'll have to see how the weight comes in on the 6.5-06 as well as how it shoots.
If I can't get either of those to my satisfaction then I'd use my .300WSM w/ a 150gr Barnes TTSX. It will shoot a 1 1/2 inch group at 300 yards. Its also in the Tikka so its light weight. I have several good choices. That's the top 3. Bruce

Sounds like 3 very good choices. The 6.5-06 and .270 WSM are VERY good choices and the .300 WSM is hardly a step behind with 150 TTSX's.

Congrats on your tag! Hope you kill a bruiser!

Congrats on your tag, That Is A Dream Come True!