|
mating season approaches their behavior changes . During the rut , bachelor groups move closer to the ewes and the older rams begin to establish dominance on the younger rams . On numerous scouting trips we watched the mature rams run off the younger rams . Those that stood their ground ended up butting heads with the dominant rams . Watching the rams fight and listening to the crashing of horns echo off the canyon walls was a highlight of my scouting trips .
The rut also coincides with the late season hunts starting in mid-October . During the hunting season , if you find ewes you will find rams . And that is exactly what happened during my hunt . If you find a solitary ram during the hunting season , it ’ s a good bet that it ’ s a younger ram . Thinking back on the first ram I saw that morning , I ’ m glad I held off for an older , more mature ram .
Because it ’ s easy to get caught up in the moment , knowing ahead of time the type of ram you want to kill is important . Scouting is important , but studying rams is even more important . I began
|
reading as much as I could on bighorn sheep hunting , watching videos online , and scouring the internet for photos . Ideally , I wanted to shoot a ram that had good mass at the base of his horns , and had a full curl . Unfortunately , those rams are not as common as you ’ d think . In most cases the older , more mature rams have broomed their lamb tips off , which is either done on purpose to enhance its field of vision , or happens inadvertently while feeding . That ’ s not to say rams with mass and length don ’ t exist , because they do . They ’ re just not as common as you ’ d hope . And finding them during hunting is a lot harder than you think .
Ultimately , when I made my decision to shoot my ram I opted for mass over length . The ram I killed had 15 inch bases and 31 inch horns . His tips were broomed , and his horns had great character . He was 8 ½ years old and he scored 159 4 / 8 . He wasn ’ t the biggest ram ever taken from the Deschutes River drainage , but definitely not the smallest . What ’ s most important is that he was what I had envisioned and a ram I ’ ll be proud to look at the rest of my life . WHJ
pat hoglund photo
|
dan dzurisin photo
SPECIES Oregon has both California and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep populations .
CALIFORNIA BIGHORN SHEEP The most common bighorn sheep in the state . Population estimates are 3,700 spread throughout the state in 37 different herds . The majority of California bighorn sheep are concentrated in the John Day and Deschutes river drainages , in southeast Oregon and in pockets of northeast Oregon . Potential for 170 ” + ram is good .
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP
Population estimates are 800 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep . They are concentrated in northeast Oregon , Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts take place in various units in the Snake River drainage , the Blue Mountains and the Minam River drainage . Potential for a 180 ” + ram is good .
SEASONS Varies per unit . Hunts that take place in southeast Oregon generally begin in mid-August and end in mid-September . Central Oregon hunts take place in October and run through mid-November . In Northeast Oregon seasons are typically held in September .
CONTROLLED HUNT To hunt bighorn sheep in Oregon hunters are selected through a random draw system . Unlike other species , preference points do not apply . Oregon calls a bighorn sheep tag “ a once in a lifetime ” tag . Once drawn hunters are not eligible to participate in the draw system again . It is permissible , however , to obtain a sheep tag through the statewide raffle or buy an auction tag .
NON-RESIDENT OPPORTUNITY Oregon offers sheep tags for out-of-state hunters , however they are limited . The state allocated one Rocky Mountain and five California bighorn sheep tags to non-residents in 2017 .
AUCTION TAGS Oregon auctions off one bighorn sheep tag at the Wild Sheep
|
Foundation ’ s annual convention . The highest bidder can hunt in any unit where there is an authorized season from Aug . 1 to Nov . 30 . The 2017 auction tag fetched $ 135,000 .
RAFFLE TAGS Both residents and nonresidents can purchase a big game raffle ticket that allows the winner to hunt bighorn sheep in any unit where there is an authorized season . There is no limit to the number of raffle tickets someone can purchase . In 2017 the state sold 10,497 bighorn sheep raffle tags . Cost of one raffle ticket is $ 11.50 . Tickets are available for purchase at Point of Sale agents , or by mail . Winners are announced at the Oregon Hunters Association annual convention in May .
CONTROLLED HUNT APPLICATION
To apply for a bighorn sheep tag , you must purchase your license and pay a nominal $ 8 application fee .
APPLICATION DEADLINE May 15
RESULTS Available online in mid-June .
ODDS OF DRAWING Less than 1 percent .
LICENSE FEES Resident , $ 32 ; Non-Resident , $ 160.50
TAG FEES Resident , $ 132.50 ; Non-Resident , $ 1,413 . If drawn , tags must be purchased the day before the season end date .
NOTABLE BANQUETS Oregon Hunter ’ s Association State Convention , May 12 , 2018 . Bighorn sheep raffle tag winner announced , www . oregonhunters . org ; Oregon Foundation for North American Wild Sheep , April 7 , 2018 . Rocky Mountain goat raffle tag winner announced , www . oregonfnaws . org ; Wild Sheep Foundation , Jan . 18-20 , Reno , Nevada . Oregon bighorn sheep tag auction held .
MORE INFORMATION Look to the ODFW ’ s website for more information on specific bighorn sheep hunts and the application process . www . dfw . state . or . us
|
|||
www . westernhuntingjournal . com 57 |