Jan. 31 2007 Loreto Baja Mexico

After packing into the most rugged death defying and spectacularly stunning sheep country imaginable, I was able to glass up a group of sheep that included several real nice mature rams on the second day. After a dicey decent about a third of the way down some very challenging terrain John Lewton my cameraman and world renowned sheep authority were able to close the distance on our quarry. We slipped of our boots and proceeded to pick up cactus and a few choice words as we inched to the vantage point that would put us right on top of the sheep if they hadn’t moved. As we were inched our way forward I picked up movement of one of the large rams about 12yards away and moving through the brush. We held our position hoping for a shot. After a few tense moments we decided to try and get a better position for a shot. Of course the ram busted out down the hill and across a gully. I didn’t think I had time to use the rangefinder. After estimated him to be 60 yards and due to the steep incline I decided to shoot him for 40 yards. The arrow looked good but landed low. I quickly moved to the end of the finger to get a look at the rest of the sheep that I hoped would be in the original position. They were down the hill a little further and spooked up. I got a good reading from my rangefinder; 80 yards shoot it for 61 yards. The shot felt good as it sailed 2 inches over his back. The sheep reacted to the shot by moving up the ridge towards us. I ranged two ewes that were peeling over the edge at 71 yards; the corrected shooting distance was 51 yards. I drew locked in on the ram and focused on a quality shot, probably my last at this bunch of sheep. The ram stopped slightly quartering as the arrow zipped through him. He was definitely hit solid but I sent another one his way and connected again with another fatal arrow. The ram decided to follow the other sheep but only made it about 30 yards were he free fell about 80 yards into the dry waterfall below. He cracked the tip of one of his horns and nicked up his cape. Not bad for such an intense decent. It was a pretty radical recovery but an extremely rewarding one.

Ty Miller owner of El Fuerte outfitters did a great job organizing the hunt and all of the permits. But getting to hunt and live with the Mexican guides was a great cultural experience, plus I love the food.

It’s hard to believe that I have taken all 28 North American big game species with a bow. I have always loved new challenges and adventures. With a little planning, a lot of time, some hard headed determination and some help from some great people it can be done.

The ram was about 8 years old. He had real heavy bases 16 ½” bases and a gross score of 150.