Any sheep tag is a remarkably difficult tag to draw and lightning struck twice for me in 2025. I was successful in drawing a rare ewe sheep tag and it wasn't even the best tag I drew. I say that because it did take a back seat as I planned my scouting and hunting time for the season. I had also drawn the resident once-in-a-lifetime Bison tag and that was my focus.
I talked to a handful of people who told stories of seeing the sheep everywhere and the hunt reports showed a near 100% success every year. I had high hopes of making it an adventure, even if it seemed "easy". Boy was I wrong. I really hoped to take one with my bow, but that proved harder than I expected. Finding sheep was exactly difficult, but they were often right near the road. Not exactly my type of hunt, especially on something that I may never draw again.
After hunting sheep, antelope, elk and bison with my bow, I was still without meat in the freezer. I was blessed to get the bison tag filled, but that came with alot of work and concerns about where to put meat. After another couple weeks of work obligations, youth elk and hunting with buddies on our annual trip, I took more time from work to get my tag filled. It closed Oct. 31.
I had a great opportunity with my buddy and his sons in tow. The sheep saw me, spooked and do as sheep do, covered lots of vertical feet, two ridges and left my life without a second thought. While central Wyoming is not typical sheep country, it is still rocky, steep and rugged. I spent several more days in typical Wyoming winds (50-60mph gusts) hoping to locate sheep. It seemed like they had me spotted first, EVERY TIME. As a bowhunter, I know I can do it, but those sheep are wary.
On Oct. 26th, I made it out there and started hiking. My main loop was unsuccessful, but I decided to check over a ridge that overlooked a bowl. In the bottom of the bowl was a group of 15-20 sheep. Two very nice rams that were sparring, a couple smaller rams and 10ish ewes. Only problem, is there is no way to enter the bowl without cresting a rocky ridge in full view. The closest shot was 350-400yds. Within my range, but not a great shot setup either. I took all the usual steps, got as secure as possible and waited for a ewe to separate herself. Eventually one did and I let it fly. MISS. I know I hit close, cause I watched dirt fly and knew I was high. As I reloaded, the sheep grouped up tight, then ran out of view.
I double checked the area and no blood. Then I began tracking the group as they entered the timbered hillside. As I slowly stalked through the woods, I rounded a rocky outcrop and found the herd. A beautiful ewe stopped perfectly broadside and looked at me. She was the biggest of the three I could see and a perfectly clear shot at just 60yds. Offhand shot, boom, THWACK. I knew I hit her, but she disappeared UP the hill. I couldn't believe it. I approached and found blood, alot of blood, but it was going straight up hill. She climbed 40 feet straight up, went over the top of the ridge and down.
I crested the ridge and couldn't figure it out. That side of the ridge went straight down, 1000 feet down, to the river. Thankfully she had died right there and miraculously got her horn stagged on a deadfall. I took photos and broke her down. An amazing trophy to hunt solo in amazing place. These sheep are tough critters and I can only hope I get the chance to hunt them again.
I talked to a handful of people who told stories of seeing the sheep everywhere and the hunt reports showed a near 100% success every year. I had high hopes of making it an adventure, even if it seemed "easy". Boy was I wrong. I really hoped to take one with my bow, but that proved harder than I expected. Finding sheep was exactly difficult, but they were often right near the road. Not exactly my type of hunt, especially on something that I may never draw again.
After hunting sheep, antelope, elk and bison with my bow, I was still without meat in the freezer. I was blessed to get the bison tag filled, but that came with alot of work and concerns about where to put meat. After another couple weeks of work obligations, youth elk and hunting with buddies on our annual trip, I took more time from work to get my tag filled. It closed Oct. 31.
I had a great opportunity with my buddy and his sons in tow. The sheep saw me, spooked and do as sheep do, covered lots of vertical feet, two ridges and left my life without a second thought. While central Wyoming is not typical sheep country, it is still rocky, steep and rugged. I spent several more days in typical Wyoming winds (50-60mph gusts) hoping to locate sheep. It seemed like they had me spotted first, EVERY TIME. As a bowhunter, I know I can do it, but those sheep are wary.
On Oct. 26th, I made it out there and started hiking. My main loop was unsuccessful, but I decided to check over a ridge that overlooked a bowl. In the bottom of the bowl was a group of 15-20 sheep. Two very nice rams that were sparring, a couple smaller rams and 10ish ewes. Only problem, is there is no way to enter the bowl without cresting a rocky ridge in full view. The closest shot was 350-400yds. Within my range, but not a great shot setup either. I took all the usual steps, got as secure as possible and waited for a ewe to separate herself. Eventually one did and I let it fly. MISS. I know I hit close, cause I watched dirt fly and knew I was high. As I reloaded, the sheep grouped up tight, then ran out of view.
I double checked the area and no blood. Then I began tracking the group as they entered the timbered hillside. As I slowly stalked through the woods, I rounded a rocky outcrop and found the herd. A beautiful ewe stopped perfectly broadside and looked at me. She was the biggest of the three I could see and a perfectly clear shot at just 60yds. Offhand shot, boom, THWACK. I knew I hit her, but she disappeared UP the hill. I couldn't believe it. I approached and found blood, alot of blood, but it was going straight up hill. She climbed 40 feet straight up, went over the top of the ridge and down.
I crested the ridge and couldn't figure it out. That side of the ridge went straight down, 1000 feet down, to the river. Thankfully she had died right there and miraculously got her horn stagged on a deadfall. I took photos and broke her down. An amazing trophy to hunt solo in amazing place. These sheep are tough critters and I can only hope I get the chance to hunt them again.
