The next day we got up and watched the sheep and continued to progress up valley towards them. As we were sitting under a tarp in the rain Erik saw a solo ram where we first spotted the two. After some inspection we decided he was the biggest and most likely sheep to be legal.
Finished pushing up the valley, crossed the glacial creek (boots completely failed - should have treated the leather again before leaving) and found a camping site. We watched that ram until dark.
In the morning we got up and made a move up the hill to see if I could confirm beyond doubt the sheep was legal. We climbed but couldn’t find the ram so we ended up backing out and
Erik spotted him about 200-300 yards farther down the cliff than we had been sitting around a corner. We proceeded through the brush and then snuck through some spruce and along the alders and willows up the rock slide.
Got to 290 yards creeping up the rocks using Alders as cover.
We got the spotter and phone on him (thanks Ollin Tech) and was able to do the stick test on him to confirm he was in fact legal.
The Double Broomed Mountain Rifle 280AI did its part and two shots and we watched him fall. Then was a massive adrenaline rush and crash. Climbing up to my ram was one of the longest things as I just continued to pray I hadn’t made a mistake.
Ram was beautiful and legal (though I didn’t feel 100% at ease until Fish and Game sealed him)!
We gutted and made it off the hill as night fell. The next day we processed him out and returned to camp.
The last two days it rained and we stayed in the tent and deposed meat and I attempted to cape out the head - I am hoping to do a shoulder mount but am afraid I may have screwed up the cape a bit too much- I’ll find out soon. But caped out the head and we deboned it all. The next day we marched 7 miles through the rolling foothills covered in steep gulleys, alders and Willow brush - my pack was about 95 pounds before it was saturated by the rain and Erik’s about 85 pounds. We marched to the airstrip as the next day as weather was supposed to be good but then turning bad the following day. Flew out with Golden Eagle Outfitter - if you are in the Delta area Jim at Golden Eagle was fantastic to work with and did a great job. First time in a Super Cub and it was a great ride.
Ram was sealed - beautiful 7 year old Ram - what a warrior. I’ll post more and better pictures of the horns and some videos because he was battling something and he is Broomed on his right and cracking his left side.
She isn't on here but still have to say thank you to my beautiful bride for putting up with this passionate Pursuit these last 4 years, and letting me disappear for days on end. And my friend Erik for sticking with me and helping me haul out the 50 pounds of meat, the cape and the emotional support to get it done!!!
Thank God for letting us get in and out and for helping us out when we needed. Love Alaska and love all the Wilderness we have seen and experienced!
I'm officially out of the <1 Club!!!
