Bighorn Judging Training Thread

[Outwest]

I have just about exhausted the World Wide Web for all resources about judging bighorns. There’s plenty of information on what to look for and how to judge, but besides a few resources, there’s not much in the way of actual photos of sheep with their respective scores, either estimates or actual scores.

I thought it’d be helpful for all aspiring sheep hunters or those who have a tag and are just about to get started with summer scouting for anyone with photos and scores to pitch in. Sheep are tough to judge accurately so I’d say we could all stand some practice regardless of experience. Plus for the average joe, bighorn tags are very hard to come by so this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of us.

I’ll start with this ram that my wife took back in 2019.

Green score was 181 3/8” (60 day dry unofficial around 178 7/8” if I remember correctly)

Horn lengths were 41 5/8 and 41 4/8, bases were both at 14 6/8”.

First photo was taken by a friend of mine, all others are mine.

EDIT: 2nd photo deleted. It was a similar ram but not the ram taken, my mistake when uploading.

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[Dwnw/theAltitudesickness]

Cool thread. Will have to get some pictures rounded up.

 

[Steve O]

Clay Lancaster has a great judging video on YouTube.

 

[cbarg14]

Great thread to kick off! I fit this bill - newbie with a great tag and no experience judging sheep. Awesome ram.

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[HUNTNUT]

Great thread to kick off! I fit this bill - newbie with a great tag and no experience judging sheep. Awesome ram.

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If you are going sheep hunting, be aware of the size of sheep in your area. Don’t go looking at Montana sheep where >180 rams are not uncommon when the average ram in your unit is 160. Learn to be able to tell the difference between a 155 ram and a 165 ram. Then, shoot something you like. Scores are great, experiences are better.

 

[cbarg14]

If you are going sheep hunting, be aware of the size of sheep in your area. Don’t go looking at Montana sheep where >180 rams are not uncommon when the average ram in your unit is 160. Learn to be able to tell the difference between a 155 ram and a 165 ram. Then, shoot something you like. Scores are great, experiences are better.

Amen! Great advice. TBH, getting a sheep this fall will be a bonus. The experience is what I'm looking forward to. 180 class rams are in my unit but I'm not holding out for one either.

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[HUNTNUT]

Amen! Great advice. TBH, getting a sheep this fall will be a bonus. The experience is what I'm looking forward to. 180 class rams are in my unit but I'm not holding out for one either.

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Ok, well this changes everything. Haha. Since it does have the potential for 180 rams, now you have to figure out what a 175 ram looks like. What a fabulous problem to have. Good luck and take us along with you. Story of course.

 

[Jimss]

Here in Colo there are harvest reports for each unit. If you look at past years it will give you a feel for what is likely available. They often list horn length and base mass measurements. If you’ve been in many Colo sheep units you realize that just about every unit has its own horn confirmation. Some have mostly tight curls, others may be mostly young rams harvested, some are massive, some severely broomed, etc.

 

[30338]

My unit has a few 155-165 type rams in it. Not going to say a 170 or slightly bigger isn't there, sure it is. But saw a few in the 160 class today and if I can pull off a sneak, be thrilled to arrow one.

 

[Mojave]

My uncle did just that. He has lived 80 miles from Dubois Bighorn Sheep factory his entire life (other than 4 years in Korea in the 1960's).

Spent a month trying to kill a 180 ram, and never saw one on Union Pass.

 

[Outwest]

My unit has a few 155-165 type rams in it. Not going to say a 170 or slightly bigger isn't there, sure it is. But saw a few in the 160 class today and if I can pull off a sneak, be thrilled to arrow one.

Thanks for uploading a photo! I think we can all see right off the bat those bottom 2 rams are a step ahead of the group.

This also brings up a great point, judging a good ram is TOUGH when he is the only mature ram in the group. All mature features will jump out when he is surrounded by small rams.

What I’m looking at:

Length on the right ram is a little more, he “turns up” while the other looks to terminate closer to parallel to the ground. Angle makes it tough to be sure.

Mass is hard to judge at that angle but his base is definitely more than the other, carries it into his 2nd quarter, lacking in the third.

My best guess at that singular angle, 32-34” long, with 14-14.5” bases. Very rough judge of score at 158-162”


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[Yon181]

Following. Cool thread, thanks for posting

 

[30338]

Wondering if the lower left may not be a bit longer. He needs 2 more years but if he gets in range hoping he doesn't get them.

 

[Outwest]

Your gonna be really close on that lower right ram. My 1999 ram pictured here is roughly those exact measurements and 161". Was killed about 12 miles from here.

Wondering if the lower left may not be a bit longer. He needs 2 more years but if he gets in range hoping he doesn't get them.

Awesome ram! Yes that is a very similar looking sheep.

You bring up a great point about the left ram… although he terminates “flat”, there is a good amount of air space between his face and horn which points to some extra length. Good catch.


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[cbarg14]

So this guy inspired me to put in for a tag this year. Saw him during my bull elk hunt last fall. The mountain was his and he let me know it. Definitely not a 180 class ram (prob more like a 150?) but a beautiful ram nonetheless. Good mass, tight curl, and fat as a tick. I'd be happy to run into him again this fall.

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[Steve O]

Score is not everything. Every sheep hunt is a treasure, ram it no ram. Most memorable hunt of my life ended with no ram on my back.

 

[wytx]

My goal was an 8 yr old sheep, didn't get that but my ram makes book, 181 1/8 " B&C and he was 6 yrs old.
I had no clue on what he may score, never crossed my mind at the time. After the euro was done I taped it out, what a surprise. Even the scorer was surprised, the 16 inch bases really helped.

 

[Outwest]

My goal was an 8 yr old sheep, didn't get that but my ram makes book, 181 1/8 " B&C and he was 6 yrs old.
I had no clue on what he may score, never crossed my mind at the time. After the euro was done I taped it out, what a surprise. Even the scorer was surprised, the 16 inch bases really helped.

View attachment 422140

View attachment 422142

What an incredible 6YO! Congrats!

The mass isn't all that apparent until that side profile. Huge bases. Length looks to be around 34-35"?

I would have under-judged that ram. Great example. Thanks for sharing.

 

[wytx]

38 5/8 and 37 6/8 " on lengths.
3/8 " diff. total on all measurements, 181 1/8 net and 181 4/8 gross score.

We had no clue, he was the largest in the band of rams, there were 5 rams in the group.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Here are a few pictures from Colorado. Curious to know everyone’s thoughts. The pictures aren’t best, far away from an iPhone phone scope. It’s the best I got!