Idaho bitterroot sheep hunt

[wildhorsetrail]

I'm looking for any information on Bighorn Sheep in the Bitterroot mountains of Idaho and Montana. I may or may not have drawn an Idaho sheep tag for unit 17L. It's not a highly desired unit, It's a wilderness area, there isn't an abundance of sheep, and it'll be a DIY hunt. But other than that I expect it to be a difficult hunt. Ha. I understand there is a MT sheep unit right across the border and so would be interested in any feedback from Montana hunters as well if you're willing to share.

 

[nabooska]

Congrats on the tag, sounds like it'll be a great hunt. Good luck!

 

[BAKPAKR]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the tag! I have been over Nez Perce Pass a few times and I think you are going to have to get in a ways to reach country I would expect to see sheep in. I was tempted to try a deer hunt down there a few years ago just to see if I could see any sheep during the late season.

 

[Selway]

Almost the entire unit is sheep habitat, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. Expect to spend a lot of time, and climb a lot of elevation. No matter where you're at in the unit, you have a road below you, which is saying something in that country. 95% of the tags filled on the MT side of the border are in a population that never goes near the border.

Good luck! There are outfitters that can help if you decide to go that route.

 

[wildhorsetrail]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the encouragement and info.

 

[wildhorsetrail]

Anyone from Montana who has seen sheep in the high country?

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[mfsights257]

Congrats on the Draw! Good Luck!

 

[wildhorsetrail]

Thanks, I'm excited and starting to gear up!

 

[Elk300win]

wildhorsetrail, send me a PM with your contact info. I have some info regarding the Bitterroot sheep herd that may be helpful!

 

[wildhorsetrail]

PM sent, thank you

 

[wildhorsetrail]

Spent almost a week hunting, no sheep sighted. Hopefully be able to head back out sometime in the next few weeks...

 

[BAKPAKR]

Don’t get discouraged. I have read (but no personal knowledge) that the chance of finding a ram in your unit increases later in the season as they wander out of Montana.

 

[HuntWyld]

Keep us updated on the hunt progress.

 

[wildhorsetrail]

Update: Spent three days hunting last week just up from the Selway River. I did spot a group of six sheep with one young ram in there the first day. They ghosted me and I was never able to relocate them. I might be able to make one more quick trip before the season ends.

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[adventure907]

They must have been ewes if they ghosted you....

 

[HuntWyld]

How many days have you spent in there this year so far?

 

[wildhorsetrail]

I've spent 8 or 9 days hunting so far. About 13 days if you count to, from, around unit.

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[wildhorsetrail]

Headed down for one last effort early next week! The weather is going to be really cold and snowy this weekend so that should bring em all down.

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[BAKPAKR]

Good luck!

 

[Sleghammer]

Headed down for one last effort early next week! The weather is going to be really cold and snowy this weekend so that should bring em all down.

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Good luck!