Montana Breaks Bighorn hunt

[Bowfinatic]

Found a band of 7 rams right away in the morning. 3 good rams and one being a shooter

Followed them around waiting for the right situation. Got to 94 yards first time

Second time got to 65 but trees blocking any shot opportunities

Tried to crawl to 50 in cover but one of the Rams must have seen something and they moved off

Letting them calm down. Will try to find them back now for night stalks

 

[Bowfinatic]

Didn't find the band of 7 but we did find back the 3 rams we saw on our way out last night. Put a great stalk up and around on top of them Snuck to the edge and had one right below me at 38 yards. I was about to draw and he saw something and we had a 60 sec staredown. Once he dropped his head I drew and released. Probably adrenaline and nerves but I straight gut shot him. Up and down was perfect.
Trailed him a couple hundred yards blood only drips. Feel sick about it. Such a great opportunity and I wound him.

Going to go back the next few days and just search and hope Feeling so low Nothing worse than this

 

[BAKPAKR]

I hate to hear that. I wish you good luck finding him in the morning.

 

[MightyWhitey]

You’ll find him.

 

[Chad E]

Keep the faith, hopefully your shot caught some liver and you find him dead in the morning. Good luck

 

[jart2313]

Mannnn those things are huge!

 

[Seeknelk]

Following this big time. Hope you find him. I had a tag in 2020. Had several very fun trips.
Did the jet boat thing 18 miles to camp with my 6 year old son for a week. Hiked and explored ad glassed many rams. Went back in November to same area.
Was super lucky to get to do it so I'm living your hunt.

 

[Bowfinatic]

I believe this is the ram I shot

 

[BAKPAKR]

Any chance your guide can line up a tracking dog?

 

[TNsavageman]

Good luck man! I sure hope you find him.

 

[Bowfinatic]

Any chance your guide can line up a tracking dog?

I'm told that's not legal here

 

[BAKPAKR]

I'm told that's not legal here

Check out page 14 of the MSGB regs:

“Dogs (MCA 87-6-404)
It is unlawful for a person to use dogs to chase game animals. Exception: Dogs may be used to hunt mountain lions and spring black bears, see appropriate regulations for rules. Dogs may be utilized to recover or locate wounded game animals, but handlers shall maintain physical control of the dog at all times by means of a maximum 50-foot lead attached to the dog’s collar or harness.”

However, maybe you are on some type of property with special regulations.

 

[WashedUp1775]

Wow! What a great break! Good luck!

 

[wyosteve]

So, the bigger question- if you don't find him are you punching your tag?

 

[jmez]

Cue the virtue signaling.

Sent from my moto g power 5G - 2023 using Tapatalk

 

[Legend]

So, the bigger question- if you don't find him are you punching your tag?

Often outfitters have a draw blood=punched tag policy. Which makes a lot of sense.

Good luck. I did something similar on a moose. I managed to find him the next day still hanging with cows about 1/2mile away. Out came the rifle.

Awful feeling.

 

[LongWayAround]

Good luck man, I similarly blew a chip shot on big muley years ago. We're all pulling for you.

 

[j_volt]

Thank you for letting us follow along. Keep your head up. You will find him.

 

[Bowfinatic]

Scoured all day today with 7 guys. Feel pretty good about the search in the realistic area he would be. Didn't come up with anything. Obviously it's a gut punch. Think I just canted my bow bad, didn't check my bubble caught up in the moment I'm thankful it was a close ethical shot and not a hail Mary just operator error
Will keep after it or hope the birds lead us to him

When semi live hunts go wrong ?? but keeping it real. Appreciate you all following along Overall it was an Amazing week watching and chasing these rams

Appreciate the advise and reg lookup on Dogs. Were not close and we had a hard rain coming out last night that pretty much took out all fresh tracks and blood

Legally I could keep hunting but i think he is dead and I don't feel good about killing another so not planning on hunting any longer unless my ram is still alive and turns up, then I would go back after him

 

[BAKPAKR]

I am sorry you didn’t find him today.