Scared of Heights

[Takeem406]

I'm thinking if applying for Montana next spring however I can't do heights! I can go up mountain trails as long as there isn't a steep drop off right next to the trial.
Is it possible to hunt sheep and goats and stay to less dramatic terrain?
On TV it looks like the hunters are a bad step away from death!
I see the Bear Paw mountains have sheep now, only a couple and I've hunted elk there before...
Any thoughts?

 

[Ray]

I am there with you. There will always be a spot that will challenge your mind regardless of the terrain.

Always take someone along that you trust and who understands what you are going through. That helped me a great deal.

 

[doin1]

My goat hunts that I have been on you wouldn't like. Sheep hunts should be doable. However I would suggest to you that for the most part the fear is something that feels good to confront. The challenge will tell you something about yourself.

 

[InDeep]

I get it ! Im pretty freaked out on ledges .. but they need to be big drops to get the legs shaking lol. But I do think personally that when I started hunt and seen one I wanted to take then pretty sure . I could turn into a climbing freak if need be , even if it was white buckled ass puckererd the whole time ..

 

[Buster]

The more time you spend in high places, the more you will feel comfortable there. Just try to get out (and up), as much as you can and still have an enjoyable time. Pursuing game will give you that little extra motivation and drive to push your limits. You will truly understand your abilities then.

 

[Manosteel]

I am not a fan of heights but I tolerate them when I have too. I even push myself to ride the giant craziest roller coasters and rides at fairs/amusement parks etc.,, just to test myself, to prove that fear is just an emotion that I can control. I have done some crazy things in the mountains, went up crazy chuts, traversed sketchy steep shale and climbed steeper and higher then I would ever thought I would do. but I just did what I needed to do at the time. Was careful and took my time but did non the less. You will too, just do it.

I hate movie quotes but the newest Will Smith movie "after earth" characterized fear perfectly -

Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity... Do not misunderstand me, danger is very real, but fear is a choice.

 

[jerseyjohn]

I never knew I was not liking the edge until I found myself on a ledge with the rifle over it aming at a B&C Mt. Goat. It took my guide a good bit of talking for me to staying right there and getting the job done. He told me that the rocks have been there for thousands of years and will hold me. I was not to sure of that. Thanks Lloyd!

Side hilling in the Brooks this year was not a favorite of mine either with a deep drop off in a certain section of the climb. Slow and steady and I made it. It took me a long time to traverse that mountain as I just keep thinking I would slide into nowhere. I did it but found coming down was worse. I have no arse left after sliding down 3/4 of the mountain. My guide, Harold allowed me to go at my own pace and feel safe the entire way up and down. I am glad I have a goat and sheep as I dought I will do those hunts again anytime soon. I may be done. JJ

 

[HJ Handy]

Buster put it well, get out and spend more and more time up high. Work yourself into it and go a little farther each time. Use whatever motivators you can muster and go for it a little bit more each time and soon enough you'll stand tall on the mountain. Or at least 3/4 of the way up.

 

[Alaskan89]

I hunt the mountains for dall sheep just about every year and I never put myself in a position where I could possibly get injured or killed BUT, if you want to hunt sheep or goats, you have to go where they live. IMO, goats tend to hang out more on rock cliffs and faces, sheep, not so much. With that being said, I have seen some big rams hanging in places that are inaccessible to humans without climbing gear and years of experience using it. For me, it's just not worth it but some people thrive off that sort of thing. To each their own.

For me, I will go just about anywhere to find a ram or billy but if I have to use climbing gear to make it happen, then it ain't happening. The end goal is to get out there and enjoy the high country AND to make it home safe to your family.

 

[Hackleback]

Many of the locations that I have seen desert and cali sheep are not all that steep and remind me of good mulie country. Are they in some ratty country, yes, some times, but not the ledgy, cliffs, shear drop off stuff when you think of sheep country. Check out a bunch of sheep photos and look at the country in the background. I think that you will find that it is not as shear as you would expect.

 

[jerseyjohn]

I hunt the mountains for dall sheep just about every year and I never put myself in a position where I could possibly get injured or killed BUT, if you want to hunt sheep or goats, you have to go where they live. IMO, goats tend to hang out more on rock cliffs and faces, sheep, not so much. With that being said, I have seen some big rams hanging in places that are inaccessible to humans without climbing gear and years of experience using it. For me, it's just not worth it but some people thrive off that sort of thing. To each their own.

For me, I will go just about anywhere to find a ram or billy but if I have to use climbing gear to make it happen, then it ain't happening. The end goal is to get out there and enjoy the high country AND to make it home safe to your family.

Alaskan89,
I agree! I want to go home, and remember the trip I just took and relive it. It is for fun and I want to return someday to do it again maybe. If I get hurt or killed it defeats the pourpose. All for fun! JJ

 

[tstowater]

There are sheep units in Montana that shouldn't be too bad. The best way to learn to deal with terrain is to get in it in good weather conditions, not in bad conditions and not when you are in pursuit of an animal. I got over the concept really quick after walking sheep trails in fairly steep shale and "skiing" down shale slides in fog or clouds (not sure which). Just be careful and pay attention. Sometimes fear can cause problems and put you at a bigger risk than using good judgment. Also, suggest finding someone competent to learn from.

 

[Bambistew]

You can kill sheep in many of Montana's units from the truck, dang near. A lot of the terrain is pretty open and not terribly steep. Sheep generally don't like the really steep stuff, but will use it as "escape" terrain.

If successful in drawing a tag, maybe seek professional help. Haha.

 

[Takeem406]

You can kill sheep in many of Montana's units from the truck, dang near. A lot of the terrain is pretty open and not terribly steep. Sheep generally don't like the really steep stuff, but will use it as "escape" terrain.

If successful in drawing a tag, maybe seek professional help. Haha.

I've found goats near Helena on pretty manageable area, on the road actually lol. How about the Breaks?

 

[2ski]

You can hunt sheep from the Breaks pretty much from the boat I've heard. If you go up the Gallatin Canyon, you can see goats on the road a lot during all seasons, especially during the winter. They like being down around the river. Nothing too tough down there.

If you put me on a pair of skis on some of that goat country, I'd be way more comfortable than without. In fact I see goats up in the double blacks of Moonlight Basin and Big Sky way up in chutes quite a bit. Funny how that goes. But the first time I stood at the top of a double black looking down, it wasn't that way. More exposure eventually made me comfortable on them.

 

[Bambistew]

Family friend shot a B&C ram near Missoula last weekend... sent me a pic, it was whole in the back of their truck.

 

[BackcountryMT]

Family friend shot a B&C ram near Missoula last weekend... sent me a pic, it was whole in the back of their truck.

Petty creek?

 

[Buster]

Family friend shot a B&C ram near Missoula last weekend... sent me a pic, it was whole in the back of their truck.

Sounds like a mythical creature, lol. You'd better post the proof, just so we can confirm it.