Been pondering this one for quite sometime (2-3yrs), and figure the only way to do it is just go ahead and do it. I'm going to put in area 501, for the unlimited sheep areas for 2015. I was wondering if anybody could give me a couple pointers on areas to look at for sheep hunting to help break the area down a bit. I do realize how difficult (to say the least) this hunt will be, how many humpies are in the area, and how unlikely it will be to see a legal ram. However, maybe with some pointers from a few of the more knowledgeable hunters on here it might increase my chances in some way. thank you guys so much for any info.
where to drop the hammer, in the unlimited sheep units
- Thread starter zsemmons
- Start date
Jon Boy
WKR
Thats probably one of the tougher units, the quota often times isnt filled, and if it is filled a lot of times its at the end of november. If you do a little poking around you can find out every location that a rams been killed in over the last five years and that will give you some starter locations.
MountainTracker
WKR
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2014
- Messages
- 877
I'm also planning on going to 501 in 2015. I went to the unit back in September, mostly to check the area out for access. Huntinfool was giving a free month access to Rokslide members, not sure if they still are, but there were some good articles on their site. As far as I can tell most sheep have been taken in either Sept or Nov. If anyone has a line on any survey reports of the area I'd be interested in reading it.
- Thread Starter
- #5
- Thread Starter
- #6
thought this was great info found on another forum:
If I wanted to hunt and kill a sheep in the unlimited areas this is what I would do:
1. There are four areas with unlimited permits and three areas (501, 500 and 303 are in the Beartooth Absaroka's and the remaining area 300 is in the Gallatin Range. I would get some large topo maps and draw out the boundaries and in late July or early August I would visit all of the areas. (Area 501) Drive to Red Lodge, Montana via 212 to the top of the Beartooth Highway and up the Hellroaring Road which is across the canyon from the Beartooth Highway. Then go west of Red Lodge to the head of the Stillwater River and drive up the Benbow Mine Road. (Area 500) Drive up the Boulder River Road the last 5 miles is a 4 wheel road only. Hike to the Boulder River/Hellroaring divide approximately 4 miles. These are the 500 areas. Return to Billings and go to Fish, Wildlife and Parks office and get the statistics on the both areas. I have in the past been able to get the kill data: when and where a sheep was killed. (Area 303 and 300) I do not know much about 300 but most of the rams from what I have been told are in Yellowstone Park during hunting season but they do get sheep. Area 303 is adjacent to Gardiner, Montana. Now you will have a knowledge of the topography.
2. Go to the Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Bozeman and get all the statistical data that they will give you. Now here is a big trick. Go to the Montana State University library and research all of the master’s theses on mountain sheep in the above areas. A good master thesis is one of the best sources of information available. Also, the University of Montana in Missoula has some theses on mountain sheep in the unlimited areas. I drew a sheep tag in Northwest Montana in the late eighties and was not able to find any sheep. I went to the University of Montana and research all theses on sheep in that area. Returning to my hunting area I was able to kill a ram immediately.
3. After deciding the area you want to hunt return and take several two or three day back packing trips glassing the area well. Glass the feeding areas as I have found most sheep bed in the timber and feed out in the open. By May 1st on the following year purchase your tag.
4. If possible return to the hunting area a week in advance and try to find your ram and then stay with him. Most of the areas open on September 15. There are early snow storms at that time of year and when they are over it will be nice for another month. If a hunter kills a ram then they have 48 hours to report it and the season can close on a 48 hour notice. I have found cell phones will work on a high promontory. There are a number of cell towers in Yellowstone Park.
5. I think a large number of permit holders never go hunting or just for a weekend. When I guided and from what other guides have said that most of the hunters never finish out their hunt. If you want to be successful you will have to hunt hard and intelligently, otherwise the mountains, weather, and physical activity will finish you. Keep a good mental outlook.
6. I think the success ratio is about 5 percent. Getting a sheep will be a 3 year journey with 2 weeks a year hunting this is an investment of time and money. It is like finding a needle in a hay stack over 90% of the hunting area is devoid of sheep and you will have to find those pocket areas with sheep. I feel that the unlimited areas should be kept open if the management objectives are met. It is almost impossible to draw a sheep and even if you don't get a sheep -- you have gone sheep hunting. Good Luck
If I wanted to hunt and kill a sheep in the unlimited areas this is what I would do:
1. There are four areas with unlimited permits and three areas (501, 500 and 303 are in the Beartooth Absaroka's and the remaining area 300 is in the Gallatin Range. I would get some large topo maps and draw out the boundaries and in late July or early August I would visit all of the areas. (Area 501) Drive to Red Lodge, Montana via 212 to the top of the Beartooth Highway and up the Hellroaring Road which is across the canyon from the Beartooth Highway. Then go west of Red Lodge to the head of the Stillwater River and drive up the Benbow Mine Road. (Area 500) Drive up the Boulder River Road the last 5 miles is a 4 wheel road only. Hike to the Boulder River/Hellroaring divide approximately 4 miles. These are the 500 areas. Return to Billings and go to Fish, Wildlife and Parks office and get the statistics on the both areas. I have in the past been able to get the kill data: when and where a sheep was killed. (Area 303 and 300) I do not know much about 300 but most of the rams from what I have been told are in Yellowstone Park during hunting season but they do get sheep. Area 303 is adjacent to Gardiner, Montana. Now you will have a knowledge of the topography.
2. Go to the Fish, Wildlife and Parks in Bozeman and get all the statistical data that they will give you. Now here is a big trick. Go to the Montana State University library and research all of the master’s theses on mountain sheep in the above areas. A good master thesis is one of the best sources of information available. Also, the University of Montana in Missoula has some theses on mountain sheep in the unlimited areas. I drew a sheep tag in Northwest Montana in the late eighties and was not able to find any sheep. I went to the University of Montana and research all theses on sheep in that area. Returning to my hunting area I was able to kill a ram immediately.
3. After deciding the area you want to hunt return and take several two or three day back packing trips glassing the area well. Glass the feeding areas as I have found most sheep bed in the timber and feed out in the open. By May 1st on the following year purchase your tag.
4. If possible return to the hunting area a week in advance and try to find your ram and then stay with him. Most of the areas open on September 15. There are early snow storms at that time of year and when they are over it will be nice for another month. If a hunter kills a ram then they have 48 hours to report it and the season can close on a 48 hour notice. I have found cell phones will work on a high promontory. There are a number of cell towers in Yellowstone Park.
5. I think a large number of permit holders never go hunting or just for a weekend. When I guided and from what other guides have said that most of the hunters never finish out their hunt. If you want to be successful you will have to hunt hard and intelligently, otherwise the mountains, weather, and physical activity will finish you. Keep a good mental outlook.
6. I think the success ratio is about 5 percent. Getting a sheep will be a 3 year journey with 2 weeks a year hunting this is an investment of time and money. It is like finding a needle in a hay stack over 90% of the hunting area is devoid of sheep and you will have to find those pocket areas with sheep. I feel that the unlimited areas should be kept open if the management objectives are met. It is almost impossible to draw a sheep and even if you don't get a sheep -- you have gone sheep hunting. Good Luck
Hornetoad326
FNG
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2014
- Messages
- 38
If you have never sheep hunted before you should look at a different area as 501 it the most difficult one. the quota filled this year fast so be prepared to go home empty in any and all units.All i can say about this hunt is it is tough tough tough, even more tough solo
One thing you should keep an eye on is the die off they are having right now due to pneumonia. I don't know exactly what areas are being affected but from what I understand the sheep are taking a beating right now. Hopefully people from the area could give some details on the herds and areas with the problems.
Jon Boy
WKR
303 is where they are dieing off right now. My favorite unit for the sheep too. I'm hoping it doesn't spread to 300, as that is probably the best unlimited unit.
- Thread Starter
- #10
Hornetoad326, How many days was 501 open this year prior to closing. I don't fully plan on doing this one solo, in truth. I've got a SF buddy that wants to go along, and a buddy that is truly a bow hunting nut that wants to go, so we plan on having two tags (optimistic) taking one rifle and one bow.
- Thread Starter
- #11
Jon Boy thanks for the pneumonia info. That has been a huge factor in the sheep here in WY, and has drastically changed areas that have been highly populated or caused complete relocation of sheep within in a unit due to such drastic decimation of the herd.
- Thread Starter
- #12
In doing what research I've done there has remained one consistent in everything. Everyone says 300 and 501 are the best if your are going to do one of the unlimited sheep hunts. However just as consistently people usually start warning you about hunting in 501. (I'm assuming due in part to a large outfitter presence, and tending the legal rams prior to the season and also the rough terrain which engulf the area)
What do you mean by "tending"?
Shrek
WKR
I think he's referring to Outfitters having a guy stay up on the mountain and find and watch legal rams. They tend them for weeks and have them patterned and know basically where they are at all times. Hard for a solo diy guy to compete with that.
Ya that would be difficult to compete with.
I don't know if "tending" is as common as some say, there have been plenty of years the quota wasn't met and where Rams are taken by DIY guys and not outfitters. Outfitter success has not been high from my research. Also the unlimited sheep area isn't a huge cash cow and if I was an outfitter no way would I dedicate resources in a tending way when I could use them for elk hunters, it isn't like dall or stone outfitters as far as getting 10 clients a year kind of thing for $15k+ a head.
Jon Boy
WKR
I know a few outfitters that charge $5k or so and then tack on a 5 or 6 grand trophy fee (if I remember correctly) Having said that, I'm not sure an outfitter is going to be paying a guide $200/day to sit up in the mountains for a month and follow a ram around that they might not even kill. And most outfitters only book one or two unlimited sheep hunts a year.
- Thread Starter
- #18
Great point Jon Boy and dotman. Jon Boy it sounds like you've possibly got some further insight on some of the unlimited areas. Would you mind possibly emailing me any info you might have for a couple drainages or mountains to possibly look into, if you've got any and would be willing to share? [email protected] , thanks.
Well, now that it's application time, what is the verdict for any and all unlimited sheep hunters? (If you care to share)... My buddy and I have been researching this hunt for almost a year now. We have talked to the biologists in both regions 3 and 5, had conference calls with a few guys that have been there, and poured over the maps and aerials in great detail. Right now it looks like we will get two boots on the ground scouting trips in and then be in the mix a few days before the opener.
I just hope we get good moisture through the spring and summer so the whole country side doesn't burn and they close the woods come fall. This early melt/run off, warm spring has me scratching my head.
How are everyone's plans shaping up?
I just hope we get good moisture through the spring and summer so the whole country side doesn't burn and they close the woods come fall. This early melt/run off, warm spring has me scratching my head.
How are everyone's plans shaping up?
Jon Boy
WKR
I'm still on the fence myself.
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