With winter coming to an end and spring just around the
corner it is that time of year again, hunting application season! Every spring I
look forward to applying for hunting permits in several different states. I
scour maps and look at draw odds to decide what species I want to apply for and
what units I will put in for.
No matter what state you live in, each state offers
different opportunities for hunting big game. Some states have over the counter
tags, many states have special draw units or trophy units and there are also
many guaranteed draw tags if you apply. All these types of tags should be
considered when you are looking to apply for tags and planning your next hunting
season. When looking at what species you are going to put in for there are also
a lot of hidden opportunities. Many hunters get set in their annual patterns
and hunt deer, elk or antelope year after year. While these species provide
excellent opportunities and are probably the most hunted big game in North
America there are other options if you want to mix it up and experience
something different. Many states have options for moose, sheep, mountain goat,
bear, exotics or other big game that are often over looked. Many of these species are once in a lifetime
draws or have very slim draw odds, but if you do your homework and look at
statistics, there are options to hunt these other species.
Last spring about this time I was going through my
applications and looking at what states I wanted to apply for. Although I have
been applying for Big Horn Sheep and Desert Sheep in several states and it has
been a dream of mine for a long time, I had never been on a sheep hunt. While I
was looking at the Montana sheep hunting units I noticed that there were a few
sheep units that had extremely good draw odds for Big Horn Sheep Ewe tags.
After doing some thinking I decided I was going to put in for a Big Horn Ewe
tag. It may be years before I actually get a ram tag so I decided that going on
a ewe hunt would present the same benefits of ram hunting in that I would be
hunting the same terrain and still get to observe monster Big Horn rams in
their own majestic beauty. Not to mention that Big Horn Ewes are some of the
best wild game meat you can get J
After the drawing took place, sure enough, I had drawn a Big Horn Ewe tag in
Montana and I was heading for the hills on my first sheep hunt.
My 2012 sheep hunt was an amazing experience. I spent 7 days
in the field with a few of my good hunting buddies and we chased sheep up and
down the unbelievable steep terrain. We saw sheep almost every day and by day 5
we had seen over 50 Big Horn rams! Although I was hunting ewe’s, just getting to
see the rams and observe them for a week was a ton of fun. On day 5 I connected
on my ewe and we celebrated as we ate sheep tenderloins at camp that night! The
knowledge and experience I gained from going on my first sheep hunt was
priceless, and I am now more prepared for the day when I do draw a ram tag.
With the 2013 application season in full swing I would
encourage you to look into some other options for different hunts. If you want
to experience something different and try something new think outside the box,
look at draw odds, spend time on Game and Fish websites, and keep your options
open for where and what you are going to apply for. Good luck everybody in the
2013 draws!
