Anyone draw a MT Rocky Mountain Front Sheep tag?

mt-mike

Active Member
Jul 16, 2011
173
0
Helena, Montana
Here's some scouting info for anyone who has drawn, or is applying in the near future for a Rocky Mountain Front sheep tag. I visited some of the higher country on one of the more prominent winter range areas in May this spring. I was in an area where the rams (50+) stage themselves, eating new green grass before heading into the higher backcountry. I was able to get within one to two-hundred yards from a bunch of ten. The rest of them were out there up to a mile away. Their coats are shaggy and not very attractive this time of year until they shed all that old faded winter hair off. I didn't see any super big heads but I did see a lot of pretty nice ones. Some were too far away to evaluate. My opinion is that most of what I was looking at were 5 and 6 year olds, with a couple in the 7 or 8 year old category. The somewhat blurry picture of the ram with his head turned and tipped back was one of the better ones.




 

ElkTrout

Veteran member
Feb 2, 2012
2,443
50
Parker, CO
Great pics! Still playing the waiting game. Hopefully will draw one of these years. Thanks for sharing!


Sent from my iPhone
 

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
88
60
North Umpqua, Oregon
Nice pics Mike! I'd love to come out to Montana sometime just to see sheep. If I never draw a ram tag in Montana, I think when I'm 80 I'm gonna burn them on a ewe tag in the Breaks just to look at those big rams there.
 

6mm Remington

Very Active Member
Mar 27, 2011
978
49
Western Montana
Very nice pictures. I have put in for a sheep tag for 36 YEARS in a row here in Montana and have yet to draw a tag. We have a 7 year wait limit after a person draws one, and then they can put in again. I know several folks who have drawn two or more moose, sheep, or Mountain Goat tags! I feel it should be ONCE in a LIFETIME tag for the big three. Maybe a 7 year wait if you don't harvest one the year you are drawn. More folks deserve the chance to have a shot at this too! I don't know why Montana does not get off their &#$#@ and change this like most states have.

I drew a goat tag in 2011 and never got a goat and only saw two goats the whole time from scouting in the summer until I ended my season the last week in November, but I had a great time and saw some amazing country. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity. Now I did not get a goat and the populations had taken a real dive for some reason. I would be completely happy if I never got to chase one again, or as I suggested, if someone did not see the animal he wanted to take, or for whatever reason he didn't get one, I think a 7 year wait for that person would be acceptable. Just my thoughts.
 

swampokie

Veteran member
Jul 29, 2013
1,166
93
46
Haworth Oklahoma
R u kiddn? I don't even have the bread to front a tag!!!
Here's some scouting info for anyone who has drawn, or is applying in the near future for a Rocky Mountain Front sheep tag. I visited some of the higher country on one of the more prominent winter range areas in May this spring. I was in an area where the rams (50+) stage themselves, eating new green grass before heading into the higher backcountry. I was able to get within one to two-hundred yards from a bunch of ten. The rest of them were out there up to a mile away. Their coats are shaggy and not very attractive this time of year until they shed all that old faded winter hair off. I didn't see any super big heads but I did see a lot of pretty nice ones. Some were too far away to evaluate. My opinion is that most of what I was looking at were 5 and 6 year olds, with a couple in the 7 or 8 year old category. The somewhat blurry picture of the ram with his head turned and tipped back was one of the better ones.




 

medtech10

New Member
Feb 23, 2013
45
0
Montana
I was doing some spring bear hunting up on the front this year and saw several bands of rams. Its such a magical area in both the types of terrain, the diversity of wildlife, and the wildness that it showcases. Love the front and would do just about anything for the chance to hunt those majestic creatures!!!

I echo what 6mm has stated. I have 2 good friends that have beaten the odds on 1 species not once but twice in the same time that I have drawn no sheep, moose, or goat permit in 19 years of applying!!! Buddy from high school drew a moose permit in 2000 and another in 2010, and harvested great bulls on each occasion. He also drew and harvested a solid billy in 2008. Another friend from college drew a sheep in 2002 and again this year and I'm sure will harvest another giant ram this year. I may not ever draw, and might not even if it was changed, but I feel like the amount of people that would get to enjoy those magical places and animals that the front offer would be increased!

Just my 2 cents.....awesome pics!!!