Drew British Columbia Bighorn Ram LEH Tag!!

[Hemi]

A stroke of luck and I drew the only Ram tag in Southern British Columbia's Vassauex Lake area: Region 8-1. Sept.1-30.
This area is known for producing BIG rams.....
Does anyone on here have any info in this region? Near Oliver BC? I live approx. 40miles away.

Also I have never hunted Mtn Sheep...mostly mulies,whities, Elk and moose. Is there anything in particular I should be focusing on when sheep hunting?

I shoot a custom ruger in .338win. mag. I just purchased a Zeiss Conquest 3.5-10x44mm scope...still waiting for it to show up.

What sort of optics should I bring along?

Any info and advice is greatly appreciated

[ShatoDavis]

Purchase a very good spotting scope. It will save you alot of climbing if you can determine if a ram is legal before you climb. Get your legs in shape. Good Luck! I wish it was me and not you.

[Jeff Ovington]

I have never hunted in that aera for Rams..
I don't know ..But if ya live only 40miles away..You should be able to get lots of scouting in before hand...Get lots of maps and arial photograghs of the area..Read books on Sheep and/or rent videos on sheep biology and sheep hunting videos..
Very good spotting scope and binosare essential....
I assume that because ya live down there you are used to the extreme terrain.. but huntingSheep is really no different than hunting
Mule Deer Bucks during early season..I wouldn't be supprised if ya bring a monster buck out of that area as well..

[Hemi]

Thanks for the tips!.....90% of my hunting is off of horses. The terrain is pretty rugged and there are alot of good bucks shot around here. I will borrow my cousins Swarovski spotting scope...I am ordering a pair of Steiner Predator Binos at mid month....12x40mm and mentioned I will be using a Zeiss rifle scope.

The area is fairly accessible to us and Im hoping because of only 1 Ram tag issued a year in this zone the sheep won,t be to spooked....is this too much wishfull thinking? I know it wont be like shooting fish in a barrel but the odds must be in my favour....I see the sheep all the time right down on the valley floor. Even though I have never hunted Sheep Im pretty stoked!!

[huntnmuleys]

i dont have any tips, i just want to say im jealous as hell. i sure hope i get a sheep tag one of these years.

good luck and post some pics when ya get him down!

[Hemi]

huntnmuleys....

Im sure this will be a once in a lifetime shot at a ram in this area for me!....Many buddies are wanting to come along and run a video camera, so there should be no shortage of pictures IFand only IF I can locate a good ram and manage to take him out! I spoke to a local rancher here with a cesna and for $100 he will fly me around the Vassaux Lake area for an hour..The first time I will go a week before and GPS some of the more promising area then I will fly again the day before opening day. Hopefully get an idea where to unload my horses and head out!

[monarchoutdoors]

Try some 180 barnes for that .338 they shoot fast hard and flat. Which you will need. Also get the Swarovski range finder and a great spotting scope. Shooting sticks and a good back with hydration pack. BRING A GOOD CAMERA!!!

GOOD LUCK!!

[ShatoDavis]

I wouldn't buy those Bino's myself. 12 power is way to high. I would buy some 8 powers or at the most 10. They would be plenty for scanning and trying to locate game. Larger field of view etc. Once you find the game you can zoom in on them with your spotting scope. Those 12X will pull the eyes right out of my head.
I'm not a big fan of Steiners myself. I had a pair that weren't worth packing around. Maybe they're better now though. I would buy a pair of Swarovski's or Zeiss or if money is an issue purchase some Leupold Wind River. The wind river's are very good glass, they aren't the quality of Swaro's but they are close for a lot less money. Just my 2 cents. Best of Luck on your ram.

[Hemi]

Thanks for the tips guys....I will definitely put some more thought into my binos...I was thinking about trying to look at a set of Zeiss conquests before I order....The Leupies Wind River sounds intersting also...dont know much about those.

As far as shells...I have been shooting the Federal Premium High Energy bullets in 225 grain...have tried other rounds and these seem to shoot really well out of my rifle. 1" groups at 100 yards..sighted 3.5" high. I believe the travel around 2950fps and 4400+ foot pounds.

The shooting sticks sound like another good idea to check into...there are not alot of trees in the area for a rest at longer ranges.

[Hemi]

Did some scouting last weekend in the area I will be hunting my California Bighorn Ram. We spotted approx. 50 ewes,lambs and smaller rams. One decent Ram we spotted would score mid 160's. Spoke to an avid sheep hunter in the area and he believes there are rams that would go 180+The sheep are not spooked at all in this area. No pressure on them and the Government is studying these herds regularily. Can not wait to for Sept. 1st