Big Horn Sheep / Mountain Goats
 

I was out elk hunting this past week around Durango, Colorado. Of course I had a bull tag and only saw cows, but that's how it always goes, right?

Anyway, I saw FIFTEEN big horn sheep, two of which were shootable rams. I was drooling! I've also seen a large number of mountain goats on my hikes and camping trips.

So I started wondering about hunting these creatures. I went to the Division of Wildlife web site and started reading up about licensing procedures, etc., and it's obviously going to be a LOOOONG wait to get one. The area I want to hunt sheep in (Pikes Peak, near home) only grants one license per year! Others grant 2-4, some ram, some ewe. Mountain goats are about the same (want to hunt these around Breckenridge because I've seen quite a few there).

So I'm going to start putting in for preference points next year. I think I read somewhere that it takes an average of 8 points to get a license for either of these. That gives me time to learn about both animals and how to hunt them. I think a spot-and-stalk approach would work best, above treeline in both cases. The ones I've seen didn't seem to be bothered by human presence at all, unlike deer or elk that I've hunted. What do you all think?

Where should I start my learning process? These licenses are much more expensive than deer, elk, antelope, and other things I've hunted, and I don't want to wait YEARS to get a license only to blow my opportunity.

Oh man aint that the way it always works out! You see them when you aren't looking. Good luck and hope you get your tag (eventually)

The hardest thing about sheep and goat hunting is getting the tag. I killed a few rams in Montana's unlimited tag areas back when we could buy one of those tags if we didn't draw a tag in a limited entry unit. I've been unsuccessfully applying for Montana goat and limited sheep tags for over 30 years.

You're right about spot and stalk, and A LOT of glassing. However, sheep and goats aren't always above timberline. I've found both in the timber.

Or in the sage brush!!!!

MAC266,
Its been years since I lived or hunted in Colorado. However, I remember something about "once in a lifetime hunt permit" when it came to the Big Horn sheep. Which meant that when you eventually were lucky enough to get a permit, you had to used it or lose it; you would never, ever get drawn again! I'm not sure if they still have that stipulation, but it would be worth looking in to.

So, like you say, "I don't want to wait YEARS to get a license only to blow my opportunity;" might ring truer than you think.

Yes! My dream ram is living in the sage brush right now. All I need is to draw the permit.

It's currently one SUCCESSFUL RAM hunt per lifetime, but ewes are unlimited. It's still a multi-year wait to get a ewe license. If you get a ram license and blow it, it is possible to get another one. Once you harvest a ram, though, you're done.

Last year I had a bull tag in New Mexico Unit 52, but only saw cows. A wild sheep sounds like a great hunt. Good luck.