Looks like I'll be hiking in for sheep on the Middle Fork. YAAAAHOOOOOOO!

The Smith says the barreled action is going into the blueing tank tomorrow!

Life is good! Dutch.

congrats!!! Way to go. You got a job ahead of you! Ron

Dutch,
Good for you. I will rope one for you and tie it up next the hot springs below Thomas Creek. Son of a gun put the run on me last November.

Congrats Dutch,

What caliber are you putting together for the hunt?

Thanks guys. As luck would have it, my mother-in-law just bought another horse. She likes to pack into the mountains, so we've got the "getting camp in" question solved. We'll need to go in a couple of times to scout this summer.

I just rebarreled my 7mag (Douglas barrel). A new fiberglass stock with a 15" LOP is on it's way for next week.

All I need now is to upgrade my optics. Need a rangefinder and a new set of lighter weight binocs (my 25 year old glass porro's aren't going to cut it....). Would like a new VXIII 2.5x8 with the Boone and Crocket reticle, but I don't think the household peace can stand a $2,000 optics budget

I'm so excited, my feet haven't touched the ground in the last 24 hrs! Dutch.

Dutch, You lucky dog. You might take Chic up on his offer and use him as a decoy. Just have him stand naked by a hot springs waving a towel.

Jeff

Dutch,
Don't know what kind of optics you are looking for but I was just about to put a set of my binoculars on ebay to sell. They are pentax weather resistant compacts (10x24's). If you are interested send me a p.m. and I will give you my number. I am in I.F. as well.

300Winnie, thanks for the offer. Just put money down on a Leica Geovid.

It only hurts for a little while, when you write the check........ Hope I recover by the the season rolls around . Dutch.

Good choice. I finally decided that I needed some better optics as well so I got some Bausch & Lomb elites off of ebay last fall and just getting around to selling my old bino's.

What unit did you draw in? I have another work associate that drew in unit 21.

I'm in the worst unit of all, 27-1, as far as success rate. Not because it doesn't have sheep, because it has so much habitat, they can be anywhere. That's why the success rate is so low there.

Still, sheep hunting with a tag in your pocket is a lot more fun that sheep hunting without a tag! If it were easy, they'd call it grocery shopping...... Dutch.

Dutch, I was Just on the Phone with Idaho Ron and He told me you drew... I'm accross the fork in 27-2 chasing Sheep, I thought you were on my side and I was gonig to swap stories with ya

Good luck on your trip.

Moosie and Dutch, by the time you guys get through with your Sheep hunts up there in the 27 area, this Fall, you'll both have worn down about six inches off one leg! That is true "sidehill" country.

Good Luck! We'll expect many pictures.

L.W.

LOL L.W. It's truely some Rough country... At least in 27-1 He can get horses in, My horse trail stops after 12 miles

Congradulations Dutch,

When do the sheep begin to scatter?

I need to get on the net and begin researching Idaho non-resident tags. One thing I want to do before I die is hunt Blackies in your home state. But Moose here may need to come first. Ive been watching a group of Moose in the uintas for a couple years and they are up to 5 bulls now and some are really beginning to mature. Time to go for it!

Has the tingling in your toes began to settle down yet?

I'm in 27-1. Right now we are debating about flying in the main camp or horse packing it in. Most of my hunting will be backpack style, with a return to base camp two or three times to restock food. I suppose how often depends on how many chuckars sacrifice themselves to the evening meal.....

From what people tell me, the sheep are pretty much scattered in that unit, all the time, all over the place. Lots and LOTS of habitat, and quite a few sheep. The fellow that trains my bird dog is going into 27-1 this year for his third try.......! It's a rough s.o.b. to hunt: high, dry and STEEP! Even so, sure beats sitting home and talking about it, though! Dutch.