I just realized that i forgot to post my hunt report so here it is.

OUTFITTER: Ramhead Outfitters, Stan & Deb Simpson
GUIDE: Tee Jensen
LOCATION: Mckenzie Mountains, NWT, Canada
HUNT DATES: July 25 to Aug 6, 2014
RIFLE: ATRS Custom 7mm-08. Barrel - Proof Research CWB; Stock - McMillan CF Edge; Action - ATRS Infidel; Scope - Nightforce 2.5-10; Mounts - ATRS Aluminum rings and rail.
BOW: Bowtech Carbon Overdrive, 70lbs, Montec Broadheads

The Simpsons are mountain hunting legends in Alberta, BC and NWT. Have been for decades. I knew of them well, but the main reason for booking with Ramhead was that my guide would be friend Tee Jensen. I have known him for a few years as we grew up fairly close to each other, him on the flat side of the Alta/Sask border and me on the other. I knew from talking with him the last few years that any Dall hunt i was to book would be where he was working.

The whole setup was just as advertised by Ramhead. I flew into Norman Wells via commercial jet. I was immediately picked up by Stan Simpson and quickly off in the helicopter to meet Tee who was already on the mountain waiting for me. Tee had 2 bands of rams spotted and the camp set up on a small saddle pretty high on the hills. It was a great spot and it had plenty of good water just a short walk any direction from the tents. By late the first evening we had another batch of rams spotted and we agreed that in the morning we would go for a closer look at the biggest ram in that bunch. We were up early and our waiting period after flight had expired, so off we went to find this group of rams. As we approached the crest of mountain we spotted another group of rams about 800 yards away. Then from the same spot we located the group of interest.

I hadn't been in camp for more than 18 hours and we had already looked at about 20 rams!

We watched my ram move around a long way below us for quite a few hours. It was a waiting game, hoping that they would once again come to the top of the hills to feed on the open meadows. They certainly were not in any feed amongst the rocks and scree they were bedded in, so our bet was made with pretty high confidence. YEP! Here they come! Right at us. We could not have been in much better position than we were in.

I had my bow in hand waiting for them to come over the rise on a broadside course for the green meadows above. As is often the case, the little rams led the way and were presenting well for a 60yrd shot. The big guy, in the back finally showed himself, but just his head and neck were exposed when he stopped dead. We waited for him to take that one critical step so i could let fly, but just then the ever faint wind was coming from our backs. He smelled us, of course, and the started heading back from where they came from. I quickly grabbed my rifle and scrambled to the crest where i would be able to see them well. As it turned out they went right below us and it was only 65yrds when i pulled the trigger on him. He hit the deck immediately on the shot and never moved. I could see that his right, back hoof got caught in crag between 2 rocks otherwise he would have tumbled a long way down!!

For those that are curious on score: NET 158" B&C, 39.5" on long side.















Even though it was not a difficult hike back to camp, i was still exhausted...Tee was busy caping and really all i did was sit there...

The next day was nasty windy, so we could not get a pick-up. We did a bit of fine tuning on the cape and spent a bit of time hiking the leeward side of the mountain in search of Mountain Caribou. We did spot a decent bull, and several other smaller ones, but none that we were ready to go on a death march for this early after taking a sheep.

Mid the next day the helicopter arrived. We were taken only 8 or so miles away from where we were on what Tee figured looked good for Caribou. We quickly set up camp and headed out to do some spotting. Again we couldn't hunt until the next day due to flying restrictions, but we managed to see a number of caribou and 4 nice bull moose in full velvet. It wasn't long after dinner that the wind really started to pick-up and the snow started coming. The next morning i poked my head out of my tent and could barely see Tee's tent which was only 50' away. Unfortunately, this was the case the next day as well...So after 2.5 days in my tent we finally got a break in the weather. I tell ya, that doesn't seem like a long time, but it really wears on you after the first day, because you never really know how long a storm like that can last in the mountains...

As soon as we got out of our tents that day we could see Caribou across the valley from camp. The biggest bull looked good and i decided that we should go for it. We trudged through over 2' of snow in parts to get to them. They had move away from us by the time we got close to their original location and once we crested the hill we found them again just as far off as when we started. We made a plan to keep after them as now they were bedded. We hoped they would just stay put for another 45min or so. On our way to them, Tee spotted a few more bulls and then i spotted a few more. I could tell through my bins that there was good bull in that group. As soon as Tee got the scope on him he said "He is gonna look good on the wall beside your sheep" He was bedded on a slope just above a small river. We would have to cross the river to get to his side, but the bank looked like it would provide great cover to get in close with my bow.

The attack worked pretty flawlessly, but before we got over the bank the caribou were up and milling around, feeding. I had to go solo the rest of the stalk which was only another 30 yards or so from where Tee would be filming the hunt. When i figured i had gone as far as i could without detection, i rose to my knees to get a range...73yrds...I had done a lot of practice out to 70, so i was pretty confident i could do this. I knelt back down, drew and slowly came back up. The big bull was perfectly broadside with his head down feeding. I let fly and watched my arrow hit him perfectly and pass through! I knew it was a good shot but all i could do was watch him trot away. He only went 60 or 80 yards further before he toppled over dead.

We walked up to him in complete awe! He was huge and just plain gorgeous. We took a lot of time getting good pictures, caping and deboning. It was a long walk back to camp and all up hill, but we did it.

Again for those interested in score he is Unofficially (split skull):
Green with velvet ON: 425" Gross B&C

Hard horned after drying: 411" Gross, Net 388" B&C
I lost the velvet, but hope to mount him with faux velvet...

This was a great trip that exceeded all expectations. Hunting in the mountains is hard, there is no doubt, but the setup that Ramhead has makes it easier than ever. It goes without saying that i would recommend them to anyone who wants to hunt Dall or Mtn. Caribou.

Never get tired of seeing those pictures! Congrats again!

Bravo !!!!!

Nicely done!

Outstanding trophies- congrats! Love the second bou pic.

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing. Kuiu fan eh?

Congrats on a great hunt!! That caribou is spectacular! How do you like your kuiu tent? I love my kuiu clothing and am in the market for a good back country tent.

quote:

his was a great trip that exceeded all expectations. Hunting in the mountains is hard, there is no doubt, but the setup that Ramhead has makes it easier than ever. It goes without saying that i would recommend them to anyone who wants to hunt Dall or Mtn. Caribou.

What a great hunt and beautiful trophies too!

Well done!
Thank you for the report.
Zeke

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Andersen:
Congrats on a great hunt!! That caribou is spectacular! How do you like your kuiu tent? I love my kuiu clothing and am in the market for a good back country tent.

Peter,

The kuiu tent was one my guide bought. I was the first to use it. If you go to kuiu website currently, it will show the tents are "out of stock". I don't think this is true....I think they are taking a look at the material used for the tents...My experience, was that it is NOT waterproof. I would consider it slightly water resistant at best, hence the emergency blanket draped over the top. I don't want to bad mouth Kuiu as they do seem to have some very good products, but this tent was not one of them. My guide returned the tent at the end of the season and got a full refund from Kuiu, so that is commendable.

I am sure they will come out with a new tent at some point, and my bet is that it will be much better....

Beautiful sheep and really nice mountain caribou.

Looks like a great hunt, congrats!

NW Territories is definitely on my list of places to hunt and you only fueled that desire a little more.

My wife DOESN'T thank you!

Awesome report, Bryce! NWT is top on my list. Booked Nepal for next October, but NWT will be the next mountain hunt.

Congrats on a great ram and Caribou!

Greg

Beautiful ram! Dandy 'bou!

Bryce 'ol boy! What have you done? I will tell you I don't know how a Dall ram could be prettier. he is a beaut. The caribou not only is big but has massive character. Just well done all around. The faux velvet is the way to go. Properly applied it is gorgeous and indistinguishable from the real thing.

FYI Zambia is open again and Johnny has an incredible area.

Mark

Thanks for a great report!