Hunter: Aaron Neilson

Outfitter: Luis Romero / Desert-Hunt

Cameraman: Jeremiah Bennett

Location: Sonora, Mexico

Species: Desert Bighorn Ram

Hunt Dates: Nov. 22 - Nov. 30, 2013


This was definitely a hunt that I was never sure would be in the cards for me? We all know of the cost of such hunts, and for me - it just seemed out of reach. That was until a couple of months ago, when I got a call from Luis Romero. Owner of Desert-Hunt, and a good friend of mine as well. He told me that a client had just cancelled his Nov. 2013 Desert Sheep hunt, with a 40% deposit left on the table. Although still pricy, it was a deal I could not refuse.

At the airport in Phoenix, prior to departure - I was participating in No-Shave November!


Luis and I originally met in 2007, in the CAR - and have since done 2 additional African safaris together in both Zambia & Zimbabwe. His father was a world hunter, who died at a much too early age - from an infection acquired on a hunt of his own. And his uncle is also a well-known world hunter, and previous Weatherby Award winner as well - so Luis' hunting tradition runs strong. Knowing him as a friend, a great outfitter, and true professional - I knew we were definitely gonna be in good hands.

Met in Hermosillo the day prior to our hunt, Luis and his guys were all sporting clean/new hunting vehicles - and were well prepared for our arrival. Although several days of pre-scouting was done, it really went out the window when the first 36 hrs of our hunt was nothing but rain/fog!?!?! Ya, in Sonora - who would have thought it possible?

On the initial bright side, our accommodations were the best I have seen yet in Sonora - and of course, the food was excellent. With a relatively easy - 5 hr drive from town, getting in/out was simple. Although waiting around the house for the first 1.5 days was boring, we were thankful for the good accommodations, and great food.

Once finally out in the field, glassing was the only form of hunting. Each day we all carried multiple sets of optics (I had 10x42 Leicas, 15x50 Leicas, and a 65mm Leica spotting scope) The sheep were few/far between, and not easy to spot. Frankly, this was one hunt where I was truly thankful for Luis' sheep guides - they were very good at spotting sheep.


The terrain was extremely difficult! Unstable rock, more unstable rock, cactus, and then some more unstable rock. Walking directly uphill was the only easy part. Side hill/down hill, sucked really bad! Although tough field conditions, the beauty of the desert is pretty cool!







Day 6 finally revealed 3 good rams in a place we had yet to look, and the hunt was officially on. After several hours of watching the rams, two of them broke away from the 3rd (the one I really wanted) and went all the way to the top of the mtn. The 3rd ram was about 50% of the way of the mtn, and decided his spot was good enough. He laid down, but we thought it wouldn't be for long as the sun was growing hotter - and he was lying directly in it.

It took us roughly 1.5 hrs to get within 290 yards of the ram. As we were getting set-up, he spotted us! But on each of the ranches Luis has for sheep hunting, only 1 ram tag per year is issued - so the ram was alerted, but not freaked out. He simply stood up, walked out on a rock to get a good look at us - and kindly provided me a fine target as well. A couple of shots later, my first Desert Ram was on the ground.







Summary: It really was a great hunt, with a great outfitter and a good group of guides. I did not see a lot of rams, 5 to be exact (not counting little banana horns, etc) The weather was awesome - averaged about 75 degrees each day, and chilly in the mornings/evenings. As mentioned, the terrain was tough - good physical condition definitely helped, along with a lot of patience. We spent hours a day glassing with no results. I shot the best ram I saw, roughly 163" - 164" B&C. Luis' clients have shot bigger on the mainland, and of course plenty bigger than that on Tiburon Island. The average ram on the mainland is about 153", so I was pleased with the results. A great experience, one I will not soon forget!

He's a stud, man. Well done!

Great hunt and report. Congratulations!!
But its not "no-shave November. Its MOvember, you should have a Moustache

quote:

Originally posted by Svinejakt:
Great hunt and report. Congratulations!!
But its not "no-shave November. Its MOvember, you should have a Moustache

Man, I could never sport a moustache - the 1980's are long since gone!!!

Great ram, Aaron.

Congrats!

Beauty sheep Aaron! Svinejakt has a good point…I'm still sporting mine, or at least until whitetail season closes in a few days!

Congrats

COngrats. Great ram!
Based on the top picture, I thought you would one of the locals looking for a new passport!
You should be on TV....

Awesome ram Aaron - congratulations!

Great Ram Aaron, and great report as always. Can't wait to see the footage.

Greg

Sweet!!!
I love the scenery of the desert. Ram is pretty nice too. Congrats Aaron !

Thanks guys!!!

Great ram Aaron! Congratulations!

Brett

Wonderful ram Aaron, big congrats.

Well done on the sheep Aaron.

But why didn't anyone tell me about "No-Shave-November"? I'da been all over that.

Very nice!

Congratulations Aaron, fantastic trophy. I love Sonora.

quote:

Originally posted by Wendell Reich:
Well done on the sheep Aaron.

But why didn't anyone tell me about "No-Shave-November"? I'da been all over that.

Don`t be fooled by Aaron`s "No-Shave-November". I will say it again, it`s MOvember. You grow a MO for awareness around male cancer types like prostate and testicular cancer. The movement has also collected a couple of houndred million dollars over the years. Off course sporting a big MO is a prize on it`s own

Way to go, real nice Ram Aaron.
Sounds like a great hunt.

Congratulations!

Thanks for sharing the report Aaron, congrats. Very happy for you.

Awesomne mate!! Congrats!!

Congratulations. Were you hunting in the Sierra Viejos near Caborca?

Bill Quimby

Nice job on the sheep!!

Did you dip your chin into your milk before your pictures?!! LOL!!

Travel safe and talk to ya when you get home.

Beautiful ram. Well earned. Congrats. Bruce

Aaron,
Awesome ram man! Congratulations.

Ccongrats! Fine ram

Oh, that's nice!

Aaron,
Great ram!!!
I've not hunted the Sonora, but lately I've been getting the itch. About 5 years ago I hunted the Baja and took a Desert Bighorn, but as you've proven with lions, an itch just needs to be scratched.

quote:

Originally posted by Alaska Hunter:
Aaron,
Great ram!!!
I've not hunted the Sonora, but lately I've been getting the itch. About 5 years ago I hunted the Baja and took a Desert Bighorn, but as you've proven with lions, an itch just needs to be scratched.

Sometimes it does!!

Great hunt. Congrats Aaron.

Congratulations Aaron! A fine ram to be sure.