HUNT LOCATION: Sonora, Old Mexico - 5 hours NW of Hermosillo

OUTFITTER: Ubaldo Lopez, El Rodeo Hunting Lodge

BOOKING AGENT: Wade Derby

HUNT DATES: February 4-6, 2010

SPECIES HUNTED: Cimarron

SPECIES SEEN BUT NOT SHOT: Mule Deer, Javelina

TOOL of CHOICE: Blaser R93 .300 RUM w/168 gr. Barnes TTSX, Swarovski Ballistic Turret Z5



This hunt started only a few months ago, with a call to my old friend, Wade Derby. I knew Wade sent quite a few hunters into Old Mexico, with pretty good results. I asked him to keep me in mind for a "sale" on Desert Big Horn. Wade called a few weeks back, with a hunt that fit that description. Off went the deposit.

Ubaldo was kind enough to allow my son Tyler as a no charge observer. Tyler signed his enlistment with the Marine Corps two days before our trip. I wanted to spend some quality time with my oldest boy before he reports for active duty.



The trip through Hermosillo was a breeze. My gun permit was there waiting for me. I can honestly say it was easier to bring my rifle into Mexico than any other country I visited. No problemas!

After a three hour drive, we overnighted in a motel, close to the Arizona border. A 4:00 AM wakeup and another two hours had us pulling into camp.



After a short breakfast, we were off to hunt spired islands rising above the desert scrub. The rams lived in these cracked valleys, carpeted with sharp rocks and sharper cactus.



A short hike (by sheep standards) found us looking into sheep country, with the Sea of Cortez in the background


Our guide Alfonso spotted two rams 2.5 kilometers away. Even from that distance, one of them looked good. When the rams fed down into a draw, we hoofed it across this valley. We reached a hidden draw to begin the climb, aiming for a black rock 600 feet above. From there, we would have a commanding view of the valley where we hoped would be two unsuspecting rams.

Easing over the top, my ram was 135 yards below. He was feeding, completely unaware of our presence.

Ram Video

My Sonora Ram was 12 years old. He was a battle scarred veteran, no doubt the jefe of the hill for many years.







Celebration time!



My single regret is that this fabulous hunt was over the first day. But I am content with the entire experience. The Sonora desert is an amazing, beautiful, wild place. I am fortunate enough to share this majestic ram with my son. What an unforgettable hunt!

Congratulation Jack, that was outstanding, thank you for posting the report and the video.

Regards
Aziz

Very nice ram and a great shot.

Congrats on a terrific ram!

Drummond

Great report, great pictures, great ram, great that you got to do it with your son! Just awesome!

Thanks for sharing.

Congrats! Great ram.

Great ram there, congrats and thanks for the pics and video.

Huge congrats! Beautiful ram and one of, if not the, best trophy in North America. You should be proud...

Jack, Congrats on a great ram. It is special for sure, especially getting to share the hunt with your son. Well done.
Cheers--Mark Hampton

GREAT VIDEO! congrats, you just got the hardest sheep in N. America to get...based on cost/availability.

Wade is a great guy...awesome that you could take such a beautiful ram!

congratulations Jack
Beautiful Ram!

My kind of sheep hunt!!
Way to go...

Congrats on a fabulous ram, Jack!!

That desert country near the Sea of Cortez is some of my favorite country on this small world.. I drive down there quite often from here to fish at San Carlos.

Wade is an A+ guy.. We're heading off on one of his hunts in less than 3 months.

Congrats on a dream fulfilled!!

Way to go! Beauty of a ram. Where does that put you as far as the Slam?

Very nice, congratulations!

Awesome ram!! Congrats.

Jack congratulations on your ram, what a great trophy! It is very special you were able to share it with your son. I just wanted to thank you for your trust in me and your friendship. It was an honor to be a part of it. Well Done, Wade


CrossHair Consulting
www.crosshairconsulting.com
925-679-9232

Nicely done Jack. Beautiful ram.

Jack - Beautiful Ram, congrats!!!

Great lookin' ram! Congratulations and thanks for sharing awesome pics and video!

Congratulations Jack, great looking ram.

Wonderful Trophy. Congratulations

Jack, tell your son I said "Thanks for serving."

I was on a small commuter plane last week from San Antonio to Phoenix. I was in the first row but there must have been 20 soldiers in uinform on the plane. Told the flight attendant I would buy their drinks, just give me the bill.

At the end of the flight she told me "You owe me seven dollars. The guy who I served told me to tell you thanks."

"What?" I said. "There must have been 20 of them.

They were all sleeping except one she said.

Most excellent!! Congratulations!

All the best to your son in his service to this greatest of countries.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Jack, tell your son I said "Thanks for serving."

I was on a small commuter plane last week from San Antonio to Phoenix. I was in the first row but there must have been 20 soldiers in uinform on the plane. Told the flight attendant I would buy their drinks, just give me the bill.

At the end of the flight she told me "You owe me seven dollars. The guy who I served told me to tell you thanks."

"What?" I said. "There must have been 20 of them.

They were all sleeping except one she said.

Great imagery.....and it says so much about our soldiers in so few words.

quote:

AnotherAZWriter

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Jack, tell your son I said "Thanks for serving."

I was on a small commuter plane last week from San Antonio to Phoenix. I was in the first row but there must have been 20 soldiers in uinform on the plane. Told the flight attendant I would buy their drinks, just give me the bill.

At the end of the flight she told me "You owe me seven dollars. The guy who I served told me to tell you thanks."

"What?" I said. "There must have been 20 of them.

They were all sleeping except one she said.

AZ,

It's been a few days since your post. Your words just stopped me in my tracks, thinking on just what it takes to be a soldier. My son is very bright, easy going, and can do pretty much anything he sets his mind to do. Yet he chose to serve his country in these most turbulent times.

As a father, I can only worry for his well being. As a man, I admire his courage.

I pray for him, his soon to be brothers in arms, and now too for the parents and loved ones of those dedicated few who answer the call.

God bless and keep them all.

And thanks again to all for the kind posts.


OK, a few more pics with my son. He also got his first ever javelina!



One to remember.

quote:

Originally posted by Jack D Bold:

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Jack, tell your son I said "Thanks for serving."

I was on a small commuter plane last week from San Antonio to Phoenix. I was in the first row but there must have been 20 soldiers in uinform on the plane. Told the flight attendant I would buy their drinks, just give me the bill.

At the end of the flight she told me "You owe me seven dollars. The guy who I served told me to tell you thanks."

"What?" I said. "There must have been 20 of them.

They were all sleeping except one she said.

AZ,

It's been a few days since your post. Your words just stopped me in my tracks, thinking on just what it takes to be a soldier. My son is very bright, easy going, and can do pretty much anything he sets his mind to do. Yet he chose to serve his country in these most turbulent times.

As a father, I can only worry for his well being. As a man, I admire his courage.

I pray for him, his soon to be brothers in arms, and now too for the parents and loved ones of those dedicated few who answer the call.

God bless and keep them all.

And thanks again to all for the kind posts.


OK, a few more pics with my son. He also got his first ever javelina!



One to remember.

Jack,

The quality of today's solider is really impressive. Just listen to them on the news - your typical SP4 speaks much better than my local pols.

Remember to donate to the USO this year. I do every year. And when you see a soldier in uniform, thank him or her. Give them your first class seat if you got upgraded (I did so twice the week before last) - half the time they will refuse it anyway. Remind them they can go into the private airline lounges when in uniform (at least they can on Delta).

I do these things because there is a chance that that soldier will be lying wounded, perhaps bleeding to death, and thinking "no one really cared." But then he will think of that anonymous guy who once gave up his first class seat or bought him a beer or perhaps lunch...

We simply can't do enough for those serving. I loved 'em when I was one of 'em, and I love them now.

God Bless your son.

Beautiful....well done

Beautiful trophy ram! Congratulations!

Jack,

Great story and Trophy... All the best to Tyler as he is about to do the most honorable thing, defend our Countries freedom. I served our Country proudly and have the utmost respect for those that have and do...DAN

Congratulations and a big Thanks to your son!

Jack,

Nice ram! Good that you could spend some special time with your son before he goes to boot camp. How times have changed. Your son is getting his deserved good wishes now before he ever gets into the service. Nobody even said "Welcome home" to me until last year nearly fourty years after the fact. Different times, different war. All the best to your son.

Mark

That is a great ram-congratulations !

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Jack,

Nice ram! Good that you could spend some special time with your son before he goes to boot camp. How times have changed. Your son is getting his deserved good wishes now before he ever gets into the service. Nobody even said "Welcome home" to me until last year nearly fourty years after the fact. Different times, different war. All the best to your son.

Mark

I cringe when I hear things like that. Well, apologies for the slight delay, but I'd like to say welcome home to you, and thanks for your service, Mark. Seriously.

Godspeed to the young gent heading off, and may he come home safely. Great memories on the hunt with the old man he'll be taking with him, I'm sure.

Beautiful ram! Great video! You must be very proud of your son as we are of our sons. (We also have a Tyler). Thank him for serving our Country!

Also thanks for your help regarding the Blair/Heathington situation. Lonnie Henriksen

Jack, way to go! Isn't that your second desert?
Prayers out for the safety of your son.

To Wade, I promise - one day.... (unless I draw of course )

LDE,

no just my first. Mr. Henriksen and I got to talking about sheep hunting, and started talking about this hunt and my ram.

Did he mention he is new a member of the "grand slam" sheep club? A terrific accomplishment!

But his best accomplishment is in raising such fine sons. He did something right, and now it's coming back to him.

And I am with you - my only hope for a second DBH is for the states of AZ, NV, or UT to realize just who it is they are dealing with and sell me a permit!

If you want to hunt the DBH, now would be a pretty good time, and Wade a pretty good resource. IMO, they are as inexpensive as they are going to get, and you can trust Wade to get it done.

ANd thanks for your thoughts for my family.

Cheers!

Great sheep and video. Congratulations.

Arjun Reddy
www.huntersnetworks.com