missed posting the pics:

terrain:

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4285888785&idx=11[/image]

clear day:

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4285888785&idx=9[/image]

smokey day (12 sheep napping on hill):

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4285888785&idx=10[/image]

At times terrain was like this:

[image]http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4285888785&idx=11[/image]

On good smoke days, weather was like this:

[image]http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4285888785&idx=9[/image]


On bad smoke days, it looked like this(zoom in and you can see 12 rams napping):

[image]http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4285888785&idx=10[/image]


Record heat-up to 90 degress F. Burned up on top of the mountain with no shade anywhere, and very, very little water to be found. Record AK forest fires, so with a north wind, visibilty got down to 50 meters the day I drove home. With south wind could spot sheep over 5 miles away with just binoculars with no problem.

CLimbed a couple of thousand of feet one day. Mostly sidehilling. Dropped a lot the last day when packing out to the airstrip. Hiked 6-7 miles to get to the gravel bar. Were able to cut th ecorner on our route we took going in, so we saved a lot of walking.

Watched 12 rams from 8:00 am and shot him at 7:30 pm. After 11 1/2 hours of watching, it was no pressure or excitement pulling the trigger.

Used a .270 I built myself on a Reminngton Titanium action. Weighed exactly 6# 0oz they way I had it when huntin with Swarovski scope and sling installed. I threw the rifle together and did not have time to finish it. I am working on it now and will have it weighing no more than 5# 8oz scoped and slung.

Made final stalk by myself because rams fed over a ledge on a wide open ridge with only 1 1/2" grass on it. duck walked and belly craweled last 3oo yards and sfter laying there about 10-15 minutes, got a clear shot at the ram downhill at between 95-115 meters. He bucked and collapsed in mid air, then proceded to roll 800' down hill. Camp was already 300' above where I pulled the trigger. got into camp with with all meat and horns a couple of minutes before midnight.

It's all the quest. The best thing I can wish to a sheep hunter is that he doesn't get one too quickly. Boy have I seen some marvelous places this year. Other hunting will never be the same.

Frans