Summer Scouting Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep I

 

Summer in Arizona means hot temperatures and rutting Desert Bighorn.  It is amazing to see these sheep running around in extreme heat like it doesn't even phase them.  We have been doing quite a bit of scouting for these awesome animals during May and June and the anticipation for the rutting season is increasing with each day.  Rams seem to come out of the woodwork this time of year.  Colburn and Scott Outfitters guide, Darr Colburn, has been capturing some great video and photos of some of these rams.  We are excited for the upcoming sheep season this fall!  Make sure to get your name in the hat for the Arizona Super Big Game Raffle Desert Sheep permit because the drawing is coming soon.  Check out the sweet video footage below captured by Darr Colburn in June 2014 of some rams butting heads as they prepare for the rut.

June 2014 Photo by Colburn and Scott Outfitters guide, Darr Colburn
 

In 2013, Claude Warren purchased one ticket in the raffle and his name was drawn!  He hired Colburn and Scott Outfitters and harvested the largest Nelsoni Desert Sheep in the State of Arizona's history!  Buy your tickets and this could be you!

Official Score of Claude Warren's AZ Super Big Game Raffle Desert Sheep

The official score of Claude Warren's incredible AZ Super Raffle Desert Ram is in!  His official gross score is 185 3/8 and 181 1/8 Net.  I believe this makes his ram the largest Nelsoni Desert Sheep ever harvested in the State of Arizona.  Honestly, this ram never ceases to surprise me.  It was an honor to video and photograph him and then get a chance to hunt him.  He did his best to vanish and zig when we zagged but we were very fortunate.  Darr and I would like to thank Claude Warren for putting his trust in us with his coveted tag and being such a great guy.  Thanks to Fred Ashurst for his friendship and hanging with us.  We would like to thank the AZ Super Big Game Raffle, Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society and the Arizona Game and Fish Department for taking care of our precious wildlife.  I can't wait to see Claude's ram once it is mounted by Clay Goldman of Mogollon Taxidermy.

Official Measurements:
Right Horn-40 0/8, 16 0/8, 15 4/8, 10 4/8, 10 0/8=92 0/8
Left Horn-38 7/8, 16 1/8, 15 1/8, 13 6/8, 9 4/8=93 3/8
185 3/8 Gross and 181 1/8 Net
An interesting thing to note is that the 2nd quarter on the right side fell smack dab in the deepest part of the chip and he loses 3 2/8 on that measurement alone.

I would be lying if I said we knew this sheep was as big as he is.  The simple fact that sheep even close to this big aren't known to be in this unit.  It would be like a 440 bull elk coming out of Unit 4A.  When I first saw him, I was just trying to get good footage so that we could evaluate him later.  I can tell you that the last time I saw the ram right before Claude harvested him he looked like a monster.  This hunt was so much more than score but it sure was exciting to get to be a part of a once in a lifetime experience.  Lord willing we will be back on the mountain chasing sheep soon!

Bighorn Sheep Hunting Video-12 Months of Ram Magic with Jay Scott Outdoors

Check out this sheep hunting video.

More Photos of Claude Warren's AZ Super Raffle Desert Sheep Hunt

Here are some more photos of Claude Warren's awesome Desert Bighorn sheep hunt.  The "Flathead Ram" is truly a very special sheep.  Once the 60 day drying period is up, he could likely tie for the 2nd largest Nelsoni ram ever harvested in Arizona.***Update the official boone and crockett score is in and the ram scores a whopping 185 3/8 gross and 181 1/8 Net which makes him the largest Nelsoni ram ever harvested in the state of Arizona.

 

I have been wearing the Zamberlan KUIU Pamir boots lately.  They are a very stiff technical boot but every time I wear them I like them better and better.  I am still in the breaking in process but these boots are quickly growing on me.  The guys at KUIU and Zamberlan have really come up with a great design for maximum performance and foot support.

Video Of AZ Raffle Desert Sheep Hunt with Claude Warren and Colburn and Scott Outfitters

Claude Warren's AZ Super Big Game Raffle Desert Sheep hunt with Colburn and Scott Outfitters

Claude Warren's Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt Photos 2

Here are some more photos from the 2013 Arizona Big Game Super Raffle Sheep Hunt with Claude Warren.  We are blessed to be able to have such a magnificent animal to hunt like the desert bighorn sheep!

Claude Warren's AZ Super Raffle Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt Photos with Colburn and Scott Outfitters

Here are some photos of Claude Warren's incredible Nelsoni Desert ram.  Claude had drawn the coveted AZ Super Big Game Raffle Desert Sheep Tag.  We found this ram 14 days before he was harvested and nicknamed him "The Flathead Ram".  We were able to capture some decent video of him and knew that he was a ram very worthy of Claude's pursuit.  The only problem was that Claude was over 3000 miles away in his home of Saco, Maine.  He was able to adjust his plans and arrive about a week later.  We had originally planned to start hunting on November 8th but with the Flathead sighting things were accelerated.  The ram then gracefully disappeared and Darr and I were searching high and low for him.  Many days we were joined by our good friend Fred Ashurst who has a great eye for spotting sheep.  The sheep were sporadically rutting and the rams were moving around a great distance.  We would see certain rams then see them miles away the next day.  Darr and I had a fantastic time with Claude looking for this ram.  We filmed and documented a bunch of rams over those days.  It would be a lie to say that doubt didn't creep in our minds that he may be buried in some inaccessible country.  We hoped he would show his face again and he fortunately did.  This ram is certainly one of the largest Nelsoni rams ever harvested.

We would like to thank Claude for having such a energetic youthful spirit during the hunt and putting his trust in Colburn and Scott Outfitters with this coveted tag.  We have made a lifelong friend in Claude.  I would like to thank Darr Colburn for his relentless diligence, persistence and tenacity.  His spirited heart and hunting skill are what make him the best hunting partner and business partner I could ever ask for.  Darr and I would like to thank Fred and Mary Ashurst for their continued friendship, support and hospitality.  We have many more photos and video of this ram that we will be posting soon.

Tale of the Tape-
Score on a ram like this is for the birds anyway but here is the scoop because I have received many emails with people wanting to know.  The Arizona Game and Fish Department scored the ram at 183 1/8 gross.  His right horn measurements are 39 5/8, 15 7/8, 15 1/8, 10 3/8, 9 7/8=90 7/8 and his Left horn measurements are 38 1/8, 16, 15 1/8, 13 5/8, 9 3/8=92 2/8.  The chip on his right horn just happens to fall right in the middle of his 2nd quarter measurement and he loses over 3 inches.  Its amazing to think this ram would gross over 186 if the chip were in a different part of the horn.  The reality though is that all sheep have chips and scars on their horns.  I think the chip gives the ram some incredible character and is just part of this awesome story and adventure