Glacier sheep hunting

The Tonsina Glacier Area

The Tonsina Glacier Area

It’s August 10, my birthday and the first day of sheep season.   I’m at home and not in the mountains. There is something wrong with this picture.  A number of events led up to my not celebrating my birthday sheep hunting.  A road trip, a new job and a major operation were a few of the reasons that my sheep hunting partners couldn’t go with me.  I’m kind of bummed, but the last four days presented constant rain in the area where we were to hunt.  And, there is another low pressure system coming in so thinking about lying in the tent listening to the rain is not something any of us enjoy.  There is always next year and even at my age I still have that desire to be in the mountains hunting sheep.  However, I no longer have a burning desire to personally take a sheep.  I just enjoy being in those majestic mountains with the special people in my life.  Hopefully, next year.

The following story is about a truly tough sheep hunt with my good friend and hunting partner, Lyle Thompson.  I know that at my age now I physically or mentally couldn’t repeat this particular hunt. I wouldn’t even want to try.  I hope you enjoy “The Tonsina Glacier Area.”

A Bow hunter's Dream

A Bow hunter's Dream

The challenge of taking a record book animal normally takes skill, perseverance and for many species lots of money and sometimes just a little luck.  I personally have never taken a Boone & Crockett record book animal.  I have come close on Dall sheep, caribou and Sitka Black Tailed deer.  I have guided on two B&C record book brown bears and five B&C record book caribou but again none of my own.  I guess I consider taking the number 3 Pope & Young record book Dall sheep with my recurve bow my highest accomplishment as a hunter.  Now that I’m getting older my chances at a B&C are pretty slim but like most hunters I keep hoping.  Follow along as I chase those elusive Dall sheep with my Kodiak Magnum bow.