By Sitka Athlete Dustin Roe
August
11th
I’ve
been dreaming about the last three days for the last four years – that is, ever
since I saw a Dall Ram for the first time.
When
all the hunters in camp tagged out, Stan said he wanted to take me out for a
Birthday Ram. A buddy took some clients to town on August 9th and picked me up
a Dall Sheep tag. That night, tag in hand, Stan and I went out searching
for the ram that one of our hunters had wounded.
Yesterday, my birthday, we hiked into a long valley and spotted him bedded near
the top in the boulders. We planned a stalk and moved in to what we thought
might be 50-100 yards from where he was. That’s when I stepped on a loose rock
and sent it tumbling. I knew the ram heard it so I busted over the rise,
frantically looking for him. I was right. He heard me, and he wasn't sticking
around to ask questions. I suppose I’d be just as paranoid if people had thrown lead at me.
He
was on the run at about 200 yards, so I quickly set down the pack and got a
range with the geovids. The ridgeline was at 400 yards, so I waited until he
stopped.
Boom!
Down he went with my new Gunwerks 7mm. We took some pictures and packed him
out.
I
want to thank Stan for allowing me to take an awesome Ram in the NWT on my 27th
Birthday. What a present, putting me 3/4 of the way to my North American Sheep
Slam. Desert Sheep, here I come!