By Sitka Athlete Dustin Roe

August 23

We just completed the first BC Stone Sheep hunt of the year with a nice ram for client Charles Herron of Alabama. Charles hunted in 2010 with another outfit but came up short, and at the 2011 Grand Slam Club/Ovis Convention, he booked this trip.

Charles is a diabetic due to a severe logging accident and is very limited on what he can do. We were able to take horses most of the way, and Charles, my next hunter Blake Patton from Texas, and I spotted some rams from about five miles away. Filled with excitement, we rode the ponies closer for a better look. From 1,400 yards we determined there were three shooters, one of which was unbelievably big.

We tied up the horses on the trail and headed the rest of the way on foot, following game trails in the trees to close the distance. I heard a loud huffing behind us on the trail, and then a blur of massive grizzly bolted and disappeared into the woods. When we backtracked, it became apparent that the bear had been following our trail for a while. Toes as big as a Canadian two-dollar coin and a pad that measured eight inches across. Our hearts were pumping.

We snuck slowly for 400 yards across an avalanche slide hoping the sheep would not catch us below.

“We’re in range,” I said. “Charles, get ready to shoot a monster!”

After five minutes and a steady rest we were ready to shoot. The lead ram was a ram of all rams – a dream ram – the kind Jack O’Connor wrote about: 43” and pushing. In my opinion he would score 175".

“Ready, ok, anytime when you’re ready.”

I watched through the scope as the gun rang…BOOM! The vapor trail sailed within an inch of his spine, barely a clean miss.

“Shoot again, but wait for him to stop. You’re just high.”

BOOM!

“You’re just low this time Charles. Hold tight on.”

The ram ran onto skyline and stopped. It was one of the most amazing things I’d ever seen.

“SHOOT!”

BOOM! Another clean miss and he disappeared over the top, never to be seen again.

“Charles, shoot that ram down to the right.”

Charles reloaded as the other four rams started to feed again.

“OK when you’re steady, give it to him.”

BOOM!

“You got him, shoot him again.” Boom! “Give him another.” Boom! All three shots were right on the mark, and a beautiful nine and a half year old ram lay motionless.

It’s hard for me to write the emotions that followed, but Charles had definitely accomplished a lifelong dream and it showed. When I asked Charles if he was bummed that he missed a book ram he said, “That ram deserves to be taken by a hunter that can hunt him down, not by a guy that has to ride a horse to his sheep. I’m more than happy with mine!”

I am honored to have been a part of his success and grateful for the time spent on the mountain with such a quality man. I only hope to have the chance to share some more days on the hill with him.