Just off the phone with Doug. He said when he left at 4:30 AM, he was unable to post. Thought I'd hep him out a bit.
He's on the QUEST. He and Walt are headed to hook up with Leo, then off to the Priors, in search of the coveted "GHOST of the Mountains"
I ask how long he was spectin ta be to out? In the usual quiet Campbell way he said "Till it's Over" then he added somethin about 3 days with Karen, kinda under his breath :banghead: didn't catch it all.
Any howsomever he's off, he'll keep me up to speed and I'll do like Wise for all interested. Plus those that will be with him from time to time.
He's hopin that Jeff, Gary n Robin will come up ta CAMP :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
Ta be continued..................
I smell mouton!
I'd forgotten about Dougs Sheep tag in the Pryors. Heres hopin they have a good safe hunt and a big-ol full-curl steps out and poses at 15. Good Luck Guy's!! :thumbsup:
Thanks Vance.
:bigsmyl: :campfire: :coffee:
'Til it's OVER' is the BEST plan...he has a lot of good help and that is a GREAT help.
Keep us up on things Vance...please!
Good Luck Doug!
Steve O
Hunt Hard...Aw it's Doug, I didn't need to say that :thumbsup: Can't wait for this story to unwind...Doc
Aw man, to be there. :( Leo, Walt, you lucky dog's :readit: May your eye's be sharp as the eagle, yer legs as sure as the mule and Dougs aim true as the word from above :notworthy:
Sic'em boys :campfire:
Is this the range in Montana that is just north of Lovell, WY?
Keep it coming as you get it Vance - we'll grovel over any scraps of information you can throw our way.
This is going to be a good one :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Man this should be one cool trip! Just having Leo and Walt there will be cool! Leo is a hard core hombre!! Walt too! Can't wait to hear all about it!
Whooooweeee, anuther good'un coming!
Good luck Doug we are all pullin for ya!!! Nothing quite like sheep huntin. Can't wait to hear the story and see the pictures!!!
Evening folks. Don't know how much I should talk about, but with Doug in camp away from the computer, I will give you a little update. We spent Saturday and Sunday at it hard and Doug is staying until the 8th...on this stint. We had tough weather on Saturday and again today so it hasn't been easy. Spotting sheep in any country, let alone the white rocks and cedar of the Pryors is tough business, but by the end of the day Sunday, I think everybody had their sheep eyes developed.
This particular hunt area has ewe bands that stay pretty much in the same place all year. As with most sheep, the rams have a summer area and then come to the ewe bands at rut. When I hunted this unit in 2000, I had a good handle on the rams from June to Sept 19th and then lost contact with them. I couldn't find a ram from Sept until late Oct/early Nov. when they came to the ewes bands to rut. Well guess what...it's Oct. 1st and we couldn't come up with a mature ram to save what little hair is left on my head. There were 4 of us with good optics and experience and I am confident we covered the most primary country. Saw plenty of ewes and a great lamb crop and have the rut areas nailed down, but where these rams go pre-rut remains a mystery. I sure hope Doug can figure that out this week, because I have provided little help. This is sure a concern for him and it is always a gamble to wait on the hunt until the rams come to the ewes as the rut is very late in the hunting season. Keep him in your prayers because the mental pressure of hunts like this are worse than the physical. There have been some fundamental changes in this sheep herd since I harvested and that really worries me. They deal with location of the rams, accessibility and so on.
When I left last night, Doug and Walt were in good spirits after riding off the mountain on a 4 wheeler with a flat tire. Walt was going to stay today and then Doug is on his own for a while, which I am sure he will enjoy. I am going to try and go back next Saturday morning armed with some equipment for a new approach. I find myself repeating thoughts that I had 7 years ago to justify the situation. "With that many ewes, the rams are here somewhere". None the less, a guy gets the feeling every ram in the herd somehow died this summer and it is frustrating.
Keep Doug in your thoughts because these once-in-a-life-time tags are special. They load up the pressure and stress. I know this is going to be a hard fought victory and some prayers and good thoughts would help.
Sorry for the lack of pictures, but I don't have a digi cam. Walt may have one and might have something to post tomorrow or so.
some body send him a digi camera, we just got to have some pics to go with this one. this is just way cool. wish i was there with camera in hand.....
thanks Vance & Leo for keeping us posted.... :thumbsup:
Each and everyone one of us wish Doug the luck of the Irish. And not to mention Diana on his side. The bonds in camp with each and every one of yourselfs. Is priceless, yet you are willing to take us. And make the trip a gem at least for me. Continue on, and luck be on all sides. There is one thing absolute. If no sheep is shot the trip will be priceless.
Sure wish I was there reguardless the outcome.
Good luck guys :campfire:
Leo,
Don't let him burn out early. You guys will be in great shape in November :thumbsup: .
Literally and figuratively!
I got back late this evening and do have some pictures, but will keep them and the stories short until Doug returns. I will try and post some more in the morning. One thing before heading to bed: If you ever get the chance to spend time in a camp with either Doug or Leo DO NOT PASS IT UP!
I'll second that Walt. Wish I could have stayed a few more weeks and went with him. Heck, you know he's enjoying the solitude anyhow...
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
I've spent camp time with all three of you and must mirror your thoughts on the subject! Good to see Leo posting. That fella has some of the funniest cowboy stories I have ever heard. Roping mule deer and bears in the brush with the cows.
Doug will get his animal. If not I'll be surprised. He one of the best I've ever seen. He'll get one, I'm quite sure! CK
:campfire:
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
One thing I have come to grips with, where Doug Campbell is concerned, the BLESSINGS greatly favor MR. CAMPBELL. Especially when it comes to the quest of his query.
He WILL find the Rams, what happens after that remains to be seen :jumper: :jumper: :jumper:
I've hunted with Leo and consider him a good friend. Doug and Walt are on my "must meet before I die" list.
Hang in there Doug!
Good seeing you post Leo.
Later,
Norb
Puttin one in the air for Doug. What he lacks in hunter skills (not much) he more than makes up for in luck (note to self- the harder you work the luckier you get).
Gettem Douglas :archer: :pray:
As promised, here are a few pictures I took last weekend while accompanying Doug on his sheep hunt.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/DougsSheepHunt007.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/DougsSheepHunt016.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/DougsSheepHunt022.jpg)
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y91/Slivershooter/DougsSheepHunt028.jpg)
I will let Doug can take it from here and add some pictures as they apply.
Cool pics WAlt...
C'mon Doug!
Interesting necklace the standing ram has.
Yeah Doug is a first rate kinda fella and ole Leo is a damn good friend of mine you would be hard pressed to find better camp companions(although Joe and Norbert aren't to shabby neither!)
Good luck boys keep after them
Jordan
Jordan, I sure hope you and Leo get a chance to make the trek east again this year. I've got some time set aside if you can make it!
Go gettum, Doug. I'm too old and fat to go sheep hunting so hopefully Karen will save some scraps for when us flatlanders come invading again...
shoot the one with the funny collar! see if a scientist shows up at your house with a tracking antenna!
Heck have the taxidermist leave it on the finished mount.
Lader
Jason
Walt,
Is that Bighorn Resv. I see in the background?
Nice pics Walt! You guys getting in any muley hunting in the area while you're helping Dougie out?
Jason,
They make you turn the collar in when you kill a collared ram.
Scott,
I do believe that is the Big horn Reservoir.
Mark,
No muley hunting, the area is a draw only area.
Any updates? Walt do you know how long Doug has been trying to get his tag? Any background info would be greatly appreciated (Especially for us newbies).
Slayer...I think Doug's Great Granddad started applying for him since the day he was born. :D
Least that's the way Doug feels anyway I'm sure.
NOT near as long as I have, I sure... :banghead:
WALT N LEO.....One of you two better get Ole Doug an ELECTRIC BLANKET :scared: :scared:
Rams should be movin with this weather :eek: :eek:
Bet I got you beat, Brian!
Hey thanks for keeping things updated guys, I'll try and do a better job of keeping you informed in the future.
Doug??? Did I miss something. YOu just did a sheep hunt and?????????????
Ok Doug, no reports in 10 days? Hopefully this means you have been out there chasing those rams and have not had time to post. We are really looking forward to hearing the rest of this story so fill all of us in as soon as you can!!! :thumbsup:
Nice...good luck Doug. Looked like one in those pics might be a legal ram...maybe?
Cannot wait to see the pics and hear the stories from this one.
-Brian
www.bowyersjournal.com (http://www.bowyersjournal.com)
Dan,
Doug had to go to Nebraska last week for the ranch and headed back to the Pryor's on Monday. I haven't heard anything since then. If the weather is like I suspect, he is getting a lot of rain, if not snow at this time.
Yep, been raining all day here in Billings
Rusty
Who could ask for anything better, being in Sheep Camp during a Rain/Snow Storms :banghead: :banghead:
Guess it could be worse....Being there with Walt and Leo and no Firewood :clapper: :clapper: