Reader-Submitted Story
First Bighorn Sheep Hunt
by Douglas Werth of Sherwood Park, Alberta
My name is Douglas Werth and this was my first bighorn sheep hunt. On my first time putting in for a big game draw, I got the third week Cadomin tag. There was a 0.21% chance of being drawn—I defeated the odds and I was ready to go. I was only 13-years-old and couldn’t wait to go.
I went and scouted the area several times with my guide Derrick Tabaka. I had no trouble hiking up the mountains but it was very tiring and made for long days.
I was more than ready to go on November 21, 2023. Before dawn, Derrick and I started our hike up the mountain. On our way up we met one other boy, Keegan Scott from Claresholm, who was 15-years-old. He was with his dad and two friends. Since we were at the same spot, we joined our efforts and started hunting together. The first day we saw some sheep but there were no legal rams.
The second day we were up on the mountain very early, but there was a blinding snowstorm and it snowed at least two feet. So we had to hunker down until noon when it started to clear. We drank tea and had our lunch. The weather sure got the sheep moving though. We saw lots of rams running and hitting heads, which was really exciting.
At around 3:00 o’clock on day two we saw an outline of a sheep on the horizon. After looking at him for what seemed like forever, Derrick and Craig Scott determined it was legal. My buddy Keegan was the first one to spot it so he got first shot. He was able to get an opening where the sheep could fall down closer to us. At 333 yards, the sheep stood broadside looking into our valley. Keegan and I got set up on our packs and got our guns ready to shoot.
Keegan put his .243 riflescope on him and waited for the sheep to stop moving. Then... BANG! Keegan hit the sheep in the neck and it started tumbling down the mountain. Keegan, his dad Craig and two friends, Derrick and I made our way up the mountain to see his sheep. It was a rough climb through the deep snow and all the trees, but we made it. It was so cool walking up to this animal for the first time and seeing it up close. Its massive head, beautiful horns, and gorgeous coat was unbelievable to see.
Doug Scott was Keegan’s grandpa, who was a proud and longtime Alberta sheep hunter. He had recently passed away so they brought up some of his ashes. They also had something in a small green bottle of which we all had a small drink. It burned going down but sure tasted good, almost better than root beer. It was a very cool experience. I also saw a tear in Keegan’s dad’s eye at this time. I know he is proud of his son, has fond memories, and also misses his own dad.
I was happy I got to experience this. I saw firsthand how to deal with a sheep for the first time, and learned a few things about life. Later that night, after hiking off the mountain, we had sheep back straps for supper. By that time I was very hungry. It was the best. I will never forget this day.
Hunting was pretty quiet for the next few days. We had also met another young man on the mountain. I think he was also 14 or 15-years-old. We did not hunt together but compared notes during the week and hoped the best for one another. We saw grizzlies and elk, but no legal sheep.
On my fifth day hunting is when the action started up again. The rams were running around and smashing heads like crazy. The rut was on full tilt for sure. After five days we knew of a spot the sheep liked to use to cross over the top of the mountains. We had a feeling where they might cross before dark so three hours before dark we climbed up and waited.
A few ewes made their way up and over. Later a ram appeared below us. We had been watching him for a while and we knew he was legal. He was down about 500 yards at the bottom of the mountain. He started to make his way up the mountain coming in our direction.
I waited nervously with my heart pounding. He started coming fast so we just let him come. We reconfirmed it was legal as it came up. I was now too nervous and my heart started to race. We were hiding and the sheep could not see us. It stopped 25 yards away and went broadside. I had my 30-06 rifle ready and took off the safety. I was steady using a rock for a rest.
As the sheep turned his head to look at me, I squeezed the trigger. I had squeezed the trigger on my first sheep! As I lifted my head from the scope, I saw him fall and tumble down the hill. I was ecstatic!
Then the hard work began as we climbed down the mountain. Derrick and I got to the sheep, dropped our packs, and admired the beautiful animal. We took some photos and I realized how lucky I truly was. It was a dream come true. John Groat said that if I have the opportunity on a legal ram on a once-in-a-lifetime draw, that I better take it. I am sure glad that I did.
Then the work began on the animal. Derrick taught me how to do a life-size skin on the sheep’s hide. We then quartered up the animal to take out in our packs. We loaded the sheep into our hunting packs and made our way down the mountain. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the hunt of a lifetime.
On day six of this hunt, the other young hunter got his sheep as well. It was cool—all three of us kids got our sheep.
For the previous Reader Story, click here.
