San Rafael Swell - Dirty Devil

[2065toyota]

I drew a Desert Bighorn sheep tag for this unit. I have actually never been there canyoneering or hiking so I guess I will be spending some time over that way.


If anyone has any suggestions. Biologists say to focus on the areas near Poison Springs Canyon, Marinus Canyon, Stair Canyon, Butler Canyon

Thanks

[oldno7]

WOW--Congrats!

This is the only animal left on my bucket list but I don't believe I'll ever draw.
Sorry, can't help with unit details.
I'd be hitting up Dennis.
Best of luck

[rockgremlin]

Geez you must have friends in high places. I can't even draw a lowly general buck ALW tag. Swing and a miss for three years in a row. What's your secret?

[Iceaxe]

Yup... Dennis Udink is the guy I'd be hitting up.

I've ran across Big Horns several times when doing Quandary Canyon, but I haven't been in the area for several years.

Just curious... who do you have to blow to pull that tag? Asking for a friend...

[2065toyota]

I've drawn at least 2 tags somewhere every year but 1 for the last 12 years. I also have a 3rd Season Colorado Unit 22 rifle deer tag this year

Don't know why, but I've always been lucky with drawing tags. We also started the points game early and have between 10 and 20 points in 8 different states for most all species

[Udink]

It looks like that unit only covers the San Rafael Desert and Dirty Devil/Robber's Roost area (all east of UT-24 and UT-95), which unfortunately I'm not super familiar with. I don't think I've ever seen bighorn sheep anywhere in the area. Most of my encounters have been in the San Rafael Reef, Buckhorn Wash, and along the Eva Conover Road, all in the central and eastern Swell.

[2065toyota]

Seen lots of Rams and had a good hunt if anyone wants to see any pics

[Byron]

Seen lots of Rams and had a good hunt if anyone wants to see any picsYes, please.

[2065toyota]

Got to spend some good quality time with dad and friends. Beautiful country qnd amazing animals. We stayed mobile and camped wherever we sended the day. Hiked and drove a lot of miles

[oldno7]

That was nice of him to climb to the top so you could shoot him:mrgreen:

Nice report, someday I might draw....

[2065toyota]

That was nice of him to climb to the top so you could shoot him:mrgreen:

Nice report, someday I might draw....

We definitely were lucky on that. I had 600' of rope, all my climbing and canyoneering gear with us. I had fully intended on having to find a way to rap down into the canyons and ascend back out carry gear and sheep in multiple trips. I spent as much time researching how to get in and out of the canyons as I did researching the sheep. It's unreal how big that area is and how massive all the canyons are in that area. We focused mainly on Sams Mesa Box Canyon and Twin Corral but also spent some time in Stair & Butler Canyons.

We only had about a 2 mile packout

[oldno7]

Well earned!
Congrats.

[Byron]

I hunted quite a bit when I was a teenager, but really don't have a desire for it now.

However...doing something like this looks to me like it would be fun and quite exciting. Congrats, man...that's a nice ram.