where did my arrow hit ?

By: cariboucreek Mood: Neutral Date: 07/22/2007 16:51:19 Music: kenny rodgers --the gambler

Year 1986. Sheep creek off of caribou creek.after a long day of rideing 3 wheelers into caribou creek .As we dropped into the creek bed .I spotted 5 sheep up high on sheep creek. Two looked legal,{legal in alaska is full curl or over 8 years old counting horn rings}

My hunting partner Dave  had brought his wife along for this trip. So this hunt was simple . Next morning we waded caribou creek .Ohh ! It was cold.I wear guide pack boots with bob soles and inter liners .I removed liners and socks for this wade acrossed creek .Dave waded over with boots on carrying his wife.

My task was short my boots were wet but i had dry liners and socks .Now dave was another story . Boy ! I hate walking in wet boots . Dave's wet boots and socks slowed us down for an hour  While waiting for dave to ring out the water from socks .I walked up to better position to scope sheep. I was right 2 legal rams.

Dave and his wife joined me on river bank .To look over the We talked of how to stalk both these sheep for a good bow shot .These sheep were on a ridge .If we were to go around back side we could have chance.

Daves wife stayed behind to pick berries .She follow us slowlylagging behind. While dave and i worked into shooting range .Long hard work .Before we toped ove ridge we rested .Then i crawled over for look .All the sheep were just under us at 30 yds and moveing upto us ---whoa! great set up .

I put dave in position for shot behind a very small bush .I layed down flat with my white suit .The sheep would come over and see me taken their attention off dave .

I had schooled dave from day we meet how to shoot a bow .We had shot moose and caribou together --So i knew his skill level. The sheep crossed over .Seeing me dave would have a spilt second to make a good shot .

This is where things can go wrong --And do ! Dave stands up .Not shooting from kneeled position .Sheep see him move drawing his bow to full draw . They turned to run .Now i know and Have seen sheep run off only to look back for one more look. If dave would have waited. He would have got a nice standing shot . 

The lead ram stopped looking back over his back .Now dave said he shot for back of ribs .This not a good shot ! Trying to put arrow behind ribs cutting forward to heart lungs.I personally would have waited !

From dave's angle he could not see where arrow really hit --I did ! The ram ran over top of ridge and down.I ran up to watch this ram knowing he would die from blood loss.The ram ran about 100yds He was not standing easy on his feet . looking As to wanting to lay down .

Dave was excited and wanted to get closer for another shot .I told him the ram was bleeding and sit down and relax . Like a kid that forgot to take his meds for ADHD .Bounceing up and down . I watched to see where the shot hit knowing it was in left hind leg .But only now i could see the real shot placement . The arrow had hit and cut left rear leg and removed both testicles .The arrow pasted thru the right leg . The ram was bleeding to death ---slowly!

The ram was down. i walked to the ram  first .Dave was waiting for his wife to catch up. As they topped the ridge .Hand shakes and slaps on the back .Good hunt ! Dave looked at his ram.Very nice 38 inch,9 year old ram .Teeth worn to gums .We had saved his the slow death of next winter .Sheep feed on shrot grass.and get sand and rocks into thier mouths to only wear their teeth to gums ove the years . Oldest ram Ive seen was 15 years old .They die before that of old age

Dave asked me why his ram died with just a cut on the inside of both legs .Cutting off testicles --Dave ! Your ram Just gave up his will to live ! His sex life had come to and end ! 

Ive hunted with dave a few more times over the years .We see each other maybe twice a year .We talk of another hunt --But dont .Dave says he's getting to old to hunt sheep any more .His knees are bad and back cant carry large loads . I keep telling him "old sheep hunters dont die ! They hunt the brooks range !" Every year i get a ram .Dave asks me . How do you do it . Very slowly!

This year will be 37 years of sheep hunting.Ive been on many diffrent hunts for sheep with freinds .I guess it makes me feel good about  seeing some one shot an animal with bow . After you have schooled them on the art of shooting long bows.