Nevada hunting is known to be challenging, with rocky terrain and varied weather conditions across the diverse state habitat.  This Nevada Desert Bighorn Sheep hunt proved to be one of the more cold but exciting Nevada hunting experiences.

 

 

 

 

NOU was recently invited to go on a Nevada Desert Bighorn Sheep hunt at Nevada hunting unit # 213 at the Monte Cristo range near Tonopah, Nevada.

 

We planned on a seven day hunt and packed plenty of cold weather gear.   Upon arriving late afternoon at the hunt unit, we scrambled to set up camp.  The rain had already set in,  soon turning into a sleet -snow mix.

 

The next morning, we awoke to a fresh cover of snow on the valley floor and mountain ranges.  Strong winds blew leading to near sub-zero temperatures.   Little did we know, but these conditions would be with us through most of the hunt.   If not for a strong wall tent and heater, we would have endured miserably cold and wet camp conditions, but the shelter made evenings comfortable.

 

 

The challenges of the hunting terrain were also numerous.  The white snow contrast on the hills made it difficult to spot the sheep, and also difficult to get around.    Cloud cover also periodically dropped, making visibility of the sheep on the mountain range nearly impossible.

 

 

We learned that the more people you can bring along on the hunt, the more opportunities you will have to spot for sheep. Using the strategy of breaking up into separate groups each morning, we would spread out and cover as much ground and area as possible.  We would also arrange a time/place to meet up later to discuss what areas we covered and what we’d spotted.

 

 

Despite rough conditions, we did start to spot sheep by the third day, mostly small to medium sized groups of rams and ewes.  We kept our eyes open for any lone rams, as this would likely be a potential shooter.

 

 

By the fourth day, one group spotted a lone ram about two miles away on a rocky bluff.  After the ram bedded down, the entire hunting group assembled nearby and pulled out the spotting scopes.  The tag holder in our group made the decision to take a chance on this ram-his decision was based on the current   weather conditions and the lack of seeing any other prospective rams.

 

The hunter got in position to shoot the ram at 311 yards, and took a successful shot.

 

 

As a group, we experienced  a fine example of  Nevada hunting teamwork, and a long but exciting “spot and stalk” sheep hunt.