Bighorn Sheep May Be World Record

by
posted on May 6, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
mehall_ah2015_fs.jpg (22)

Who all puts in for a bighorn sheep tag every year? I do. Despite that the odds of drawing aren’t in my favor, getting to hunt a bighorn—or any of the four North American sheep species with a bow—would be a dream come true. Now imagine getting a bighorn that turned out to be the new world record. According to the Boone & Crockett Club, we may have a winner. Two weeks ago, a bighorn sheep that died of natural causes was found by wildlife officials in Alberta. If it checks out, the ram will be entered into the B&C record book.

For those who don’t know, B&C records include big-game animals that have been found. Bighorn Like hunter-killed animals, they showcase conservation success by helping to gauge outstanding habitat, the numbers of game animals that make it to older age classes, sustainable harvest and other wildlife management objectives.

Biologists say the bighorn ram died in early summer 2013 at age 10-1/2. When official B&C measurers in Alberta put a tape to the horns, they contacted B&C as the green score exceeded the current 208-3/8-inch world record taken in Alberta in 2000. The next step is to wait the standard 60 days required for drying time and have the ram scored again by a special panel of judges. If the score holds up as expected, it will be announced and entered in the record book along with a photo.

Now for some bighorn trivia. Though Montana, in particular, has produced big rams in recent years, all B&C record bighorns have come from Alberta.

Latest

Shooting VX 6HD Lede
Shooting VX 6HD Lede

#SundayGunday: Leupold VX-6 HD Gen 2

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re talking optics—specifically riflescopes—from a company that has defined it’s longstanding American Made reputation by building some of the industry’s best: Leupold. Starting last year, the Oregon based manufacturer began revamping its optics lines, and great news for hunters, they started with the second generation of the incredibly versatile VX-6 HD line, culminating in the VX-6 HD Gen. 2.

Michigan Mayor Looks Down on Guns and Dogs

“If you’ve got a gun, you should be ashamed of yourself,” said Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand. NRA-ILA also noted that in his response to a police K-9 chasing down a suspect, LaGrand said: “It is time that we ask, ‘What are dogs good for?’ Like, if you need a dog to find someone in the woods, get a hound dog. If you need to chase somebody in a backyard, why couldn’t you do that with a drone? If my dog did what I saw in that video, I’d put my dog down.”

A 9-Year-Old Girl’s Effort to Make Hunting the Official Sport of Idaho

While reading her history textbook, Betty Grandy, a 9-year-old fourth-grade student from Twin Falls, Idaho, noticed that Idaho lacked an official state sport. So, she did what any 9-year-old fourth-grade student would do: She ran a poll in a neighborhood newspaper.

Tips to Improve Small Game Shooting & Big Game Accuracy

Sometimes switching from large game—like elk or deer—to hitting a moving squirrel with a .22 or .17 rimfire will tell on you in a hurry. Here are some tips to get your skills back up to snuff.

First Look: Muddy Expands DV8 Apparel and Accessory Line

Muddy Outdoors has expanded its men's hunting apparel and accessory line, DV8, to include several key items scheduled for release later in 2026.

Coyote Tactics: Stay Flexible

The successful hunters I know do not get hung up on one tactic. They constantly float between strategies in an ever-changing hunting environment. Quite simply, they’re flexible. I take that improvising nature to heart even for coyotes, particularly when they shun my calls for whatever reason. When that occurs, I continue the hunt, but modify my strategy to fit the scenario.  

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.