Desert Bighorns (Old Mexico)

[David Heitsman]

This will be my fourth winter hunting Desert Mule Deer and Coues in Old Mexico. Every year since the first I have tried to negotiate a Desert Bighorn to complete my Grand Slam. Finally this last spring we came to terms
and I have been waiting since the season opened (Nov. 15th) on 48 hour stand by to head down. I have the deer portion slated in the first two weeks of January and was hoping to chase the "boregos" (sheep) during that time as well.


Things don't always go as we plan and now the call came today that they want me down there Thursday. Fortunately, my rifles are already across the US border and my bag has been packed for weeks so I fly out in the
morning via Phoenix to Hermosillo.

So all the stair master work, walking and riding the bike for an hour a day comes down to this. I'm ready.

Won't sleep much tonight, it'll be authentic tortillas and enchiladas in 48 hours and hopefully get to set my hands on some Desert horns that I can offer Canadian citizenship to!

Adios.

[David Heitsman]

Hopefully, I can change my signature line next week.

[Blainer]

Good luck!
I'm excited for you
Look forward to story and pictures

[ru rancher]

that is awesome a dream of mine thats forsure

[RoverHound]

Good luck!

[bruin]

Much luck!

[coach]

Best of luck, DH. Looking forward to a full report with lots of pictures. :-D

[BiG Boar]

I think we're all rootin for ya David! Not many get a chance at one. You've worked hard to make it happen. Now make it happen!

[LBM]

Good luck, looking forward to the pictures and write up.

[kennyj]

Good luck, and have a great time!! Looking forward to the full report .
kenny

[hunter1947]

How about the desert mule deer have you got one of them for your grand slam ??? or do you need this deer for a grand slam ??? wish you luck when you head down looking forward to your story and pictures..

[Fosey]

Good luck. Get a good one.

[Chopper]

Damn ! ... Do yourself a favor ... DUMP A CRANKER ! Best of luck , that's really amazing

[bridger]

Best of luck! Hope you get a cranker.

[BCHunterFSJ]

Looking forward to your report and pictures. Good luck!

[1/2 slam]

I look forward to your call when you get back. Kill a big one.

[1/2 slam]

How about the desert mule deer have you got one of them for your grand slam ??? or do you need this deer for a grand slam ??? wish you luck when you head down looking forward to your story and pictures..

David hasn't found one he likes yet. He'll be trying again in January.

[glen8221]

Good luck David. I know it will happen for you. Can't wait to see the pics.

[srupp]

good luck and straight shooting David....

cheers
Steven

[xfactor]

Good luck! Straight shooting!

[1/2 slam]

I just got a cryptic text from David. I think he can change his signature line :mrgreen:

[r106]

I just got a cryptic text from David. I think he can change his signature line :mrgreen:


sweet. Can't wait for pics and a story

[pescado]

Good for him. What a great trip, hunting Sheep and Mule Deer in the state of Sonora. Awesome.

[1/2 slam]

Something about being scared to go near the fire as they were pouring Tequila into him....he doesn't drink.

[islander7mm]

Can't wait to hear the story.

[r106]

Something about being scared to go near the fire as they were pouring Tequila into him....he doesn't drink.


This should be good. Are we going to see some pics like at the end of the Hangover movie?? lol

[spear]

Sounds like a celebration, looking forward to seeing the end of the saga.

[hunter1947]

Sounds good will be nice to hear his story and pictures..

[David Heitsman]

I flew back to Palm Springs two days ago. I'm no good at posting pics, so I'll send a couple to Half Slam and get him to post them for me. Was there for seven days and found rams on the third day, right at the top of course. Shot the best of three at 300 yards after an hours climb. Main issue was seeing them as there is no alpine, it's just cacti everywhere and they blend in so well. Took me at least 10 mins to take one since I kept haveing to relocate him with binos, then spotting scope and then rifle. The shot was uphill across a canyon trying to use my daypack on a six inch stone. I couldn't get a clear sight picture in my scope and actually had to clear a hole for my shoulder to get down lower into.

First shot was a miss, second after relocating him was called a miss too and by now I'm in full panic. Get the cross hairs to settle again for number three and just as I was pressing the trigger, he tipped over. Second shot was perfect, in behind shoulder, out through off side shoulder with him slightly quartering away. Relief, elation, satisfaction, all goes through your mind.


After an hour of pics and vid, the three cowboys who were with me trussed the ram, after I gutted it, and carried it down the mountain on a green pole they cut. I couldn't believe it. The Desert's are 1/2 to 2/3 the body weight of Stone's I'd say but it was still a brutal carry for them.


The ranch owner posted some video he took of me telling of the experience and this is the link.

http://youtu.be/3lnZw_Oz_fo

I shot two management bucks as well but am going back for trophy buck in early January. Called in several coyotes but only got one and nailed
maybe 10 of these big rabbits to feed to their dogs. I took my 22.250 down as well as the .300 Win Mag.

The video says more than I can type.

[Bear Chaser]

Nice vid. Looks like a nice Christmas vacation. Congratulations.

[kennyj]

Congratulations David! Thats a beautiful Desert Bighorn to finish your Grand Slam. Well done.
kenny

[MadCat]

Right on, congrats.

[Hammerhead]

Congrats on the addition to your slam. Sounds like a great trip and must be a great place if this was your forth trip and January going to be your 5th. Looking forward to the pictures. Any chance we can get some pics of the animals that make up your grand slam? Might be an idea for another tread. Don't think I've seem that before.
HH

[David Heitsman]

I forgot to mention and this is important in Mexico, this hunting with Bamury Rancho is all 'low fence'. There is quite a bit of deer and bighorn farming in Mexico and when you see some of these 200" monster muleys and 180" bighorns, you should discreetly ask what type of hunting it is.

[kayjayess]

Congratulations David. An awesome ram to finish off the slam

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Low fence is good! Never knew they had high-fence sheep hunts?

Congrats on accomplishing your goal!

Now the bigger question...what's next??

SSS

[Bighorn hunter]

Changing his sig line:)!

[chilcotin hillbilly]

right on David, when are you back north of the border!

[BlacktailStalker]

Congratulations on that accomplishment, great ram.

[Ovis17]

Congrats on completing your slam Dave! A dream for many of us I'm
sure. What's the plan for your mount?

[srupp]

congradulations David..well done indeed..

cheers

Steven

[spear]

Congrats, great looking ram

[BiG Boar]

Well done David. You've done something all of us would only dream of doing one day.

[ydouask]

Beautiful Ram, Congratulations.:-D

[hunter1947]

Fantastic ram you got you are very happy person the video tells it all thanks for taking us along ,,congrats to you and the people that helped you get this ram..

[325]

Great ram! Congrats on the Grand Slam

[1/2 slam]

David sent me some photos to post. I'm working on them

[coach]

Looking forward to it, 1/2 slam! Congrats on the full slam, David!

[1/2 slam]

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff322/halfslam/photo.png (http://s536.photobucket.com/user/halfslam/media/photo.png.html)

[1/2 slam]

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff322/halfslam/1503441_556518297775207_1156509237_n.jpg (http://s536.photobucket.com/user/halfslam/media/1503441_556518297775207_1156509237_n.jpg.html)

[1/2 slam]

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/ff322/halfslam/photo-1.jpg (http://s536.photobucket.com/user/halfslam/media/photo-1.jpg.html)

[David Heitsman]

thank you Half Slam for posting these pics.

I couldn't bring him back with me since Desert's are a Cite's listed specie and it takes a couple weeks to process. Hoping to bring him back with me mid January after deer hunt.


He'll be mounted life size at Fur and Feather in Surrey. I am going to visit some if the home decor stores here in Palm Springs to see what decorative faux cacti are available that I can take back to augment the rocky base.

What's next? Beside's paying the second I had to take on my house... Lol, I think this is 19 of the North America 29 and I'd like to chase this down. Will book an Alaskan Sitka hunt at one of the shows this year and probably book Muskox for 2015.

Ironically, still don't have a Columbian Blacktail.

Merry Christmas everybody.

[Blainer]

I seen you on line here this am.
Great thread!
Great accomplishment!
Great Ram!
Great pictures!
Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas.

[Gateholio]

Wow, congrats, that's really cool! :)

Get to work and pay off that second mortgage! ;)

[d6dan]

Well done DH. Congratulations on completing your Grand Slam!.:-D Thanks for sharing your hunts with us.

[bighornbob]

Congrats on the great ram. Just wondering if the Wild Sheep Society is coming out with a calendar similar to the Vancouver fire mens calendar where the guys don't have their shirts on:):)

Can't wait to hear about it in Kelowna. Congrats again.

Bhb

[1/2 slam]

Congrats on the great ram. Just wondering if the Wild Sheep Society is coming out with a calendar similar to the Vancouver fire mens calendar where the guys don't have their shirts on:):)

Can't wait to hear about it in Kelowna. Congrats again.

Bhb

Ohhhhhhhhhh. That's really bad

[David Heitsman]

Wild Sheep Society shirtless calendar fundraiser item? Certain to be a best seller, especially with our pretty lady board members...:-D