New "Squaw Creek Camp"

Desert Sheep Hunt - Cole's Grand Slam

Having attended each GSC/OVIS conventions since their first one, I always take time to visit with a lot of the outfitters. On Saturday the 21^st of 2009 the convention was almost over when friends of ours, Bob and Cindy Finn, came over and was visiting with my wife and me about a desert sheep hunt he  was about to book. Bob said this agent he was working with had one other tag available on another ranch with a different outfitter. 

Bob introduced me to Les Ezell of Sierra Grande Adventures, Inc. and the outfitter Ubaldo Lopez with El Rodeo Hunting. It wasn’t but a short hour later, with dozens of questions, and my wife’s permission, the hunt was booked. 

I met Les Ezell and one of the guides on March 6^th in Hermosillo Senora Mexico.  We drove until midnight to get to the hunting area.  Ubaldo Lopez was there with another sheep hunter when we arrived.  We began hunting immediately the next morning.  Over a three day period, we saw several rams, but none quite as good as I wanted.  The third afternoon we left this ranch and drove 2 ½ hours to another ranch closer to the coast.  That evening we saw eight different rams, two that were exceptional, but it was too late in the evening to get on them.  The next two days was spent trying to find the two largest rams.  On the fifth day of the hunt, two of the guides and I were walking one mountain range while Ublado was glassing another range.  Ublado spotted a very good sheep but had no way of getting a hold of us.  That evening he told us of this ram and the following morning we went after him.  He was near the same place as the evening before.  During the hunt we had quite a few problems with the wind changing and today was no exception.  We tried every angle and after half a day, we were finally able to crawl within 244 yards of this ram.  When he dropped with the shot, and we were walking toward him, the realization hit me that today was the end of a 28 year quest for the Grand Slam of North American Sheep.

I can not say enough about what Les Ezell did to make this hunt happen.  His knowledge of Mexico the people, their language, and hunting in Mexico is what made everything possible.  Having Les with me on the hunt just put the icing on the cake.  Ubaldo and his staff were superb.  The ranches we hunted had plenty of sheep with little hunting pressure.  The ram I took was ten years old, heavy broomed, and the best sheep I have taken in the 28 years of sheep hunting.

My Second Dall

On September 8th, 2007 I flew into Anchorage, Alaska where I met up with my outfitter Bill Stevenson’s wife Kelly.  She drove us about 100 miles north to their home where we got our gear ready, shot rifles, and Bill immediately made two trips with one of his Super Cubs flying us part way up the mountain.  Due to bad weather, he could only fly us a short distance and had to set down on an old strip.  My guide Cash and I walked on into the night until coming to an old one room mountaineer shack.  Bears had been there before us, so it took a little house cleaning before eating supper and spending the night.

The next morning we continued climbing then spent the rest of the day crossing a huge glacier.  This glacier averages two mile wide and is 25 miles long.  Reaching the other side in the evening, we set spike camp up and had a quick bite to eat.  Cash then left me and walked back out on the glacier looking for a route into a basin behind camp.  There was supposed to be some rams hidden there.

We were up at 3:00 AM the next morning and stared climbing to a spot overlooking this basin.  This climb took several hours in the dark.  At 7:00 AM we reached the top just in time to see the rams go down and out into the middle of the basin with no cover between us and them.  We spent the day waiting for the sheep to make the next move.  Part of the time was spent watching a black bear and a goat on the far side of us.

In the late afternoon, the six rams started grazing toward us.  With the wind in our favor, we made a rush to a chute and started down it.  Within just a few minutes, we were at the bottom of the chute crawling out for a rest across a rock for a shot.  The wind changed and the rams made a run for it.  They paused once and I was able to put two shots into the largest ram with my Browning single shot 30-338. He went down.  With some quick photos, caping, and deboning, we loaded everything and started back to our spike camp.  We got there just at dark.

The following morning we reloaded everything including camp. Dropping onto the glacier, we strapped on our ice cleated clamp-ons and walked out across the glacier.  Bill was able to land his Cub on the far side of the glacier and picked us up there for the flight back to his home.  The following day we checked our ram in with the Game and Fish in Palmer.  He was 11 ½ years old with an outstanding cape and will have a life size mount done. I was then headed back to Wyoming with my second Dall ram the other was taken in 1995. I can not say enough about the hospitality shown me along with Cash being an excellent guide.  Bill Stevenson’s flying ability is second to none.

The Six Man Ram

As many of you will remember, this story started in May of 2006 when Russ Green drew an Area 5 bighorn sheep tag.  After 38 years of applying, Russ was ready for this hunt.  Nothing could go wrong, could it? No one would ever have dreamed that a large portion of the Greybull River would be burning from July though August in 2006.  This fire was large enough that the Wyoming Game and Fish gave all Area 5 tag holders an opportunity to turn their tags in with a guarantee of receiving one in 2007.  Russ was one of 18 other tag holders who did turn theirs back.  Now a year to wait.

August 28, 2007   Russ along with his son Travis and good friend Bob Sundeen took camp in and set it up.  They immediately started riding and glassing for sheep.  Early the morning of August 30th, I met my son Tyler and his father-in-law Wayne Nelson in Buffalo.  We drove to the Jack Creek trail head, saddled horses and headed up the Greybull trail.  Bob had already taken most of our gear in, so we only took one pack horse.  Four and a half hours later, we were in camp.  There is a lot of history with this hunt as Russ’s dad started me sheep hunting many years ago.  Now, I’m one sheep away from my grand slam!

Arriving in camp, we were greeted with stories of a ram, one of several Bob, Russ, and Travis had been watching on the mountain above camp.  While eating supper, we discussed several options on how we might try to have an opportunity at this one impressive sheep.  With plans made, we hit the bedrolls.

Awaking early, we saddled horses, made lunches, and ate breakfast.  Taking horses as far as we could, Russ, Travis, Tyler and I started climbing.  Bob and Wayne stayed low and went out the other side where hopefully they could keep an eye on this ram.  He was not in a place we could get to.  The ram needed to come out to us.  As the day wore on, we saw around 25 other rams, but none as good as the one in the cliffs.  Lots of exercise, but no luck today.  Returning to camp in the dark, Bob and Wayne said the ram was still there.  OK, plan B.

The following morning, the four of us started out again with Bob and Wayne once again staying behind to watch what this sheep may have in mind as we could see him from camp again. There was an area in those cliffs that he certainly enjoyed more than we did.  After two hours of riding, we tied up and started climbing.  If we could get above him and if he would come out to us, we had a chance.  We spent several hours of glassing and working our way to the end of the mountain.  We immediately found the two smaller rams that were part of this group of four right where we wanted them.  Bad news though, as the ram we wanted and his other running mate would not show themselves.  There we lay for the next two hours.  The sun was getting lower, but the ram we wanted still held out from showing himself.  If something doesn’t happen very soon, we were going to spend the night up here as there is no way of getting off of this mountain in the dark without getting someone hurt.  We waited, and now could see the horns of the two biggest rams, but they would not show themselves.  It’s going to be dark soon.  Time to throw some rocks.  After rock upon rock, they finally moved, but the wrong way.

I grabbed Russ and said “let’s go.”  We made a run for a spot below us that I thought we might get a shot.  Tyler and Travis stayed high to follow the sheep as they moved.  As we got into position, there was no doubt everything we had worked for was about to go down the drain.  We had one chance at about 300 yards and then they were going to be gone.  I said “can you make that shot?”  His response was “yes”. One shot from the 300 H&H with double set triggers handed down from his dad.  The bullet went home; the ram made three lunges down toward the cliffs and then started rolling.  That was the last we saw of him until almost dark.

Following the rolling blood trail for almost an hour, I found the sheep where he had crashed into a crevice.  A few quick photo’s with the four of us and I radioed Bob that it looked like we would be here for the night.  We cleaned the sheep, and dug into the side of the mountain for what was going to be a long night.  We made use of the space blankets we packed and kept a fire going until light finally started showing the morning of the 3rd.  We quickly caped and quartered the ram, split up the load, and started crawling out of the hole we were in.  The next four hours were the worst climb I’ve ever had to make sheep hunting.  When we finally topped out, Wayne and Bob met us with food, water, and our horses.  It was an enjoyable trip back to base camp.  We all agreed on one thing, if it wasn’t for all six of us working together, this ram probably would not be headed for Russ’s wall.

Three Antlered Bull
By Cole D. Benton

     On September 29, 2005, two of my guides had been out scouting for deer for the season opening the next day.  Pat Monroe and Josh Martoglio came in to our lodge very excited about a large bull elk they had just been seen north of us about two miles.  The three of us went back to where he hade been so I could look at him.   Although only a short amount of time had elapsed, the bull had moved into the timber.  We waited him out.  Both guides knowing I had a license for this area wanted me to take the bull.  I still had two elk hunters coming in yet and I said I wouldn’t shoot an elk until they were filled.  Suddenly the elk came out of cover along with several cows, calves, and younger bulls.  It was hard to believe what we were looking at.  His right horn was a beautiful 7 point.  On the left were two full size horns!  One good look and they were gone.  It shouldn’t be too hard to find this bull again as all of these elk stay here all year.  We filled two elk hunters along with our deer and antelope hunters.  We saw a lot of game and never saw the three antlered bull again.  Should I have shot him when I had the chance?

     One year and six days later on October 5, 2006 my son Tyler had a half day break in between guiding deer and antelope hunts.  Tyler asked to take advantage of the short few hours and hunt an elk for himself.  We only had one elk hunter yet coming in, but not until October 20th.   There seemed to be plenty of elk around, so I told him to go ahead.

     Tyler was accompanied by another one of our guides, Curt Shatzer.  They said when the elk were located, that there was a cow in heat and bulls were everywhere!  They had their attention on a large bull and went after him when out of nowhere came this same three antlered bull that we had seen over a year ago!  Tyler said it didn’t take long to change his efforts to this bull.  Two great things happened.  Tyler was able to harvest this wonderful elk and Curt filmed the entire hunt!

     After a closer look, there were definitely three individual antlers.  The bull gross scored almost 370 BC.

Another Chance At Life

More photos below

It had rained then turned to snow the third of October then rained again. We received over three inches of moisture out of this storm in NE Wyoming. Due to the mud, our vehicles were at a stand still except traveling on the shale county road. I explained to the entire new group of hunters that all hunting would be done on foot and ATV’s would be used only to retrieve game, no hunt would be done off of them. We require all rifles to be checked before heading out into the field and begin hunting that first evening. Due to the mud everyone waited to start out the next morning so a full day of hunting could be done.

Our first hunting day started out with the wind from the wrong direction. I had chosen a large roadless area to hunt where we had previously spotted some elk. I knew there would be some big buck deer also in this area, so I explained to the hunters due to the wind from the wrong direction, we would have to walk north to the Montana state line, cross two drainages to the west, and then hunt back to the south. No problem, these guys were fresh and couldn’t wait to get started. They would feel very differently about seven o’clock that evening! I knew this was our best chance because of the mud.

We unloaded from my pickup just at light. The march north went well. We glassed several nice buck deer which one was exceptional. I wanted no shooting until I knew if the elk were here and where they were located. When we hit the state line, the walking became easier as we headed west. This timbered country was sandy and we did not have to deal with the gumbo mud. As we reached the bottom of the second drainage, where I wanted to start hunting south, two things happened. First, the wind took a 180 and was now out of the north. Exactly what we didn’t’ need. Secondly, this country is full of old homesteads and history. We were just passing within about 100 yards of one of these homesteads and Steve wanted to look around. I said “go ahead I’m going up higher on this hill and start glassing.” We just got separated when Steve started hollering at me. This is not setting very well with me! We had just walked several hours to get here, then the wind changes, and now this guy is making enough noise to empty most of northern Wyoming of anything with four legs. I ran back to him as fast as I could to tell him to be quiet, but he was making all kinds of hand signals of which I understood none. When I got to him he was saying something about elk and pointing at the homestead. In the back of my mind I’m thinking this guy has gone goofy and may need to be put out of his misery. After getting Steve settled down he starts to tell me what happened. All of these old homesteads had cellars. When Steve approached this one to get a better view, the cellar exploded with activity back at him. During or right after the snow storm we received several days ago this large 6x7 bull elk had walked out on the cellar roof which was covered with dirt and fell through. With his large antlers all he could do was stand up and lay down. His left horn was hooked in a supporting post and a lot of the hair was gone off his back from part of the roof.

We all agreed that saving this elk was now a priority. We quickly hunted our way out, passing up several nice deer. Reaching the county road at 4:30 that afternoon, we raced back to the headquarters. I loaded up an ATV, rope, chainsaw, shovel, chains, and dehorning saw. Leaving Ron and Dave behind, Steve and I went back to the elk knowing darkness was close and that this poor bull had little time left...

As I started shoveling dirt off the supporting timbers of the remaining roof, I told Steve to be very careful as the rest of the roof could cave in and I did not want either of us to end up on top of that set of antlers or under his hooves. As soon as we started working, this guy started grinding his teeth and never quit. After removing the dirt from the timbers over the cellar hallway, I broke off the rotten boards and chain sawed the two big supporting timbers off to give him an opening out.

There was an old ladder in one corner that he couldn’t get his horns by, so we ripped it out right in front of his face. This was very difficult to do while still trying to keep our distance so he couldn’t get us with hose horns of his. We then shoveled more dirt off both sides so the hallway would be V-shaped to allow for his horns on the way out. Where this elk was standing, he had to make a 90 degree turn to get in the hallway to leave. We thought that everything was just right to allow his escape, but he wouldn’t move. Maybe a little persuasion would help. We got the shovel and an old 4x4 behind him and pried on his hindquarters. I learned something new real quick. Elk can kick quicker and more repeatedly than any mule, horse or cow. Now all he wants to do is look over his shoulders at us instead of the escape route. I put a rope on one tine of the left antler and pulled his head around so he would look at the opening. With the rope on only one tine, it would come off by itself if the bull headed out. Again with his head pulled around and facing the right direction, we pried on him again. Same result, all he wanted to do was fight us and kick. He was also starting to paw the ground now with a front hoof. This is not a friendly sign! Steve mentioned that maybe we should leave him for a few minutes and maybe he would go out on his own. We tried this but all the elk did was tried to figure out where we went.

I thought maybe if I removed more of the roof this would allow him more moving room. I caved a bunch more off around the elk while staying clear of his horns. While I was doing this, Steve asked me what to do if the bull got out and instead of leaving, turned on us. I said “Kill him!  If you don’t he will try to kill us. That was a terrible thought, but those horns would be deadly if he attacked.

After caving more of the roof in it looked like he had plenty of moving room. Once more we got the shovel and 4x4 and pried on him. He’s definitely got plenty of moving room now, because he made a lunge at us with his big antlers and almost got turned around in the cellar. That’s enough, he sees the opening. He is terribly mad and dangerous. Before one of us gets hurt, we let him stand and get his bearings. When he calms down and it gets dark, maybe he will leave on his own.

We returned to our hunting lodge about 8 PM that night. The local game warden Alan Osterland was called and the story told. We talked about tranquilizing the elk the next day and drag him out of the cellar if he had not left on his own and arrangements were made. The following morning at daybreak we returned to the homestead. We were very happy to see that the bull had walked out on his own during the night and he was nowhere to be seen. Good luck big fellow!

I would like to express a very special thank you to our three California hunters for giving up precious hunting time for the sake of saving the life of this majestic animal.

...Cole Benton

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