Protected head to toe in his Sitka Gear clothing, through rain, snow, wind and ridge-top cold, his second Alaska Dall’s sheep hunt and third sheep hunt to date proved to be the charm for a sheepless Wild Sheep Foundation President & CEO, Gray N. Thornton.
Hunting partner Jack Atcheson, Jr. spotted two fine rams on the second day of the hunt, but after a cold snap, one foot of snow and a lost hunting day, the hunting party was not able to get on them until the fourth day of an 8-day hunt.
Although within 550 yards of two legal rams, Gray choose not to shoot due to the precarious location of the sheep and potential 1,000-yard post-shot tumble. They “banked” the rams, hunted another drainage the following day and then got back on the two sheep the sixth day.
A 2,000-foot climb, classic stalk, and 335-yard shot with his Kimber Mountain Ascent .308 and a Hornady-topped handload anchored this fine 9-plus-year-old Brooks Range monarch.
