2016-2017 Hunts

Kenny Ford (2016-2017)

Kenny’s wife Rachel joined him for this special hunt in the Cady Mountains, CA. Some serious health issues had Kenny limited on what he could do and how far he could get up the mountain. But when a ram was located within his range, he was able to get it done. Kenny did a great job of getting up the mountain and making a 310 yard shot, with his 30-06. Rachel watched it all come together through her optics. Congratulations Kenny on the ram of a lifetime! Thank you Kenny and Rachel for allowing us to be part of such a special hunt.

Statistics:

• Location: Cady Mountains, CA
• Year: 2017
• Distance: 310 yard shot

John McGray (2016-2017)

John was accompanied by his hunting buddy Robert Sutti for this once-in-a-lifetime hunt in the South Bristol Mountains, Ca. They were guided by DCO guides Matt St.Martin, Shawn Lindey and Nate Lang. It was a difficult two day stalk. The rams were moving, the wind was not in our favor and we ran out of daylight on the first day but we were back on the rams early the next day. Even though the rams were still moving, John and his team were able to get into position for a shot. John made a great 275 yard shot with his pre 64’ model 70, 270 win. Congratulations John on harvesting a 10-plus year old trophy ram! Thank you John and Robert for great memories and some new friendships.

Statistics:

• Location: South Bristol Mountains, CA
• Year: 2017
• Age: 10+ years old
• Distance: 275 yard shot

Mike Laws (2016-2017)

Mike hunted in the Marble/Clipper Mountains, CA. After a strenuous stalk up some rough and rocky terrain, he made an excellent 502 yard shot to take this old desert warrior. The ram was 13 years old and blind in one eye. He had been living in some very rugged, hard to get to country to avoid predators. Even with the chips, this ram scored 168 B&C points. Congratulations Mike on a great trophy ram!!!

Statistics:

• Location: Marble/Clipper Mountains, CA
• Year: 2017
• Score: 168 B&C
• Age: 13 years old
• Distance: 402 yard shot

Michelle Corder (2016-2017)

Michelle was accompanied by her husband Travis and their hunting buddies Robert Utterback and Chris Holland on her hunt in the Marble/Clipper Mountains, CA. She trained very well for this hunt. Worked out, hiked with her full pack on, got long range shooting instructions and practiced, practiced, practiced. She and her team came to sheep camp prepared to kill a big ram, and she did just that! We put in some long hard days to finally get to this ram. With DCO guide Ben Mattausch taking her in on the stalk, she anchored this ram with a 302 yard shot from her 6.5 Creedmoor. It was a steep, nasty, after dark pack out but that’s sheep hunting at its best. Her ram scored 174 B&C points. Her story titled “Monarchs and Badasses” will be published in the May issue of “Huntin’ Fool” magazine. Congratulations Michelle! We want to thank you and your team for memories that will last a lifetime.

Read Michelle's story in California Wild Sheep

Statistics:

• Location: Marble/Clipper Mountains, CA
• Year: 2017
• Score: 174 B&C
• Distance: 302 yard shot
• Awards: Largest ram in the state by a draw hunter for 2016/2017

Jim McIsaac (2016-2017)

Jim drew a desert sheep tag for the White Sands Missile Base in New Mexico. Three of us from Dry Creek Outfitters had the privilege of going along with our friend Jim to help him on this hunt. What a wonderful adventure it was. We found this ram at 7am on the first morning from 3 miles out. Even at that distance we all liked him and Jim made the call to go in after him. The stalk all went smooth and when we got close Jim set-up for a shot at 400 yards. Just then the ram decided to travel and to our surprise he came right at us, then stopped less than 100 yards away. The ram scored 182 6/8 B&C and was the largest ram taken by a draw hunter in the state of New Mexico this year. Congratulations Jim and thank you for allowing us to be part of such a special hunt.

Read Jim's story in California Wild Sheep

Statistics:

• Location: White Sands Missile Base, New Mexico
• Year: 2016
• Score: 182 6/8 B&C
• Distance: 100 yard shot

Ken Henkelman (2016-2017)

Ken drew his tag in the Clark/Kingston Mountains, CA. After five days of hard hunting we found this warrior. Watching him through our spotting scopes, we could see that he had a broken leg. It is a hard life for sheep in the Mojave Desert and a ram with a broken leg probably won’t survive long. Ken made the choice to go after this ram. It was a tough stalk because we had to weave our way through other sheep and some wild burros to get close to him. Ken ended this guy’s troubles with a 250 yard shot from his 308 Win. The ram scored 165 and had 16 1/8” bases. California fish and wildlife claims these are the largest bases to ever come out of the Clark/Kingston’s. Congratulations Ken, job well done!!

Statistics:

• Location: Clark/Kingston Mountains, CA
• Year: 2016
• Score: 165 with 16 1/8" bases

Dan Smith III (2016-2017)

Dan was the successful bidder for the 2016 California Governor’s tag. We were able to assist Dan and his father Dan Smith Jr. on a fabulous hunt in the Orocopia Mountains. We found the ram late in the afternoon in a nasty spot, so we planned the stalk for the next morning. Leaving before daylight and hiking over 4 miles we got to the ram late in the afternoon. After waiting for the ram to stand up Dan made a successful 180 yard shot with a 7MM Weatherby Mag. It was several hours after dark before we were able to get the ram packed off the mountain and back to a vehicle. The ram officially scored 181 6/8 B&C gross points and was the largest ram taken in the state for the year. It is also the largest ram ever taken by a California Governors tag holder to date. And as you can see by the pictures, this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime ram. Congratulations Dan!! Thank you both Dan III and Dan Jr. for great new friendships.

Statistics:

• Type: California Governor's Tag Holder
  Location: Orocopia Mountains, CA
• Year: 2016
• Score: 181 6/8
• Distance: 180 Yard Shot
• Award: Largest ram ever taken by CA Governor's tag holder

Pat Mauney (2016-2017)

Pat harvested this California Bighorn in Oregon’s South Central unit. Hunting the high desert of Oregon in the month of August can be extremely hot but we were able to locate a number of rams during the hunt and Pat settled in to make a great 410 yard shot with a Super 7. Congratulations Pat on your great looking California Bighorn!

Statistics:

• Type: California Bighorn Sheep
  Location: South Sentral Unit, Oregon
• Year: 2016
• Score: 166+
• Distance: 410 Yard Shot