2015 Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt Scouting Photos III

I have a lot of photos to share from the 2015 desert bighorn sheep hunt scouting missions.  I hope you guys have a very Merry Christmas.  I think it is important to remember that Jesus Christ is the reason for celebration this time of year and not some fat little guy in a red outfit that has been so glamorized by our society.  It seems as the evil one has created some serious distractions in our lives to take away from the real message we should be celebrating.

JSO Podcast now Available on this Website!

People have been asking to have my podcast available on this site as well as iTunes and Podbean.  The Jay Scott Outdoors Western Big Game Hunting and Fishing Podcast is now available to listen right here on www.JayScottOutdoors.com!  Click on the embedded player below to hear all of the episodes.  You can click on the button in the upper right hand corner of the player to scroll through episodes of interest.  It will always be available now under the PODCAST icon in the upper right portion of this page.

The Gnarly Ram from 2012-2015

Here is a photo collage and video at the bottom of the life of Gnarly the Ram.  Darr Colburn and I were fortunate to spend time around this guy and we enjoyed every minute of it.  This ram was the one that I had targeted for Craig Dunlap's general season sheep tag in Unit 22.  He was the most mature ram that I knew about in the unit.  Our hopes were high in anticipation for the upcoming hunt and the opportunity to hunt the Gnarly ram.  Unfortunately for Craig, the Arizona Auction Desert Sheep hunter harvested this ram prior to the start of the general season.  While disappointed, I am very excited for the hunter, Tony Loop and his guide Sam Dieringer for working so hard and harvesting Gnarly with a bow and arrow.  They deserve all of the credit for their hard work and achievement.  I am very grateful for the dollars that the auction tag brings to help preserve and protect the Bighorn Sheep herds across the state.

We first have recognizable video of Gnarly in the fall of 2012 as you will see in the video.  It was fun watching his progress over the years.  He was high on our list of prospective rams last season while scouting for the AZ Auction Desert Sheep hunter.  We were concerned a bit about the big chip on his right horn at his first quarter measurement that you can see in photo 9 and 12.  In 2015, the ram seemed to have actually pushed out his length a bit and the measurement might just miss the crack.  Regardless of the technicalities, Gnarly is a sweet mature ram and it was a true blessing to be in his presence.  Enjoy the pics and video!

All photos and video were taken between 2012 to 2015 by Darr Colburn and Jay Scott of Colburn and Scott Outfitters

Craig Dunlap's 2015 AZ Unit 22 Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt

We had an unreal desert bighorn sheep hunt with friend and client, Craig Dunlap of Spokane, Washington in Arizona's Unit 22.  Craig harvested this class IV ram on the 2nd evening of the hunt.  Craig was able to come out a week early and scout with us.  We had our heart set on a ram we called "Gnarly" who was harvested just prior to the start of the general season by the AZ auction hunter (many pics and video to come).  We had to scramble a bit because Craig really want a mature ram that had some warrior characteristics in his horn.  There are a lot of young rams in Unit 22 but not a ton of mature rams left like the good old days.  This ram fit that description and was a great ram to harvest.  Make sure to watch the video at the bottom of Craig's hunt.  His reaction to the conclusion of the hunt is priceless and why I love guiding hunters so much!  We have tons of photos and video to post of the hunt that we will be posting real soon.  The success of this hunt would not have be possible without our team of good friends who were willing to help and put forth an effort like the tag was their own.  Special thanks to Seth Meeske, Hunter Haynes, Hunter McGaughey, Dave Martin, Reed Workman and Dan Bright.  Craig had a bunch of good friends that also came out and camped and scouted with us, Tres and Bif McCollom, Gary Sheldon, Todd Govig, Jim and Jay.  I am so thankful to be able to enjoy one of God's most magnificent animals and so grateful to be a sheep hunter and guide!  I would like to thank my friend Craig Dunlap for putting your trust in Colburn and Scott Outfitters with your coveted sheep tag and coming to the hunt so prepared both mentally and physically!

Arizona Strip Mule Deer Hunt Unit 13B with Parker Colburn and Brec Bundy

I was so fortunate to be able to go on Parker Colburn's Arizona Strip Unit 13B Mule Deer hunt!  My hunting partner, Darr Colburn, 13 year old son had drawn one of the most coveted mule deer tags in the country and he had made the decision to hire Brec Bundy of MDA Outfitters (Mule Deer Addiction).  It proved to be a great decision.  We had a great crew of guys including Danny Bright, Daniel Franco, Brian Rimsza, Spencer Porter, Daniel Willett, Jay Pyburn, Tony Lyle, Brekkan, Andy, Bronson and Roger Bundy.  MDA Outfitter guide Brett Simonsen would be Parker's personal guide.

It turned out to be a great antler growth year and the rut was even kicking which made for a very enjoyable deer hunt.  Conditions were cool and crisp with morning lows in the teens and daytime highs in the 50's.  Parker passed on some great deer between 190-200 inches prior to finding the massive beast on the fourth morning.  Parker's deer is 30 inches inside and 35 inches outside spread with almost 50 inches of mass.  His beams are 27.5 and 26 and he gross scores 220 inches.  Brec Bundy had a tag himself and harvested a buck that should gross over 290 inches and will be one of the largest bucks in history to ever come off of the Arizona Strip!

I can't say enough good things about Brec Bundy and Brett Simonsen of MDA Outfitters and the effort they put forth on the hunt!  Not only are they outstanding mule deer guides that know the country incredibly well but the thing that impressed me most was their quality of character.

Check back for video of the hunt.  We will be breaking down the entire hunt.  Click here to listen to the Jay Scott Outdoors Western Big Game Hunting and Fishing Podcast on iTunes for IOS/Apple users and here for Podbean for Computer/Android users.  You can also click on the embedded player below to listen to episode 91:  AZ Strip Unit 13B Mule Deer Hunt with Darr Colburn
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