| DESERT SHEEP HUNT |
| By Ann Kulp |
I was hopeful but worried – the Saturday Night Auction at the Eastern Chapter FNAWS Convention was in
high gear and the Desert Sheep Hunt in Mexico with Amigo’s Guides and Outfitters was up for bidding. I
knew all eyes were on me – this was what I needed to complete my North American Grand Slam! Just one
more nod and… YES! I was going to Sonora, Mexico in December 2006 to hunt for my Desert Ram with
Nayo Balderrama!
As the time drew nearer, I again was hopeful but worried. What if….? You know there is no guarantee,
and my hunts are never easy!
Barry and I left on December 5 to drive to Phoenix, Arizona to spend some time with my daughter and her
husband. On Sunday, December 10, we flew to Hermosillo, Mexico. After clearing customs, we met Nayo
and another mule deer hunter. From there we were driven about 1 ½ hours northwest to our hunting
hacienda. Our accommodations and meals were vastly different from the usual spike camp faire of previous
sheep hunts!
The first morning I sighted in my 300 Win Mag with 150 grain Nosler Partition bullets. It was right on.
About 7:30am, we headed out with Nayo and two Mexican-speaking guides. Within an hour we found our
first group of four rams – Nayo says “we see better rams.” Shortly we spot a lone ram and while I am
focusing on him in my binoculars, I hear the guides whispering excitedly. I look up and see them setting up
their spotting scopes in a different direction. Sure enough, they have located a band of 19 rams grazing
their way up the mountain. At least two of them appear to be good ole boys! The rangefinder places them
at 815 yds. Eventually they begin to bed down, so we decided it was time to put on a stalk.
Nayo, Barry and I climbed up the backside of an adjoining mountain to a higher rocky point where I could
get into a good shooting position. All 19 of them were still milling around at 350 yds away. Nayo says “we
wait.” After what seemed an eternity, they started heading directly toward us. The first ram (the one with a
chipped left horn) and the last ram were the biggest ones. Nayo thought either one would score well.
Unfortunately, neither one gave me an opportunity for a good clear shot. We lost sight of them as they
moved into a saddle below us. Occasionally we could hear rocks tinkling below us.
Nayo sneaked out to another vantage point and there was the big one with the chipped horn looking right
at him – only 25 yds below us in the rocks! He motioned to come quickly and stay low. At Nayo’s request, I
positioned my rifle on his left shoulder for a steady rest. He blocked his ears while I pulled the trigger. One
shot and my ram was down! It was 11:30 am on December 11, 2006 and I had now completed my Grand
Slam with a beautiful heavy horned ram that green scored 170. I must say it was the easiest sheep hunt I
ever had!
What a thrill to complete my Grand Slam with Nayo Balderrama! It was with Nayo and Barry that I began
my hunting 4 years ago. (I accompanied Barry on his desert sheep hunt to Mexico in 2002 and at that time
Nayo and Barry offered me the opportunity to harvest a great mule deer!) Thanks again, Nayo and Barry for
many great experiences along the way.
I would also like to thank both Eastern and National FNAWS for bringing together so many great outfitters
and hunters. I have thoroughly enjoyed the diversity and beauty of all the hunting areas and wildlife, as well
as the comradery of so many great people. Thanks to Stan Simpson of Ram Head Outfitters in NWT (Dall),
Larry Warren of Tuchodi River Outfitters in B.C. (Stone), Bruce Ambler of Ambler’s Bighorn Country Guiding
in B.C. (CA Bighorn), and Nayo Balderrama of Amigo’s Guides and Outfitters in Mexico (Desert) for making
my goal a reality.
high gear and the Desert Sheep Hunt in Mexico with Amigo’s Guides and Outfitters was up for bidding. I
knew all eyes were on me – this was what I needed to complete my North American Grand Slam! Just one
more nod and… YES! I was going to Sonora, Mexico in December 2006 to hunt for my Desert Ram with
Nayo Balderrama!
As the time drew nearer, I again was hopeful but worried. What if….? You know there is no guarantee,
and my hunts are never easy!
Barry and I left on December 5 to drive to Phoenix, Arizona to spend some time with my daughter and her
husband. On Sunday, December 10, we flew to Hermosillo, Mexico. After clearing customs, we met Nayo
and another mule deer hunter. From there we were driven about 1 ½ hours northwest to our hunting
hacienda. Our accommodations and meals were vastly different from the usual spike camp faire of previous
sheep hunts!
The first morning I sighted in my 300 Win Mag with 150 grain Nosler Partition bullets. It was right on.
About 7:30am, we headed out with Nayo and two Mexican-speaking guides. Within an hour we found our
first group of four rams – Nayo says “we see better rams.” Shortly we spot a lone ram and while I am
focusing on him in my binoculars, I hear the guides whispering excitedly. I look up and see them setting up
their spotting scopes in a different direction. Sure enough, they have located a band of 19 rams grazing
their way up the mountain. At least two of them appear to be good ole boys! The rangefinder places them
at 815 yds. Eventually they begin to bed down, so we decided it was time to put on a stalk.
Nayo, Barry and I climbed up the backside of an adjoining mountain to a higher rocky point where I could
get into a good shooting position. All 19 of them were still milling around at 350 yds away. Nayo says “we
wait.” After what seemed an eternity, they started heading directly toward us. The first ram (the one with a
chipped left horn) and the last ram were the biggest ones. Nayo thought either one would score well.
Unfortunately, neither one gave me an opportunity for a good clear shot. We lost sight of them as they
moved into a saddle below us. Occasionally we could hear rocks tinkling below us.
Nayo sneaked out to another vantage point and there was the big one with the chipped horn looking right
at him – only 25 yds below us in the rocks! He motioned to come quickly and stay low. At Nayo’s request, I
positioned my rifle on his left shoulder for a steady rest. He blocked his ears while I pulled the trigger. One
shot and my ram was down! It was 11:30 am on December 11, 2006 and I had now completed my Grand
Slam with a beautiful heavy horned ram that green scored 170. I must say it was the easiest sheep hunt I
ever had!
What a thrill to complete my Grand Slam with Nayo Balderrama! It was with Nayo and Barry that I began
my hunting 4 years ago. (I accompanied Barry on his desert sheep hunt to Mexico in 2002 and at that time
Nayo and Barry offered me the opportunity to harvest a great mule deer!) Thanks again, Nayo and Barry for
many great experiences along the way.
I would also like to thank both Eastern and National FNAWS for bringing together so many great outfitters
and hunters. I have thoroughly enjoyed the diversity and beauty of all the hunting areas and wildlife, as well
as the comradery of so many great people. Thanks to Stan Simpson of Ram Head Outfitters in NWT (Dall),
Larry Warren of Tuchodi River Outfitters in B.C. (Stone), Bruce Ambler of Ambler’s Bighorn Country Guiding
in B.C. (CA Bighorn), and Nayo Balderrama of Amigo’s Guides and Outfitters in Mexico (Desert) for making
my goal a reality.
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