I booked my first hunt with the Collingwood Bros. for my Stone sheep because of their high success rate and quality operation (we had also fished with them for several years). Unfortunately, Mother Nature got in the way on that hunt and we had horrible weather for 10 days straight. It is hard to see anything on the mountain when you are constantly surrounded by snow storms and fog. Although we really hunted hard, I did not get a sheep on my first hunt (but I did get a great caribou consolation).

With the gracious cooperation of the Collingwood Bros., I booked again in 2001 for my Stone sheep. Same guide, Clayton Collingwood, but way different weather and results! It was so hot but I was able to get my fine ram on only the third day of the hunt. I name every sheep that comes into our home and this one is called “Mr. Sucker Punch” because he had a broken jaw where it was apparent that he got sucker punched by another ram. He wasn’t likely to live the winter in that condition.

Also for that year (2001), I had purchased the Utah auction tag for a Desert sheep in the Virgin River area. That was the first time a hunt was allowed there. Again, because of the expert guide I had, Greg Bird, who did a lot of homework in this area before my hunt, I was able to harvest a Desert ram of my dreams. He is currently the UT state record at 174 2/8 B&C. His name is “Mr. R.B.R.” (A.k.a. record book ram).