Like many, I was searching through TPWD.com deciding which hunts I was going to apply for - at the top of my list is the Guided Desert Bighorn Sheep hunt and this year they have issued a tag for the drawing outside of the Big Time Texas Hunts. The problem is though they require a centerfire rifle of .243 caliber or larger for both the drawn tag and the Big Time Texas Hunt tag. They will not allow the use of archery equipment.
I would love to hunt a desert bighorn sheep in my home state but since I layed down my rifle and picked up a bow the desire to hunt with a rifle is not there. I put a call into TPWD and spoke to a gentleman about this hunt and asked him why the use of archery equipment is not allowed on this hunt. The answer I was given is becuase "they want the animal down on the spot" - now I find it hard to believe that every successful hunt that they have conducted has resulted in a ram dropping on the spot.
Hunters who apply for a deer hunt at Hagerman and are drawn have to qualify at a shoot. I imagine to prove proficiency and to prove that they are capable of making ethical accurate shots. If I am wrong here someone please correct me.
What I do not understand is why they can not implement the same requirment for the guided desert bighorn sheep hunt. We all know that a sharp, well placed broadhead will put an animal down very quickly and humanely.
This is something that I would like to pursue and get changed I am sure if we band together we could accomplish this.
I put in for that hunt ever year. And I will break out the boom stick if I got drawn. As long as that rule is in place.
I agree with you that it would be nice to have a choice ( bow or gun ) and it might not be that hard to get them to change that. I'll bet no one has pushed that at them. Might be worth the time to push it at them and see what happens. The worst they can do is say no.
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I contacted state Senator Dueull - I understand he is an avid bowhunter just to see if he could offer any advice/guidance -- I am going to write a letter over the weekend to TPWD and will contact the Texas Bighorn Society as well. Anyone have any other ideas?
That is not the only hunt that is for gun only. The super exotic on the Mason Mountain WMU is the same way. Would love to kill one on the SE on MWMU, but would love to do it with a bow. Bob
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Texas Desert Bighorn
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