There isn't anything living in them mountains... That's what everyone always says lol. I wanted a mule deer and it was the last weekend for Texas so I got up at 4am and headed out to a new spot I had just learned about and wasn't real familiar with but heard whispers of what was rumored to be there. Well after getting to my starting point at dark I parked and as the skyline started to lighten up I started my climb up to the saddle in between two mountain peaks. It was cold and it was a bit tough holding on to my stick climbers but my fingers were starting to hurt with the chill even with gloves. When I had started off I didn't realize how far the big ascent was...mountains always look closer than they are. As I walked watching the heavy frost my my breath I'd stop and glass the flats and peaks wiping off the fog from my Steiner's every few seconds. Well after a mile and a half walk through soft ground and sand that I'd break through every once in a while from rabbit tunnels I assume that was covered in all types of cactus and every other plant with thorns from hell I finally made it to the foot of the saddle. By that time I was pretty warmed up! Lol...except my finger tips but I was starting to sweat so I ripped them off adjusted my rifle sling and got to humping up the side of the mountain that was covered in more cactus and rock formations almost like stairs or long benches so zigzag zigzag zigzag all the way up. My lungs were burning more than my muscles but I kept thinking this will be worth it just to sit there and watch the sun come up and wash over the mountains and red rocks. I could see for miles...

I'd never been to the spot I was headed to but I was on one ridge over the week before and didn't even see a dang rabbit but I had faith that maybe over this one more ridge..... well as I finally got to the top I was pretty tired and sucking oxygen hard. Just as I caught my breath and took a quick look around it was like a switch was flicked and the sun popped out pretty cool but I felt a little behind. So I surveyed everything and decided to sit on the southern mountain facing north west. I saw huge "buck" tracks and they looked fresh. There was plenty of sign, scat, tracks in the soft ground, fresh lechuguilla was eaten and pushed over... I felt good about it but didn't see any movement. I found a spot half way up with soft ground to sit on and got "comfortable". Broke out the glass and went to work... nada.. but I knew this flat was a pinch point from a bunch of fingers so I was happy being there. I had signal at the very top so I took some pics and text some buddies and was just enjoying being there. I look up and the ridge in front of me to the NW....I saw movement. I was thrown off a little I thought what in the heck is that... I looked hard and at first I thought it was other people but when I threw up the glass I quickly landed on what it was... two Auodad rams headed my way! I've never even seen one in person let alone free range. I threw the glass up again as they closed the distance of about 300 yards to 250... I picked the largest one out... the largest of the two but they were pretty similar in size. This is all happening fast! I throw the rifle up and bolt in a round. I had to tell myself to settle down they're still headed right at me to the north side where I had just climbed up. They'd run a little, stop, look around and repeat. It felt like hours and seconds all at the same time. Really it only took a minute or two... I tried to find a comfortable steady position but I couldn't. When they got to about as close as they could get before going over the side I put the scope on one, flicked off the safety and I was so pumped I touched one off before I was settled! I was so pissed (I need to re-adjust the Tikka trigger) at myself what a rookie mistake. It hurts to admit it but it happened. I jumped up popped in another round as they put in the after burners... just as I settled and pulled the trigger again they disappeared down the side. Dammmmmmm it! I ran over and thought to myself don't screw it up you have one more NAB to fling! When I got to the edge.... there was nothing. NOTHING.... I was what the he!!? I thought to myself that can't be I can see forever up here then it hit me... they must be right below me and about that time. I heard the rocks below me.

They were coming right at me from below side hilling! I see one crest now to my right about 75 yards away now on the same hill I was sitting on. I throw up the Tikka and it was hard to get in view and I remembered they're to close I need to dial down the Meopta. I turn it all the way down and by that time the 2nd ram pops up in view but running. I said to myself don't screw this up and they're close aim low... touched the trigger and as I look up... nothing. Then I thought I must have dropped him. Sure enough I see movement on the ground. Ram down... I waited for him to expire and give myself a moment to get myself together. I had signal so called the wife from on top of the mountain lmao. She said get it mounted! I married the right one I walked up to it and I couldn't believe how big they are. How am I gonna get this brute down? Then I realized I forgot my knife in the pack I called a buddy and he said he'd come help. I humped it down to get my pack and I was able to drive the Jeep in 4wd almost to the foot thank God. Got out humped it up and got him cleaned out. I sat down to take a breath and look up and see my buddy down where I was parked the first time pull up and head my way. It took 3 of us with ropes a couple hours to get him down. I'm still in awe but what great memories. Just wish my hunting buddy (my son) would have been there with me. He had a swimming competition the night before and was to tired.

p.s. there are eyes in them hills...

Hard work good read nice ram. Congratulations

Congratulations!!!

Neat pics, story and Ram congrats I bet that was a heck of a work out.

Great ram and story, thanks for sharing with us!!! Well done sir!

Nice ram! Congrats

Great story and nice ram!

Congrats!

Outstanding Buck

Great write up and trophy

Great job!

Great read. Congrats!!!

Congrats!

Congratulations!

Great write up. Congrats on the great ram.

Thanks everyone it was a blast

Looks like an awesome place to hunt. Congrats on the ram.

Congrats sir

Nice story Ernie, great pics. Congratulations.

Nice man that looks like a blast!

Great story and Ram! Congratulations