Bighorn Sheep May Be World Record

by
posted on May 6, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
mehall_ah2015_fs.jpg (22)

Who all puts in for a bighorn sheep tag every year? I do. Despite that the odds of drawing aren’t in my favor, getting to hunt a bighorn—or any of the four North American sheep species with a bow—would be a dream come true. Now imagine getting a bighorn that turned out to be the new world record. According to the Boone & Crockett Club, we may have a winner. Two weeks ago, a bighorn sheep that died of natural causes was found by wildlife officials in Alberta. If it checks out, the ram will be entered into the B&C record book.

For those who don’t know, B&C records include big-game animals that have been found. Bighorn Like hunter-killed animals, they showcase conservation success by helping to gauge outstanding habitat, the numbers of game animals that make it to older age classes, sustainable harvest and other wildlife management objectives.

Biologists say the bighorn ram died in early summer 2013 at age 10-1/2. When official B&C measurers in Alberta put a tape to the horns, they contacted B&C as the green score exceeded the current 208-3/8-inch world record taken in Alberta in 2000. The next step is to wait the standard 60 days required for drying time and have the ram scored again by a special panel of judges. If the score holds up as expected, it will be announced and entered in the record book along with a photo.

Now for some bighorn trivia. Though Montana, in particular, has produced big rams in recent years, all B&C record bighorns have come from Alberta.

Latest

Lede Divers
Lede Divers

A Deep Dive into Late-Season Divers

When he was 12 the author shot a limit of ring-necks when he was hunting for wigeon. It wasn’t the last time divers turned a slow day of duck hunting into a memorable one. The season might be over, but take a step back into the very end of the season with Scott Haugen, as he takes on some divers.

New for 2026: Knight & Hale Deer Call Lineup

Knight & Hale Game Calls, has launched its latest line of deer calls, a collection which includes the EZ-Grunter, EZ-Grunter Xtreme, Death Chamber and Ultimate Rattle Bag. Read on for a detailed description of each.

#SundayGunday: Taurus Raging Hunter 350 Legend

On this week's #SundayGunday, we're taking a look at a capable hunting revolver that’s chambered in a caliber you’re more likely to see in a rifle: the 350 Legend. That’s right, Taurus has released their large-frame Raging Hunter in the whitetail-thumping 350 Legend cartridge. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Recipe: Deep-Rooted Venison Stew

Several friends and I often circle back to the same campfire debate about which wild game makes the best stew. Mule deer usually leads the pack, with moose close behind, but any well-handled game meat can stand out when you build the right layers of flavor. The real magic starts long before the broth simmers. It comes from the vegetables and mushrooms you choose.

61-Year-Old Elk-Hunting Dream Fulfilled in Michigan

Michigan elk hunters faced challenging weather and storm-ravaged terrain to harvest 153 elk in 2025. That didn’t deter Bruce Nelson of Hastings, Mich. He applied for an elk license every year Michigan has held a drawing.

New for 2026: Blaser R8 Professional 2.0

The Blaser R8 Professional 2.0 promises to be the modern evolution of the iconic straight-pull rifle. The rifle features a new, ergonomically optimized vertical pistol grip for increased comfort and improved control when firing, and its ambidextrous palm swell fits both right- and left-handed shooters.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.