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

Massaro Cleaning
Massaro Cleaning

Clean 'em Up—Gun Cleaning 101 for Hunters

Ever wonder how often to clean your gun? How about what to clean it with? How about what to clean it with if you're hunting at 40-below? Phil Massaro answers all these questions and more, in this clean-freaks primer.

Hunting Show Attendance Shattering Records

Attendance records have been shattered at this year’s major hunting shows. The latest, Ducks Unlimited’s DUX (Ducks Unlimited Expo), set a new high-water mark in Memphis, Tenn. According to the Commercial Appeal, the July to Aug. 2 event attracted roughly 30,000 attendees. The 2025 event, also held in Memphis, drew a crowd that numbered nearly 20,000.

The Colonel’s Caliber in an Interesting Rifle—.35 Whelen

“Only accurate rifles are interesting.” Townsend Whelen

New for 2026: Beretta A400 Solo

Beretta USA has launched the A400 Solo, a new semi-automatic shotgun engineered for hunters who demand performance in the harshest conditions. Built on Beretta's A400 platform and packed with the company's latest advancements, the A400 Solo combines Beretta's B-Link Pro gas-operating system, Steelium barrel technology and Kick-Off Plus recoil reduction system into one dependable platform.

Know How: Find Your Long-Range Limit

Curious where your ethical limit is in the field? Mark Kayser shows you exactly how to find it.

Smith & Wesson Honors America's 250th Anniversary with Limited-Edition Model 1854

Smith & Wesson has announced the launch of its America 250 Limited Edition Model 1854 rifle, created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.