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Thanks for the list of blunders as I try to learn from others mistakes as well as my own. I have a list of blunders so long it would make your head spin. I like to think that all of my past blunders are making me into a safer more experienced hunter, but I would settle for a more productive hunter. One mistake which I hope to never repeat and definitely never will forget was one of my first sheep hunts. We were on a guided hunt (even though we were residents) and the guide wasn’t too interested in hiking so I took off on my own. I spotted three rams on a mountainside and focused on them stalking within 100 yards. After close inspection the largest was ¾ curl and even though legal I wanted a larger ram so I didn’t shoot. As I turned to start down I realized by focusing on the rams I had climbed to a spot I couldn’t get down from. So I started climbing hoping to find a place to traverse to another way down. I never found one and the mountain got steeper and steeper until I was digging hand and foot holds with my knife and gun. At times I was so scared I wondered if I should just let go and fall. But I thought if I am going to die at least I want to fall trying. I finally reached the ridgeline and after catching my breath I found a relatively easy and quick way down. When I reached camp and pointed out the peak I climbed no one believed me until I showed them my bloody hands and muddy clothes. The guide gave me advice to avoid such terrain in the future “If you need your hands to climb its too steep anyway.” I have never forgotten that advice and its kept me safe.

Message Thread:

• Blunders we've learned from... Michael Strahan Dec 04 2005
  • If you think that was bad Jim in Delta Dec 06 2005
    • If you think that was bad Dirtysouth Dec 06 2005
    • still laughin!!! fullkurl Dec 06 2005
  • mistakes Sollybug Dec 06 2005
    • I did that too! Michael Strahan Dec 06 2005
    • Yellow flash Bigmnt Dec 06 2005
  • Hindsight 20/20 dr. brian Dec 05 2005
  • Dont mess with archery Equipment the day you leave AlaskaCub Dec 05 2005
  • similar jklingel Dec 05 2005