1.
Your hunting partner spots this ram in the southern rockies (region 4) during the general open season for full curl bighorn rams, and asks you whether he should shoot. What is your answer?
Correct Answer
B. No
Explanation
While this ram may very well be legal, because you do not have a direct side view it is impossible to be certain. Therefore, you should err on the side of caution and not shoot.
2.
You spot this ram while hunting in the east Kootenays (Region 4) during the general open season for full curl bighorn rams. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
A. Yes
Explanation
This ram clearly meets the "full curl" requirement for bighorns, as its horn tip extends above a line drawn from the lowest hindmost portion of the horn base through the center of its nostril. Your view is squarely from the side, on the same level as the ram.
3.
You are hunting the general open season for mature bighorn rams near Spences bridge when you are able to sneak within range of this massive ram. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
B. No
Explanation
Recent regulation changes have amended the definition of a Mature Bighorn Ram. It is now defined as any bighorn ram mountain sheep whose horn tip, when viewed squarely from the side extends upwards beyond the forehead-nose bridge.
This ram does not present a good view to correctly judge so do not shoot.
4.
You spot this ram during a general open season for full curl bighorn rams. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
A. No
Explanation
You must view a ram squarely from the side in order to determine whether it is legal. You need to wait for a side profile of this ram before deciding to shoot.
5.
You are hunting Region 6 for Stone's sheep when you come upon this ram. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
B. No
Explanation
The left horn on this ram appears, from the front, to tip up above the bridge of the nose. This is exactly why you should never judge a ram as legal based on a frontal view. I watched this ram at less than 50 yards for 10-15 minutes, and determined from a side view that it was at least an inch short of legal.
6.
This Stone's sheep ram has spotted you and is on is way over the mountain. You have to make a quick decision as to whether or not to shoot. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
A. No
Explanation
This is the same ram as question 5, and you can see from this view that he is short of legal.
7.
You have drawn a limited entry permit for the 3/4 curl bighorn ram season in region 3. On the last day of the season you come across this ram. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
B. No
Explanation
From this angle, the ram appears to meet the 3/4 Curl Bighorn Ram definition by one or two inches. However, you do not have a view of the ram squarely from the side, and therefore you cannot (from this view) judge the ram to be legal.
8.
You sneak up on this bighorn ram during the general open season for full curl bighorn rams in management unit 3-17. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
B. No
Explanation
Although the left horn on this ram appears to come well up, without a view squarely from the side you cannot determine this with certainty. While the ram is also likely over 8 years of age, the definition of "Full Curl Bighorn Ram" does not contain an age component.
9.
You are hunting near Pavillion during the general open season for full curl bighorn rams in management unit 3-17 when you spot this ram. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
B. Yes
Explanation
You have a view of this ram squarely from the side, and the tip of its horn extends beyond a straight line drawn through the center of the nostril and the lowest hindmost portion of the horn base. It is a legal ram. This would be a difficult ram to judge in the field, and you should of course resolve any doubt in favor of not shooting.
10.
You are hunting near Spences Bridge during the general open season for mature bighorn rams when an opportunity to harvest this ram presents itself. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
A. Yes
Explanation
You have a view of this ram squarely from the side, and at your level. The horn tip breaks the bridge of the nose meeting the definition of Mature Bighorn Ram), and therefore this is a legal ram.
11.
You are hunting during the general open season for full curl bighorn rams in region 7 when you encounter this ram. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
B. No
Explanation
Without a view squarely from the side, you cannot judge this ram as legal. Although he appears to have attained the age of 8 years, that is not a component of the definition of Full Curl Bighorn Ram.
12.
While hunting the general open season for mature bighorn rams in management unit 3-17, you have an opportunity to take this ram. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
B. No
Explanation
This ram may meet the definition of "Full Curl Bighorn Ram", but definitely does not meet the definition of "Mature Bighorn Ram" which requires the horn tip to extend upwards beyond the forehead-nose bridge.
13.
While hunting in Region 7b you come across this ram bedded. You ask your partner for advice on weather to shoot before you spook them?
Correct Answer
C. "No, we should go in closer for a better look"
Explanation
This is a young ram and based on the view you have it is not possible to determine if it meets the horn curl requirement. It is best to err on the side of caution and get a clear view of the horn from the side.
14.
You have a LEH for 3-32 (along the Fraser River) and you spot this ram. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
B. Yes
Explanation
The LEH is for ¾ curls and with this side view you can clearly see the ram meets the ¾ definition.
15.
You spot this ram in the most northern part of MU 3-17. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
A. Yes
Explanation
. This ram is clearly a legal full curl and being in the northern part of 3-17, falls outside the area defined as Mature Rams only.
16.
You spot this ram off the highway in MU 3-17 near Spence Bridge. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
A. No
Explanation
At this viewing angle it is impossible to tell if this rams horn tips breaks the top of the nose barrier. In the Spences Bridge area rams have to be Mature Ram.
17.
You spot this ram near Lytton in MU 3-17 where the Mature Ram (over the bridge of the nose)
rule is in effect. Do you shoot?
Correct Answer
B. No
Explanation
Although a horn tip appears to break the forehead-nose bridge, at this viewing angle it is impossible to accurately tell if this rams horn tips breaks the top of the nose barrier.