Diamonds In The Rough

Diamonds In the Rough, the Run n’ Gun Diaries. There’s something about the memories we make in the field. They are moments we won’t ever be able to replicate, making them special and irreplaceable. They become a place we can go to in our lives for reflection, and a nostalgic walk down memory lane. They can be good, bad, or down right interesting- changing us and challenging us to make ourselves better and push harder.

Kicking off this week, we introduced our ‘In the Rough‘ series on YouTube last night. We aren’t all going to be gifted in Hollywood esq style for our cinematography, but the raw ‘in the field’ footage will be showcasing some of the highlights we encounter in our line of work. Our feature video dates back to the handi-cam footage from 2012 when Dustin Roe and Roberto Aguiar originally teamed up to finish Dustin’s quest to finish his Grand Slam Ram, a Desert Sheep.

People come into sheep hunting from various backgrounds, experiences and influences. Some are fulfilling lifelong quests from stories they read of the great adventurers and hunters from yesteryear, while others are passionate about mountain hunting and the variety of species you can pursue. For those of us that love the physical grind, the pursuit of the wild sheep and the places the hunt takes us- the pinnacle of sheep hunting can become completing a Grand Slam. The Grand Slam of sheep hunting, or taking the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep quest for Four Award (FNAWS), requires the dedication to harvest four of the North American Wild Sheep Species; two thinhorn sheep, the Dall’s Sheep and the Stone’s Sheep (or Fannin), and then two bighorn species, Rocky Mountain or California Bighorn and a Desert Sheep.

In British Columbia we are blessed to have California and Rocky Mountain Bighorns, Stone’s Sheep, and a small population of Dall’s within our province. As guides, we often find ourselves busy helping other folks pursue their sheep hunting dreams during the peak season months that then make our personal hunting seasons short or nonexistent. But when you can find the time, and the resources to make it happen, sometimes you have to roll the dice and go for it! 

“For most people, completing the quest for your FNAWS is a multi-year, financial decision that requires time and planning. The first hunt I ever guided was back in 2002, but it wasn’t until 2004 that I started guiding the full season which kept me busy hunting sheep for my clients. It was always a goal to be able to complete a slam, but I thought it would be a lifelong goal. It turned out I got the bug and ended up getting all four species in a record six years from the start.” Dustin noted.

The first ram that Dustin was able to take for himself was in 2006 with a good friend Kent. It was an archery Stone’s Sheep that the pair was able to sneak into 15 yards to make the shot. After a long season in 2007, He was able to connect on a great 183 Boone and Crockett Bighorn ram at the tail end of the fall with his cousin. In 2012, Dustin had been awarded a Dall Sheep hunt in the Northwest Territories, bringing him to having three of his four sheep. At the time, he had been able to go along on a hunt in the Baja with clients he had been working with and become a familiar face with the crew and outfitter. As serendipity would have it, he was informed of a last minute tag that was unsold going into the season that spring.

“Offers like that only come along every so often, and sometimes you can’t afford not to go! It was going to be Roberto’s first ram to be guiding solo back then, and there were many things to work through; trying to understand each other through a broken up language barrier, and some tricky and tough terrain to navigate set us up for a challenge. I remember asking Roberto what the plan was. His response was simple “The plan? Is to shoot that sheep.” I liked that plan ” Dustin laughed. “It was really cool to get that one on one time with Roberto and be able to teach him how backpacking into the mountains and camping out can be very successful. Working hard usually works out better then half ass-ing it!” 

After hunting the last eight years down in the Baja together, Dustin and Roberto have had the opportunity to share in many of their hunters’ moments of victory.

At Backcountry BC and Beyond, you can be sure to have an experience of a lifetime while in pursuit of any of the species we offer. Whether it’s down in the Baja, or in Alberta along the Rocky Mountains, or in British Columbia. It has been the company motto to ‘Do What It Takes’ for every single one of our hunters, and that has been a motto that drives all of the change and adventure to this day. Past clients can attest, that there is no greater accomplishment than fulfilling your hunting pursuits with a team that makes your experience and happiness a priority. Working with people that have the same mentality and vision has been the long term goal.

We are looking forward to sharing our story, the team behind the brand, and their unique qualities that make us family. 

Kicking off the very last of our Baja story for this spring, we’d love for you to stick around for next week when we introduce you to the man, the myth, the desert sheep hunting guide himself, Roberto Aguiar.

-The Backcountry BC and Beyond Team

Outfitter Fact: At Backcountry BC and Beyond we can help you start or finish your quest in taking your Grand Slam. If you are new to sheep hunting and want to come catch with the team in person, we attend industry trade shows during the winter months of January and February ( Dallas Safari Club, Wild Sheep Foundation, Grand Slam Club Ovis, SHOT Show, Safari Club International) or give us a call + 1 (250) 919 – 0184 or email at backcountrybcandbeyond@hotmail.com to chat about our hunts.