The four categories of sheep eligible for records keeping are bighorn sheep, desert sheep, Stone’s sheep, and Dall’s sheep. Horn formation may be any of three basic types: the close curl, a close curl with flaring tips, or wide flaring horns. Bighorns generally show some degree of the close curl, while the close curl with flaring tips is often found in Stone’s and Dall’s sheep. The wide flaring conformation is less common in all varieties.
This common variation of horn conformation is a major reason greatest spread and tip to tip spread are supplementary data that are not figured into the score. Use of spread in the scoring would discriminate against close curl specimens. This would be particularly inappropriate in the bighorns, where a close curl and massive horns may combine to make a most impressive trophy.
Only a 1/4-inch wide, flexible steel tape may be used for length and circumference measurements on sheep; a steel cable may not be substituted. At times the horns on sheep may be loose on their cores; it is permissible to remove the horns from their cores for measurement of the lengths and circumferences.
As in all horn measurements, location and accuracy in measuring the length of horn is vital to the subsequent measurements. As shown in figure 10-A, the length of horn measurement is started by hooking the clip-end of the measuring tape on the lowest front edge of the horn base where the crest of the horn begins. The line of measurement is then maintained along the horn surface to a point in line with the horn tip. Use a small carpenter’s square (or a credit card) to determine the end of the measurement line by forming a perpendicular of the square and horn axis at that point. This technique is necessary because of broken and/or “broomed” horn tips often encountered in sheep, especially older bighorns.
The length of a sheep horn is correctly taken with the tape in contact with the high points along the horn, reflecting the greatest length of the entire horn. Be careful not to push the tape down into any depressions that result from the annual growth rings while taking this measurement. Mature rams, because they frequently strike their horns against those of other rams, tend to chip pieces from their horns. If the length measurement crosses such a location, the tape must be stretched across the gap in a natural fashion (and not pushed down into the gap giving an artificially longer measurement).
A mounted specimen presents a problem in location of the start of the line of measurement. Care must be exercised to begin the line at the above-mentioned edge of the hollow horn. This point is often covered with hair and cape and may be fused with the mounting media. Careful probing with a penknife point, using a bright light, is often necessary to properly locate this point.
Once the proper horn lengths are established, locations of the circumference measurements are determined by dividing the longer horn length measurement into quarters. The Quarter Locations for Circumference Chart in the back of this manual provides these values. Record the locations of the three quarter locations in the space provided to the right of each circumference description on the score chart so they can easily be verified if there is any later question about the measurement. Mark the three quarter locations (D-2, D-3, and D-4) carefully on the original line of horn length measurement of each horn with a soft pencil.
Be sure to establish these quarters by measuring from each horn base to the tip. This is essential to give proper matching of quarters on both horns. If the quarters were located by measuring from the tip toward the base, the quarter locations would be placed nearer the base on the shorter horn than on the longer. This would probably make an artificial difference between the quarter measurements. When marking the quarters on the horn, be sure to hold the tape stationary along the original line followed in measuring the length of horn.
Once the quarters have been properly located and marked with a pencil, and the calculations verified, measure each circumference by carefully arranging a ring-end measuring tape at a right angle to the horn axis at that point. At the zero point of the tape, the two ends should pass on opposite sides of the pencil mark, with the tape and the horn axis forming a right angle. Snug the tape around the horn before reading the result, again checking to be sure that the tape is correctly positioned on each side of the pencil mark. If you use a clip-end tape to measure circumferences, overlap the tape at a full 10” increment to simplify the procedure. Be sure to subtract the amount of overlap before recording the measurement.
Take care in doing the circumference of base measurement (D-1) of a mounted specimen to avoid including hair, plastic material added by the taxidermist, or a portion of the skull in this measurement. The D-1 measurement is taken perpendicular to the axis of the horn at the lowest place where the tape remains in full contact with the horn base for its entire length and not across an open gap on the horn’s inner or outer side. The measurement does not follow the irregular edge of the horn; such a line would result in an inflated value, which would be incorrect. Figure 10-B demonstrates the proper tape positioning.
If a chunk of horn is missing at the location where a quarter measurement is to be taken, no credit can be allowed for the missing piece. The circumference is measured in the usual manner by pulling the tape to its smallest value, perpendicular to the horn axis, at that point thus reflecting only the solid material still present (figure 10-C). If it should happen that one horn is broomed to the extent that the horn material is completely missing at the D-4 circumference location, simply enter a zero value in the appropriate column of the score chart to reflect this missing value.
Since sheep often display broomed horns, there is no difference penalty for asymmetry in horn length. Along with the length and circumference values, also record the plug number for the sheep on the line provided in the upper right corner of the score chart.
The tip to tip measurement is simply from the center of the tip of one horn to the center of the tip of the other. It may be taken directly by use of the carpenter’s folding rule or measuring tape unless brooming makes this impossible as the measured line passes through the skull or trophy mount. In such a case, it may be necessary to use large calipers or two levels to take this measurement.
Greatest spread is best taken by use of two perpendiculars, such as carpenter’s levels held upright by large c-clamps. The measurement is then taken by a folding carpenter’s rule or measuring tape between the perpendiculars. If perpendiculars are not available, a floor and wall can be used for one perpendicular with the second being improvised from a carpenter’s level or a carpenter’s square. In no case should the human eye be relied upon for establishment of the second perpendicular line.
The tip to tip spread and greatest spread are supplementary measurements and are not figured into the final score. They are recorded on the score chart as they do indicate the general conformation of the horns and with the other measurements give a rather complete picture of horn formation for the trophy.
Sheep trophies offer the opportunity to age them by counting the horn annuli (rings) left as a mark of the cessation of horn growth during each winter (figure 10-D). During the first winter the annulus is often only a swollen area in sheep. But, each winter after that, a distinct annulus forms. The annuli should correspond on both horns of the same animal.
In sheep, the first annulus is generally within two to four inches of the tip of the unbroomed horn, with the second six to nine inches farther down the horn and the third three to five inches beyond the second, although there is great variation in the pattern of annuli formation in the various varieties of sheep. Almost all large bighorns and desert sheep will have broomed off the first annulus and a very few severely broomed horns will have broomed the second annulus as well. Many Stone’s and Dall’s sheep will show unbroomed horns so that the number of annuli present is equal to the age in years. False annuli may appear on sheep horns, but they are usually not as deep as true annuli and do not extend completely around the horn. The annuli on desert sheep are less distinct than in other varieties but they can still be accurately counted.
In many respects, the field identification of a trophy-quality mountain sheep is easier than for most other North American big game. Normally, there are other rams in a bunch to provide a comparison between the trophy which initially looks best and those present of lesser quality. Nevertheless, if the rams are all within the same approximate age group, as frequently happens, one may easily be misled.
The fact is that a real trophy ram is instantly recognizable by anyone familiar with wild sheep. If one is inclined to hesitate as to whether the trophy is of record class, don’t shoot. Inevitably it will fall short.
What, then, does one look for to identify a ram of probable trophy class. In the first instance, never make a judgment when the ram is facing away. Any mature ram will look much bigger than it actually is when viewed from behind. One must have a full frontal view to be sure. Even a broadside view is not adequate. Speaking of our four North American varieties, the lower curve of the horn of a trophy-quality ram will always drop below the line of the chin. The deeper the curl at this point, the more likely the horns are to meet or exceed the current all-time records book minimum entry score. One often sees rams with more than a full curl where the bottom line of the descending horn fails to approximate the bottom surface of the jawbone. Such trophies may readily measure on the curl from 36 to 39 inches. They are unlikely to measure 40 inches or better. In any event, it is very, very seldom that the weight of the horn on such a trophy will carry out far enough to produce good second and third quarter circumferences. Many are indeed beautiful, even magnificent trophies, but probably not records book size.
Obviously, the next criterion is the weight of the horn. For a given apparent length of horn, one that is already broomed will obviously carry more weight, and produce better circumferences for the second and third quarters, than will horns on which the lambing points (year one annuli) are still present. Good second and third quarter circumferences are vital to make the records books. A close check on the weight of the horns at the second and third quarters can generally only be done with a good side-view examination, but it is needed to properly identify a trophy ram.
These comments emphasize the need to take one’s time in judging a ram. Sometimes circumstances really do not favor that deliberation. If the ram is bedded down, there is a far greater risk of error than if he is up and about and moving his head while grazing.
There are several other yardsticks that can be used in judging the length of horn. Parenthetically, in the aftermath of personal usage, they have not always justified a decision made to shoot a particular sheep.
Let us assume that a ram displays a full curl of the usual configuration found in the Stone’s and Dall’s sheep. If the bottom of the curl approximates the line of the lower jaw and rises to the level of the nostril, these horns are likely to run about 35 inches in length. If the same horns carry their lambing tips two or three inches above the eyes, you may be looking at a 37 or 38 inch horn. If in these instances the lambing tips have been well broomed-off, the first example represents a ram that might score around 145 points, while the second example might score 150-160. Neither would represent a records-book trophy.
With a bighorn, the curl described above would likely be as much as an inch shorter because many bighorns have fairly close curls. Again, as bighorns these would not make the records book. To make the records book a bighorn almost always requires a horn in which the bottom of the curl approximates the rear base of the lower jaw bone and the horn tips make a full curl, or more. The rest depends on weight from horn base to horn tip.
Turning now to desert sheep, we find a somewhat different horn configuration. Seldom do desert sheep show any argali-form characteristics, as frequently noted for our thin-horned sheep. In other words, the horns do not nip-in and then flare out at the tips. Many desert sheep also lack the close curl that is characteristic of the bighorns. Instead, their horns are more inclined to sweep out and down. It is not uncommon to find a desert ram with horns whose curl bottom is as much as two inches below the jawbone line. Frequently, such horns are not badly broomed. They may or may not carry their weight out to the tips. As a rule, a mature desert sheep can show a horn base circumference even larger than that of a bighorn of the same age. It is vital to get a good side view of such a ram to judge the massiveness of its horns through the second and third quarters. The criteria for judging the length of horn of the thin-horn sheep does not necessarily apply here. However, if you are looking head-on at a mature desert ram, with the bottom-of-curl lower than the base of the jawline and the tips of the horns approximating a full curl, you may well be looking at a records book sheep. When the tips are broomed such that you are looking at something between a strong 3/4 and 7/8 curl, you are probably looking at a length of horn of about 36 inches. A really heavy 36-inch curl on this particular sheep can readily make the records book minimum entry score.
Finally, a high-powered spotting scope will often enable one to roughly count the number of annular growth rings on the horns. While there are outstanding exceptions to this criterion, generally due to the very successful management programs in several states and provinces, a true trophy sheep will almost always prove to be from 10 to 13 years old. They seldom live longer than that. Therefore, should one find a solitary old ram on some high mountain pasture, an evident outcast of the herd, there is little doubt that it is of trophy quality. ■
