Some moments in life feel like a dream. Moments that are too incredible to be real. For me, it was while I was having lunch on a job site. My phone rang and Mark Peterson, the owner of WTA, was on the other end of the line, calling to tell me that I’d just won the biggest sweepstakes in Worldwide Trophy Adventures history. A Stone Sheep hunt in British Columbia, a custom Gunwerks rifle, and a trip to Gunwerks’ Long Range University. Unbelievable.
I was stunned. I’d entered the sweepstakes on a whim. I bought a single ticket for $100 after seeing the email from WTA. I didn’t even tell my wife. I figured it was just a donation to a good cause and I never gave it a second thought. But when that call came through from Mark, I couldn’t believe it. My entire body shook. I couldn’t wait to tell my brother.
“You’ve got to figure out a way to hunt this Fall,” I told him, without giving away what happened. He’s my longest-standing hunting buddy. He hesitated (he’s got three kids and a wife with a busy teaching schedule) but came around once he found out why I was asking. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’d dreamed of a hunt like this. Now, it was happening.
Preparing for the Ultimate Adventure
The sweepstakes prize wasn’t just the hunt. It included a Gunwerks rifle with a Leupold scope, an Elevate bipod, and two days at Gunwerks’ Long Range University in Cody, Wyoming. The timing of the course even aligned with my 30th wedding anniversary, so I convinced my wife to join me. While she relaxed by the pool, I fine-tuned my skills on the gun range. My wife rocks.
The Gunwerks team made me feel confident in ways I didn’t expect. The marksmanship training focused on little details that made a big difference. When the time came for the hunt, I knew I was ready.
I also took my physical preparation seriously. Though my job as a roofer keeps me active, I ramped up my workouts, hiking with a heavy pack several times a week. There were moments when the heat or rain made training miserable, but I reminded myself that I may be facing these conditions in the mountains of British Columbia.
Into the British Columbia Wilderness
The hunt began with a flight to British Columbia, arriving a day early to avoid any travel mishaps. I wasn’t leaving anything to chance for a hunt like this. While my gear arrived without issue, another hunter in camp wasn’t so lucky and had to use a camp rifle after his didn’t arrive.
We hiked for six hours into the backcountry to start things off. The adventure had begun. The terrain was rugged, and the weather was unpredictable. Fog and rain kept us tent-bound for 56 hours for one stretch, testing our patience and resolve. Having my brother there made those long hours bearable. We rigged up a rain tarp so that we could stretch our legs and escape the monotony, but the wait was grueling.
Finally, the skies cleared and we got back to work. We hiked over rockslides and ridges, covering miles of unforgiving terrain, searching for the elusive Stone Sheep. On the eighth day, our efforts paid off. We spotted a group of rams about 1,300 yards away. It was too late to make a move that night, so we camped nearby and made plans for the morning.
The Moment of Truth
The next morning, we found ourselves in a challenging position. The rams had moved to a difficult spot, and the terrain forced us to adjust our approach. After hours of hiking and glassing, our guide Dawson found a group of three rams, two of which were legal. One ram was bedded just 200 yards away.
Dawson urged me to act quickly. I crawled into position, set up the Gunwerks rifle, and made the shot. The ram dropped. He was a 12-year-old warrior, one of the oldest Dawson had seen. This was a majestic Stone Sheep with weathered horns that told the story of a life spent surviving in the mountains. It was everything I’d dreamed of and more.
The Unforgettable Pack-Out
Just as we finished breaking down the ram, the weather shifted. A wet mix of sleet and snow began to fall. What was already a steep and rocky walk turned even more treacherous. Dawson’s loyal Jack Russell terrier (and the camp mascot), Woody, who had been with us throughout the hunt, suddenly took off after a band of rams we’d spooked. Despite our best efforts to call him back, he vanished.
We packed up the meat, hide, and horns to start the grueling hours-long hike back to camp, all while worrying about Woody. By late evening, there was still no sign of him. We were heartbroken. However, as I was settling into bed that night, I heard a shuffling by the door. It was 11:30 but I sat bolt upright in bed and clamored to see what that noise was, hoping it was our little friend. Sure enough, Woody had come crawling back to camp after miles and miles of wandering. He was scratched up but safe. The relief was overwhelming. His return lifted our spirits after an already unforgettable day. We loved having that little dog in camp.
The next morning, we woke to a fresh blanket of snow on the ground. The final stretch of the pack-out was a long trek down to the river, but we were so thrilled about the successful hunt and about Woody’s return that it wasn’t too bad.
This hunt had everything. We faced challenging terrain, unpredictable weather, and the reward of a lifetime. The Stone Sheep was the culmination of months of preparation and a lifelong dream. Knowing it was a mature 12-year-old ram made it even more special.
A Sweepstakes Like No Other
Entering the sweepstakes that made all of this possible was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and the best use of $100 I’ve ever spent. I not only received a world-class rifle and training at Gunwerks but I also experienced a Stone Sheep hunt in British Columbia that I’ll never forget. Amazing!
The WTA team handled every detail, from travel logistics to connecting me with an incredible outfitter. On top of all that, 5% of all sweepstakes sales were donated to the Grand Slam Club Ovis, supporting wild sheep conservation efforts worldwide.
Don’t hesitate if you’re thinking about entering a sweepstakes like this. You never know if your name might be called. You could find yourself in the mountains, experiencing the adventure of a lifetime, just like I did.
