"There is some doubt that the ram will stand as a world record after the mandatory drying period, as a full inch of shrinkage is a distinct possibility. Nonetheless, it is still an outstanding bighorn, and is the third monster ram taken on special permits. As this issue went to press, with news of the big ram beginning to trickle out, it was anyone's guess how much this year's special permit in Alberta would sell for. It was slated for auction at the Safari Club International Convention in Las Vegas.
As regards Randy Babala, he has guided several previous special-sheep-tag hunters. He used to outfit the Cadomin area, which has a population of super rams. Babala now outfits for stone sheep in the Yukon.
"As for regular-season bighorn sheep hunts in Alberta, they were booking fast at press time, according to a few of the outfitters I managed to reach. One was George Kelley, who has been my No. 1 pick among sheep outfitters in Alberta for many years. Kelley says he went nine rams for 10 hunters this past year. He runs his hunts by packhorse in a true wilderness area. At this point, Kelley is booking for sheep in 2002 at $19,000. He also runs moose, deer and cougar, and I recommend booking any hunt with Kelley.
"Peter McMahon of Sherwood Guides & Outfitters runs his hunts in an area adjacent to Kelley. McMahon went five for eight on sheep this year, and was disgusted........(continued)
