Once in a Lifetime California Bighorn Sheep Hunt

In the world of wild sheep conservation, community is everything. Hunters, conservationists, landowners, and families come together around a shared passion for wild places and the animals that live there. But sometimes that community becomes something even more powerful—rallying together when one of its own faces life’s hardest battles.

In April of 2024, Cade McKinley of La Grande, Oregon, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that often appears during youth growth spurts. What began as pain in his leg quickly became a life-altering diagnosis for Cade and his family. Like many families facing a serious illness, they were suddenly thrown into hospital stays, uncertainty, and some of the most difficult days any parent or child could experience.

But within the wild sheep community, something remarkable began to take shape.

A Rare Opportunity

Through a special agreement between the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Oregon landowner Blake Philippi, a unique opportunity exists each year for a youth hunter facing a life-threatening illness. The agreement provides one California bighorn sheep permit annually for a deserving young hunter, who is guided on a hunt on Philippi’s ranch along the rugged and beautiful John Day River.

For Cade, the chance to apply for this tag meant something extraordinary. When presented with the opportunity to choose between several hunts, Cade quickly recognized just how rare a bighorn sheep tag truly is. Without hesitation, he chose the sheep hunt—not just for himself, but because he believed it would be something special his entire family could experience together.

He was right.

After submitting an essay explaining what the opportunity meant to him, Cade was selected for the hunt. What followed was a powerful example of what the Wild Sheep Family is all about.

A Community Steps In

The hunt quickly became a collaborative effort from across the conservation community. Support poured in from organizations, partners, and individuals who wanted to help make the experience unforgettable.

Gunwerks stepped up to donate a rifle and provided Cade with shooting school opportunities so he could prepare for the hunt. Conservation partners, volunteers, and guides all rallied around the family. The Wild Sheep Foundation joined in to help document the experience so the McKinley family would have something lasting—memories they could revisit whenever they needed strength or encouragement.

This wasn’t about television ratings or promotion. It was about capturing a moment of hope.

The Hunt

When the time finally came, Cade and his family found themselves in the steep country along the John Day River, surrounded by friends, guides, and supporters who had all become part of the journey.

After spotting several rams, the team carefully positioned themselves for an opportunity. The weather turned rainy, and they waited patiently for hours as the sheep moved through difficult terrain.

Finally, the ram they had hoped for appeared.

It wasn’t a perfect prone shot from a shooting bench. The moment came quickly, and Cade had to react. Supported by a tripod and with everyone watching, he took the shot.

The ram ran briefly before collapsing just yards away.

For a moment, everything went quiet. Then relief and excitement rushed in all at once.

Cade had done it.

More Than a Hunt

Perhaps the most powerful moment came afterward, as family members gathered on a rocky shelf above the river where the ram fell. Cade’s parents, siblings, friends, and even his grandfather shared the moment together. It wasn’t just about the animal or the achievement—it was about being together after everything the family had been through.

For Cade, walking up to the ram was surreal. Seeing the horns, touching the animal, and realizing the hunt was real created a moment he would never forget.

But the story goes deeper than one hunt.

The Power of the Wild Sheep Family

The Wild Sheep community has always been built around resilience. Sheep hunters pride themselves on grit, perseverance, and the willingness to push through difficult terrain and conditions to pursue something meaningful.

But those qualities don’t just apply on the mountain.

They apply to life.

When the McKinley family faced one of the hardest challenges imaginable, that same grit and resilience appeared in a different form—through generosity, compassion, and a community willing to step in and help.

Cade McKinley embodies that spirit. His determination, faith, and positive outlook serve as a powerful reminder that strength comes in many forms.

As Cade himself shared, hard times are a part of life. But with faith, family, and people standing beside you, it’s possible to keep moving forward and find light at the end of the tunnel.

Opportunities for Other Youth

The youth bighorn sheep opportunity that made this hunt possible continues each year. Families facing similar challenges are encouraged to learn more about the program.

A special permit is made available annually through the partnership between the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and landowner Blake Philippi. The selected youth hunter receives the chance to pursue a California bighorn sheep on Philippi’s ranch along the John Day River with guidance and support from experienced hunters and conservation partners.

For more information about the opportunity, families can contact:

Blake Philippi
Phone: (541) 571-5977
Email: bkphilippi@msn.com

A Story That Will Last

The hunt may have lasted only a few days, but the memories created will last a lifetime. Thanks to the support of the Wild Sheep Foundation and the broader conservation community, Cade and his family now have a story they can return to whenever they need a reminder of what hope looks like.

Sometimes the greatest trophies aren’t measured in inches of horn.

Sometimes they’re measured in courage, family, and the strength of a community that refuses to stand alone when one of its own needs help the most.