2025 Alaska Dall Sheep permit 14C

[NCNinja]

As luck would have it I won the only permit for DS030(non resident Unguided Dall sheep in 14C Northwest)..Maybe the only one who applied? I have second of kindred in AK so this being an unguided hunt opened the door for a guy like me to make a dream become a reality! I never really thought Dall sheep would be on the table but here I am! I lived in Wasilla about 15 years ago so im familiar with the area but not from a hunting standpoint so im seeking any advice that would point me to finding a mature legal Ram! Being a whitetail hunter in NC and targeting/chasing only specific mature bucks has been my mindset and while Sheep are completely different chase I have a conservation mindset so im studying what a legal ram is, how to age them and be as prepared as possible to make a confident decision on a legal mature ram if the opportunity comes! All this to say, I have experience hunting the alpine of SE Alaska for blacktail deer and Elk hunting in Colorado but im looking for any direction on this pursuit in August! Season dates are 10th-22nd. I have a couple buddies joining me who have all been very successful big game hunters but none of us have every hunted Sheep. Are bears an issue? Any specific gear to take or leave at the trailhead? Tactics for finding Rams or judging age?( I am doing a deep dives into this specifically) Thanks in advance!

 

[Theringworm]

From what I have been told from a very reputable guide in that unit is, the luxury of holding out for a mature, legal ram has now been supplanted with the mentality of needing to shoot the first legal ram you see, mature or not. You might not see another legal ram during the hunt. Sheep quality, even in 14C is no where near what it used to be. Aside from that, kudos to you for drawing a tag. The adventure alone is worth the price of admission. Good luck to you. I hope you take us along on the adventure by updating on here after the hunt.

 

[NCNinja]

From what I have been told from a very reputable guide in that unit is, the luxury of holding out for a mature, legal ram has now been supplanted with the mentality of needing to shoot the first legal ram you see, mature or not. You might not see another legal ram during the hunt. Sheep quality, even in 14C is no where near what it used to be. Aside from that, kudos to you for drawing a tag. The adventure alone is worth the price of admission. Good luck to you. I hope you take us along on the adventure by updating on here after the hunt.

Thanks for the information! I The Ram count being low aligns with the consensus I have read on these sites and the more I see that the more encourage ill be to take the first legal ram(If we find one). Building confidence in how to tell a legal ram is at the top of my priority list. While I want to optimize my chances at an opportunity to fill the tag, just being there with the group of guys will be work every dime spent! A Ram would be a bonus! Alaska is majestic place!

 

[FAAFO]

Dont take your friends. More of a chance one of them will puss out and ruin the trip. Just go with your bro or whomever your next of kin is. Other hunters (residents) would probably enjoy not seeing a posse out there of inexperienced sheep hunters running around.

Bears? Not a problem.

 

[WalterH]

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/dallsheephunting/pdfs/dall_sheep_guide_to_judging_sheep_horns_under_full_curl_regulation.pdf

Ditto on skipping the posse. Roll with one fit, capable, trustworthy partner that you would be willing to share a single emergency blanket with in a 32 degree rain and wind storm huddled next to a biggest rock you can find.

Congrats on the tag.

 

[NCNinja]

Dont take your friends. More of a chance one of them will puss out and ruin the trip. Just go with your bro or whomever your next of kin is. Other hunters (residents) would probably enjoy not seeing a posse out there of inexperienced sheep hunters running around.

Bears? Not a problem.

The other 6 hunters(residents) that drew the permit are on my mind. If I knew where they were going I would go to a different area...I dont mind hard work and long days, it seems to make more memorable time and clears my brain of all the distractions off the mountain. The guys I hunt with are studs, none of them would puss out for that reason of ruining a hunt(Good gear helps). That said I am inexperienced with sheep hunting so I don't want to ruin not just my hunt but the other hunters out there either so number of guys is now topic. I see guys doing solo hunts but most of the videos I've watched typically have 4+ guys...mostly for spotting/scouting for one hunter but if that's not productive then I guess that's why I'm here to understand what is....Glad to hear bears aren't an issue. Some areas seem to need extra precautions. Thanks for you input!!

 

[NCNinja]

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/hunting/dallsheephunting/pdfs/dall_sheep_guide_to_judging_sheep_horns_under_full_curl_regulation.pdf

Ditto on skipping the posse. Roll with one fit, capable, trustworthy partner that you would be willing to share a single emergency blanket with in a 32 degree rain and wind storm huddled next to a biggest rock you can find.

Congrats on the tag.

Thanks for the Link! I've actually already printed that one and been studying it, great resource! Looks like 10percent of Rams harvested don't qualifier as a legal ram and I want to avoid that!! Noted on the number of guys in the group. I don't want to be counter productive! Sheep hunting is all new but the elements seem to be similar to other hunts I've done. Great rain gear is a item I've been able to avoid buying for a while now but this trip looks like a good reason to pony up! Thanks for the help