2026 Chugach Dall Sheep

[Tanner]

I was scouting for sheep with my buddy and ran into the dude who drew the only non resident sheep tag last year, there were DIY with non experience and ended up taking a ram.

It’ll be a great hunt especially guided.

Like everyone said fitness is key. Those DIY guys were on mile 50 when they killed the ram.


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Something isn’t adding up there. Non resident DIY? Assuming that they at least had a first of kin with them on the hunt…?

 

[Gstew1930]

Count me as another person that wouldn’t leave the gaiters at home for a sheep hunt in AK. You will be walking through wet brush and grass damn near everyday…. You’re gonna want some good gaiters.

Any recommendations?

 

[Tanner]

Any recommendations?

I’ve Aways used OR Crocs. They’ll usually make it through a full 2 month AK guiding season and then need the bottom straps replaced… they have a lifetime warranty so it’s basically been a process of buying them, beating the snot out of them, and then getting a free replacement afterwards.

 

[Half Nocked]

Congrats! And I’m just gonna follow along

 

[Gstew1930]

Congrats! And I’m just gonna follow along

Thank you. I dont have any updates yet lol. Just getting my ass in as good of shape as possible

 

[Meanderthal]

Something isn’t adding up there. Non resident DIY? Assuming that they at least had a first of kin with them on the hunt…?

They called it that because the family member he went with wasn't a hunter. It's a good story actually.

Hunt Backcountry Podcast 557 | DIY Non-Resident Dall Sheep Hunt In Ala – Exo Mtn Gear https://share.google/3y9VXJMAJJpu6LR6S

 

[Tanner]

That’s pretty rad. Definitely a do it yourself deal. Thanks for the link.

 

[bmac927]

I'm headed to the Alaska in August for my Dall sheep hunt. i was lucky enough to draw the only non resident tag for 14C, my hunt # is DS231. I'm making this to document my experience the best i can. My grammar isn't the best so work with me lol. The outfitter I'm using is John Rydeen. I'll take any advice i can get. I do have a couple of initial questions hopefully someone can help with. I wear the vivo ESC's & I'm told I need a set of gaiters, I don't love the idea of a strap under my foot all day or is this a non issue? If so is there an alternative solution? I dont think i need a ton of gear. Trekking poles for sure. Headlamp. Thank for you help guys

I have not hunted sheep but have spent time with guides and outfitters and they say hunters need to be fit and able to hike. Also, committed to endure the environment and be comfortable on the mountain.

 

[Gstew1930]

Drove out to New Mexico this past weekend to get some time in the mountains. Fitness is coming along really well. I think most of my gear is pretty dialed in the for most part. Just need to pick up a couple of small items like socks

 

[Sheep_Fever_AK]

View attachment 1072044

What rifle are you shooting?

 

[Gstew1930]

What rifle are you shooting?

16" Tikka 6GT

 

[WVELK]

I have not read any of the responses so I apologize if I duplicate a response. I was in the same boat last year. I had hunted in the mountains A LOT for 30 plus years, but had not sheep hunted. Here is the answer to your question regarding gators and two miscellaneous suggestions that I learned on my first sheep hunt that I am taking to heart on the two sheep hunts I have for 2026.

1. I would take gators. I do not know the terrain where you are going, but one does not find Dalls or Mouintain Goats on white sandy beaches. It is almost always wet somewhere. I have Stone Glacier Gators last year, but would not use those. They had a rope that went under the boot and it broke on day 2. I used the Kuiu gator on my Mtn. Goat hunt two months later and loved it. Gators keep the lower leg drier and provide protection from abrasion. I think gators are a must.

2. I took trekking poles on my sheep hunt and started with another set on a goat hunt. I broke a pole on both hunts. In fairness I was in some really bad places stumbled and used a pole to brace myself - broken pole. My guides had long ice axes and I finished the goat hunt with one. I will have an ice axe this year. More stable and provides other benefits as well.

3. I can’t stress enough take boots that are broken in a fit perfectly. Take tape. If you feel a hot spot, stop immediately and tape. In 30 years of elk hunting I had never once had a blister. By day two, I thought I would be find did not tape and had blisters on top of blisters. Good luck.

 

[Gstew1930]

I have not read any of the responses so I apologize if I duplicate a response. I was in the same boat last year. I had hunted in the mountains A LOT for 30 plus years, but had not sheep hunted. Here is the answer to your question regarding gators and two miscellaneous suggestions that I learned on my first sheep hunt that I am taking to heart on the two sheep hunts I have for 2026.

1. I would take gators. I do not know the terrain where you are going, but one does not find Dalls or Mouintain Goats on white sandy beaches. It is almost always wet somewhere. I have Stone Glacier Gators last year, but would not use those. They had a rope that went under the boot and it broke on day 2. I used the Kuiu gator on my Mtn. Goat hunt two months later and loved it. Gators keep the lower leg drier and provide protection from abrasion. I think gators are a must.

2. I took trekking poles on my sheep hunt and started with another set on a goat hunt. I broke a pole on both hunts. In fairness I was in some really bad places stumbled and used a pole to brace myself - broken pole. My guides had long ice axes and I finished the goat hunt with one. I will have an ice axe this year. More stable and provides other benefits as well.

3. I can’t stress enough take boots that are broken in a fit perfectly. Take tape. If you feel a hot spot, stop immediately and tape. In 30 years of elk hunting I had never once had a blister. By day two, I thought I would be find did not tape and had blisters on top of blisters. Good luck.

Thank you very much for the response. I ended up going with the kuiu gaiters & leki trekking poles so I think im good there. Where are you going this year?

 

[Dragonfish]

I have not read any of the responses so I apologize if I duplicate a response. I was in the same boat last year. I had hunted in the mountains A LOT for 30 plus years, but had not sheep hunted. Here is the answer to your question regarding gators and two miscellaneous suggestions that I learned on my first sheep hunt that I am taking to heart on the two sheep hunts I have for 2026.

1. I would take gators. I do not know the terrain where you are going, but one does not find Dalls or Mouintain Goats on white sandy beaches. It is almost always wet somewhere. I have Stone Glacier Gators last year, but would not use those. They had a rope that went under the boot and it broke on day 2. I used the Kuiu gator on my Mtn. Goat hunt two months later and loved it. Gators keep the lower leg drier and provide protection from abrasion. I think gators are a must.

2. I took trekking poles on my sheep hunt and started with another set on a goat hunt. I broke a pole on both hunts. In fairness I was in some really bad places stumbled and used a pole to brace myself - broken pole. My guides had long ice axes and I finished the goat hunt with one. I will have an ice axe this year. More stable and provides other benefits as well.

3. I can’t stress enough take boots that are broken in a fit perfectly. Take tape. If you feel a hot spot, stop immediately and tape. In 30 years of elk hunting I had never once had a blister. By day two, I thought I would be find did not tape and had blisters on top of blisters. Good luck.

great advice, poles are key for sure, i started out with some light carbon fiber poles on my first goat hunt, and broke one- and that sucked as my knee was giving me problems- i use the heavier black diamond poles now. light is not always better!

 

[WVELK]

Thank you very much for the response. I ended up going with the kuiu gaiters & leki trekking poles so I think im good there. Where are you going this year?

Going to BC for Stone Sheep and Mexico for Desert Bighorn. Good luck and enjoy every minute. It will be difficult at times, but going is a blessing not everyone gets to enjoy. Glad you drew the tag.