AK Sheep, Population Observations

[Mykolaivka887]

Any current info on the Wrangells-St. Elias area?

It's all speculation right now within the Department (ADF&G) because US Dept of Interior money wasn't available for an aerial sheep survey in GMU'S 11 and 12. But speculation within the Department (ADF&G) is that those units suffered the same fate as everywhere else in Alaska.

 

[slick]

Rob @Mykolaivka887
What’s the speculation within the Department (ADF&G) for GMU’s 16 and 19?

 

[D.W.T]

It may be a very sensitive topic, but I believe it is time to start prioritizing harvest opportunities for Alaskan residents. To be clear I'm not advocating for eliminating non-resident opportunities, but to my knowledge we are the only western state that doesn't limit the allocation of non-resident tags.

 

[VernAK]

It may be a very sensitive topic, but I believe it is time to start prioritizing harvest opportunities for Alaskan residents. To be clear I'm not advocating for eliminating non-resident opportunities, but to my knowledge we are the only western state that doesn't limit the allocation of non-resident tags.

Certain to be a topic in next BOG meetings as a deluge of proposals arrive.

 

[slick]

@Mykolaivka887

Hey ADFG spokesman can I get what the speculation is on sheep in 16/19? I’d like to hunt that next year, but want to know what the speculation is?

 

[dallen]

Depressing. I started sheep hunting at the end of the 80’s….. little did I realize how good we had it back then. It’s been tough this last decade…..

 

[Yellowknife]

@Mykolaivka887

Hey ADFG spokesman can I get what the speculation is on sheep in 16/19? I’d like to hunt that next year, but want to know what the speculation is?

I'm not the oracle... but 16/19 have been hit worst than most.

Resident Harvest for 19C specifically:

2019 - 38 rams
2020 - 14 rams
2021 - 5 rams

A shocking decline for what was prime sheep country very recently. NR harvest also down over 50% from 2019. Reports from every pilot, guide, and hunter I know out there in the last two years has been dismal.

If you want the straight skinny, call the ADF&G office in Anchorage. They usually aren't shy about sharing.

Yk

 

[slick]

Thanks YK. Figured I’d save a call and just have @Mykolaivka887 speak for the biologists and ADF&G.

That’s super dismal. 5 rams? Yikes.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

I'm not the oracle... but 16/19 have been hit worst than most.

Resident Harvest:

2019 - 38 rams
2020 - 14 rams
2021 - 5 rams

A shocking decline for what was prime sheep country very recently. NR harvest also down over 50% from 2019. Reports from every pilot, guide, and hunter I know out there in the last two years has been dismal.

If you want the straight skinny, call the ADF&G office in Anchorage. They usually aren't shy about sharing.

Yk

It's like that in all the ranges - consistent and steady and dramatic decline in harvest rates. No suprises there.

Like dallen had mentioned, it's depressing.

It'll require quite a change in management strategy, harvest strategy and the allocation process to get back to pre-1990 levels of population and harvest.

 

[Ariettabob]

It's like that in all the ranges - consistent and steady and dramatic decline in harvest rates. No suprises there.

Like dallen had mentioned, it's depressing.

It'll require quite a change in management strategy, harvest strategy and the allocation process to get back to pre-1990 levels of population and harvest.

Have you given us your management solution yet?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

It's like that in all the ranges - consistent and steady and dramatic decline in harvest rates. No suprises there.

Like dallen had mentioned, it's depressing.

It'll require quite a change in management strategy, harvest strategy and the allocation process to get back to pre-1990 levels of population and harvest.

C’mon Rob hardy, tell us more about ADFG and your expert solution to this problem.

 

[wantj43]

I'm not the oracle... but 16/19 have been hit worst than most.

Resident Harvest:

2019 - 38 rams
2020 - 14 rams
2021 - 5 rams

A shocking decline for what was prime sheep country very recently. NR harvest also down over 50% from 2019. Reports from every pilot, guide, and hunter I know out there in the last two years has been dismal.

If you want the straight skinny, call the ADF&G office in Anchorage. They usually aren't shy about sharing.

Yk

Are these numbers for 16 and 19?

 

[Yellowknife]

Thanks YK. Figured I’d save a call and just have @Mykolaivka887 speak for the biologists and ADF&G.

That’s super dismal. 5 rams? Yikes.

Not all units were hammered that hard, but 19C had a single digit resident success rate (9%).

Other units that seem worth avoiding...

13E (Talkeetnas) - 4 rams / <9% success rate

15B (Kenai) - 3 rams / 10 % success

20E (Tanana Uplands) 2 rams / 8% success

Quoting resident numbers here. And that was last year BEFORE the epic snows from this winter.

 

[Yellowknife]

Are these numbers for 16 and 19?

Busted. No, those are for 19C only. Although 16B and 19B only produced 2 each rams last season if the ADF&G numbers are right. I'll correct the original post.

 

[Sourdough]

Not all units were hammered that hard, but 19C had a single digit resident success rate (9%).

Other units that seem worth avoiding...

13E (Talkeetnas) - 4 rams / <9% success rate

15B (Kenai) - 3 rams / 10 % success

20E (Tanana Uplands) 2 rams / 8% success

Quoting resident numbers here. And that was last year BEFORE the epic snows from this winter.

I have seen "Road Kill" numbers that were higher.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

Although 16B and 19B only produced 2 each rams last season if the ADF&G number are right ....

I know that Mike and Wayne quit offering sheep hunts over there, but I believe that Steve is still offering sheep hunts in that country.

 

[slick]

Cool name drop dude

Edit to stay on topic:
Is anyone willing to take a stab of % decrease in harvest this year?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I know that Mike and Wayne quit offering sheep hunts over there, but I believe that Steve is still offering sheep hunts in that country.

What about Tom and Bob?

 

[jofes]

I leave in 9 days for the brooks, glad to read some uplifting and positive information before heading out.

 

[Cspraggins]

I leave in 9 days for the brooks, glad to read some uplifting and positive information before heading out.

no kidding. I have a hunt booked for next year in the wrangells, and this thread has me sweating bullets. Will be interested to hear this year goes from my outfitter.......as well as his thoughts on numbers in his exclusive use areas for the coming seasons.