Alaska Range Dall Sheep: My First Sheep Hunt

[JustOneMoreShot]

WRO yes I had read the account of the moose hunt where the two hunters lost the moose to spoilage and then the Troopers confiscated the rest. I got word from from several of the guys working for the outfitter when they left camp about the entire ordeal. Really bad deal for them for sure.

 

[bergnp]

Alaska should be drawing only for non-residents. For all big game species. The only reason it isn't is because of the big money that comes in from it. It should be about resident preference and conservation.

 

[MattB]

Alaska should be drawing only for non-residents. For all big game species. The only reason it isn't is because of the big money that comes in from it. It should be about resident preference and conservation.

Wildlife is held in trust for the residents of the state - so this should be up to the residents of the state, but not just the residents who hunt. There is a lot of money that comes to states like Alaska from NR hunters, not only the payments to outfitters, but tag/license fees, hotel stays, rental cars, restaurant meals, associated taxes, airport fees, etc. etc. As such, the benefits to the state from wildlife is broad based. Too often it seems like hunters only take our own considerations into account when thinking about an equitable resident/non-resident allocation of opportunity, rather than taking a broader perspective.

 

[Daniel_M]

Alaska's Constitution states that any and all state resources I.e wildlife belong to the people, however state legislation states that any resource can be use for economic gain.

As with every endeavor, politics play a huge role.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

Alaska should be drawing only for non-residents. For all big game species. The only reason it isn't is because of the big money that comes in from it. It should be about resident preference and conservation.

Alaska is a massive land area with lots of resources (including but not limited to its wild game) and it all needs to be managed well for the protection and enhancement of those resources and to provide income for people living there. I do not believe that a blanket statement of all nonresidents should be draw only for big game makes any sense. Certain species and certain areas may and should dictate draw only to manage populations correctly. I believe it foolish to say you do not live here therefor you must go through a draw to hunt any big game.
That said I do believe that Dall Sheep in AK will someday be moving towards a draw (sooner rather than later) and I believe it would be a good thing.

 

[bergnp]

Alaska is a massive land area with lots of resources (including but not limited to its wild game) and it all needs to be managed well for the protection and enhancement of those resources and to provide income for people living there. I do not believe that a blanket statement of all nonresidents should be draw only for big game makes any sense. Certain species and certain areas may and should dictate draw only to manage populations correctly. I believe it foolish to say you do not live here therefor you must go through a draw to hunt any big game.
That said I do believe that Dall Sheep in AK will someday be moving towards a draw (sooner rather than later) and I believe it would be a good thing.

I'm not saying we should put extreme limitations on the numbers of draw tags for non residents. I would just like to see the areas managed better that guides/outfitters are getting huge money to over harvest. The large majority of guided hunters in Alaska are non-residents, so this is one way to get things under control.

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

The reason a "large majority of guided hunters in AK are non-residents" is because the non residents are forced to use a guide for those species. Residents may use a guide as well but elect not to because of the huge increase in cost. I wanted my best friend to hunt with me but he laughed at the price I was paying to hunt sheep and said that he would never pay that and commented that it was too expensive for him to tag along as a non hunting companion. He has the option to fly and get into places to hunt for 1/10 of the cost or less. He encouraged me to become an AK resident but I cannot as I own a business and have a family that I cannot easily move but may someday when I semi-retire.
We are in agreement and believe everyone wants the areas better managed. I also agree that some areas of AK are being overharvested and the guides are profit driven and abusing the resources (game) available. That is a shame. Unfortunately it is the result when Capitalism, Greed, and an Exclusive use of an area all come together. Listening to him talk it was his turf and he owned it and he was absolutely trying to get as many clients thru the strip as he could to collect a paycheck. I wish I was not so blind to that fact before I signed up for the hunt. Way too many hunters pushed thru camp and not enough guides or plane hours to get everyone a fair shake and time in the field. It left a horrible taste in my mouth and may never hunt sheep again.

 

[bergnp]

The reason a "large majority of guided hunters in AK are non-residents" is because the non residents are forced to use a guide for those species. Residents may use a guide as well but elect not to because of the huge increase in cost. I wanted my best friend to hunt with me but he laughed at the price I was paying to hunt sheep and said that he would never pay that and commented that it was too expensive for him to tag along as a non hunting companion. He has the option to fly and get into places to hunt for 1/10 of the cost or less. He encouraged me to become an AK resident but I cannot as I own a business and have a family that I cannot easily move but may someday when I semi-retire.
We are in agreement and believe everyone wants the areas better managed. I also agree that some areas of AK are being overharvested and the guides are profit driven and abusing the resources (game) available. That is a shame. Unfortunately it is the result when Capitalism, Greed, and an Exclusive use of an area all come together. Listening to him talk it was his turf and he owned it and he was absolutely trying to get as many clients thru the strip as he could to collect a paycheck. I wish I was not so blind to that fact before I signed up for the hunt. Way too many hunters pushed thru camp and not enough guides or plane hours to get everyone a fair shake and time in the field. It left a horrible taste in my mouth and may never hunt sheep again.

"The reason a "large majority of guided hunters in AK are non-residents" is because the non residents are forced to use a guide for those species."

Of the 12 big game species listed in the regs, 3 of them require guides for non residents. Goats, sheep, and brown bears. I'm a proponent of non resident drawing tags to closely regulate guides, but also to limit the numbers of animals taken from certain areas (for instance moose from the camp you were hunting out of) in order to promote greater hunting opportunity for resident hunters. I grew up as the son of a sport fishing guide and am a lifelong Alaskan, so I understand well the money that fishermen and hunters bring to our state and I'm not advocating we eliminate it. I just hope we can come up with ideas to preserve our great resources here to make them easily available to everyone, but especially the people who make Alaska their home.

I'll be attending board of game meetings in wasilla next week to discuss my opinions on the sheep issues in the state. I invite all residents and non residents to swing by and do the same.

 

[mtnclimber]

"The reason a "large majority of guided hunters in AK are non-residents" is because the non residents are forced to use a guide for those species."

Of the 12 big game species listed in the regs, 3 of them require guides for non residents. Goats, sheep, and brown bears. I'm a proponent of non resident drawing tags to closely regulate guides, but also to limit the numbers of animals taken from certain areas (for instance moose from the camp you were hunting out of) in order to promote greater hunting opportunity for resident hunters. I grew up as the son of a sport fishing guide and am a lifelong Alaskan, so I understand well the money that fishermen and hunters bring to our state and I'm not advocating we eliminate it. I just hope we can come up with ideas to preserve our great resources here to make them easily available to everyone, but especially the people who make Alaska their home.

I'll be attending board of game meetings in wasilla next week to discuss my opinions on the sheep issues in the state. I invite all residents and non residents to swing by and do the same.

You mean the meeting tonight at 630 pm in the valley?

 

[bergnp]

You mean the meeting tonight at 630 pm in the valley?

The one that starts tonight, Yep. It goes through next Friday, and I won't be in from the slope until Tuesday. I'll probably end up faxing in my comments tomorrow. You gonna be there as well mtnclimber?

 

[mtnclimber]

The one that starts tonight, Yep. It goes through next Friday, and I won't be in from the slope until Tuesday. I'll probably end up faxing in my comments tomorrow. You gonna be there as well mtnclimber?

There's so many dang meetings can't keep them straight! I won't be able to get off work in time for the one tonight but I plan on being at the big one in March where they make the final decision.

 

[60x]

Dang I thought I would Check out this thread a read a sheep story....

 

[bergnp]

Dang I thought I would Check out this thread a read a sheep story....

You didn't find the amazing writeup at the beginning?

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

bergnp, I agree with you 100% that there needs to be limits to the numbers of moose and sheep taken from the camp that I hunted out of with that outfitter. That is a great area with good numbers of game but I believe it is significantly over hunted.
Certainly it should be an easy addition to the regulations to add an upper limit or cap that an outfitter should only be permitted X number of hunters (to include both resident and non) per season per big game animal. I think all the outfitters and the hunters would vote in favor of that. Well all but the few outfitters who like to try and squeeze 20 sheep hunters and 15 moose hunters thru a single base camp with 5 or less guides in a season. I really think that you should try and push for a cap per outfitter.
Also I really don't think that many AK residents would make the trek out to anywhere near that base camp to hunt moose. I could be wrong but I would guess they would have more easily accessible areas to hunt that would cost less in time and fuel and effort to reach.

 

[land cruiser]

Alaska should be drawing only for non-residents. For all big game species. The only reason it isn't is because of the big money that comes in from it. It should be about resident preference and conservation.

Why? So that residents can overrun the areas and exterminate everything in sight? Draw for everyone would be fair, everyone and all 7 ranges. The feeling of being entitled because of residence status is understandable but carries no foresight for conservation of species.


OP - awesome hunt, nice trophy and great pictures. Thank you for sharing!

 

[realunlucky]

Being draw for non residents doesn't have to have an effect on conservation.

 

[bergnp]

Why? So that residents can overrun the areas and exterminate everything in sight? Draw for everyone would be fair, everyone and all 7 ranges. The feeling of being entitled because of residence status is understandable but carries no foresight for conservation of species.


OP - awesome hunt, nice trophy and great pictures. Thank you for sharing!

Have you looked at the data? Non residents kill over 40% of the sheep in Alaska every year and have an incredibly high success rate due to using guides. The average kill rate for residents is 23%. I think we need controls in place for residents too, but like the majority of the states in this country, residents should be taking 90% of the total harvest.

 

[land cruiser]

I don't see how is that a problem? Every resident can hunt with a guide if they want to, it is like that in every other state. Moreover, some do. Higher success rate? Part of it is pre scouting, part - transport, part - logistics. What happens on the mountain is leveled regardless of state residency. As I see it, you have an unfair advantage, you can pack up and go. I have to hire a guide.

Alaskans need to figure this out pronto. If you don't - one by one you will exterminate sheep, close ranges to otc and move to the next one to do the same. There aren't that many to begin with, Chugach down to draw? Everyone is going to Wrangell this year. Done with that? Alaskan is up next . You got means to control your own appetite, instead you are trying to put the blame on non residents.

 

[Daniel_M]

Something else to consider is that many areas that under high pressure come with guide preference.

There's a lot of drainages that a resident is "locked out of" so to speak because of transporter/guide relations.

IMHO, that plays a big role in residents willing to work more cohesively for Res/Non-Res access. Politics play a major part in the industry.

 

[bergnp]

I don't see how is that a problem? Every resident can hunt with a guide if they want to, it is like that in every other state. Moreover, some do. Higher success rate? Part of it is pre scouting, part - transport, part - logistics. What happens on the mountain is leveled regardless of state residency. As I see it, you have an unfair advantage, you can pack up and go. I have to hire a guide.

Alaskans need to figure this out pronto. If you don't - one by one you will exterminate sheep, close ranges to otc and move to the next one to do the same. There aren't that many to begin with, Chugach down to draw? Everyone is going to Wrangell this year. Done with that? Alaskan is up next . You got means to control your own appetite, instead you are trying to put the blame on non residents.

As you see it, I have an unfair advantage because I can pack and go while you need a guide? Come live your winters in Alaska bud. And the non resident restrictions are coming. Name one other state where there is unlimited over the counter tags for non residents for big game species, and more specifically, sheep.