Dall shot distance

[adventure907]

The vast majority of sheep are taken at normal hunting ranges (50-300 yards). The long-range marketing guys have done their best to create a myth that mountain hunting is a long range affair.

But the vast majority of the time if you can’t get on the animal at under 500 you lack patience, hunting skills, or both.

Sounds about right to me....

 

[Falcon]

My only dall sheep hunt shot was 420. Perfect conditions with no wind. Longest shot I have ever made

 

[Labdad]

My only ram was 265. The highlight of my hunting life.

 

[sheephunter2]

Of the 9 Dalls I have killed with a rifle, most were under 200 yds. Closer is Always better.
My archery Dall was 52 yards. You can't always get closer but usually.

 

[monstermuleyman]

2012...two rams feeding unaware about horizontal/broadside with guide and me, plenty of time to rest on backpack-180 yards Yukon.
2013...one ram feeding unaware and broadside, we were way above him at steep angle...rangefinder reads 335 yards, held at 200 leaning halfway off cliff face w bipod and ram rolled over Yukon
2014...4 rams feeding unaware about horizontal and waiting for broadside...had plenty of time..bipod 330 yards BC
2015...all-day stalk and belly-crawled last 100 yards...stood up offhand and shot ram in his bed at 70 yards at most -Yukon
2016...steep uphill driving rain/sleet/snow, two rams bedded side by side out of group of ten...had plenty of time...rifle resting on two backpacks...shot ram in his bed and he rolled over 265 yards Yukon
2018...ram slight downhill angle across canyon...230-250 yards on bipod...Hell's Canyon ID
2018...all-day hike up and then down mountain to get above and then horizontal with ram...rifle resting on backpack 90 yards Coahuila MX

I've been shooting rifles way out to 500 yards for several years...but you owe the animal a quick clean kill, so my limit is 300-350 yards max as long as I have a good 3-point rest, mostly try to shoot from prone-except the one I stood up and shot freehand- and time to relax breathing.
Best,
Diddywahdiddy

Daddywahdiddy - I'd love to talk to you and pick your brain about sheep hunting, points, tips, etc.