Differences in Dall, Stone, RM Bighorn, D Bighorn hunts

[Peter638]

I’m in the same boat. Dreamed of going sheep hunting since I was a kid. Could only dream of getting the grand slam. I called several outfitters and found Alaska the cheapest option going for Dall sheep. The gentleman I spoke to said he guided five sheep hunts last season. One successful hunt. Two had opportunities but were clean misses. One guy wounded a Ram which ended his hunt. The fifth guy didn’t see any rams but I think he mentioned leaving early on in the hunt for whatever reason.
Everything said and done came in under $40k.
I’m wondering if you train hard and are in great shape, how much does that increase your odds of taking a ram?

 

[OMB]

I’m wondering if you train hard and are in great shape, how much does that increase your odds of taking a ram?

Two of the most in shape Cross Fit Games type people I've ever met both missed huge Dall sheep under 200 yards in a guided, controlled shooting situation.

 

[dallen]

I’m in the same boat. Dreamed of going sheep hunting since I was a kid. Could only dream of getting the grand slam. I called several outfitters and found Alaska the cheapest option going for Dall sheep. The gentleman I spoke to said he guided five sheep hunts last season. One successful hunt. Two had opportunities but were clean misses. One guy wounded a Ram which ended his hunt. The fifth guy didn’t see any rams but I think he mentioned leaving early on in the hunt for whatever reason.
Everything said and done came in under $40k.
I’m wondering if you train hard and are in great shape, how much does that increase your odds of taking a ram?

Not sure being in great shape would necessarily increase odds of killing a ram directly…..but what being in great shape (physically and mentally) does is allow you to keep charging hard day after day. A lot of times, that’s what it takes. It can be a freakin grind. I often find myself asking the “what the hell are you doing this for” question at some point during a sheep hunt. But I keep going back. I had a guide friend once tell me, sheep hunting is a disease, either you got it or you don’t.

 

[wildwilderness]

Mexico high fence deserts, there are private land high fence hunts in Mexico that count for Boone and Crocket. These are cheaper.

Mexico free range deserts these are slightly more

To my understanding High Fence animals do not qualify under the Boone and Crockett Fair Chase rules. They would under SCI estate category.

 

[bojangles808]

I would try and find stone outfit in the Yukon or NWT. they appeal the most to me for some reason. That part of Canada seems the most remote too

 

[wildwilderness]

As to the preferred sheep hunt it definitely depends on your goals- Do you want the hunt to be successful? or is the adventure the most important part? Is the trophy itself the most important?


Personally I would say a September Stone sheep may be the best! The most beautiful sheep, longer hair in Sept and great country and the leaves changing. Every sheep has individual coloration. The hunts are usually horseback or backpack. On average the horns are a bit heavier than Dalls. Be careful who you go with, not a slam dunk or guaranteed hunt…



Second I would go for Dall’s sheep. A full curl Dalls is amazing, a great trophy. The far north and the rugged country they live in to me is the iconic “sheep hunt” it is often the first and only sheep hunt most go on. Historically it was the cheapest and relatively successful option. Unfortunately Dall’s population have plummeted raising prices and killing success rates - especially in Alaska. IMO the best Dall’s hunts are in NWT where numbers are still good and Helicopter access is an absolute game changer- success rates are very high. Very different than my first successful Dall's hunt in AK which was walk-in Solo!

Rocky Mt bighorn has become very expensive and difficult to get a tag. I was lucky to draw a Colorado archery tag and kill one. I like the mountains the Rockies live in better than the country most Cali bighorns are found. Rockies are bigger on average as well. Hunting in the area I lived was nice to scout etc, but wasn’t quite the trip or remoteness the far north sheep provide.

Desert Bighorn- I have not hunted yet, (will soon) I guess I am not drawn to the desert- have been many times and even lived on the northern border of desert sheep (Colorado monument) the spectrum of hunts is wide- easy to super tough. Mexico is a mixed bag but the game ranching (and subsequent releases to the wild to supplement the free range populations) has kept the prices in check. Has also increased the horn size and accessibility to the sheep- depending on where you hunt.