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

[WVELK]

I am trying to decide what sheep hunt to book. I may need outfitter selection help in the future, but for now I have a good reliable set of options for each - Desert in Mexico, Dall in BC or Alaska, RM Bighorn in Alberta and Stone Sheep in BC. I have a few friends that have competed the slam, but every time I try to get advice from them they are so sheep crazy the conversations go sideways. I am nearly certain that I would not try to get a slam. Two of the four is probably the max for me, and it may only be one. So that is why I want opinions as to which you would do if you only did one. Until recently, no sheep hunt interested me even though I have killed a lot of North American big game. Admittedly, I know very little about sheep. Will you please give me your thoughts as to the advantages and disadvantages of hunting the four and which is you favorite to hunt and why? That should get us started. Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve O]

I’d save Mexico for last.

Nothing can compare to a far north sheep hunt.

I went into my first sheep hunt over twenty years ago realizing it might be my only one and chose a mixed bag hunt as far north as you could go in the Yukon and was blessed with an awesome 10 year old Fannin ram and an experience I will treasure always.

NWT, YK, BC would be my pick. And since I’m spending your money I’d do the Stone.

 

[WCB]

I am trying to decide what sheep hunt to book. I may need outfitter selection help in the future, but for now I have a good reliable set of options for each - Desert in Mexico, Dall in BC or Alaska, RM Bighorn in Alberta and Stone Sheep in BC. I have a few friends that have competed the slam, but every time I try to get advice from them they are so sheep crazy the conversations go sideways. I am nearly certain that I would not try to get a slam. Two of the four is probably the max for me, and it may only be one. So that is why I want opinions as to which you would do if you only did one. Until recently, no sheep hunt interested me even though I have killed a lot of North American big game. Admittedly, I know very little about sheep. Will you please give me your thoughts as to the advantages and disadvantages of hunting the four and which is you favorite to hunt and why? That should get us started. Thanks in advance.

I'd skip Alberta Rockies and just do a Rez hunt in the U.S. you might actually see and kill a ram. Desert would essentially be your gimme pay and shoot sheep. Depending on your Dall or Stone for the most part those are going to be what you traditionally think of sheep hunting. Deep wilderness hike or horse back.

If I could just do one...it would probably be a Stone hunt at this point...In all honesty if there was a place to hunt Rockies in an actual wilderness setting with a reasonable chance to kill one that might be it.

Are you stuck with B.C. only on the Stone Hunt?

 

[WVELK]

I’d save Mexico for last.

Nothing can compare to a far north sheep hunt.

I went into my first sheep hunt over twenty years ago realizing it might be my only one and chose a mixed bag hunt as far north as you could go in the Yukon and was blessed with an awesome 10 year old Fannin ram and an experience I will treasure always.

NWT, YK, BC would be my pick. And since I’m spending your money I’d do the Stone.

Spending my money is exactly what I want the members to do. Why would you pick Stone?

 

[WVELK]

I'd skip Alberta Rockies and just do a Rez hunt in the U.S. you might actually see and kill a ram. Desert would essentially be your gimme pay and shoot sheep. Depending on your Dall or Stone for the most part those are going to be what you traditionally think of sheep hunting. Deep wilderness hike or horse back.

If I could just do one...it would probably be a Stone hunt at this point...In all honesty if there was a place to hunt Rockies in an actual wilderness setting with a reasonable chance to kill one that might be it.

Are you stuck with B.C. only on the Stone Hunt?

No, I am not stuck on any location or any sheep everything is in play. I appreciate the skip the Alberta Rockies have heard that before from other folks.. What are the Rez options? To be candid if I had the desire to go crazy over one sheep it might be the Rocky Mtn Bighorn. I saw one as a young child and it kind of stuck and I thought that is what I would try first, but don’t want to buy a gov tag and have heard horror stories as to Alberta

I have heard the same as to Mexico and the Desert. Why Stone over Dall? I really appreciate the response.

 

[Steve O]

I would choose the Stone because the prices on them are skyrocketing at a phenomenal rate…3-4 times what they were in 2019 compared to the others that have doubled. And the outfitters are going to keep grabbing that money at an ever increasing rate.

I like thinhorns and the places they live as well. Most Sone hunts are still very “traditional” as well and I love the tradition and romance of sheep hunting. Thus my suggesting saving Mexico for last. Lot of “farming” down there and it does not appeal to me.

 

[WVELK]

I would choose the Stone because the prices on them are skyrocketing at a phenomenal rate…3-4 times what they were in 2019 compared to the others that have doubled. And the outfitters are going to keep grabbing that money at an ever increasing rate.

I like thinhorns and the places they live as well. Most Sone hunts are still very “traditional” as well and I love the tradition and romance of sheep hunting. Thus my suggesting saving Mexico for last. Lot of “farming” down there and it does not appeal to me.

I turned down a Stone sheep hunt in the late 90s for $14,000 (I think). Looks like a great deal now lol. And, when I was in Alaska Brown Bear hunting in the mid to late 90s, I think top dollar for a Dall was $6,000.

 

[cbeard64]

Based on your statements I would go on a hunt with a good chance of success.

If you are set on a Rocky the only option that fits that mold is a high-success rate BC California bighorn hunt. Those are quite pricey.

Otherwise I would go on a Dall hunt in the Yukon or NWT. Beautiful sheep, beautiful country, and good chance for success. And the most economical of all the hunts (so far at least).

Desert sheep hunts are incredible but an entirely different experience than the other three.

A Dall and a Desert would be a great mix of experiences.

(I have been on hunts for all four.)

Good luck and have fun!!

 

[Doc Holliday]

I’ve only been on two sheep hunts….a stone and a dall hunt. They were very different experiences in no small part due to the fact that one was the first week of August and one was the first week of Sept., but in the NWT (dall) I felt like I was in a more remote and wild place than in BC (stone). Not taking anything away from northern BC, it’s a beautiful and plenty wild place, and if I had the money I’d go on a stone hunt every year. But seeing other hunters/resident pressure just doesn’t happen in the NWT. You don’t even see planes in the sky. I’ve discussed this with other sheep hunters who shared the same opinion that the Northwest Territories is the wildest place they have ever been as well. So, my recommendation if you can only do one is a dall hunt in the NWT.

 

[WVELK]

Based on your statements I would go on a hunt with a good chance of success.

If you are set on a Rocky the only option that fits that mold is a high-success rate BC California bighorn hunt. Those are quite pricey.

Otherwise I would go on a Dall hunt in the Yukon or NWT. Beautiful sheep, beautiful country, and good chance for success. And the most economical of all the hunts (so far at least).

Desert sheep hunts are incredible but an entirely different experience than the other three.

A Dall and a Desert would be a great mix of experiences.

(I have been on hunts for all four.)

Good luck and have fun!!

Any suggestions as to outfitters for Bighorn of Dall? You can PM or text (304) 5453480? I have a very very close friend who outfits for Desert. I am just not sure, but what that is likely my least favorite. I don’t care for the habitat in which they live for one thing.

 

[WVELK]

I’ve only been on two sheep hunts….a stone and a dall hunt. They were very different experiences in no small part due to the fact that one was the first week of August and one was the first week of Sept., but in the NWT (dall) I felt like I was in a more remote and wild place than in BC (stone). Not taking anything away from northern BC, it’s a beautiful and plenty wild place, and if I had the money I’d go on a stone hunt every year. But seeing other hunters/resident pressure just doesn’t happen in the NWT. You don’t even see planes in the sky. I’ve discussed this with other sheep hunters who shared the same opinion that the Northwest Territories is the wildest place they have ever been as well. So, my recommendation if you can only do one is a dall hunt in the NWT.

Which was August and which in September? Any recommendations for NWT outfitters?

Do the Stone and Dall act significantly different? I was in Jackson Hole, WY for the holidays and looked at Big Horns every day. They are a tank of an animal. Love watching them. Have seen Dall’s at a distance in Alaska. I have seen Desert at a distance as well. Never have seen a stone.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Which was August and which in September? Any recommendations for NWT outfitters?

Do the Stone and Dall act significantly different? I was in Jackson Hole, WY for the holidays and looked at Big Horns every day. They are a tank of an animal. Love watching them. Have seen Dall’s at a distance in Alaska. I have seen Desert at a distance as well. Never have seen a stone.

The dalls and stones are very similar genetically, but their range is different. Stone hunt was early August and dall was early September. BC was greener more lush…NWT is rockier. All of the NWT outfits are great and will give you a quality experience. I believe there are only 8. The differentiators would be who uses helicopters and who doesn’t as well as who would have availability for you. From what I’ve heard many of them are booking into 2028 and 2029 at this point