Food prep for Dall Sheep Hunt

[StraightShooter]

Guys - I have a upcoming Dall Sheep hunt in the NWT with Jim Lancaster of Nahanni Butte Outfitters the first of August. I am concerned about what kind of food might be provided and want to prepare my meals just to ensure I have food that I like. My question is what foods would you recommend for a hunt like this other than mountain house. I also would like to see how many calories you think I should be taking in for a hunt like this if a go in weighing around 195 pounds. Thanks

 

[Silver]

Ask 3 sheep hunters that question and you’re likely to get 4 opinions - that being said, this is what a typical day looks like food wise for m.

BREAKFAST - Instant Coffee, Oatmeal/Musli Mix of my own creation (going to try to re-create some of the Heathers Choice Buckwheat and Chia breakfasts this weekend), plus a couple small date/chocolate bars to snack on in the morning.

LUNCH/SNACKS - nuts/trail mix, candy (quick energy), 3 Lara bars/Epic bars depending on the day (can use Clif or any bars - I find most of them make it smell like a demon is trying to crawl out of my backside if I eat too many of them), and Nuun/Electrolyte tabs. I try to eat a bit every 2 hours or so as opposed to having a full lunch. I may try bringing some of the energy gels this year for quick sugars and protein, but we’ll see.

DINNER - some kind of home-dehydrated meal (chili, beef stroganoff, Mexican shredded chicken, etc), maximizing carb source (cous cous or dehydrated hash browns typically) and protein. Will usually add a glob of either olive oil or coconut oil to it for fats. Usually end up having a hot Gatorade drink before bed and have brought some kind of protein shake to aid in recovery.

As for calories, its a bit tough to know for sure because I dehydrate/prep most of my own food, but my goal is to have 2# and 3200-3500 calories per day. I’m 5’11/205, and I find that this is enough to sustain me over a 10 day hunt (not replace, but at least keep me going). It’s all pretty personal and based on trial and error (in my case, mostly error).

 

[Big338]

Going with Jim in 2021 for dall sheep and caribou myself. Good luck and let us know how you do!
Went with BPO 2 years ago in the Yukon and connected on a old Fannin sheep, black bear, and wolf.

Food wise I really like the heathers choice and alpine foods.
Mountain house is ok but seems pretty salty.

I prefer to make my own blend of nuts to ensure I get the healthiest and least salty I can. Also like the coconut oil or olive oil for fats.

I use supplement products for BCAAs at end of day and protein shake before bed if I can.

Good luck ! I am addicted to sheep hunting now and can’t wait !

 

[Snyd]

Ya, lot's of answers to your question. One thing to keep in mind. All of this lightweight backpacking food we take is pretty much void of fat. We need fat calories. I pack a small plastic bottle of olive oil and I also put a good chunk of butter in my granola/dried fruit/powdered milk/brown sugar breakfast mix, like a 1/3 to a half of a stick. I make up daily rations/servings. Dump it in a cup, add hot water for a rich, high calorie breakfast. I think that's about 1300 calories. 1 lb of butter has like 3500 fat calories. It's worth packing. A tablespoon of olive oil added to Mtn House or equivalent. Between the butter and oil that's close to 500 fat calories per day.

Snickers and Cliff Bars. One per day plus a couple extras.

Peanut butter mixed with honey.

Dry salami and cheese. Whole wheat bagels and/or Orowheat pocket thins ( i like these better). Mustard and mayo packets.

Cup Noodles put in plastic baggies. I like the beef ones. Makes a nice hot pick-me-up on a cold wet day. But will require a little extra fuel.

 

[Ariettabob]

like a 1/3 to a half of a stick. I make up daily rations/servings. Dump it in a cup, add hot water for a rich, high calorie breakfast. I think that's about 1300 calories. 1 lb of butter has like 3500 fat calories. It's worth packing. A tablespoon of olive oil added to Mtn House or equivalent. Between the butter and oil that's close to 500 fat calories per day.

Does all that fat, especially the butter, make you, how do I put this, a lot more “regular”?

 

[Larry Bartlett]

To shave weight on your pack, try to select foods that have the highest calorie/weight ratios starting with 1 oz = 100kcals. When possible, choose foods higher but nor lower than that rule.

Plan to burn around 5,000 per day. Take no more than 2,000 kcals/day if you can lose 8-10 lbs. If you can't, take 2,500 kcals per day. Anything more and you're in luxury mode.

Carbs for energy requirements (30-40 %)
Protein for muscle repair and insulin balance (40%)
Fat for sustained energy and kcals (20-30%)

 

[Snyd]

Does all that fat, especially the butter, make you, how do I put this, a lot more “regular”?

I don't know. Never thought about it much. I don't suffer any problems though.

 

[Blockcaver]

Foil packs of tuna and salmon are good on Finn Crisp crackers for lunch. They come in 2 or 4 ounce versions if I remember right. Some interesting flavors of Tuna these days too. I also like a tin of canned smoked baby clams once on the trip. I eat the oil too for the fat, but tins are heavy. A block of Asiago cheese for the hunt is great too. I really need to have about 3 or even up to 5 packs of Emergen-C electrolyte mix a day due to sweating, otherwise I cramp up....gatoraid will work too. Also the dried mashed potatoes are excellent to add to Mt House as they take the edge off the salt and fill out the meal. Inexpensive and I like the taste of the variety Costco sells here. Good luck on the hunt!