WashedUp1775
FNG
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2023
- Messages
- 57
Hi Everyone,
I just completed my first ever guided Dall Sheep hunt in AK. Unbelievable experience in so many ways. I thought sharing some lessons learned might help other first timers prepare for their dream hunt so here it goes…
Fitness:
Can’t say enough about how challenging the terrain and conditions are. I have always stayed in good shape but for the last 2 years I focused my training to prepare for this hunt. I trained 5-6 days per week for 1-1.5 hours. Combination of core strength, weights, cardio, rucking with heavy pack & mountain biking. Still wasn’t enough as the hunt was harder than that. Also hard to train for the uneven, rocky terrain that puts constant strain on ankles, knees, hips and back from stumbling through sheep country with a heavy pack.
Gear:
I probably spent way too much time thinking about how to cut weight and still brought more than I needed. In hindsight, there are several items I could/should have shared with my guide. Ex: jetboil, optics, rangefinder, etc. I ended up leaving some things in our spike camp that i shared with the guide. Lighter would have been better.
On the positive side, I did all my training rucks and hikes in my actual hunting boots with my actual hunting pack. Both were familiar to me and well broken in on the hunt. Highly recommend this practice.
Electronics:
I brought 2 power banks with 10,000 mah capacity each to recharge my Iphone, Inreach and Garmin watch. Moderate use of each device. I took lots of pics with the phone but did not actively run GPS or tracking apps. I turned the inreach off at night. 1 battery with 10,000 mah lasted 5 days. I moved onto battery #2 on day 6. 2 x 10,000 mah batteries was the right answer for me.
Hydration:
I carried a 3L hydration bladder full of water + a 20 oz bottle I filled with sports drink. This lasted pretty much the whole day. I got muscle cramps the first 2 days. On day 3, I started drinking a full 20oz sports drink before we set out for the day and also started putting salt on my already very salty freeze-dried meals. This solved the issue.
Mental preparation:
My outfitter hosted 10 hunters. 4 of the 10 quit before filling their tag or running out of time. Some left for injuries, some just quit. I knew it would be a tough hunt, but this was even harder than I expected; I imagine those who left early were overwhelmed with the challenge. I think the lesson here is to be ready for setbacks.
Example: we spent the first 2 days getting into position on a ram we saw from a long distance. We used the terrain to shield our approach. Got within 100 yds, regained sight, then determined he was sublegal. We had to dig deep to start over. On day 3 we did a long stalk on a band of rams. Got to within 700 yards and set up the rest of the day to wait for them to close the distance. As the sun faded, we heard a shot. Few mins later 2 hunters came to claim their prize. A day or 2 later a wolf spooked the herd we had been stalking. Another day the wind shifted and the group busted us. We finally closed the deal on day 7; and it was a long way- on the backside of the mountain- back to camp.
We all know these things happen on hunts. It’s just hard to take it in stride with the physical output required to get there, then get back to camp after a missed opportunity, then go do it again.
Overall, it was an absolutely amazing experience. One of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done. I hope my lessons learned help the next rookie sheep hunter!
I just completed my first ever guided Dall Sheep hunt in AK. Unbelievable experience in so many ways. I thought sharing some lessons learned might help other first timers prepare for their dream hunt so here it goes…
Fitness:
Can’t say enough about how challenging the terrain and conditions are. I have always stayed in good shape but for the last 2 years I focused my training to prepare for this hunt. I trained 5-6 days per week for 1-1.5 hours. Combination of core strength, weights, cardio, rucking with heavy pack & mountain biking. Still wasn’t enough as the hunt was harder than that. Also hard to train for the uneven, rocky terrain that puts constant strain on ankles, knees, hips and back from stumbling through sheep country with a heavy pack.
Gear:
I probably spent way too much time thinking about how to cut weight and still brought more than I needed. In hindsight, there are several items I could/should have shared with my guide. Ex: jetboil, optics, rangefinder, etc. I ended up leaving some things in our spike camp that i shared with the guide. Lighter would have been better.
On the positive side, I did all my training rucks and hikes in my actual hunting boots with my actual hunting pack. Both were familiar to me and well broken in on the hunt. Highly recommend this practice.
Electronics:
I brought 2 power banks with 10,000 mah capacity each to recharge my Iphone, Inreach and Garmin watch. Moderate use of each device. I took lots of pics with the phone but did not actively run GPS or tracking apps. I turned the inreach off at night. 1 battery with 10,000 mah lasted 5 days. I moved onto battery #2 on day 6. 2 x 10,000 mah batteries was the right answer for me.
Hydration:
I carried a 3L hydration bladder full of water + a 20 oz bottle I filled with sports drink. This lasted pretty much the whole day. I got muscle cramps the first 2 days. On day 3, I started drinking a full 20oz sports drink before we set out for the day and also started putting salt on my already very salty freeze-dried meals. This solved the issue.
Mental preparation:
My outfitter hosted 10 hunters. 4 of the 10 quit before filling their tag or running out of time. Some left for injuries, some just quit. I knew it would be a tough hunt, but this was even harder than I expected; I imagine those who left early were overwhelmed with the challenge. I think the lesson here is to be ready for setbacks.
Example: we spent the first 2 days getting into position on a ram we saw from a long distance. We used the terrain to shield our approach. Got within 100 yds, regained sight, then determined he was sublegal. We had to dig deep to start over. On day 3 we did a long stalk on a band of rams. Got to within 700 yards and set up the rest of the day to wait for them to close the distance. As the sun faded, we heard a shot. Few mins later 2 hunters came to claim their prize. A day or 2 later a wolf spooked the herd we had been stalking. Another day the wind shifted and the group busted us. We finally closed the deal on day 7; and it was a long way- on the backside of the mountain- back to camp.
We all know these things happen on hunts. It’s just hard to take it in stride with the physical output required to get there, then get back to camp after a missed opportunity, then go do it again.
Overall, it was an absolutely amazing experience. One of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done. I hope my lessons learned help the next rookie sheep hunter!
. 
