Montana Unlimited Sheep Outfitters

[Beef_Slayer]

I'm lookin for recommended outfitters that guide in the unlimited areas of Montana. I know I could DIY but I'm from Kentucky and don't know nothin about sheep. I'm gonna start puttin in for the draw this spring in several states for desert and Rocky Mountain bighorns but understand that it can take a while. I'm 28 now and my goal is to get the slam before I die but we shale see how that goes. I'm lookin at the unlimited units for a hunt in either 2016 or 17 to see if I will even like sheep huntin. They are much cheaper than a trip AK or Canada. Any info on the sheep hunting in that area or guides in that area will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mtnboy]

I haven't been in the Unlimiteds (yet) but the general consensus is that the sheep are fairly scarce and legal rams almost ghost-like. The terrain is some of the roughest in the lower 48 and the grizzlies are thicker than probably anywhere else in the lower 48.

I'll be in there DIY in 2016 myself if everything keeps going to plan.

I believe there are only a few outfitters that run in there, I've googled it before but don't remember names off the top of my head.

Good luck if you decide to give it a go, it's widely considered the most difficult hunt in North America it seems.

 

[wyosteve]

I don't know if they're still in business, but Jack Atcheson and Sons out of Butte or Missoula used to offer guided hunts in the unlimited area. I've hunted just south of the MT. area a couple times and yes, it is rugged.

 

[Beef_Slayer]

yeah from what I can tell and have read its rough. ill check them out later on today. I have spoke with rolling boulders and broken hart outfitters both offer hunts in that area and are priced in the same area for a successful hunt. both said that they typically have about a 50% shot opportunity if the hunter is mentally prepared for it and can make sure they put in the full time about 9-10 days and not want to quit on the second or third. has anyone hunted with either of these two. not just for sheep but anything kinda curious as to how is their operation is. thanks in advance

 

[Beef_Slayer]

Question if any of you have hunted the unlimited units, which unit would you hunt. I'm lookin at 300, I have the harvest records since 2011 and that unit seems to have the most early season kills which work best for my work schedule. I could prolly try and hunt till mid October but after that it's a no go. Any comments or ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[sdr]

In the new Wild Sheep magazine (Winter 2014-15) there is a good article by Gray Thornton about his successful Montana Unlimited bighorn hunt. Jack Atcheson helped him get a stud of a ram. The hunt looks like a ball buster even compared to other sheep hunts.

I think the only way to get the magazine is to be a member of The Wild Sheep Foundation. The membership fee is well worth the cost just to get the magazine if you are into sheep hunting.

 

[dotman]

I'm pretty sure an outfitter runs close to 10-12k in the unlimited areas.

 

[Beef_Slayer]

Yeah that they do. That's why I'm tryin to gather all the info I can to decide wether to use an outfitter or DIY. I'm tryin to weigh out the higher success rate of huntin with one or DIY and maybe take couple of of years before I'm successful. I live in Kentucky so the thought of bein able to gout there a couple times a year is out of the question which would be ideal. But even tryin to manage to get off work for 2-3 weeks will be even harder. Thanks for the help. I spend countless hours every night readin topo maps and arial photos of the area lookin for areas that I think look like sheep country but I really don't know much about sheep habits. If anyone knows of some mountains peaks or ridges or areas where the sheep tend to hang and wouldn't mind passing the info along I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[Beef_Slayer]

I think I'm gonna start puttin in for the goat tag as well who knows with a little luck I might draw a goat tag the same year and hunt them both at the same time. Talk about one hell of a trip.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

This isn't the hunt for you to see if you like sheep hunting. Id suggest tagging along with someone lower in the 48 where you can see sheep and easier terrain to get you excited about it. My opinion.

 

[DWarcher]

If you're going to spend 10-12k why not just pony up the extra cash for a Dall hunt in AK or Canada?

 

[DaveC]

I hunted 300 this year. No scouting, never been to the area, never hunted sheep before. Due to other commitments I had 2.5 days to hunt the second weekend. I did do my homework. Saw two dozen sheep, five rams, none even close to legal, along with a few elk and a lot of mountain goats. It was a great experience. Last I looked no one killed a ram in 300 this year.

In short, I think someone coming from out of state can collect enough information to hunt the right areas and have a reasonable chance of finding legal rams if they're around. The Beartooth districts are obviously far larger and more complicated. Still on the fence as to where I'll be hunting sheep next fall, but I'll be out there.

 

[Beef_Slayer]

I do have plans on a dall hunt but with plans and goals to kill the slam I'm looking at the options to kill a rocky instead of waiting a life time and never getting drawn. Yes I know I have to get drawn for both the desert and Cali to but I might get lucky and get drawn for two to get all drawn for all three may be pushing luck to the extreme. Thanks for all the advice thus far guys. Pm me if you would rather keep ur tips more secretive.

 

[Jon Boy]

Really debating on it next year. Problem is its in the middle of the elk rut and I haven't killed enough bulls with my bow yet..

 

[Shrek]

Jon Boy , I'm telling you that you need to jump on an unlimited hunt before you get tied up with other priorities and while you're still young and in great shape. The big bulls will be available for you to chase during rut for many years to come but the years you can mount a serious chase in the unlimited districts will slip away quickly.

 

[Jon Boy]

Yah we'll see Dave. I have a real good spot I know rams have been taken in the spot and access to horses now so its just biting the bullet and not guiding archery hunts. The way to do it is have two guys, both have ram tags, one carrying a rifle and the other a bow. With all of the glassing you'll be doing your bound to turn up a bomber buck or bull and the guy with the bow can go after them if the ram hunting is slow. Black bear season with rifle opens the same day as sheep season too so it could be a pretty fun hunt.

 

[Mtnboy]

Maybe I look at it differently cause I'm non-res and the tags cost me a lot more...but if I'm making the commitment to go in the Unlimiteds, its sheep or bust, I won't be messing around chasing deer, bear or elk bomber or not.

 

[bigeasygator]

I do have plans on a dall hunt but with plans and goals to kill the slam I'm looking at the options to kill a rocky instead of waiting a life time and never getting drawn. Yes I know I have to get drawn for both the desert and Cali to but I might get lucky and get drawn for two to get all drawn for all three may be pushing luck to the extreme. Thanks for all the advice thus far guys. Pm me if you would rather keep ur tips more secretive.

You don't have to get drawn -- you can pony up the cash and buy a desert ram tag as well as a bighorn tag (in Canada). If you're looking to get a slam you need only a RMB or a Cali -- they are considered the same species as far as the Slam is concerned. You'll definitely need to pay for Stone sheep hunt though.

 

[Shrek]

Jon Boy , sounds like you have all but made up your mind. So , if you sttart guiding archery and then the general season what is going to be your hunt ?

 

[Jon Boy]

Maybe I look at it differently cause I'm non-res and the tags cost me a lot more...but if I'm making the commitment to go in the Unlimiteds, its sheep or bust, I won't be messing around chasing deer, bear or elk bomber or not.

I can understand that from an out of staters perspective.
Shrek, reason I havent done it is due to the fact I don't have any sort of hunting partner, none the less one who is knowledgeable, in great shape and has the same kind of drive as me. If I guide archery hunts I'm pretty much screwed as far as any hunts for myself.