NWT Outfitters

[GSPMich]

I know there are bits and pieces of info all over the sheep forum about the NWT, but I thought I'd post any way.

I also know that Covid has the 2021 season with a lot of question marks too, but I'm starting to do some research for a potential rifle hunt 3-4 years down the road. I know all the outfitters have solid reputations but wouldn't mind reading any more first hand experiences members would like to post.

Post up any sheep stories from these outfitters. Were you happy with the hunt, would you go back with that outfitter, weapon, were you happy with the amount of game you encountered, type of hunt, were you successful at taking game, what day did you kill your trophy, and anything else you feel applies, etc.

If you have anything negative to say about an outfitter or about your experience feel free to send me a private message.

Thanks.

 

[Old and gray]

Shot a 41 inch ram with Ravensthroat Outfitters in 2019. Going back this year if the border opens. Lots of game in the area and highly experienced guides make for a quality hunt.

 

[buzzy]

Not all of their reputations are stellar after Covid. I’d suggest talking to guys who were rebooked and see how the outfitter handled the situation. Did they move everyone back a year or did some get moved back 2 years and why. Did they raise prices for guys who have paid a deposit?

Some treated their clients perfectly but others were far from perfect. I’ll just leave it at that.

 

[jaeger63]

I used Stan Simpson and Ramshead Outfitters several years ago. It
Its the same Simpson family who also guides in the Alberta bow zone for bighorns. I heard Ramshead sold it to another outfitter but the area they had is awesome. My ram missed the 40 inch mark by an 1/8 inch.

 

[Blockcaver]

Ramshead sold to Canol in January 2017. I had a great bowhunt for Dalls the first year, arrowing a nice ram on day 7 of the hunt.

 

[6mm Remington]

It's not the NWT but Alaska if you might be so interested in that location on the north side of the Brooks Range. I hunted grizzly bears with OVIS OUTFITTERS - MATT & EMILY THOFT and had a great time and got a beautiful bear. A fellow came into camp while I was there with a Dall ram that was right at 40" in length. It was just beautiful. They have great guides, excellent equipment, and are fantastic people who put everything in to help their hunters be successful!!

David

 

[NorthCountryAB]

Ive never heard a bad thing about Glenda and the crew at Canol.
Same goes for Grizz and Ginger at Ravensthroat.
I know guys who have guided for both.
They both seem to run top notch outfits, although I havnt hunted with either.

 

[mulecreek]

Had a great hunt with Stan Stevens at MMO in 2016. Took a ram early on my sheep hunt. I was on a 3 species hunt so we did not spend a bunch of time picking over rams. Found a legal ram in the evening on the first day of searching. I took him midday the next day. Spent a couple days getting him out then went looking for a moose.

It was everything I had hoped for. MMO was true to their word. Everything was as advertised. Guide was a joy to hunt with. I would go back in an instant.

 

[GSPMich]

Had a great hunt with Stan Stevens at MMO in 2016. Took a ram early on my sheep hunt. I was on a 3 species hunt so we did not spend a bunch of time picking over rams. Found a legal ram in the evening on the first day of searching. I took him midday the next day. Spent a couple days getting him out then went looking for a moose.

It was everything I had hoped for. MMO was true to their word. Everything was as advertised. Guide was a joy to hunt with. I would go back in an instant.

I looked at his site and he only mentions backpack hunts and I believe I saw something about using dogs for support. Does he use planes or helicopters?

 

[buzzy]

Stan uses helicopters to get you to drop off areas. Then you spike and hunt from there until you kill your animal. Then a ride back out. I don't believe he uses dogs any longer.

 

[mulecreek]

I looked at his site and he only mentions backpack hunts and I believe I saw something about using dogs for support. Does he use planes or helicopters?

I hunted with Stan in 2016 and as buzz mentioned at that time he was no longer using dogs. He did mention to me that he was thinking of bringing back the dogs as more of a grizzly deterrent than anything. A few very bad griz encounters over the years had him thinking of new ideas. Not sure if he moved forward with the idea or not. I always wondered why they left the pack dog stuff on their website for so long after they stopped using them given that they make yearly updates to their website.