Planning a once in a lifetime sheep hunt

[cbeard64]

If money wasn’t an issue, I’d do both!
Is the terrain in British Columbia different than Alaska. Thought BC would be greener and Alaska Dall sheep country more barren. I’m not certain of the difference in terrain.
I’m leaning towards Dall sheep right now. If I find a way to make extra money, I’d go for Stone.

You can’t generalize very much about terrain unless you get specific as to area vs. area. AK is twice or more the size of Texas as is BC.

Generally the areas in BC where Stones are found is timber with high alpine above. Similar to southern Yukon but the country changes as you move further north.
AK has it all too. I’ll say it again because I don’t think it can be said often enough: unless you have absolutely solid info from a reliable source known to you - I would stay away from AK for sheep right now. Finding a good hunt there is like navigating a funhouse with mirrors right now.

 

[Smoke10]

Awesome, old warrior there! I came real close to booking a trip with TT. Still might

TT was great answering any questions I had leading up to the hunt. Lodge accomodations, food, and the staff were excellent

 

[Choogiak]

As a resident sheep hunter in Alaska, I would also say if you are going guided go to Canada. Sheep numbers are down across the state and it seems like every drainage has a guide in it these days. If you are spending big money, go to Northwest territories where you will have a much better chance at an old ram.

 

[Dawg In Montana]

I would strongly consider going to the Sheep Show and talking to a bunch of outfitters in person. If I were considering spending $50-125k on a hunt I would consider it money well spent.

 

[FAAFO]

Thanks. Here are a couple

Great ram! Was that from 2024? I know two of their clients in 2024 didn’t see a legal ram on their hunt.

 

[Peter638]

You can’t generalize very much about terrain unless you get specific as to area vs. area. AK is twice or more the size of Texas as is BC.

Generally the areas in BC where Stones are found is timber with high alpine above. Similar to southern Yukon but the country changes as you move further north.
AK has it all too. I’ll say it again because I don’t think it can be said often enough: unless you have absolutely solid info from a reliable source known to you - I would stay away from AK for sheep right now. Finding a good hunt there is like navigating a funhouse with mirrors right now.

This advice is exactly why I came to this forum. Never would have known to avoid Alaska right now and that would be an expensive mistake.
Thank you

 

[Smoke10]

Great ram! Was that from 2024? I know two of their clients in 2024 didn’t see a legal ram on their hunt.

Thank you! Yes 2024

I knew that one client did not see a legal ram, one of the guides told me that. I had not heard that a second client did not see a legal ram.
I talked with 3 other sheep hunters at the lodge before/after my hunt and each of them was successful

 

[Timjohnson11]

I would look to maximize your success incase it's your one and only sheep hunt. With that in mind, I would do an NWT dalls sheep hunt.. You'll be somehwere between the AK dalls and BC stone price but have better success rates than both, while also still having a great experience.

Each NWT outfit has their pros and cons and happy to provide my opinion of those if wanted.

 

[alaska_bou]

I would not avoid Alaska. What I would avoid are the outfitters who prioritize money/bookings over hunter opportunity by continuing to take more hunters than their area can realistically provide for. Two AK outfitters jump to mind; one who has been 100% on opportunity over the last three years (because they take very few each year), and a second who was five for six in 2024. I also know several people who went to the Yukon and to the NWT in 2023 and 2024 who returned without ever finding a legal ram or firing a shot, so be careful with the narrative that "Alaska is a bust and Canada is a sure thing."

 

[wildwilderness]

Probably too late for this year but anyone not familiar or experienced with sheep hunting would benefit from going to Sheep Show in Reno. Can talk to outfitters and other hunters. See what sheep fever does to people! Starts in a couple days Jan 16-18, 2025

 

[idig4au]

NA sheep prices have become ignorant and almost can say there is a level of price gouging going on. Maybe consider an international sheep hunt? A proper snow sheep hunt for example will be similar as NWT experience at 1/2 the cost.

 

[Dawg In Montana]

How can it be price gouging when people are willing to pay it and it is purely a discretionary good? People are confusing extreme demand that leads to higher prices with price gouging.