Yukon Sheep Hunt Recommendations

[HornPorn]

A friend had a bad experience this past fall with Tombstone (99% that was the outfit, did it change hands in the past year or two?). Another friend was in camp at the same time had a fine hunt, but I personally would steer clear.

Can you expound on this at all? They are apparently booked for the next 2 years......if any of these 2023 and 2024 clients are on rokslide, I'm sure they would want to know about this, as well as people shopping for a future fannin hunt

 

[HornPorn]

I’d stay away from Tombstone as my buddy had a bad experience with them last year on his sheep hunt.

Can you expound on this at all? They are apparently booked for the next 2 years......if any of these 2023 and 2024 clients are on rokslide, I'm sure they would want to know about this, as well as people like myself shopping for a future fannin hunt

 

[buzzy]

Can you expound on this at all? They are apparently booked for the next 2 years......if any of these 2023 and 2024 clients are on rokslide, I'm sure they would want to know about this, as well as people like myself shopping for a future fannin hunt

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I wasn’t there but from what I could gather bad guides, bad food, and they played favorites. If you were well known in the hunting community you got a good area and guide. If not you had a bad hunt in an area with no animals and guides who didn’t care. And this was from 2 hunters in camp with my buddy being one of them. Not worth the risk and a reason why they may only be booked out 2 vs 4 years like most other good sheep outfitters.

 

[ykwrangler]

I wasn’t there but from what I could gather bad guides, bad food, and they played favorites. If you were well known in the hunting community you got a good area and guide. If not you had a bad hunt in an area with no animals and guides who didn’t care. And this was from 2 hunters in camp with my buddy being one of them. Not worth the risk and a reason why they may only be booked out 2 vs 4 years like most other good sheep outfitters.

The outfit has since been sold to new owners since your friends poor experience. It should have positive seasons ahead under the new management.

 

[Old and gray]

The outfit has since been sold to new owners since your friends poor experience. It should have positive seasons ahead under the new management.

Hunted there in 2020, first year with new ownership. Has it been sold again?

 

[buzzy]

The outfit has since been sold to new owners since your friends poor experience. It should have positive seasons ahead under the new management.

Yea my buddy hunted last year. Has it been sold since then. I was understanding he went with the new ownership and they were the ones having problems.

 

[7mm-08]

Definitely Northcurl for the Yukon and Raven’s Throat for NWT. I’m headed back to Northcurl this august and back to Ravens Throat in 2026

Spectacular ram in the second photo. Congratulations on that kill.

 

[Fishn4eyes]

I am hunting with Dustin Roe in his new Ceaser Lake Outfitters area in August and am pumped about it. I've hunted with him several times and can't wait to see his new area.

I had a hunt booked with Blackstone but they also have new owners and I just didn't want to be a guinea pig on the first year transition. Just my personal preference and nothing against the new owners.

Luke and Heather were super gracious about me backing out and I have no doubts they will do a wonderful job and look forward to them building a good business and wish them nothing but the best of luck.

 

[Steve O]

I am hunting with Dustin Roe in his new Ceaser Lake Outfitters area in August and am pumped about it. I've hunted with him several times and can't wait to see his new area.

I had a hunt booked with Blackstone but they also have new owners and I just didn't want to be a guinea pig on the first year transition. Just my personal preference and nothing against the new owners.

Luke and Heather were super gracious about me backing out and I have no doubts they will do a wonderful job and look forward to them building a good business and wish them nothing but the best of luck.

You are as good as gold with Dustin. I’d hunt with him and his crew in a heartbeat if I had that kind of cash. FYI, Luke Dueling may be a new owner, but he was my guide at Blackstone in 2002. Jim was not just an owner, he was a game manager and caretaker of that 10,000 square miles. He did not just sell it to some get rich quick guy. The outfit is in good hands.

 

[Fishn4eyes]

You are as good as gold with Dustin. I’d hunt with him and his crew in a heartbeat if I had that kind of cash. FYI, Luke Dueling may be a new owner, but he was my guide at Blackstone in 2002. Jim was not just an owner, he was a game manager and caretaker of that 10,000 square miles. He did not just sell it to some get rich quick guy. The outfit is in good hands.

Totally agree on Blackstone and I don't want to give anyone the impression I got bad feelings about the new ownership or anything. They seem like great people and will do a great job in a great area. It was just a personal choice I made and they were great in accommodating me. And they didn't have to and that says a ton.

I've hunted sheep with Dustin four times and he's a good friend so can't wait to spend another couple weeks in the mountains with him.

 

[JP100]

2nd that. Don’t confuse the NA Sheep helicopter hunts with how they hunt in New Zealand. These are still sheep hunts. Helicopters are used to get folks into the hunting area to set up spike camps where they will hunt the sheep. Hunters will still do considerable climbing and put on some miles. As S-3 points out, even thoough helos are used instead of horses, you’re still on a sheep hunt. The big difference is - less impacting to get in and out of spike camp areas.

Not all of us hunt from machines, and local kiwi hunters take great offence to 'heli hunting' as you've probably seen it.
Locals and genuine hunters here use helicopters in the exact same way as cubs and light planes are used in Canada and Alaska.

They are time saver to get into the mountains, and then we hunt and move about from there.
Sadly some outfitters abuse our lack of laws and will do anything for a quick buck.

 

[Scottf270]

I sat and listened to a guy blow in a taxidermy shop about how they buzzed tahr in New Zealand and how he shot from the runner of the copter. I never said a word while he tried to convince others what a great hunt it was.......

 

[JP100]

I sat and listened to a guy blow in a taxidermy shop about how they buzzed tahr in New Zealand and how he shot from the runner of the copter. I never said a word while he tried to convince others what a great hunt it was.......

Yep, sadly our system is abused by outfitters and lazy clients. Its inhumane and unsporting in every way. And creates huge conflict issues for local hunters(and foot guides)

 

[medvedyt]

I took a great dark Fannin ram with Blackstone 20 years ago. 2nd year Jim owned it. Stopped by the booth this weekend at the sheep show and was surprised to meet the new owner, Luke Dueling, who was a packer way back then. He’s making sure my moose is secure here:


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I’ve got no doubt he and his wife will continue the fine tradition of Blackstone Outfitters.

no doubt Luke will take care of you and has a few sheep hunts behind him and he is a local which is important in the mountain huntings.

 

[bradb]

I had a great hunt with Yukon Peak Outfitters. Only personal experience i can give. I have not kept contact with them how the sheep have been going. One of my guide has still been killing great moose all the time.
You can watch it here