Sheep Hunting - Need Advice

Van Isle said:
Never gone after goats or sheep, but I've hunted in the lower parts of the rockies. I've got this advice:

1) Glass: Get good glass and practice actually systematically covering the areas you are glassing. There are various methods that work. 10 power binos and a tripod with adaptor are a potent combo when you don't want to bust out the big glass. For judging sheep you'd be well-served to get a GREAT spotting scope. For long sits have a bag that you can weigh down the tripod with rocks for stability.

2) Fitness: once a solid base level is achieved, you are probably better served by rucking really really heavy once a week rather than lighter more often. There's a good podcast to that effect with The Hunt Backcountry Podcast. That's based on results from fit, military-aged men. YMMV.

3) Shooting: practice shooting in the wind, in adverse conditions, to the ranges you'd expect, from improvised shooting positions.

4) Discomfort: practice being uncomfortable on your weekend practice runs. My (serious athlete) buddy did a 10 day mountain goat hunt and lost 30 lbs. Another friend spent 10 days on the mountain trying for goats with a long bow and spent almost all of it in his tent because of weather. Mental prep will go a long way towards motivation and endurance.

5) Gear: less is more. Exo Mountain Gear has resources on their website, including a whole slew of "what's in my pack" from experienced hunters. Check it out. Don't ignore advice from backpackers who have their own innovations, ie some of the lightweight backpackers don't use stoves anymore they just "cold soak" their Mountain House for 6-8 hours. Ew, but light weight!

good luck, I'm totally jealous!
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the hype of lightweight can go too far. we have seen in pyrenees and alps people that has been too far for that. no extra layers no tuque or no gloves when bad weather is hitting you you want the gear that can handle it and of course a gear that is proven by your own experience. internet experts are expert on internet and while on the mountain you will not be with them and your experience will be yours not them ...

i can tell you than a warm meal or coffee or chocolate can make a big difference. do not skype on a way to get warm meals ...
 
tmackay said:
Thank you, very good information. I found a good ram ID guide out of Alaska State, I also follow a few good YouTube channels.

I agree, Happy feet for the win.
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alaska are dall and maybe the stone while thinhorn may be a little different. as i have seen some differences between dall depending where they are coming from.
 
Lots of good advice has already been offered here, can add some experience from many sheep, goat and mountain caribou trips.
ALWAYS make sure someone has a copy of your itinary with maps and expected dates of going in and coming out. Contact them without fail when you get out.
Take a trusted partner, your life may depend on it. Side benefit is it cuts indiviual load because of ahared equipment (tent, stove, spotting scope,etc).
If you will be bushwhacking in a valley to get to your preferred mountain you will need a head net for mosquitos and blackflies. Bug dope won't cut it.
Simplest and safest footwear for crossing those small rocky icy mountain streams is to pull a sturdy plastic bag as high as possible over each boot and tie it snug on your leg, with your rain pants on - you will need a rugged lightweight rain suit.
A hiking staff works superbly crossing streams.
Carry your loaded rifle in your hand, never slung, chamber empty but always available. You are in grizzly country.
After a few trips my partner and I were able to get out trailhead packs down to 45 pounds for a 8-10 day trip. Long before you leave, assemble your pack contents, load them up and weigh them on a scale. Every ounce counts,take this but then you will need to cut some weight and leave that, tradeoffs. Unload, reassess, do it again. Keep refining until you have only what you need to live for the allotted time, a knife, a few extra cartridges, keep it simple and very basic. By your third trip you should have a good handle on what to take and what to leave at home. Good luck.
 
pzkw108 said:
I'm not a sheep hunter but for that kind of hunt when your travelling is critical , I would spend lot of hours on Google earth scanning the area !!!! Ant put note on a map !
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whilst i Agree to this it is only for rough reference as when one typically steps foot in the place they have looked over on google maps, it all become a little different and REAL, ive planned to bite off alot with NZ alps, only toget there an Go-- No Way! for whatever reason that didnt show on google... (bush thickness/ drop offs / deep gulley / whatever...

Thats the exciting bit about Adventures like this but Sure, get up to date on google hard out
 
Use other peoples opinions as a guide only, make sure you prove your kit yourself in harsh conditions before heading to the mountains
Sounds like common sense but have seen 'net shoppers 'I bought the best' only to have a fail
Be comfortable with your gear , you will sleep better
 
Do you camp regularly? I haven’t seen it mentioned yet but camping in and of itself is a skill and you should practice before you go hunting. Learning to be comfortable and stay comfortable in a remote setting will benefit you greatly on your hunt. When you camp often, you learn what you like/dislike, better to iron those kinks out before your hunt. It’s easy to take in everyone’s opinion on gear, techniques and experiences but actually doing it often well help you so that when you’re out there on your hunt, you’ll know how you want to do it and be most confident in your setup/plan.

Patrick
 
Oh man, mountain hunting makes my knees hurt just thinking of it! :)

I wish you the best of luck.

An observation regarding fitness. Two co-workers started from being reasonably fit, and spent 4 months working up to go on a ten day hunt in Alberta. Cardio, weights, hoofing it all up and down the local river valleys carrying crowbars and wearing backpacks loaded up with their gear.
Ten days in the actual mountains, took 15 pounds off each of them. They 'thought' they were in pretty good shape before they went!
 
trevj said:
Oh man, mountain hunting makes my knees hurt just thinking of it! :)

I wish you the best of luck.

An observation regarding fitness. Two co-workers started from being reasonably fit, and spent 4 months working up to go on a ten day hunt in Alberta. Cardio, weights, hoofing it all up and down the local river valleys carrying crowbars and wearing backpacks loaded up with their gear.
Ten days in the actual mountains, took 15 pounds off each of them. They 'thought' they were in pretty good shape before they went!
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Now, if you had horses, they'd get you there most of the way and back. :)

Grizz
 
I have hunted them for the past 2 years. Have seen lots of rams but yet to get one. Best advice I can give is you wouldn’t believe how well they can see. Seriously I spooked a ram at over 600 yards because I ran outta cover and tried to get a little closer. Have a great time!
 
156821 said:
I have hunted them for the past 2 years. Have seen lots of rams but yet to get one. Best advice I can give is you wouldn’t believe how well they can see. Seriously I spooked a ram at over 600 yards because I ran outta cover and tried to get a little closer. Have a great time!
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eye vision is 8-10x better than us ... they look at you like a pair of zeiss binocs on ...
 
FLHTCUI said:
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/spatsizi/

Check the drainage to your immediate left as the sun comes up ;)

Also if your in this area keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary as it may pertain to this guy http://http://www.missinginspatsizi.com/

Seriously though about locations, not knowing the region you are in check the Provincial Parks for information on viewing areas as lots of these areas also allow hunting during approved seasons.

Good glass, good boots and gear go without saying and ultra lite .

Dont forget your camera .

Good Hunting and Enjoy the PT up until the hunt.

Rob
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Oh my, lol
 
As mentioned once earlier, mental preparation is a huge factor in the overall success of the hunt, whether you harvest a ram or not.
Be prepared to deal with all of the various conditions you may and will face, whether it be physical exertion, climate and weather, stream crossings, bushwacking, bugs, being uncomfortable, dehydration, hunger, cold or heat stress, injuries and aches/pains, etc.
Pace yourself and set realistic goals in achieving points on the map or on the mountain. While you may get to the top of the ridge or mountain quickly, will you be able to make the shot well once there? Or be so winded that you cannot? Or did you alert the sheep of your presence? Or the marmots that will sound off their alarm calls (or other game previously unseen)?
Hunt High by Duncan Gilchrist is a good read and has lots of useful information. Used some of his tips on successful goat and sheep hunts over the years.
Best of luck on your adventure!
 
MiG25 said:
You don't enjoy spending half your time looking for the horses and the other half looking for the trail?
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Don't enjoy horses, period.

A ride that can bugger off on it's own whims, rather than staying where it's parked, is another problem.

Then, there is the work involved on top of an otherwise long and potentially exhausting day, both to prepare and to end the work day for them, as well as care and feeding even when they are not in use.

Wife has two. Told her straight up, that if she gets run over by a bus, I'll be shooting coyotes off their carcasses, before the Funeral service.

Horses as a hunting aid, are best rented, along with enough competent help to take care of them at days beginning and end, and then be done with them in their entirety, the rest of your life.

Or use them as bear bait, of which I heartily approve.
 
trevj said:
Don't enjoy horses, period.

A ride that can bugger off on it's own whims, rather than staying where it's parked, is another problem.

Then, there is the work involved on top of an otherwise long and potentially exhausting day, both to prepare and to end the work day for them, as well as care and feeding even when they are not in use.

Wife has two. Told her straight up, that if she gets run over by a bus, I'll be shooting coyotes off their carcasses, before the Funeral service.

Horses as a hunting aid, are best rented, along with enough competent help to take care of them at days beginning and end, and then be done with them in their entirety, the rest of your life.

Or use them as bear bait, of which I heartily approve.
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Amen to that. Bowhunting partner got thrown a few years ago. Broken hip, split pelvis and ongoing health issues. I’d rather walk.
 
trevj said:
Don't enjoy horses, period.

A ride that can bugger off on it's own whims, rather than staying where it's parked, is another problem.

Then, there is the work involved on top of an otherwise long and potentially exhausting day, both to prepare and to end the work day for them, as well as care and feeding even when they are not in use.

Wife has two. Told her straight up, that if she gets run over by a bus, I'll be shooting coyotes off their carcasses, before the Funeral service.

Horses as a hunting aid, are best rented, along with enough competent help to take care of them at days beginning and end, and then be done with them in their entirety, the rest of your life.

Or use them as bear bait, of which I heartily approve.
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Hey, it's the wife's job to look after the horses. Keeps the bed warm as well. :)

Grizz
 
savage 110L said:
Have switched from a sat phone to DeLorme inReach paired to my iPhone. Sat phones have proven quite unreliable.
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This!
I’m not a sheep hunter....maybe some day when I quit smoking,but for now it’s too far to hike and I’m too fat to fly,lol......but last few years we got away from sat phone rental and now use Garmin InReach at remote Argo accessible only moose camp northern Alberta near NWT border.
The Garmins have been an awesome addition to our gear,both for communicating between us 3 guides and base camp,and for getting/staying connected to the civilized world in case of emergency.
Data plans start at $20/month for emergency only up to $75/mth unlimited text.....cancel or revise plan anytime.
Yes you can even post pics to Facebook from middle of Nowhere,just remember to turn off location in settings unless you want the whole world to know exactly where you shot your trophy +/-3m,lol ��
 
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