A friend of mine once worked with an older German man who was a very avid hunter, he had hunted in practically every continent in the world, had stacks of exotic animal hides and trophies in his house. He said of all the countries and animals he’s hunted, the most challenging and gruelling hunts was big horn sheep hunting in Canada. So you better be in good shape. Myself, it won’t ever happen, don’t have $40+ thousand dollars for a sheep hunt. Even if I did, don’t think its worth the money but that’s just me. Just like these guys that will pay $30-$40 grand to shoot a record elk on a game ranch. Well even if you did pay the money and shoot a record bull, does it even qualify in Boon & Crocket if it’s not a genuine wild animal but shot on a game farm. I don’t think it should qualify.
Canadian Sheep Hunting 101
- Thread starter Northern Shooter
- Start date
If you are a resident of BC , there are huntable populations of Big Horn within 4 hrs of the lowermainland. I won't elaborate but if I was still able, man I'd be hitting it hard scouting in the summer to learn the area and terrain. I might look at the region I am thinking of and see about a spending a few days up there but I just don't know if I can physically do it. I'd love to check a legal ram off my own hunting bucket list but there's no way in hell I am paying someone to guide or outfit me. Not that I have a problem with it..... I just can't afford it LOL
daddylonglegs
CGN Regular
- Location
- Big River, Saskatchewan
I cannot believe the prices asked for guided sheep hunts now! In 1977 I was fortunate enough to harvest a Dahl Ram which green scored just 3 3/8" less than the B&C minimum. I was the CIBC manager in Fort Simson, N.W.T. and had financed a 3 airplane purchase for one of the local bush-pilot services. The owner was an avid hunter (as was I) and his gift of appreciation to me was a sheep hunt in the Telegotcho range north & west of Fort Liard, N.W.T. The ram I harvested had horns of 41" on one side & 40 5/8" on the other side. Had he been just 1/2" heavier on the girth measurements, he would have made B&C going away. I bought my bush-pilot friend a new S&W 347 mag revolver to show my appreciation.
I still have the gorgeous mount of the ram on my wall, but am getting older & have no one to pass my trophies on to. I would be willing to sell this mount for $2500. plus shipping costs. I do not know how to post photos to this forum, but could e-mail some to anyone interested in doing so.
I still have the gorgeous mount of the ram on my wall, but am getting older & have no one to pass my trophies on to. I would be willing to sell this mount for $2500. plus shipping costs. I do not know how to post photos to this forum, but could e-mail some to anyone interested in doing so.
As a non resident there is no inexpensive sheep hunts, at least not in BC. No permits to accompany for sheep either.
And just because it's a 10 day guided hunt there is no guarantee you will kill a ram.
Residents of BC can hunt stone sheep with a $60 over the counter tag, every year. Unless you are very wealthy, the only way to do a yearly sheep hunt is to be a resident.
And just because it's a 10 day guided hunt there is no guarantee you will kill a ram.
Residents of BC can hunt stone sheep with a $60 over the counter tag, every year. Unless you are very wealthy, the only way to do a yearly sheep hunt is to be a resident.
- Location
- AB foothills
Probably the one and only thing you'll post that you and I actually agree on.
- Location
- AB foothills
Something that never should have been. I fully agree with you on that one. Starting to think that with the extreme increase's in draw numbers for most draw animals in AB, draws should be for residents only. It has gone completely stupid in the past few years.
100%. If residents have to wait for draws, there shouldn't be outfitted non-res hunting, IMO.
I'm guessing sheep are excluded from the host hunter program in BC?
Not specifically, but currently yes. There is a list of what you can and can't get approval for a permit to accompany for, it is based on region and unit. I would not expect that to change for sheep anytime soon, although I don't know exactly what criteria they are using to determine which species/units are available for PTA people.
https://portal.nrs.gov.bc.ca/web/client/-/regional-hunting-restrictio-1
I hunt sheep every year. I’ve killed a couple and helped kill a dozen more. As a resident I can go on a top notch DIY hunt for $2k all in. If I want to do a hike in, it’s substantially cheaper. However, the gear is expensive and will take some time to gather without a big initial cost. Still way cheaper than guided. We also generally hunt a minimum of 14 days and that comes with some challenges as well.
oh man, sheep fever is a real disease, this is gonna cost you
but you're gonna see the most amazing things by the time you get your temperature back to normal
Yeah that's what I gather. Hearing from guys that are set on completing their grand slam and are 6 figures deep into this venture.
Well if you live in BC , theres always the BC Grand Slam . Stone's - Rockty Mountain Bighorn - California Bighorn and Dall's .
I'm 3/4 of the way there and still under the 5 figure mark !! All DIY hunts .
Not that I really means a lot to be .I just love sheep hunting . Yes Sheep Fever is the real deal !
Big bore dinosaur
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- NORT OF COW.TOWN.EH
Sheep fiver cure in 81days. Getting symptoms already.
Sqauts , long walks with my heavy bag, attracted to stairs. All comin signs.
Have fun with your new lifestyle. Its addictive
Sqauts , long walks with my heavy bag, attracted to stairs. All comin signs.
Have fun with your new lifestyle. Its addictive
I've expanded my search to international sheep/goat hunts which appear to cost only a fraction of the Canadian hunts I listed above.
1. Chamois / Tahr DIY hunt in New Zealand.
2. Spanish Ibex.
3. German/Austrian Mouflon.
1. Chamois / Tahr DIY hunt in New Zealand.
2. Spanish Ibex.
3. German/Austrian Mouflon.
NS, absolutely no reason you can't experience everything about a BC Stone's or Bighorn hunt even though you can't pull the trigger
Everyone preaches 'its about the hunt not the kill' yet you never hear of a photo adventure to take a pic of a critter in some of the most fantastic surrounding one can experience
The mountains are full of hikers and climbers all summer until it becomes 'hunting' season it seems
Everyone preaches 'its about the hunt not the kill' yet you never hear of a photo adventure to take a pic of a critter in some of the most fantastic surrounding one can experience
The mountains are full of hikers and climbers all summer until it becomes 'hunting' season it seems
Good call. When I'm finally done paying for my kids' university I'll be booking a plane ticket to NZ.
There are literally thousands of people on Instagram doing exactly that...
oh, don't start looking at the argali rams abroad lol, Tajikistan, lots of types of argali, Marco Polo also, then the ibex, there's a blue sheep in china I believe, and the holy grail of the horned mountain animals the markhor....
some of those Tajikistan hunts for the argali I've seen on the boob tube are incredible, the scenery and elevations were some of the best I've ever watched
Yeah I've definately caught the bug, been watching the Marco Polo hunt videos and looking at pricing as well..
That one that Bryan Martin got was impressive.
