North American Sheep
NORTHWEST TERRITORY
DALL SHEEP MECCA
Here is a small family run operation that is
strictly top notch, from the guides to the cooks to the base camp, it
just doesn’t get any better. In 2011 they had 17 sheep rifle
hunters take 16 full curl rams. The unsuccessful hunter had
personal problems at home and had to leave early. They also hosted
3 bowhunters and they took 2 rams and the unsuccessful hunter cut some
hair and later broke his bow. The rams continue to average over 37
inches and just shy of 11 years in age.
The outfitter rotates his sheep camps within his 7,000
square mile area to prevent over hunting pressure and this insures
taking quality mature full curl rams. There has never been any
resident pressure of any kind in this area. He also has an
elaborate base camp including a hydroelectric plant that produces power
for all the comforts of home along with email. Most hunters tag
out early and upon return to base camp enjoy some fantastic lake trout
and grayling fishing just outside the cabin door.
Hunts start July 15 and run to early September. 10-day
backpack hunts guided 1x1 are $18,500 and 12-day horseback hunts are
$20,000 plus preservation fund of $100 and 2 1/2 percent tax. Mountain
caribou can be taken for a $4,000 trophy fee and last fall success was
typically 100 percent.
He also offers a 12-day
combination hunt with a base price of $10,000 and trophy fees of $9,000
for sheep, $7,500 for moose and $4,000 for caribou on August 28 to
September 8.
Hunters charter from Norman Wells for approximately $1,000 roundtrip.
HCU’s Cliff Graham and Bob Wodzisz have hunted out of this camp.
Hunt DS250.
Pictures from this Hunt.
N.W.T DALL SHEEP HUNT
5 RAMS OVER 40 INCHES IN 2011
Last fall this outfit took 22 rifle hunters and
all scored on full curl rams and 2 of the 3 archers also scored. 5
rams were taken that measured over the magical 40 inches. In 2010
all 25 hunters took rams, including 3 archers. 2 rams were taken
over 40 inches and also a 38-inch ram with 15 1/4-inch bases.
Over the past 13 years this
outfitter has produced 317 full curl rams for 331 hunters for a success
rate of over 95 percent and that includes quite a few bowhunters.
Rams have been averaging over 37 inches and just shy of 11 years old.
This outfitter has an area encompassing 8,000 square miles and he is the
only outfitter allowed here. This is one of the best dall sheep
hunts in North America.
12-day backpack hunts are priced at $19,900 and some guides use pack
dogs. Sheep hunts start July 15 and continue into early September.
World-class mountain caribou can be added for a $4,000 kill fee.
Roundtrip charter from Norman Wells is approximately $1,000.
Hunt DS119.
Pictures from this Hunt.
BROOKS RANGE SHEEP HUNT
TOPS FOR QUALITY AND SUCCESS
Last fall success was 3 for 4 stopping his 100
percent success rate for past years on this fabulous sheep hunt.
They took 2 rams at 38 inches and a 36-inch ram. The unsuccessful
hunter was on a sheep/grizzly combo and after taking his bear declined
to continue and instead decided to get back to work.
In 2010 all 4 hunters took rams and the best was a
heavy 38-inch ram. In 2009 all 4 scored and the smallest was 36
inches and all rams were aged from 10 to 14 years.
This outfitter is one of only a handful permitted to operate in the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Hunting in the ANWR is similar to the
N.W.T. or Yukon,
but at a cheaper price and the pressure in non-existent allowing the
rams to reach an older age bracket. He only takes 4 hunters a year and
openings are very limited. 10-day hunts guided 1x1 are $16,000 and
caribou can be added for a $3,000 trophy fee or grizzly at $6,000.
Hunters fly to Deadhorse, Alaska and
charter to Brooks Range for
approximately $1,000. Scheduled dates are August 8 to 20 and 20 to 30.
Hunt DS505.
Pictures from this Hunt.
ALASKA DALLS ONLY
$14,000
In 2011 his 7 hunters took 6 rams with the best
going 38 1/2 inches and the average ram taken was 37. The
unsuccessful hunter had several stalks, but did not score. In the
past 10 years he has had 66 hunters take 58 rams.
Success had been running at
or near 100% for 8 years, but in 2010 extremely foul weather changed
that. He had 7 hunters take 4 rams, including a big heavy 41
incher with 14 5/8 bases. Real high winds hampered the entire
hunt, but a lot of sheep were seen.
This can be a physical 9-day backpack hunt guided 1x1 conducted just
outside Denali
Park. Hunter and guide
are flown into remote sheep country by supercub and dropped off. Opportunity has run near 100% for the past 17 years. The
pilot/outfitter is very experienced and knows his area well. He runs
two hunts from August 10 to 30 and we would recommend the first hunt.
14 days with grizzly added is $18,500. Charter flight from
Anchorage
to McGrath to camp is about $1,400 and maybe split amongst hunters.
Hunt DS776.
Pictures from this Hunt.
$10,000 DALL SHEEP HUNT
PRIVATE CONCESSION IN WRANGELLS
This outfitter has experienced 2 tough years in
a row for legal rams. They are seeing plenty of sheep, in fact,
more than years past but the rams are just coming of age. He
remembers back to a couple of very wet January’s and thinks they lost 2
years of fawns. Resident pressure has appeared to drop off and we
expect this hunt to be on track. He only wants to take 4 or 5
sheep hunters in 2012 and is currently booked. In 2011 the early
part of the season experienced terrible weather conditions and overall
they ended up taking 3 rams for 6 hunters.
This is a bargain priced 10-day dall sheep hunt guided
2x1 for only $10,000 and no charter fees. Here is a great
opportunity for a couple buddies.
This outfitter has exclusive
rights for two bordering concessions in
Alaska’s
Wrangell Mountains.
No other outfitter or guide can hunt within these areas. 2010 was
tougher than normal due to extreme weather with high winds and more
resident pressure than past years, but they still took 8 rams for 10
hunters. More ewes and lambs were seen while flying than in many
previous years, along with a large number of immature rams. Guides
looked over 6 or 7 bands of rams with no full curls amongst them,
including a band of 26 and 12.
In 2009 all 8 hunters took rams and over the previous
10 years all HCU customers have scored on full-curled rams. This
is a small family operation with a very personal touch.
10-day 1x1 hunts are $13,000 starting August 10 and continuing into
early September. The outfitter is well known for his legendary flying
skills. His father ran this outfit before him and he grew up at base
camp. Now he raises his family there and does the flying himself.
Hunters fly into Anchorage and rent a car or take a bus to
Slana where they are met, no charter flights. Next available opening is
in 2013.
Hunt DS822.
Pictures from this Hunt.
B.C. STONE SHEEP HORSEBACK HUNT
8 FOR 8 AGAIN 2 YEARS IN A ROW
This hunt takes place in a
high density sheep area in northeastern
British Columbia.
Last fall all 8 sheep tags were filled, including the new #3 Pope and
Young ram scoring 173 4/8 inches. Another hunter took a 168-inch
ram with 15-inch bases.
The hunt is 15 days with horses and the price is very
reasonable at $25,500 plus a $10,000 trophy fee. In 2010 of the 8
rams taken 2 came in at an incredible 43 inches, along with a 39 1/2 and
a 38 1/2. One of the hunters took a sheep, goat and elk in his 15 days.
2009 was a tough year for most of the B.C. outfitters and his 7 hunters
took home 5 rams. In 2008 he was at his normal success rate of 8
for 8. An average sheep hunt takes 7 days.
He offers 2 hunts in the month of August and
additional animals can be taken on the second hunt for a $3,500 trophy
fee. A sheep hunt consists of spike camps, guide, wrangler and 6 horses.
Rams are typically quite dark in his area.
Hunters fly into Fort Nelson and take a charter flight to base camp at
about $1,200 roundtrip or $1,500 charter to some of his outpost camps.
6% HST tax plus license and tags. Hunt SS483.
Pictures from this Hunt.
NORTHCENTRAL B.C. STONE SHEEP
HCU’s Bob Wodzisz took a great 40-inch plus
stone sheep with this outfitter in 2011. He reported seeing legal
rams every day and connected on day 7. Overall the outfit ended up
7 for 9. One unsuccessful hunter had to leave 4 days into the hunt
due to health issues and the other missed a ram and saw 7 more legal
sheep during his hunt.
In 2010 success was 100
percent for all 10 stone sheep hunters and they took 2 rams over 40
inches, including a 41-inch with 14 1/2-inch bases.
This 14-day horseback hunt in the
Cassiar
Mountains
is known for dark rams. The first sheep hunt August 1 to 14 is
$30,000 with a $3,500 trophy fee. Later hunts running from August
15 to October 15 are priced at $35,000 and you can take a sheep, moose,
mountain goat, caribou, black bear and wolf. This is a sheep hunt
that allows you to take more species at no charge.
The outfitter has 10 stone
sheep tags and with more government regulation coming we expect it to
drop by the year 2012 along with many other areas. This will only
continue to drive the prices up.
Hunters arrive in Whitehorse and overnight. Drive to Watson
Lake
and then charter to and from camp for $1,500 plus licenses and 7% HST
tax. HCU’s Cliff Graham has also taken a ram with this outfitter.
Hunt SS491.
Pictures from this Hunt.
B.C. STONE SHEEP
CONTINUES 100% SUCCESS
We believe on average this
hunt takes the largest rams with the highest rate of success in British Columbia.
Last fall his 8 hunters took 8 rams averaging in the mid-160’s, with the
best one going 42 inches and gross scoring 170 Boone and Crockett.
In 2010 his 11 hunters tagged 11 rams, including a Boone and Crockett
ram and 2 over 40 inches, along with one bow kill. Rams are
exceptionally dark in his area and average over 10 years in age with
38-inch horns and exceptional mass. In the last 6 years he has
hosted 64 stone sheep hunters and they harvested 62 rams. One hunter had
his opportunity, but didn’t score and the other was totally weathered
out. Some years the AVERAGE ram taken has scored in the high
160’s, 170 makes all-time Boone and Crockett.
This longtime outfitter has exclusive guiding rights
to over 5,000 square miles in one of the best stone sheep areas of
northern B.C.. Additional animals can be taken on a $3,500 trophy
fee and kids can come hunt just for the price of trophy fees on moose,
mountain caribou or goat as long as they are accompanied by a paying
adult.
14-day horseback hunt is $39,000. Additional costs are license, tags
and HST tax. Roundtrip charter flight from
Ft.
Nelson to base camp has
been $900. Hunt SS728.
Pictures from this Hunt.
ALBERTA BIGHORN
HORSEBACK/BACKPACK HUNT
This outfitter has 2 non-resident tags and
guides each hunter personally. Last fall his first hunter saw 23
rams, 3 too close to call at 4/5 curl and missed a larger ram his last
day. His second hunter had a bad back and only hunted 5 days.
In 2010 he guided 70-year old John Moser to a 33-inch ram completing his
slam. His second hunter also scored on a nice ram. In 2009
one hunter missed a couple rams and the other hunter decided to pass on
a shot over 300 yards. He also took one resident hunter and he
scored on a good mature ram.
His area is near the Bighorn
Wildland Recreation area, about 80 miles north of Banff.
The 2 major problems that contribute to low success on Alberta bighorn
hunts is the sheep tend to stay at timberline and can get into the trees
once they get pressured. This area is somewhat open and very
glassable. The other deterring factor is resident pressure, since
they get to start a week earlier. There is virtually no resident
pressure in this area mainly due to the fact there are no elk, which
draw the residents.
15-day hunts starting September 5 are priced at $26,500 with no trophy
fee or $23,000 with a $6,000 trophy fee and extra days are available at
$500 per day. Airport pickup in
Calgary.
Hunt BS403.
Pictures from this Hunt.
HUNT
BRITISH COLUMBIA
CALIFORNIA
BIGHORNS
This outfitter has always run a very high
success hunt on good rams. Last fall his 4 hunters took 3 rams,
including a 169-inch with 36-inch horns and 15-inch bases. They
also took a 10-year old ram that scored 160 Boone and Crockett and a
155-inch. The unsuccessful hunter never got a shot. This was
the first hunter in all the years that wasn’t able to get a shot at a
ram.
In 2010 all 8 hunters took home rams and the best one came in at
170 inches with 15 3/4-inch bases. The oldest ram of the 8 taken was 11
years. Over the last 6 years he has a total of 31 hunters take 25
rams. All hunters either missed or passed on legal rams except for one
older fellow. Rams normally score from 155 to 170, with some full curl
rams in the 10 to 12 year old class. 7-day hunt during the month of
October is priced at $35,000. Shiras moose are also available in his
area. Hunters are picked up in Penticton. Hunt BS292.
Pictures from this Hunt.
DESERT SHEEP HUNTS 100%
TIBURON ISLAND,
SONORA
OR BAJA
Success has been 100% past years with this well
respected outfitter. Hunters can expect a quality, safe and legal
hunt.
The family owns 75,000 acres in
Sonora
and leases 250,000 acres 70 miles north of
La Paz
and 200,000 acres near Loretto where they conduct the Baja hunts.
They also get 2 permits for the
Tiburon
Island
hunt. In Sonora,
some years they operate on the Seri Indian reservation and also
privately owned ranches. Hunting in
Sonora
is not as physical as Baja sheep hunting. They send out several
scouts 2 to 3 weeks before the hunt to locate rams.
Baja rams are typically smaller
bodied and weigh about 180 pounds with longer horns in the 35” to 37”
range and 13 to 15 1/2-inch bases. Sonora
rams weigh about 220 pounds with 32 to 34-inch horns with heavier bases
in the 15 1/2” to 17” range. They have 2 head guides and both
speak fluent English. They also make the call as to when and which
ram to shoot.
Accommodations can be mini camps with spike tents up
to ranch houses. 10-day hunts guided 1x1 are $60,000 plus $1,300
for permits, tags and paperwork. Hunts are mostly conducted from
December 1 to March 30.
They also offer high fence desert sheep hunts for only $40,000 conducted
on several ranches with some fenced areas at 5,000 acres. These rams
typically score from 170 to 185 B&C.
Hunt DS212.
Pictures from this Hunt.
TEXAS FREE-RANGE
AOUDAD
SHEEP HUNT $3500
100% SUCCESS PAST YEARS
AVERAGE OVER 28 INCHES
This is a trophy aoudad hunt guided 1x1.
On most aoudad hunts a 28-inch ram is top end, but on this hunt they
average over 28 inches.
The hunt takes place on 10,000
unfenced acres in steep canyon country, known as the Caprock area, about
45 miles southeast of
Lubbock,
Texas.
The ranch has about 400 resident sheep and he only takes 5 rams per
year. Typically you glass from the high plateau into the rugged
canyons down below. The ranch has good road access and this is not
a physically demanding hunt.
3-day hunts conducted from January to early March guided 1x1 are $3,500
and an extra day can be added if necessary. Cabin accommodations, meals
and airport pickup at Midland
airport included. HCU consultants Bob Wodzisz and Cliff Graham were on
this hunt with a couple buddies and had a fantastic time with everyone
taking rams from 27 to 32 inches. At press time there are 2 openings
for 2012 or book now to hold price for 2013. Hunt AU685.
Pictures from this Hunt.