My Alaska Dall Sheep hunts take place in one of two hunt periods that I offer, either August 7-19 or 19-29, both with the same success rates. Hunting is all backpack-style, spot and stalk. Hunters are required to comfortably carry at least 50 lbs on their backs on camp move days, which is the entirety of their gear, food, and camp. On days when we are not moving camp, they are expected to cover many miles in search of sheep.
The terrain and walking is surprisingly easy for those who are prepared. Despite the hiking-friendly terrain, we more than make up for it in difficulty by hunting as much ground as we can once we have camp set and only have light day packs. These sheep hunts are, hands down, the most physically demanding hunts you can do. We cover many miles each day, and the days are very long. I like to say that speed kills sheep: in other words, the hunter who can cover the most ground on their hunt has the highest likelihood of success.
I also say that you get out of this hunt what you put into it. Do not think you can just come do this without pre-season mental and physical preparation. It is hard, and no matter your fitness level, we will find your maximum output in order to maximize your chances of success. The mental aspect is just as important as the physical aspect, and slow and steady works just as well as moving fast, as long as you just keep going and don’t quit. Despite the physical nature of this hunt, you do not need to be a pro athlete. But you do need to be mentally tough and have a positive attitude, with a great desire to do the hunt and a will to press on in the face of difficulty.
All my Alaska Dall sheep hunts have a team of 2 extremely experienced guides. This greatly contributes to overall success. This is not a guide and packer with you, but two fully licensed and highly experienced sheep guides. Having a second knowledgeable sheep guide allows us to split up to cover far more ground in less time. Think of it as having a full-time scout on your hunt. We hunt as a mobile unit, moving camp as needed, hunting the rugged upper valleys until we find a band of trophy-class rams to go after. Once we find a ram we like, we watch and wait for the right time to make a stalk on him. This may be a matter of minutes or several days. Patience and endurance are key.
Grizzly Bear and Caribou may be taken at any time during the hunt on a trophy fee basis.
There is simply no greater hunt than a true backpack dall sheep hunt. This is not a check-the-box hunt. It is one you really have to want to do. For those who fit into that category of hunters, there is nothing better. If you have the willpower and desire, I cannot recommend this enough. It is one of the greatest experiences you can have in your life.
When sheep hunting, I often quote Napoleon, who said;
“Strategy is the art of making use of time and space. I am less concerned with the latter than the former. Space we can recover, lost time never.”
It is with that saying in mind that one must hunt sheep, for it is the person who wisely maximizes their time, hunting as hard and efficiently as possible, each and every day, covering as much country as they can, that has a much higher probability of success.
