Sheep Hunting

[raab]

Hey Guys,

Was wondering how much weight I should plan to pack out if I shoot a sheep this fall? Trying to plan how far Im willing to venture away from the vehicle.

Also if you only had 1000-1500 to spend on binos and a spotting scope what would you get?


Edit: On other thing any resources you think would be beneficial for a new sheep hunter?

Thanks in advance guys

[Stinky Coyote]

budget 100 lbs added for a ram trimmed right down, consider two trips out solo, taking a friend, or eating a lot of it for a day or two before you come out lol

a ewe is pretty doable for a solo packout, some studs here pack them rams out in one go though...

are you handy with a knife? are you going about this solo? if you've never deboned an animal before then i wouldn't suggest you get into this just yet or not without someone with experience to mentor you

the judging experience you'll need to determine legal ram is almost a little science on its own worth a crap ton of time to be proficient with, get on the roads, start taking pics

by the post you sound like you just found out you can buy a ram tag over the counter and can giver? sorry if i made assumptions, but if that's the case you are in for the learning curves of learning curves, about several things, including mountains...and how to find them too

the fastest way to learn will be to tag along with someone who's been at it awhile, good luck

[raab]

Originally Posted by Stinky Coyote

budget 100 lbs added for a ram trimmed right down, consider two trips out solo, taking a friend, or eating a lot of it for a day or two before you come out lol

a ewe is pretty doable for a solo packout, some studs here pack them rams out in one go though...

are you handy with a knife? are you going about this solo? if you've never deboned an animal before then i wouldn't suggest you get into this just yet or not without someone with experience to mentor you

the judging experience you'll need to determine legal ram is almost a little science on its own worth a crap ton of time to be proficient with, get on the roads, start taking pics

by the post you sound like you just found out you can buy a ram tag over the counter and can giver? sorry if i made assumptions, but if that's the case you are in for the learning curves of learning curves, about several things, including mountains...and how to find them too

the fastest way to learn will be to tag along with someone who's been at it awhile, good luck

I've known about the over the counter tags for awhile. Just have never had the gear to get into the backcountry. I've invested in all the backpacking gear so this year I might actually get a chance to get out and look for one. (Along with Elk if I'm crazy enough to pack it out)

For Deboning I usually butcher my own deer, so I kind of have and idea how the meat should come off. Obviously a sheep will be different.

The judging part will definitely be the hardest part. I'll see if I can get one of my buddies to come out who's done it before. In saying that I don't want to miss out on a hunt because I can't get anything lined up.

Thanks again, any help is appreciated.

[nube]

If its just a ram it can be done in one haul. If you have any decent amount of gear no way in heck!
There is a reason when I hunt solo I have had a pocket full of power bars and no tent....

[Mr. Dynamite]

Originally Posted by nube

If its just a ram it can be done in one haul. If you have any decent amount of gear no way in heck!
There is a reason when I hunt solo I have had a pocket full of power bars and no tent....

Nube, please elaborate a little bit more on this. It's sparked my attention for sure, but what do you use? Bivy bag with goretek cover? Hammock? What do you do for rain/snow?

It sounds like I need to try what you are doing, as my bag, pad, tent just take up way too much room. No way in the world I could get a ram out as well

[nube]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dynamite

Nube, please elaborate a little bit more on this. It's sparked my attention for sure, but what do you use? Bivy bag with goretek cover? Hammock? What do you do for rain/snow?

It sounds like I need to try what you are doing, as my bag, pad, tent just take up way too much room. No way in the world I could get a ram out as well

Ive done it all. When I solo hunt I have used gortex bivy sack with light sleeping bag. I have done a hammock which I do like. They weigh nothing and keeps you off the ground. I have done the hammock with a light tarp over me and slept in my clothes. Keeps rain off but if it's cold it's hard to dress warm this way. I have slept under rock overhangs with a fire all night. Slept a few hrs and then try and warm up. Nap during the day while waiting for a ram to show and carry on over the next ridge till you find the rams.

In reality I can't do what I used to be able to. I am too old at 42 to hunt like I used to. It used to be all out and live on the mountain and run over as many ranges as I could but I just can't do it now.
I have never weighed a rams head and cape but I would bet an easy 30-40 pounds or so..... add the meat and really how much weight can a guy carry?
These guys that say they carry hundred pound packs for miles and miles and miles are either way tougher than I knew possible or full of it.
I weighed 170 pounds at my peak back when I hunted sheep hard. I don't know many guys that can carry more than half their weigh for very far.

One spot I hunt and have killed rams is 16km in and 16 back to the truck from base camp.
Can you find rams next tot he road? Sure you can! Is your chance of success that high? Not really. How many people drive up and down the highway in K country spotting from the truck? You think you are going to get many rams hiding out from guys like that! but yes it is possible.

Key to sheep hunting is know your area well, have good number of sheep, not readily acessable by the crowds, know the hidy holes where sheep go when pressured. Know mineral licks and grass holes that are out of site and hidden. Lots in the bush like this that hold sheep but they can easily get away if needs be. I shot a ram in a creek that was 30 yards across and steep walls on each side. It was also near the bottom of the mountain but the sheep ran up and down this creek and lived down low where it was cooler, had water, grass along the creek and it had rock sheer cliffs on the creek to get away from the wolves. There was sheep poop all over. I hunted them like whitetails.
Basically know your sheep and the area they frequent. Learn the travel routes.
The biggest mistake is to not learn an area and give up and move to a knew area... unless there are just no rams that live there of course.

[Stinky Coyote]

Originally Posted by raab

I've known about the over the counter tags for awhile. Just have never had the gear to get into the backcountry. I've invested in all the backpacking gear so this year I might actually get a chance to get out and look for one. (Along with Elk if I'm crazy enough to pack it out)

For Deboning I usually butcher my own deer, so I kind of have and idea how the meat should come off. Obviously a sheep will be different.

The judging part will definitely be the hardest part. I'll see if I can get one of my buddies to come out who's done it before. In saying that I don't want to miss out on a hunt because I can't get anything lined up.

Thanks again, any help is appreciated.

butchering your own experience will be an asset!, there's no difference to a deer, that's a bonus

took me a few years to get on my first legal ram only to spend a few hours with him and never get the 100 that he was legal and i walked away, took lots of pics and confirmed after with people that had the judging down that i just passed up my first legal ram...that stung, however i did a pile of homework after that and was rewarded with the exact same opportunity the following year on same size ram and i knew instantly he was legal when i got the view from 1000 yards up, 45 minutes of climbing, some luck, and he was mine

sounds like you're on your way, work on that judging, pick an area where they live and you can zero in on and start spending time out there learning it inside and out, another mistake i made early was hike all over the dang province, might have been nube's advice actually that said pick a smaller area and learn it well, they are there

[Twobucks]

Good advice above - as for optics on your budget, I’d consider the Vortex Viper HD line for both binos and spotter, or Stiener HX for binos. If I had it to do again, I’d put more money into binos right away - 10x42s and get a tripod adapter for them. It’s amazing how much of a difference the tripod and quality binos can make. I tend to use my spotter less - more for judging or picking apart things that I can’t quite make out. Don’t get me wrong - all glass is super important, but if my budget was tight I’d put the first money into the binos and try to catch up with the spotter later.

Get some time living out of your pack behind you before the season starts - get comfortable out there if you’re not already.

And lastly - pick an area and get to know it. I “wasted” a bunch of seasons chasing the special spot instead of really figuring one out.

Good luck!

[nube]

If you are going to carry a spotter with you and other gear you wont be carrying a ram out in one go for sure.
I havn't hunted sheep with a spotter for a very long time. Probably have killed the last 7 rams without one to be honest.

[Prairiewolf]

Originally Posted by raab

Hey Guys,

Was wondering how much weight I should plan to pack out if I shoot a sheep this fall? Trying to plan how far Im willing to venture away from the vehicle.

Also if you only had 1000-1500 to spend on binos and a spotting scope what would you get?


Edit: On other thing any resources you think would be beneficial for a new sheep hunter?

Thanks in advance guys

You can vary the pack load if you're willing to make multiple trips or set up stations along your route. Good advice is not to bag yourself trying to carry too much in one go.

For optics, I strongly recommend you check out Vanguard - I recently bought their Endeavor ED II binos and I'm very happy with them. I compared them with virtually all comparables in the $500-$1000 range and they were the best. I haven't had any experience with their spotters but if they're anything like the binos you'll be happy.

[mk63]

Wouldn't listen to the guys that say a spotter isn't worth the weight, this has got to be the worse advice I have ever read on this forum, especially for a first time sheep hunter. Far too many short rams get shot every year from idiots that don't take the time to properly judge a ram.

Good luck on your trips this upcoming season, Sheep and Sheep Hunting by Jack O'Connor is a good read, I'd recommend picking it up. Also some good books by Valerius Geist when it comes to sheep behavior.

[nube]

Originally Posted by mk63

Wouldn't listen to the guys that say a spotter isn't worth the weight, this has got to be the worse advice I have ever read on this forum, especially for a first time sheep hunter. Far too many short rams get shot every year from idiots that don't take the time to properly judge a ram.

Good luck on your trips this upcoming season, Sheep and Sheep Hunting by Jack O'Connor is a good read, I'd recommend picking it up. Also some good books by Valerius Geist when it comes to sheep behavior.

Guess you can write me off then on any advice I give then guys......

[raab]

What do you guys think of the Monarch 5's? I see Mcbains has them on sale for around 420. Or is it worth it to step up to the Monarch 7's? They also have the Prostaff 5 spotting scope on sale on their site for around the 400 dollar mark. Ive done a bit more research and have read good things about the Pentax PF 65's and Celestron 65 M2 Regals for spotting scopes.

[raab]

Originally Posted by nube

Guess you can write me off then on any advice I give then guys......

Thanks for the advice. I wont be scared to carry just bino's this year, and I wont shoot to small of Sheep because of it. Only reason I want a spotting scope is so I wont have to walk a mile to see if a Ram is legal. If I can't afford the spotting scope, Ill still be going out.

My next question is how do you guys deal with the psychological part? Im heading into an area apparently packed with Grizzlies as they share similar habitat to Sheep. How do I get around the mental aspects of a solo mountain hunt? Especially considering this place has a large confirmed Grizzly population?

[3blade]

Ever walk through downtown Edmonton or calgary? If you have, you survived a far more dangerous group of animals.

You have about a five billion percent higher chance of being maimed or killed on the highway driving to/from the mountain, than from a bear on the mountain.

Earplugs. That way the mice won’t keep you awake worrying about bears. Believe me, if a bear decides to visit, ear plugs won’t stop you from noticing

Basically, go out there with the attitude that you are the best killer on the mountain and yogi better f’n run.

[BuckCuller]

Originally Posted by raab

Thanks for the advice. I wont be scared to carry just bino's this year, and I wont shoot to small of Sheep because of it. Only reason I want a spotting scope is so I wont have to walk a mile to see if a Ram is legal. If I can't afford the spotting scope, Ill still be going out.

My next question is how do you guys deal with the psychological part? Im heading into an area apparently packed with Grizzlies as they share similar habitat to Sheep. How do I get around the mental aspects of a solo mountain hunt? Especially considering this place has a large confirmed Grizzly population?

I agree with not needing a spotting scope for big horns they are more important for thin horn sheep to age short rams. A good pair of 10 power binoculars is good enough. If you spot a ram a mile away it’s always a good idea to close the distance and check every hole, ridge, crevice and behind every tree for his buddies anyway.
The best way to not worry about bears is to not worry about them and enjoy your outdoor experience. Carry bear spray, and stay alert when your out. A spot locator or something similar is a confidence builder also. When in camp don’t leave things out that will attract them and cache your food if you can.
Be prepared to spend a night on the mountain if you have to go the extra mile to get your sheep. Something to start a fire, rain gear, food to keep your core temp up and water keep hydrated.
You don’t have to be comfortable just alive.

[raab]

Originally Posted by Prairiewolf

You can vary the pack load if you're willing to make multiple trips or set up stations along your route. Good advice is not to bag yourself trying to carry too much in one go.

For optics, I strongly recommend you check out Vanguard - I recently bought their Endeavor ED II binos and I'm very happy with them. I compared them with virtually all comparables in the $500-$1000 range and they were the best. I haven't had any experience with their spotters but if they're anything like the binos you'll be happy.

Where did you get your Vanguards? Looked on Amazon and says it will ship in a month or two. Thats to long for me if Im getting a spotter, as Id like to use the spotter for target practice as well.

[Prairiewolf]

Originally Posted by raab

Where did you get your Vanguards? Looked on Amazon and says it will ship in a month or two. Thats to long for me if Im getting a spotter, as Id like to use the spotter for target practice as well.

Weird, got mine on Amazon and I didn't wait that long. I didn't have a Prime membership either.

If you're really worried, order with the Prime trial period, then cancel the trial.

[raab]

Originally Posted by Prairiewolf

Weird, got mine on Amazon and I didn't wait that long. I didn't have a Prime membership either.

If you're really worried, order with the Prime trial period, then cancel the trial.

Are these the Bino's you got? Maybe I'll go that way and save the 100 bucks over the Nikon's. Give me a bigger kitty for my spotter.

https://www.amazon.ca/Vanguard-Endea.../dp/B005DQG5XC

Looks like I can get the binos right away, but not the spotter by vanguard.

[raab]

Whats about these Carson Binoculars? Anyone used them. Seem to be getting good reviews.

https://www.amazon.ca/Carson-Definit...ies+binoculars

The hard part with Amazon is you can't look through them before you buy.

[katts69]

Up to you whether you care to carry a spotter or not but money spent on quality optics is a blessing.
Quality glass will help you see things you will not with subpar glass.
Keep it together, rob

[katts69]

I am assuming this is what he is running.

[pinchy]

Spotting scope is gold if your paying 2000 .... if not bins are good I guess 🙄

[nube]

Originally Posted by pinchy

Spotting scope is gold if your paying 2000 .... if not bins are good I guess 🙄

And how many guys are being guided here in Alberta on a sheep hunt? not many at all.......