Got the itch

[dru88]

So like many others i find myself all of the sudden wanting to try sheep hunting. I have never hunted sheep or goats but think now is the time in my life to start before its too late. So obviously I have some questions and will have more along the way. I am going to try and plan a hunt for 2022 to give myself a full year to train and learn as much as I can about sheep and terrain. i guess the first question is what kind of sheep Bighorn or Thinhorn and that's where I have a real dilemma. I live in the lower waste land so I would assume the answer would be bighorn as they are closer so more opportunity to scout and hunt more frequently or is going north for thinhorn better odds of seeing a legal ram. I am exited to get started on my new adventure chasing sheep in beautiful BC training starts hard Jan 1,2021.

So what would you chase as your first taste of sheep hunting?

[Bubbacanuck]

Funny, I've kind of been thinking the same thing. Dall sheep and stone sheep are two subspecies of the thinhorn sheep category. Both are in BC I believe. Bighorn sheep have 2 subspecies (used to be 3), California & Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep. The thing I worry the most about hunting sheep is ensuring a legal ram is harvested...besides the risk and physicality of hunting sheep. I have no idea where to start, so I will likely be a 2023 or 2024 sheep hunter. I have to start somewhere though....

Good luck on your search & training!

[ActionJackson017]

When I think of sheep or goat hunting I don't think just in years in terms of 2022 or 2023, I also think in lbs as I'd personally need to lose ie. 30 or 40lbs to do this type of hunt. I give mucho respect to those that endeavor for these hunts and think it's a serious commitment. Good luck to you and I hope you achieve your goal!

[porthunter]

Step 1... Join the Wild Sheep Society of BC

Step 2... Pick up some sheep hunting books(some great threads on that here)

Step 3... Get good optics, if you have the budget to get top quality stuff, do it. ALSO learn how to use them, most people don't understand what that means

Step 4... Learn to understand what the legality requirements of all separate species/areas in BC are, you can never look over to many sheep to understand what is legal

Step 5... Learn to be patient as ****, the sheep hunting game is not an easy one and there will be many of moments in which you question why you're doing it

Killing a bighorn GOS in BC is commonly said to be tougher than killing a thinhorn GOS but I'm far from an expert

PS. DONT SKIP STEP ONE; if you can afford a $65 sheep tag, you can afford a $50 membership(atleast)

PSS. Jack O'Connor once said "There is no halfway. After his first exposure a man is either a sheep hunter or he isn't. He either falls under the spell of sheep hunting or he won't be caught dead on another sheep mountain" This quote is true for so many reasons

PSSS. Theres another old saying in the sheep hunting community that goes something like "Your first ram is born the year you start sheep hunting" although not 100% accurate, it does say alot... especially when the average age of rams being taken is probably in that 7-8 year old realm if I had to guess

[twoSevenO]

Step 1... Join the Wild Sheep Society of BC

Step 2... Pick up some sheep hunting books(some great threads on that here)

Step 3... Get good optics, if you have the budget to get top quality stuff, do it. ALSO learn how to use them, most people don't understand what that means

Step 4... Learn to understand what the legality requirements of all separate species/areas in BC are, you can never look over to many sheep to understand what is legal

Step 5... Learn to be patient as ****, the sheep hunting game is not an easy one and there will be many of moments in which you question why you're doing it

Killing a bighorn GOS in BC is commonly said to be tougher than killing a thinhorn GOS but I'm far from an expert

PS. DONT SKIP STEP ONE; if you can afford a $65 sheep tag, you can afford a $50 membership(atleast)

PSS. Jack O'Connor once said "There is no halfway. After his first exposure a man is either a sheep hunter or he isn't. He either falls under the spell of sheep hunting or he won't be caught dead on another sheep mountain" This quote is true for so many reasons

PSSS. Theres another old saying in the sheep hunting community that goes something like "Your first ram is born the year you start sheep hunting" although not 100% accurate, it does say alot... especially when the average age of rams being taken is probably in that 7-8 year old realm if I had to guess

How does being a member help one's hunting?

[whitlers]

How does being a member help one's hunting?

It is more about supporting an organization that dedicates their entire being to wild sheep conservation in BC among other ventures. As well as networking with countless individuals who are successful sheep hunters and biologists.

Obviously it is not required to be successful by any means but it can be a good place to start.

[porthunter]

It is more about supporting an organization that dedicates their entire being to wild sheep conservation in BC among other ventures. As well as networking with countless individuals who are successful sheep hunters and biologists.

Obviously it is not required to be successful by any means but it can be a good place to start.

Bingo!

Not to mention, I feel that if you intend to hunt/harvest a sheep, you should be doing something to support the conservation of the species. To many people just want to take and never feel the need to maybe give a bit back.

[Bubbacanuck]

Bingo!

Not to mention, I feel that if you intend to hunt/harvest a sheep, you should be doing something to support the conservation of the species. To many people just want to take and never feel the need to maybe give a bit back.

I think that is a good start but I believe hunting predators would also be a good place to start if you want to help the populations of animals

[twoSevenO]

It is more about supporting an organization that dedicates their entire being to wild sheep conservation in BC among other ventures. As well as networking with countless individuals who are successful sheep hunters and biologists.

Obviously it is not required to be successful by any means but it can be a good place to start.

Yeah, ok, so basically what I covered in ny second post. Which makes sense. If you surround yourself with successful hunters, you're bound to pick up some good tips.

[bighornbob]

How does being a member help one's hunting?

Because old sheep hunters are more likely to help you out if you are at the sheep count or at the annual fundraiser then sending info via the internet.

BHB