In Light, Out Heavy
So say I want to start planning a DIY sheep hunt for 2011/2012, This is for Stone Sheep
How do you veteran sheep hunters start your prep?
What should I expect for cost, single hunter?
Is this something I should attempt solo having never been on a sheep hunt before?
Make Your Own Luck
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HuntingBC Champ
hunting alone is a personal choice although for your first stone hunt you may want to reconsider. in my experience here are a few things you may want to consider. first get prepared mentally make sure you really want to become a sheep hunter (you will be glad you did), second start getting your equipmment together. there are lots of threads and lots of guys on hbc that can give you good advice on equipment choice. you will need to research and decide on which area you want to hunt. rent lots of sheep hunting video's and pay attention to the habitat where the rams are being taken ( this is a key part) read as much about sheep hunting as you can to get a feel for the experience. get to know and talk with as many experienced sheep hunters as you can. you will learn a little from each guy. study as many sheep heads as you can so you can identify a legal ram by horn length- if you shoot on age your first trip you may be disappointed. get in shape!!! Join the grandslam club their hunting report magazine is full of good information .the experienced and sucessful sheep hunters I know live and breathe sheep hunting that's about all we talk about other than how many big rams we see and never get. I guess in the end remember that if you are going to become a sheep hunter it is not a one time adventure. if you get hooked it will become a way of life. good luck
Last edited by bridger; 12-15-2010 at 11:25 PM.
Resident hunter and proud of it!
you only go around once
Dont be worried about doing it solo. If you dont have a top notch partner to go with, do it alone. Take a "spot" for safety and have fun.
Freedom Fighter
If you plan on going solo you'd better make sure you train hard since you won't have anyone to share the common gear with. Train well passed your starting pack weight so your body won't give you any surprizes. If you are successful, expect a pack in the 130-140 lb range coming out.
Cost wise it really depends on where you want to go.
Hike-in(cheapest), fly-in, jetboat in?? Fly-in costs vary a lot......depending on the distance and plane required.
Since you're travelling from the south Island your fuel costs will be fairly high....but you could certainly get away with taking a "cheap-on-fuel" car.
SSS
Last edited by Stone Sheep Steve; 12-18-2010 at 08:40 AM.
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Senior Member
If you are a first time Sheep hunter. It would be best to get off on the right foot and have somebody with you who knows sheep so you DO get the best ram and not an immature ram. At least thoroughly question a person who has done it or contact Bridger on one of his clinics. That would really help you in a lot of things and preparation. You'll get your ram if you do it right. Piece of cake pard.
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to'The Canadian Government ' for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'
In Light, Out Heavy
Some really good info guys thanks.
Make Your Own Luck
HuntingBC Champ
For a hike-in hunt stone mtn - top end of muncho driving from the Island you've got roughly 5500-6000kms on your vehicle round trip (includes a dip at the hotsprings), and at least 2-3 nights hotel/camping (roundtrip) or drive right there in 18-22 hours or so. Don't forget the ferry both ways.
Depending on what you're driving/hauling your fuel could be cheap or really expensive.
Gas in the area will cost you 30-40cents more per liter. Keep that in mind too.
January is usually when I get off my butt and start training with my packs... I've done quite a bit of hiking over deer season so am I ready to go.
There are several drainages that would be appropriate for a solo hunter right off the highway. Day hikes if you wanted... Take a SPOT and you're good to go.
Carl
Don't Go Ninja'n Nobody, Don't Need Ninja'n!
Expert in Training
Train, train, train and then train for a little longer. Buy the best gear you can afford and make sure it all works. Take a weekend pre trip to see how the pieces fit together. SPOT is a great idea or a sat phone if you can spare the weight. Read the sheep gear forums and start studying your maps.
Good luck!
HuntingBC Champ
Don't be penny wise and pound foolish. You may find that some outfitters will give you a guided hunt for a reasonalbe cost. It's not much different than going on a guided fishing trip. Yes, you can do it yourself successfully, but if you plan to do it many times , what you learn from a guided trip is a great investment.
As the others say, get in GREAT shape, buy top of the line equipment, and be safe.
Junior Member
if you are sure you want to go for sheep i may be in the market for a new partner as my old partner is a very busy buisness owner and our tips always seem to get cut short and a stone sheep hunt isnt something i would recomend solo. if you are interested you can get in touch with me the pm. and we will chat about it
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