NWT Dall or Stone???

Ltsheets · Aug 25, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Aug-25-17 AT 08:15AM (MST)[p]Ok I've done some more tweaking on my sheep budget and I'm starting to have trouble deciding which sheep hunt I want to do. I know this is a good problem to have and I consider myself very fortunate to be in a position that I'm having to make this decision. Based on my savings plan, I'm looking right now at either a Dall hunt likely in the NWT in 2019 or 2020 depending on which outfitter I choose, or a Stone hunt in 2021. I'm hoping like all hell that this won't be my only sheep hunt, but that being said, I'm going to plan like it will be just in case. I know there's no real wrong decision between the two but I'm curious what everyone thinks. If you could only hunt either a NWT Dall or a Stone 1-2 years later, what would you do and why?

kimbersig · Aug 25, 2017

which one would you rather look at till you die? my decision was easy since I have always loved the white coats of dall sheep. Dall and Mtn Goat were my top two on my bucket list from when I was a kid. my buddy loves the black stones more so he would say wait 2 years! I would want to look at their past client success and also weigh that into your decision. would you be ok saving for stone sheep and then if weather or something else kept you from harvesting could you be ok with the experience? cost of a stone you could almost do 2 Dall hunts....Personally I would go with Dall first. you'd be 2 years younger and able to push harder to get a chance at the best sheep possible. if you had bad luck and weather kept you down too many days or bears messed up a stalk you could always have a little cushion to save up and try again a couple years later. I think if budget isn't really the main driving factor then you just need to decide what species you like the most and want the most.

cbeard · Aug 25, 2017

I'll say this: on the planes to Whitehorse (two trips) I talked to many hunters on their 3rd and 4th trip to get their first Stone sheep. Rarely talk to anyone on their 2nd to get their first Dall.

So take that for what it's worth.....

Ltsheets · Aug 25, 2017

That's interesting...did any mention their outfitters? All of the ones I'm considering have success rates around 90% One is 13 of the last 14 hunters!

>I'll say this: on the planes
>to Whitehorse (two trips) I
>talked to many hunters on
>their 3rd and 4th trip
>to get their first Stone
>sheep. Rarely talk to anyone
>on their 2nd to get
>their first Dall.
>
>So take that for what it's
>worth.....

Zeke · Aug 25, 2017

The Stone sheep "quota v success" thingy can be a little misleading unless you ask the right questions.
I could be wrong (but I'm not) but success rates run about 50% for Stone sheep with the better endowed outfitters running higher than that. The issue lies in that there's a quota to which the outfitter can fill so many talk about the % of their quota that they fill rather than the number of hunters they ran through to fill it. About half of my friends have been twice for Stone and one guy has even gone 3x and still empty. Dang!

If you have the means and desire, I'd chase stone sheep first while you have legs and money to burn. There's always going to be a cheaper Dall sheep hunt kicking around although success might be an issue here too.

With that said, do what turns your crank.

Zeke

#livelikezac

littlebull209338 · Aug 25, 2017

Zeke: That is one dandy Stone. The darkest I have ever seen. Your advise is spot on, with my experience.

Ltsheets · Aug 25, 2017

Zeke that is a GORGEOUS Stone. That's the Stone of my dreams without a doubt!! So am I understanding you correct that some outfitters are claiming their "success rates" as the percentage of their quota that is filled rather than the percentage of hunters that are successful?? If that's the case, that's misleading and damn near criminal considering how much some lean on those numbers to help choose an outfitter!

Mbogo · Aug 25, 2017

What a beautiful sheep.

cbeard · Aug 25, 2017

He sure is!

littlebighorn · Aug 26, 2017

No sheep hunt is guaranteed but every sheep hunt is an amazing adventure. Two years ago I had an unsuccessful Stone Sheep hunt. It was a bitter pill to swallow for sure. However "the fever" has pushed me to sell the farm and try one more time for a black ram like Zekes. I leave for BC in a couple of weeks for one more go. If you choose either species you will likely get the sickness and want to hunt them all.

I have been fortunate enough to take all North American Sheep except a Stone but my probably biased opinion is, the Stone is the most handsome of the four. And for what it is worth, I have several friends who have come home empty with Dall tags as well.

One more thing to consider. There are extreme variations in color with "Stones" and the darker Stone regions are typically the more expensive. Most cheaper "Stone" hunts are more likely to only produce lighter Fannin Rams. So be sure if you want one like Zeke's, you are not weighing apples vs oranges.

Either sheep is great. I'd go all the way with a Stone.

lhrbull · Aug 28, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Aug-28-17 AT 10:07PM (MST)[p]Zeke did you get that one with stone mt. safaris

cbeard · Aug 30, 2017

With NWT hunts - if you want a true sheep hunting experience - do your research. A couple of NWT outfits are known for their "easy" shortcuts. Namely, flying you up to the high country in a chopper, you shoot a ram, and the chopper flies you out.

Unless that's what you want (obviously some do) check carefully the methods used.

Zeke · Aug 30, 2017

>LAST EDITED ON Aug-28-17
>AT 10:07?PM (MST)
>
>Zeke did you get that one
>with stone mt. safaris

Yes Mark. Same place you got your big bull moose.
Zeke
#livelikezac