Outfitter: Stan Stevens - MacKenzie Mountain Outfitters
Guide: Glen Stevens
Area: MacKenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories
Dates: July 15th-24th, 2014
Rifle: HS Precision .300 WSM, 168 gr TTSX
After striking out on all the western draws I got the itch to hunt sheep this year. Contacted Arctic Red and Stan Stevens at MMO. Those being my top two choices that I had been looking to book with. Just by chance I followed up again with both about Mid-June and as luck would have it Stan had a spot open on the first hunt. It was only a few weeks away at this point, but I figured that wasn't a reason not to go. so I sent the deposit and that was that. I try to stay fairly fit all year, so I was confident that I would do ok even on such short notice.
Quick gear list.
smartwool base layers
helly hansen impertech rain gear (took only jacket)
rest of clothing most all Kuiu
Scarpa Wrangel boots
smartwool liners and hiking socks
big agnes fly creek UL2 tent (wanted my own tent. last thing I want is not to get good sleep due to the guide possibly snoring etc... I also don't want to bother the other guy with my usual tossing and turning. at just at 2 lbs, well worth the weight)
big agnes mystic SL 15 bag and Big agnes UL pad
Kuiu Icon 5200 icon pack
Black Diamond Alpine carbon cork trekking poles (life savers)
only gear changes I would've made was to ditch the helly hansen rain gear and get some of the Kuiu stuff (back-ordered at the time I tried to grab some right before the trip). The guides had the kuiu rain gear and it performed well. Although if it was a later hunt and possibly LOTS more rain the helly hansen would be the ticket. I also might go with the Kuiu 7000 pack. Only because the 5200 was pretty full and then when packing the meat, hide, and horns, it was about to burst at the seams.
The hunting was pretty brutal. Lots of going up and down steep rocky terrain. Side hilling over very large rock piles with a heavy pack is not fun at all. I still can't believe I didn't bust my ass, the sticks really saved the day. Definitely the most physically demanding hunt I've been on. I got my ram on the 3rd day, I can only imagine having to go the full 10.
My guide Glen (Stan's youngest son) was a great guide and interesting guy. Did the whole hunt in vibram toe shoes! haha
I'll give you the short and sweet version of the hunt. Basically on the 3rd day we saw (or they saw us actually) a group of rams we had been chasing for a couple of days. We were pinned down by a small ram poking over a ridge, checking us out about 75 yards below. He didn't spook and bedded down right on a little bench on top of the ridge. After waiting a long time, the other rams in the group came over the ridge and when the big one presented a shot I sent one right thru the shoulder and dropped him right there. Luckily landing on a nice grassy bench before the steep rock slide below. made for a perfect spot for photos too
We estimated him to be about 9-9.5 years old. 12.5 bases and about 35 inches in length. I am happy as hell with him.
Base camp
some fishing to pass the days in camp after I got my sheep.
Glen with a nice Dolly
Quin with a fatty lake trout
Can't say enough good things about Stan, Helen, and the boys. A real quality operation. Friendly as can be. Jodi the cook was great, best camp food I've had yet. And she just happens to be a damn good singer/songwriter/guitar player too. Just a nice warm atmosphere in camp. One of those places you start thinking about bringing your friends and family to because you know everyone will just get along and have a good time. And on top of all that the area is as gorgeous and pristine as any place I've been. Lots of sheep! All the hunters tagged out by day 6. We even had a bow hunter in camp, he got a nice ram on day 4 I believe. Great group of hunters in camp. Nothing but good times. I'll be going back again for sure.
Working on the video now. Should be done in a few days. Will post an update when its ready.
Guide: Glen Stevens
Area: MacKenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories
Dates: July 15th-24th, 2014
Rifle: HS Precision .300 WSM, 168 gr TTSX
After striking out on all the western draws I got the itch to hunt sheep this year. Contacted Arctic Red and Stan Stevens at MMO. Those being my top two choices that I had been looking to book with. Just by chance I followed up again with both about Mid-June and as luck would have it Stan had a spot open on the first hunt. It was only a few weeks away at this point, but I figured that wasn't a reason not to go. so I sent the deposit and that was that. I try to stay fairly fit all year, so I was confident that I would do ok even on such short notice.
Quick gear list.
smartwool base layers
helly hansen impertech rain gear (took only jacket)
rest of clothing most all Kuiu
Scarpa Wrangel boots
smartwool liners and hiking socks
big agnes fly creek UL2 tent (wanted my own tent. last thing I want is not to get good sleep due to the guide possibly snoring etc... I also don't want to bother the other guy with my usual tossing and turning. at just at 2 lbs, well worth the weight)
big agnes mystic SL 15 bag and Big agnes UL pad
Kuiu Icon 5200 icon pack
Black Diamond Alpine carbon cork trekking poles (life savers)
only gear changes I would've made was to ditch the helly hansen rain gear and get some of the Kuiu stuff (back-ordered at the time I tried to grab some right before the trip). The guides had the kuiu rain gear and it performed well. Although if it was a later hunt and possibly LOTS more rain the helly hansen would be the ticket. I also might go with the Kuiu 7000 pack. Only because the 5200 was pretty full and then when packing the meat, hide, and horns, it was about to burst at the seams.
The hunting was pretty brutal. Lots of going up and down steep rocky terrain. Side hilling over very large rock piles with a heavy pack is not fun at all. I still can't believe I didn't bust my ass, the sticks really saved the day. Definitely the most physically demanding hunt I've been on. I got my ram on the 3rd day, I can only imagine having to go the full 10.
My guide Glen (Stan's youngest son) was a great guide and interesting guy. Did the whole hunt in vibram toe shoes! haha
I'll give you the short and sweet version of the hunt. Basically on the 3rd day we saw (or they saw us actually) a group of rams we had been chasing for a couple of days. We were pinned down by a small ram poking over a ridge, checking us out about 75 yards below. He didn't spook and bedded down right on a little bench on top of the ridge. After waiting a long time, the other rams in the group came over the ridge and when the big one presented a shot I sent one right thru the shoulder and dropped him right there. Luckily landing on a nice grassy bench before the steep rock slide below. made for a perfect spot for photos too
We estimated him to be about 9-9.5 years old. 12.5 bases and about 35 inches in length. I am happy as hell with him.
Base camp
some fishing to pass the days in camp after I got my sheep.
Glen with a nice Dolly
Quin with a fatty lake trout
Can't say enough good things about Stan, Helen, and the boys. A real quality operation. Friendly as can be. Jodi the cook was great, best camp food I've had yet. And she just happens to be a damn good singer/songwriter/guitar player too. Just a nice warm atmosphere in camp. One of those places you start thinking about bringing your friends and family to because you know everyone will just get along and have a good time. And on top of all that the area is as gorgeous and pristine as any place I've been. Lots of sheep! All the hunters tagged out by day 6. We even had a bow hunter in camp, he got a nice ram on day 4 I believe. Great group of hunters in camp. Nothing but good times. I'll be going back again for sure.
Working on the video now. Should be done in a few days. Will post an update when its ready.
