Stone sheep hunts

[BradA]

Who would you recommend looking at and going with ? Has anyone hunted with golden bear outfitters ?

 

[Buzzy]

I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. I believe Big 9 is 100% but is booked out to 2026 and costs over $100k.

 

[Bambistew]

I guess it depends on how much you want to spend. I believe Big 9 is 100% but is booked out to 2026 and costs over $100k.

Unimaginable. For a sheep!

 

[LIK2HNT]

Even though I would love to hunt Stone Sheep, I would not spend that much even if I had 100k laying around.

 

[ortegageno]

$100k? Damn I'd rather go to Africa and pull the trigger 40 plus times than 1 shot at a sheep. 😆 🤣

 

[bogey]

I hunted with Stone/folding mountain last year. Great hunt and would go back. But I am sure that was my once in a lifetime stone hunt. Can only say good things about Blair and his outfit

 

[S-3 Ranch]

I hunted with Stone/folding mountain last year. Great hunt and would go back. But I am sure that was my once in a lifetime stone hunt. Can only say good things about Blair and his outfit

Folding mountain is who the Cunninghams use for their kids so they must be pretty good folks/ the best

 

[S-3 Ranch]

Unimaginable. For a sheep!

yep!
but in 5-10 years stone sheep hunting will not be possible anymore imo after reading the
BC Government directive

 

[littlebighorn]

With the recent influx of BC residents taking to the mountains every year to hunt Stones, it's hard to imagine it is going to get any better. The scary part of paying that much is with most outfits, there is no guarantee you will come home with a Ram.

 

[LIK2HNT]

Guess I should of hunted Stone and Dall’s 35 plus years ago before we had kids. Back then my attention was to save and hunt them when I retired and would have more time. Now I think I should of mover to Alaska right out of high school and hunt like crazy for 5 years before my starting career and family. But, then again I would not trade my family for all the sheep in Alaska.

 

[Zeke]

I was lucky and hunted them when they were a bit more "reasonably prices?" and still managed a better deal due to a last minute cancellation.

I had to be there in 3 days! Lots of scrambling to make that happen but it did and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.

They really are something special ....but $75,000.00 to $100,000.00 special? Not on my budget! It would never happen for me today.

I Know a guy who hunted Stone sheep three times and didn't kill his "slam" ram so like my friend LBH said, "no guarantees". Technically they're running about 50% success across all outfits. That's why the more successful outfits command a premium price.

Zeke

 

[Zeke]

....I suppose I'll see a few of you at Expo Full Curl Sheep Camp and I can almost guess where most of your lotto tickets will be placed. Haha

 

[bogey]

I had jumped on a covid cancellation, of course the border got closed and no hunt. I had refinanced my house quick to do it. I then was so vested in it and dreams set on it that I still went 2 years later. I will NEVER regret that i did

 

[Gadjet]

Funny you mention that. I was sitting next to my good friend

....I suppose I'll see a few of you at Expo Full Curl Sheep Camp and I can almost guess where most of your lotto tickets will be placed. Haha

last year when he won the stone hunt at Sheep Camp. And guess what, he hunted hard for 12 days and never found a legal ram.

 

[littlebighorn]

Funny you mention that. I was sitting next to my good friend

last year when he won the stone hunt at Sheep Camp. And guess what, he hunted hard for 12 days and never found a legal ram.

I hunted 20 days with two different outfits before I got mine.
For most, especially now days, it is an outrageous commitment of time and money to kill a Stone.

 

[elkhunterUT]

As much as I would LOVE to hunt Dall and Stone sheep some day, I can't fathom, nor can I justify, spending that amount of money for one opportunity. It sucks, but I have pretty much accepted it will never happen for me. Hopefully I can draw a desert tag some day to go along with my Rocky.

I can't imagine the emotions of spending that kind of dough on a sheep hunt and not being successful.

 

[dwalton]

I keep thinking my Stone ram hunt wasn't that long ago, then I realize 25 years has passed. Killed mine out of a group of 17 rams on the first day of hunting. Glad I went when I was young!

 

[2lumpy]

The closest I’ve come to killing any wild sheep was purchasing over the counter tags in Alberta, back in the early 1970s. Just never got the burn to kill sheep. The mature rams sure are beautiful to see however. I’ve been fortunate to have seen all but the Dall, on the hoof.

 

[LivingTheDream]

yep!
but in 5-10 years stone sheep hunting will not be possible anymore imo after reading the
BC Government directive

Could you PM me the link? Would be very interested to read about this. I was a board member for one of the WSF chapters.

 

[S-3 Ranch]

Could you PM me the link? Would be very interested to read about this. I was a board member for one of the WSF chapters.

Done , I have more in my files just need to find and reread them

 

[LivingTheDream]

Done , I have more in my files just need to find and reread them

Thank you! I appreciate you sending them.

 

[mozey]

Wow--reading through these--I knew I was lucky this past year, but I honestly didn't know I was THAT lucky!

I'm planning to be at the Expo Sheep Camp, so maybe I'll see some of you there. I for one will not be wasting any of my lotto chances on a stone. Good luck to the rest of you.

 

[littlebighorn]

Done , I have more in my files just need to find and reread them

How about sharing them with me as well...or posting them.

 

[S-3 Ranch]

How about sharing them with me as well...or posting them.

I will keep looking into the files
but most can be found in the summary minutes with B.C F&G and First Nations WMU‘s permits transfer

””
I know a lot of the folks in this section are non-resident hunters hoping to chase sheep in BC (or elsewhere in western Canada) so i'll share some of my predictions moving forward but bear in mind this a BC focused view.

Sheep hunting will not look anything like it has in the past by 2030 (for both resident and non-resident hunters). The combination of Truth and Reconciliation measures with First Nations, the blunders of wildlife managers and the loss of social license due to urban voting will see sheep hunting diminished to the point of extinction.

I will provide some context here, so bear with me.

As First Nations are given more authority over land usage (especially in Northern Areas), access to both resident and non-resident hunters will be choked off (see the Tsilhqot'in Ruling on land use/hunting rights as an example). To the East, we see First Nations now allowed to hunt Bighorns inside of a National Park in Alberta as part of this process.

Wildlife Managers have not done effective monitoring or predator control in the province for over thirty years. Tag allocations and seasons are not predicated on science and effective management of resources. As an example we have seen Bighorn Sheep units in Region 4 moved to an LEH model in a reactive manner not based on good science.””

””in summary Guide outfitter tenures will be returned to First Nations control, and they are unlikely to allow non-resident hunting. Resident hunters will see a very small LEH allocations annually in very limited areas.””

 

[idahomuleyhunter]

Yeah, right. They're going to return the territories to First Nations and they won't sell the hunts??? This seems like BS to me.

 

[S-3 Ranch]

Yeah, right. They're going to return the territories to First Nations and they won't sell the hunts??? This seems like BS to me.

Idk 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️ I am a usa citizen but

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/hunting/limited-entry-hunting/leh_changes_-_public_notification.pdf

 

[idahomuleyhunter]

I don't see anything that would make me think First Nations are going to limit access to hunting, excepting for management reasons. They may well take over the outfitting allotments.

 

[idahomuleyhunter]

Hunting is the new casino. Tribes see the revenue and they want their cut. It will suck if you're an outfitter.

 

[Gadjet]

Just took a look at Prophet Muskwa stone hunts. The base prices for 2023 and 24 are 85 grand. The price jumps to 105,000 for 2025. All said and done, you could easily add another 10 grand to those prices.

 

[idahomuleyhunter]

They really like their hunts. Those don't look like $20k elk to me.

Just took a look at Prophet Muskwa stone hunts. The base prices for 2023 and 24 are 85 grand. The price jumps to 105,000 for 2025. All said and done, you could easily add another 10 grand to those prices.

 

[BradA]

Funny you mention that. I was sitting next to my good friend

last year when he won the stone hunt at Sheep Camp. And guess what, he hunted hard for 12 days and never found a legal ram.

What outfitter did he hung with? I guess at least he won the hunt instead of paying for it.

 

[Gadjet]

What outfitter did he hung with? I guess at least he won the hunt instead of paying for it.

Kinasken Lake Outfitters. Not complaining, my point is that the reality of these high dollar hunts is that it’s still hunting and there’s still the possibility of coming home without ram.

 

[Homer]

When DSC's 6/1000 starts.....Fannin and Cali sheep hunts will fly past 100k......

 

[Rackmastr]

When DSC's 6/1000 starts.....Fannin and Cali sheep hunts will fly past 100k......

Whats 6/1000?

 

[hawkbill]

This is the real beginning of the Kings Deer in North America.

 

[Homer]

Whats 6/1000?

the new goal for the well healed sheep hunters......the 6 sheep of NA with a total score of 1000....

 

[BradA]

the new goal for the well healed sheep hunters......the 6 sheep of NA with a total score of 1000....

Didn’t know that was a thing
What is it

Dall
Stone
Fannin
Desert
Rocky
California

With a combined score of 1000? I had never heard of anything of this.

 

[LivingTheDream]

Didn’t know that was a thing
What is it

Dall
Stone
Fannin
Desert
Rocky
California

With a combined score of 1000? I had never heard of anything of this.

I have never heard of it either and it terrifies me!!

 

[backcountrybutcher]

Brad, looks like you've got the stone bug now?!!!

 

[BradA]

Brad, looks like you've got the stone bug now?!!!

Haha yes wanting to achieve that grand slam one day and there for have to have a stone.

 

[backcountrybutcher]

Awesome! Way to get ahead of it and get to the planning!

 

[Homer]

Haha yes wanting to achieve that grand slam one day and there for have to have a stone.

Or a Fannin….

 

[Homer]

They’ve had 4/700 for a long time….

 

[LivingTheDream]

Or a Fannin….

I got a Fannin, so happy I did.

 

[LIK2HNT]

Guess I will be happy with my 2/346 😊😊

 

[Gadjet]

Haha yes wanting to achieve that grand slam one day and there for have to have a stone.

I hope you're able to accomplish that someday!

 

[Rackmastr]

the new goal for the well healed sheep hunters......the 6 sheep of NA with a total score of 1000....

Thanks that's kinda what I was guessing it might be but appreciate it!

 

[BradA]

I hope you're able to accomplish that someday!

Thank you I know it’s going to be tough but I’m going to give it hell.

 

[Gadjet]

Thank you I know it’s going to be tough but I’m going to give it hell.

Brad, there's a stone hunt listed in the tags classifieds.

 

[yoteduster]

That looks like a heck of a fun hunt but man that's a hunk of change , but I imagine those type of hunts are only going to go up

 

[yotebuster17]

Any of you guys analyzed the success rates between BC and Yukon outfits? I’m hearing 85-90% in the Yukon and can’t really find hard numbers in BC. I like the idea of no quota and not having to compete with residents in Yukon. I realize that they aren’t “true” stones but actually like the look of the lighter ones to be honest. They’re all expensive, and I’m likely not gonna get to go back again so I’m leaning Yukon but wanted to hear from any of you that have researched or hunted BC?

 

[mozey]

I don't have any scientific numbers, but anecdotally from talking with the outfitters at the last couple sheep shows, my best anecdotal guess would be a little over 50 percent success for the BC stones. I know my outfitter was one for three this past year, which seems low to me because I saw four for certain and possibly seven legal stones once we actually made it to the top of that mountain (I killed mine on the seventh morning). And that might be one of the key factors for a hunter to tip the odds a little more in their favor. Can they make it to the top of the mountain while carrying an 80-pound pack?

Disclaimer: I've never talked with either of the other two hunters, so I have no idea what their experience actually was, and I may be totally wrong.

 

[yotebuster17]

I don't have any scientific numbers, but anecdotally from talking with the outfitters at the last couple sheep shows, my best anecdotal guess would be a little over 50 percent success for the BC stones. I know my outfitter was one for three this past year, which seems low to me because I saw four for certain and possibly seven legal stones once we actually made it to the top of that mountain (I killed mine on the seventh morning). And that might be one of the key factors for a hunter to tip the odds a little more in their favor. Can they make it to the top of the mountain while carrying an 80-pound pack?

Disclaimer: I've never talked with either of the other two hunters, so I have no idea what their experience actually was, and I may be totally wrong.

Thanks Mozey! Who did you hunt with if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Rackmastr]

Anecdotally I'd say 50% would be too low on outfitter success through the province. As a resident I'm at 50% on stones sheep (dedicated sheep hunts) as I've done 4 dedicated trips with 2 rams. I know a lot of guides and just would think generally 50% is too low. Again all just anecdotal as well from me!

 

[PAforester]

Any of you guys analyzed the success rates between BC and Yukon outfits? I’m hearing 85-90% in the Yukon and can’t really find hard numbers in BC. I like the idea of no quota and not having to compete with residents in Yukon. I realize that they aren’t “true” stones but actually like the look of the lighter ones to be honest. They’re all expensive, and I’m likely not gonna get to go back again so I’m leaning Yukon but wanted to hear from any of you that have researched or hunted BC?

I hunted stones in the Yukon in 19 with an outfitter that claimed 80%+ success rate and found out it was not the truth. I believe they went 2/7 that year. He did kill some big rams initially but it seems like they may have over harvested the local population. I never saw a legal ram in 12 days and neither did the other hunter I flew out with. Make sure you check with a bunch of references, not just the successful ones. I probably won’t get to hunt stones again with the crazy price increases that have happened in past few years.

 

[yotebuster17]

I hunted stones in the Yukon in 19 with an outfitter that claimed 80%+ success rate and found out it was not the truth. I believe they went 2/7 that year. He did kill some big rams initially but it seems like they may have over harvested the local population. I never saw a legal ram in 12 days and neither did the other hunter I flew out with. Make sure you check with a bunch of references, not just the successful ones. I probably won’t get to hunt stones again with the crazy price increases that have happened in past few years.

Would you mind PMing me who that was? Thanks!

 

[mozey]

Thanks Mozey! Who did you hunt with if you don’t mind me asking?

PM sent

 

[Halfcurl]

I went this year with sikkani river they are on the fringe of habitat but first class operation still took 12 of 14 days to find my ram. heat really affected the hunt this year