Hello,

I was wondering what is a good first timers mountain hunt? I have done one international hunt but have not done the extensive traveling so Russia for Tur or Turkey for Ibex seems more for advanced hunters. I am youngish and was thinking a Dall sheep or Mountain Goat would be a great start. Any suggestions would help.

Thanks,

Seth

Follow your heart. In the end you will be glad you did.

quote:

Originally posted by Woodward Walrus:
Hello,

I was wondering what is a good first timers mountain hunt? I have done one international hunt but have not done the extensive traveling so Russia for Tur or Turkey for Ibex seems more for advanced hunters. I am youngish and was thinking a Dall sheep or Mountain Goat would be a great start. Any suggestions would help.

Thanks,

Seth

You are beginning some awesome adventures. Don't be intimidated by the international travel, it really is not that big of a deal. I suggest looking at what animals you may want to hunt and then look at which of those animals may be nonhuntable in the near future or go thru the roof price wise. I missed trancaapian urial when turkmenistan was open, now pakistan is only real option and a different subspecies. You know dalls may begin to go up with the closure of some areas in NWT, something like 50 sheep will come off the market, not sure exactly on that number, so prices in Yukon and AK may go up. Goats probably pretty stable. Start applying for big horns in the states.

Thanks for the reply,

I am leaning towards the Dall Sheep hunt but am still really thinking of maybe an Ibex or Tur. What do you believe are some of the areas or species that will be difficult to hunt in the future?

My Mule Deer guide has a great story of how he could of added a Kamchatka Bighorn to his katchatka Bear intinery and passed then the prices went through the roof. I think that a whole thread could be started on if you could go back in time how of done this or that.

Thanks

Seems as if the most stable sheep hunt has been the marco polo. Ibex has not taken huge drastic hits as it is available in several subspecies in several countries, so it will probably remain solid. Tur is probably one of the more difficult hunts out there, especially if you choose to not have the animals driven to you. So do it while you are in top shape. I have not done it yet and am turning 50 this year, i need to step it up but darn Africa is flowing thru my veins now I think your choice for dalls soon is a good choice. These are just my opinions and hopefully some educated folks will chime in. A food idea would to be to maybe go to the sheep show and talk to some of those folks, join Ovis/ grand slam club. Talk to some of the larger brokers about what they know, bob kerns the hunting consortium helped me out. Dennis campbell and his gang, pat fredericks in alberta to name a few.

Whatever your choice for a mountain hunt I whole heartedly suggest getting in top shape. Your post shows no location. If you are not from a mountain state and have not done a bit of high mountain climbing I suggest doing so to experience the lack of oxygen. Any high mountain hunt is a true adventure and one to be cherished and great memories. I drew a mtn. goat tag in MT, as a resisdent, in 2011 at the age of 64. I was fortunate enough to take a great billy at approx. 8200 ft. plus. The hunt was very difficult and put a great strain on my legs. I trained for this hunt for 5 months, trained hard mind you. Whatever your choice, you will indeed enjoy the adventure. I hope to draw a bighorn sheep tag within the next few yrs. If not, I will book a trip by the age of 70. This ain't no dress rehersal, go for it! MTG

Kind of a trick question. Budget , physical condition all come into play. Some Asian hunts are cheaper than Dall sheep and also less than some mountain goat hunts. Depending on where you are from my suggestion would be attend the Sheep Show in Reno this coming week , or any one of the chapters events. Eastern Chapter Wild Sheep Foundation in Pennsylvania is feb 15-16-17 if you are on the east coast. You can talk to people who have a wide variety of experience and are always willing to help out with suggestions. You can talk to exhibitors and outfitters and then decide what is right for you. When I got into the mountain hunting game I was not comfortable with just taking a recommendation from a booking agent. I was worried about who was getting the better deal him or I. That is not to say their are not really good ones out there. I went to the Sheep Show met with multiple outfitters and then made my decision. Worked out great. In addition we at Eastern have a really great time and have a lot of fun over 2 1/2 days.

Jim
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