Time to start planning your sheep hunt if you haven't allready. Back pack? Horse? ATV? Early season? late season? Rifle/ammo. Dall? Stone? Bighorn?
It is really nice to know what is going on but I, personally, am tired of the political crap, rules, regulations, etc. I would like to hear some good old hunt'n stuff. Like the questions above. What are you doing now to get in shape or are you laundering money from the family budget so you got the money to hunt. Anything. Canadians are still hunting I hope.

Daryl

I'm still waiting for you to put an X on a map for me!

Other than that, I doubt sheep are on the list this year..I started a new job this year and I think it' going to keep me pretty busy until next March!

But I was thinking of flying in somewhere for something at some point!

Hey Yukoner, I am going for the first time this year to NWT for Dall sheep, Caribou and moose, if I have time. I am there for the Sheep first and foremost. I am really excited about it and yes, I am killing my legs, trying to get this flatlander body ready to up the mountain. I have always been interested in sheep, but this is my first try. Got any tips for a first timer?

"So Many Animals, So Little Time" RustyF

Oops, forgot, horseback and then spike camp. Hill Country .270 Weatherby Magnum, Zeiss 5X15X42 150 grain spirepoint.

It depends a lot on the L.E.H. draws, but, I intend to hunt Bighorns this fall, by backpack for 3-5 day trips. I am going to the gym to get in shape and will be backpacking for several multi-day trips in the Selkirks from early July on. I have found that nothing gets you into shape for backpacking like actual backpacking!

I have hunted Sheep a bit in the past, but, prefer Elk, Mulies and Whitetails, however, I am going to give it a good try in a couple of spots I know. For all backpack hunting, I use a Pre-64 Mod. 70 Alaskan in a Brown Precision stock with a Leupy 1.75x6, adjustable peep and front Sourdough. I load 250 Partitions at 2700+ fps. and this does everything, well.

Caliber? Thanks, KMB.

Dungbeetle

Time is getting short for me. I go with Stan Stevens in the NWTs July 15th for Dall's.

I had a lot of plans but have not initiated much so far, too many changes in my life. I've been living out of a suitcase for nine months. My things arrive Tuesday. I head for the U. S. (Dallas) on the 4th of July. I'll get my 300 WSM from my son and start getting comfortable again with it, buy what gear I need, get customs clearance documents and step on Air Canada on the 12th.

If I can get everything else off of me and focus, this should be the perfect culmination of a 45 year hunting career.

I too can't figure out why Canada is a hunting mecca but Canadians spend all their time on Canadian threads talking about something else. Must be their way of keeping the rest of us from knowing what a good deal they have. Eh?

Hi other Yukoner,
I'm hunting the Richardson's, aren't you?
Jim

Yup, I got this rifle done up about 7 yrs ago and it is getting kinda dinged from an "old fart" as Gate calls me falling down on slippery Kootenay slopes. Given the fact that I have seen more Grizzlies while hunting in the past 10 yrs. than ever before and they seem to be hassling hunters more, I think this is the way to go.

The weight is about a pound more than my FWT .270s or custom .280 and my '06s are within 3/4 lb. so I think that the rig is a practical one for this purpose. But, I am going to build a .338-06 on a Husqvarna 4100 I have; it already has a B-P kevlat stock, 3-pos. Wisner safety and tuned trigger, so, a light S.S. bbl. and I will have a very light mountain rifle for Sheep, Elk and Mulies, IMO.

Bears do complicate matters. That Husky 338-06 sounds like it'll be a dandy. Thanks.

Dungbeetle

Actually, I call you an 'old geezer'

Or maybe I did call youan "old fart"

Either is appropriate!

I have been putting in for an Ashnola LEH for quite a few years now. If I'm successful I'll do a backpack hunt, or I might chicken out and hire a wrangler to take me in on horseback and pick me up. I'll worry about that if and when I win the draw.

Otherwise, I won't be sheep hunting this year. Elk and deer, yes.

Jim,

You pulled it off. I take it we can hunt the Richardsons now. I have been away all winter so I am out of touch. Thanks.

Gatehouse,
What is the new job? E-mail me if you like. I will put an X on the map for you. You should apply for Grizzly in this area and you can hunt for good stones and goat at the same time.

I will be hunting sheep this year but am not 100% on where. I would like to check out some new area. I have a few places in mind. Nothing wrong with the areas I have been hunting sheep before, I just like the challenge of hunting new area.
I would like to get out in the early season(Aug 1)depends when I work the season. I will trail in with horses then back pack from there. I have a new dog that I would like to get started as a pack dog.(My neighbor has a nice look'n dog that I would like to highgrade and take with me, being that the mutt is always at my place.)
For keep'n in shape, I agree with Kutenymtnboy, that nothing beats backpack'n for keep'n in shape for backpack'n.
I have a light weight 30-338 that I am happy with. I will try some of those interbonds this year.
I also would like to try out a new tent this year if I have the time. The tent is not new, a mini wall tent with a mini stove, just a different way of doing things. I will build the tent and it will be my own design and same with the stove. I want a wall tent that is alot lighter and really easy to put up with a minimum of poles.(Like 1 pole)The stove will burn dead willow. Synthetic tents are nice but I like to dry my stuff out every night. I would also like to make a guick release pocket for my rifle on the back of my back pack. I know they make them that fit on the front of your shoulder. I would like my gun dead center on the back of my back. I don't like tying it in. Had to scramble last year when we ran into a bear at close range and the bear was not running away.
I have a sheep quarter in the freezer that I am going to dry out for grub and a horse trailer that I have to fix.

That is why I like sheep hunting, there are always lots of things to do and sheep season is always "just around the corner"


Daryl

RustyF,
Who are you hunting with in the NWT.

I might be guiding sheep,moose,caribou hunts in the NWT this year. Starting on Aug.20th.

Tips for a first timer? (on a guided hunt)

Take a small back pack! Don't tell your guide I told you so or they will hunt me down...
Your guide will have to carry more if you don't have the cubic inches.

Personally, I think hunters bring way to much stuff(unless they want to leave it all behind with thier guide ) Some of my hunt'n friends bring way to much stuff as well. If I carry extras, It going to be food.

Take your boots of a couple of times a day when you stop to rest. Rub your feet and air them out and cool them off. Feel for any hot spots or places that may start to blister. Put a small piece of duct tape or mole skin on the spot. Before the blister starts. Briefly soak your feet in a stream. Look after your feet.
If you have any more questions feel free to give me a ring.

Daryl

Yukoner, tell me a little about that 30-338. I've picked up a fine 338 for almost nothing and I've got wildcat fever. I'm a 375 H&H person for many long years and had considered doing a 375 taylor with it but also thought about going the other way, too, and just building something that will hump up and haul ass on out there - like a 30-338.

Can you help me with this .338 constipation problem? Thanks.

Dungbeetle

I hope to be hunting bighorns this fall.I have'nt been for a few years and I am looking forward to the country.You never know what LEH will bring but I am planning on going without a draw.It would be a great way to break my new rifles cherry.

Gate, I have been "on the dark side" since '85 when I got my first Brown Precision stock and I have had quite a few synthetic stocks and stainless barrels since then. BUT, I honestly have never seen a huge advantage in stainless, even on the coast, IF, you look after your rifle. We aged gentlemen do this, not like you young varmints!

I might add that I have talked barrels with Ron Smith, Rob MacLennan, Mick McPhee, Ted Gaillard and Bevan King and they all told me that probably the major reason that they use stainless is because it is easier to machine than chrome-moly. So, who am I to argue, I'll go with stainless from one of the above gentlemen.

Old fart---wait 25 yrs., boy, your time is comin'!

Yukoner - Hate to tell you about a sheep hunt I did'nt take.
When I started mining up in Dawson City in 87 I met a guide
in the bar (where else do you meet anybody in Dawson), can't
remember his name. Anyway he was running loader at a mine
and he said "I get a hundred bucks a day running loader you
pay me a hundred a day and I'll take you sheep hunting". I
never took him up on it. Nobody said I was smart.
I might end up out at 60 mile this summer helping a friend
out when he starts sluicing.
I might go after sheep here in Alta next year before these
knees get to old to go up a mountain.

Dungbeetle,

To start out with, I had no desire for a 30-338 at all. I had a M70 7mm Rem.Mag. that the barrel was starting to go. I had money into the stock and action so I decided to rebarrel the rifle. I decided to go with a 30 cal. and the 30-338 seemed to be the best fit for this action. Plus I had lots of .338 WM. brass around. I wanted a 300 WSM or a 300 Dakota but my gunsmith said he had trouble getting them to feed properly.
I found the velosities out of my rifle to be alot better than what is listed in the manuals. I started out with IMR4350 and accuracy and velosity was allright but fell short of my expectations. I swithched to IMR 4831 and had no trouble getting 3300 fps. with a 165gr. bullet.(Which is the Bullet I specified to the barrel maker.)Accuracy was what I wanted out of a varmint rifle. I dropped down to 3200 fps with 70grs. of IMR4831 and a 165 gr. Seirra. This rifle, cartrige combo is accurate and I am quite happy with it. This combination has earned a reputation among the people I hunt with. It works so well for me that I have sold a couple of other rifles, including a favorite M70 7mmSTW. I have a 1000yd range on my place and ringing the steel plates at various ranges with my 30-338 is not a problem.


Daryl

I'll be back at it this year again. Stone sheep 'sorta near' Dease Lake/Muncho Lake area.

I hope to be hunting 7-30 this year or 7-22 butwe will have to see how the lucky permitt draw works out.The 30/338 is a great little round,I had a 308 norma a few years back almost identicle,both work very well.Have you ever hunted down off Kluane lake for rams?

Just found this forum and I like what I see! This year I'm going on a 7 day backpack hunt for bighorns at the end of August here in Alberta. Then we're going into the Willmore wilderness on horseback for 10 days at the end of September to find a ram. If we don't get a sheep at least they'll be great trips.
I booked a hunt in the N.W.T. for July 25, 2005 with Stan Stevens for Dall sheep and I can't wait. I've never been on a guided hunt before so I hope it's everything I'm expecting.

Well, you just relieved the constipation and tipped the scales. Think I'll hang on to the beloved .375 H&H, call it good for that caliber and do the conversion on the .338 to a 30-338. I much appreciate you sharing the load data.

Can you recommend a barrel manuf, bbl length and twist rate? This is going into a s.s. ruger action. The gun is one of the all weather types with the skeleton stock. As I want this thing to be a lightweight mountain gun, I'm thinking maybe a Brown pounder or another that is lt wt and kevlar. Any stock recommendation would also be most appreciated.

Thanks Yukoner.

Dungbeetle

I'd look at the hi tech stock,I've had good luck with those and they are light.If you live in canada smith makes a great barrel,or shilen.I have a 300 dakota on a stainless ruger in the works.I have a 338 dakota on a ruger now.The ruger mk11 makes a great action with some trigger work.

Who put your .330 Dakota together and how does the round fit and feed in the Ruger action? This is, IMO, the best .338 of them all, if, you can get it done right. Thanks.

I've had mine for awhile,put together by ron propp,quite awhile ago.It feeds very well,the ruger is easy to make it feed well.I love the dakota cartridges.It will push a 250gr right at 2900.I also use a light weight stainless 9.3x64 another great case.

Those are probably the two BEST cartridges for B.C. and western Alberta hunting; a guy I know had a 9.3x64 built a few years ago, I assisted in it and it really is a hell of a cartridge. I have a very lovely Dakota 76 in .338 and have often thought about re-barreling to .330, but, this one is a Shilen barrel and shoots too well to change; I agree on their cartridges, especially the .330 and .416.

Dungbeetle,

No problem, I know you won't be disapointed.

I have a Brown precision stock on a couple of rifles. I am very happy with them. The 25" #4 flutted SS barrel came from Gallard in Saskatchewan.(I don't recall the twist) I told the barrel maker I was going to shoot 165-168 gr. bullets. I have a gentry muzzle break on it. Shoots like a heavy barreled .308Win. It is a good break. It doesn't bother me like some breaks do. My hunting partners snivel a little bit though. I have had alot of weight removed off my SS M70 action. It is very light although I have never officialy weighed it. I have never seen a M70 quite like it. I will have to get someone to post a picture of it one of these days.


Daryl

Yukoner and Griz, many thanks.

Dungbeetle

I had to do abit of organizing such as getting the mother in-law to come up and baby sit our 1 year old,while my wife and I go sheep hunting for a week. With that all taken care of we plan to hunt around Whitehorse in a permit zone if drawn. Failing that we'll try Ruby range or white river. My wife really enjoys sheep hunting she took her fisrt ram a couple years ago up north of Dawson City. She has a custom 308win all cut down for her and I'm going to try out my new titanium rifle in 7mm/08 (under six pounds with scope!). Her gun shots 150 sst bullets very well and I'm still working up a load with my 7mm/08. If it doesn't pan out with this light gun I'll grab my 270.
As for mode of transport we have started most of our hunts by jetboat or quad and backpacked from the river or the treeline.

I was dead set on going after bighorn here in AB this year, but so many developments lately that I don't know if I'll find the time for a serious hunt. I'll do an armed hike or two for sure, but the dreamt-of week off in the mountains might not happen. My parents are coming over for three weeks in July, there's a guiding gig on the horizon for the fall, I may have to chaperone a hunting client for a few days in September, we might get friends over from Europe in October...in fact, that might just be the best opportunity...take this guy sheep hunting (read: carrying my stuff ;-) while the girls go shopping...oh, yeah, and then I'm working in my old occupation again in consulting, and that takes up (too) much time...pays the bills though.

All this talk about lightweight rifles is interesting though...my .300 WM scoped and all is 9 lbs and a bit...as the legs deteriorate, the urge for less lbs on the back becomes greater.

Frans