Dear Canadian friends and interested parties,
I am way past ecstatic to be leaving my sweltering Atlanta summer to visit the Yukon in exactly 4 weeks. I will be hosted by Blackstone Outfitters for a Dall sheep hunt. I hope to meet some nice folks, walk some incredible country, and maybe, just maybe kill a really nice Dall Sheep! I think I've got all my gear in order, from boots to backpacks, from rifle/ammo to first aid, passport and tip money....all laid out. Travel plans are also all made.
Heck, I really don't have much to say/ask, I just wanted to "talk sheep" with anyone that may be going or has hunted with Blackstone in the past.
Don

Have fun Don,

I haven't hunted sheep yet, BUT, the seed has germinated and is growing strongly. Let us know how you go.

Cheers,
Mark.

Don B,

Haven't hunted with Blackstone but have hunted with Tahltan Outfitters for Stone. They are near Dease (sp) Lake in BC.
I leave in a week for the NWT, Norman Wells area, for dall. I'll be going with Redstone Outfitters.
I've already got my mountain goat in Alaska with Jim Phillips of Annahootz Outfitters (he's bearguide on AR) and had a great hunt with him.

What have you been doing to physically prepare for your hunt? Is this your first mountain hunt?

Bluefin,
I've been on several mountain hunts, and am addicted. I got a couple of Dalls and two goats. The first goat hunt in 2003 lit my fire, and kicked my butt. I've been getting my azz in shape ever since. I run and lift weights and watch what I eat. Last October for the goat hunt, I had gotten so skinny my friends were concerned, so I bought a big 'ole gob of protein mix, and hired a body-builder trainer. My rotator cuffs are now recovering from overdoing it, but thankfully, my back and legs, I haven't screwed up before I decided to cool off a little.
Good luck to you!
Don

I just won the Lottery here, last week. Finally got my Cadomin Sheep draw, I've been applying for 14 years now. Be doing some scouting in the upcoming week.
Grizz

Don,

It's been too hot here (104F daytime and 90F evening) to get out and run. I've been watching what I eat and joined a bootcamp a while back. That has really helped.
Hope you do well on your hunt and look forward to you posting about it.

Grizz - good on ya! I have 6 yrs of points so I'll be an old man by the time I'm in the running. That Cadomin area is suppose to be really nice. The Rocky is one I still need for my Slam. I'll look for your post about your hunt as well. Always love to read about others who have hunted an area that I hope to one day hunt.

Leaving next Wednesday for a Stone sheep hunt with Trophy Stone in the Yukon. Can't wait! Did pretty good with the workouts, but didn't get where I wanted to-too busy at work (Don, I think we're in the same business, ie surgery). You taking the Blaser or the NULA or some other toy. I'm thinking Blaser, but the old standby is a Dakota 97 in 300 Win mag. Good luck!

I've got the NULA all tuned up for this one! Good luck in the Yukon!

quote:

Originally posted by Grizzly Adams:
I just won the Lottery here, last week. Finally got my Cadomin Sheep draw, I've been applying for 14 years now. Be doing some scouting in the upcoming week.
Grizz

Holy Crap, Grizzly!! Nice going! You must be on cloud #9! Bet you have a long list of folks that will want to give you a hand too.

I am leaving in 10 days for a stone sheep hunt...self guided, with a couple buddies. I am getting pretty excited myself.

Good luck to all the sheep hunters!

Canuck, Don & Grizzly, I am plain jealous!! Wish you all good hunting, take a lot of photos and share them with us.

Regards
Aziz

It's been 16 years since I last worked for the Alberta Environment ministry and so I am curious; does EVERY Alberta citizen have to "draw" for the Cadomin and "Coal Branch" area R.M.Bighorns"

Are other Canadian citizens allowed to participate in this with any preference shown to Alberta residents first, then other Canucks?

Are foreigners, i.e.,American "trophy" collectors also allowed to participate in this draw system and, if so, as equals or what? Do they need to hire an Outfitter as here in B.C.?

It seems to me that, if, all Albertans must "draw" for these sheep and if other Canucks are restricted, then, NO foreign hunting should ever be allowed, just as should be the case, and WILL be, here in B.C. The Outfitter situation in both provinces is just a total disgrace and needs to be gone!

Don,

Is this your first sheep hunt? I got the bug on my 45th birthday, after doing a goat in BC.

Since then, I was fortunate enough to tip over a fine ram in Alberta. Now I leave in 2 weeks four days to hunt with Arctic Red outfitters for my Dall.

I dream of spotting a twister way out yonder. Glassing until he beds. Planning the route. Putting the body through the test - should have trained harder! Can we make it to the killing spot on time, undetected? Will the fickle weather pull the rug from us? Finally in place. Waiting for the zooming heart rate to return back from orbit. Setting up the shot. One more peek through the binos, yep, that's the ram. The ram that will make my guide proud to be a hunter. The ram that will forever be part of my life. Shot away, felt good, oh so good.

Yep, can't wait!

Best of luck to you, I hope you shoot the biggest one EVER taken from that mountain!!

I have hunted many tines in the Blackstone Concession. Beautiful country, and lots of animals. Mostly harvested Caribou and moose. One time I did not go I had received a radio call from a friend who was hunting up there. he said come on up there are 5 rams all over 40 inches. For some reason I did not go.
Would have taken me 5 hours to get there. he took a great dark horned dall 41 inches. Said the others stayed right there. did a number of hunts with same friend. we have each taken rams. I hope to head out this Friday for opening day Saturday. Looking for sheep, caribou, moose and maybe a goat.
Good luck to all of you on your hunts..
Watson Lake

Jack,
Wow, your words really capture the feeling! I am going over my gear yet again this weekend. I always have trouble deciding about taking the spotter, and which binocs to take.
Don

temperature tonight at our house 94 degrees in south Yukon. Hotter i suspect up where Jim's place is at Blackstone is at least no cooler. real dry campfires banned in whole Yukon. but temp can change in a few hrs. Enjoy the experience..
Watson Lake

General recreational closure of all Crown lands in BC coming after this BC Day log weeked; this should have been done at least three weeks ago.

I was a fire detection/suppression "slave" for two Canadian provincial forest services and private forestry firms and I have seen this type of "fire weather" go into early Oct. with the BCFS and AFS "manned up" and the hazard at "extreme". This could change the hunting season here and to a considerable degree.

But, protection of our forest resources and the human values of the "interface" areas is FAR more important than recreational pursuits such as hunting, fishing, camping and even tourism.

I wish it would POUR cold rain for 2-3 WEEKS in August and then be clear and nice until Nov. 10th. But, we gotta work with what Mother Nature gives us!

I was watching the morning news shows, and saw the word "smoky" written across the state of Alaska. Please, please, please tell me there are not being planes grounded due to smoke in the Yukon! I was grounded in Bettles, AK for 5 days of my 10 day hunt in '05 and that was no fun after a few days. I can do without a campfire (although I'll pack an extra pair of dry socks).
Also, thanks for the heads up on the temperature (I know it can change quickly); but I'll be sure to pack some nylon hiking clothes. It just won't do to have all the heavy stuff in 90 degree weather.
I'm getting a new puppy in a week (Belgian Sheepdog). I hate to be saddling my wife with that during my absence, but that just how good a wife I have!
Don

I don't know about the Yukon, but, nothing here has been grounded so far. The longterm forecast is not promising and I would not be surprised to see BC "shut down" until into Sept.

We STILL, after 97 years of the BCFS attempting to "educate" the populace about wildfire, have many fires caused by STUPID AZZHOLES every year here.

I may sound a bit harsh,but, when your friends and colleagues die young smashed beyond recognition under a huge snag on a fire or in the burning wreck of a fire suppression aircraft, as several of mine have, you tend to get a little impatient...especially seeing their kids grow up without a "dad".

It is EXTREMELY hot here, OVER 100*F, in several mid-coast and northern coast settlements and this is one of the three worst heat waves in well over a century of keeping records. Some heavy lightning storms have pounded the province and old "firehorses" like me, are only too aware of what this can mean...and the Yukon seems much the same.

I would call your outfitter every couple of days, just to see and I hope you have "trip cancellation insurance", but, doubt you will need it.

quote:

Originally posted by Dewey:
It's been 16 years since I last worked for the Alberta Environment ministry and so I am curious; does EVERY Alberta citizen have to "draw" for the Cadomin and "Coal Branch" area R.M.Bighorns"

Are other Canadian citizens allowed to participate in this with any preference shown to Alberta residents first, then other Canucks?

Are foreigners, i.e.,American "trophy" collectors also allowed to participate in this draw system and, if so, as equals or what? Do they need to hire an Outfitter as here in B.C.?

It seems to me that, if, all Albertans must "draw" for these sheep and if other Canucks are restricted, then, NO foreign hunting should ever be allowed, just as should be the case, and WILL be, here in B.C. The Outfitter situation in both provinces is just a total disgrace and needs to be gone!

Dewey, the Cadomin area is an unlimited area for Alberta residents up until November (the mine itself is closed to all hunting). Then draw seasons are during the month of November. I believe the draw is limited to Alberta residents only. There is also a raffle that takes place in the province for one sheep tag to be used in any open season and it's holder usually hunts this area in November as well. I also believe it is limited to Alberta residents only. One additional tag is auctioned with the same privileges as the raffle tag. This tag, the premiers permit, is open to the highest bidder from anywhere. Last year an Alberta resident bought it and paid right around the 250k mark for it. This tag usually hunts Cadomin in November as well. In fact, this is where Glenn Crousen shot the world record RM Bighorn a few years ago.

Sorry Chuck, but you are somewhat in error. WMU 438 is what you are talking about. There is no priority awarded, for that draw. WMU 437, which is the east side of the road, is draw only, with 6 tags allocated, 3 early and 3 late, meaning till the end of October. I finally got mine with a prority of 13. Gonna go here shortly and check it out.
Grizz

So, as a BC resident who does not now spend any time living in Alberta, would I have to hire an Outfitter?

Does a foreign hunter, from the USA, Mexico or Germany have to hire an Outfitter?

Is there a specific allotment or quota of these sheep set aside for Outfitters and their clients, including in WMUs where Albertan residents must draw for a chance at one?

I once saw a band of Albertan rams that contained 4-5 HUGE monsters that would, IMO, have exceeded the world record quite nicely. Obviously, I will not post the location of these and the access was just brutal, but, I am curious as to how the Albertan system works as contrasted with BC.

So, do you guys compete only among yourselves or, do you have to compete against non-res. hunters, Outfitters and just take what they leave?

quote:

Originally posted by Grizzly Adams:
Sorry Chuck, but you are somewhat in error. WMU 438 is what you are talking about. There is no priority awarded, for that draw. WMU 437, which is the east side of the road, is draw only, with 6 tags allocated, 3 early and 3 late, meaning till the end of October. I finally got mine with a prority of 13. Gonna go here shortly and check it out.
Grizz

Yes 438 is what I'm talking about and yes I am well aware that there is no priority there. Don't take this the wrong way, but it's unfortunate you were talking about 437 as what you were drawn for and not 438. You said Cadomin and me and the rest of the world equate that with WMU 438.