this hunt took place in chugach state park aug. 10-20, 2002.

the outfitter, dan montgomery is a skilled pilot with 2 planes, one float and one with tundra tires.

my hunt was successful, but not right away and after much effort i too a 154+ s.c.i. sheep 10 y.o.a.. very happy with the sheep and the whole operation in general. dan is the sheep terminator and is 100% on sheep. Dan is a skilled photgrapher and my trophy photos look highly professional.

he is a small co. and has a high % of repeat and referral business, so he has no need to advertise or sit in a booth at a show.

kyle, the ast. guide was also very helpful and competent. good company too. lauren helps run dan's office and is very efficient, she also helps with the cooking and is quite the cook.

dan is not only an excellent hunter, but the most ethical businessman/outfitter i have had the pleasure of doing business. dan also hunts goats, brown bear and his equipment is top notch. we had no problems of any kind. he is a very hands on outfitter and guides many hunters himself. he guides sheep hunters to at least one boone and crocket sheep each year. i beleive in 2003 he took 2 of them. dan called me many times before the hunt to tell me what to expect and see how my training was coming. anyway, i highly recommend him.

cold zero

Any photos? Sounds like you get up here a fair bit? Nice to have you post positively about outfitters too. I prefer optimism.

yukon delta;

i too would rather write positive reports. it is easier and less time consuming. but, i am an honest guy and i tell it like it is. if i have a good hunt, i am the first one to sing praises for the outfitter from the highest mtn. top. if it is a bad hunt, well then i won't hesitate to let people know that too. i am a member of many clubs and as a member of the traveling/ guided hunting community, i feel i have a duty to let others know what goes on.

i do go to alaska at least once every year. this year i am going to kodiak to hunt deer and hope to have nice things to say about the hunt when i get back. i will be in anchorage on 17 nov. if u will be in the area.

as for photos, i have many nice ones with a glacier in the background.

cold zero

As a matter of fact, I should arrive in Anchorage myself on the 17th. This will be the first time in 6 months I've been in from the Bush to the big city. Will you be travelling by yourself? I might be able to meet you for a brief time. If inclined, give me an email at bpettet@hotmail.com

cold zero,

I would be interested to see the pictures too...(no welsh/sheep jokes from the peanut gallery please! )

Also I am curious what training he recommend?

Regards,

Pete

[ 10-20-2003, 17:40: Message edited by: Pete E ]

pete e.

as you probably know, chugach state park has some of the roughest terrain in n. america for sheep hunting.

those that understand the remote odds in drawing a permit, especially for a non-res', and the unlikelyness of drawing it a second time go fully prepared the first time.

for training, i beleive in mixing it up so that your body does not get used to the same thing all the time.

for weight training, 4-5x per week with emphasis on calves and thighs 2x per week. stomach workout gives endurance and stamina, crunches, angles sit ups, or the ab machine for this. as i can't hike mtns. i spent a lot of time on the stair master and the versaclimber. basically, i'm working out 7 days a week doing different things. it becomes more of a way of life for months than taking a workout. i altered my diet, to aid in recovery and to drop a few pounds. i started running 5 miles hard before going to work in the morning. which i did not enjoy, as i like to sleep and am not a morning person. but, this is very important for endurance. people that tell u do, 20 min, is adequate have not been in the park. whatever u do, has to be for extended time, 45-1 hr. running, stairmaster, or whatever that is cardiovascular. u have to get the heart used to maintaining a high rate for extended periods of time and build lung capacity. i was swimming 3/4 of a mile in the ocean non-stop, prior to the trip. this is a full body workout and good for cardio. before summer, when the ocean was too cold, i went to the pool 3x a week and swam 50 laps. to build endurance over a period of many months and not weeks that some guys try to do it in.

remember, endurance takes time to build it is not done over night. i did a biathalon, in july, 5 weeks prior to going on the trip. doing a 5k or even 10k is a good idea also.

all workouts should be done with intensity, as opposed to letting time pass and going home. for bicycle, i would do 20 miles in about 1 hr., 2x's a wk. that is good for thighs and cardio, a lot od sweating.

if u want to increase your chances of being successful and your safety factor, u don't want to run out of gas at the wrong time , u have to pay your dues in time and sweat before u leave.

as a result, even with the mtn. diet i got stronger as the trip went on not weaker. i was able to pack out 110 lbs. on my back for 21 miles, at the end of the trip. which to me is part of the experience and to help the guides also.

i hope this helps, if u have more questions , hit me offline. good luck.

cold zero

"as you probably know, chugach state park has some of the roughest terrain in n. america for sheep hunting."

I have to disagree with you. The Chugach State Park hunts are relatively easy when comparing hunts in the rest of the Chugach range, Much of the Alaska Range or the Wrangells. The mountains are lower, there's more to hide behind (easier to stalk close enough for a shot), its easier to get into good country, the sheep are more concentrated, they are less spooked by seeing a person, etc...

Getting drawn for a State Park hunt is indeed tough, the probability based on the number of applications vs. number of permits is very low. Except for the Tok Management area, that hunt is one of the best in the state for taking a really nice ram.

Most sheep country is tough compared to a moose or deer hunt and it does require the hunter to be in good shape.

good golly cold zero!!!

Your workout regime looks like you are running for Governor!!!

Out of curiosity, how old are you?

I am impressed with your strengthening schedule. I just run 3 miles 2-3 times a week (hilly)and try and do it all year so I can do my annual elk unguided back-pack-in trip. 6 miles in and 3700 feet up to spike camp this year. thank god we did not see anything over 5 points, or I would still be packing meat.

Anyway, at 52, I think an all year base fitness is the only way to go. Sounds liky you had a Nice trip.

Jameister

jameister;

i was 35 y.o.a. at the time of hunt, now 36.

the guide put out 100% and so did i, the sheep never stood a chance with determination like that.

the conditioning paid dividends at the end of the hunt when i carried 110 lbs. out for 21 miles in 1.5 days. i never would have made it otherwise.

cold zero

[ 10-26-2003, 05:10: Message edited by: cold zero ]

Its along time till August,can we see some pics ?

thanks ,dave

dave;

my computer skills are limited. if somebody provides directions , maybe i can get my girlfriend to post them.

cold zero

cold zero,

This may help Posting Pics

Regards,

Terry

In the alternative, you can email me a few pics and I will post them for you.

Cold Zero,

You are an animal. I sucessfully hunted sheep on my own in the Brooks range and in the Wrangells but I never had to work or work-out at the levels you are describing. I acknowledge you for your determination and discipline.

Can you post a contact number for your guide?

Thanks,

Bryan