22 September 2007, 17:34
philny1Great AK Hunt
From the start this trip was smooth. Our bags and firearms made it to Anc with us. After a nites rest we boarded the bus to Tok, then Noerthway. Hitched a ride to the airstrip and in a couple hours we were picked up by Terry Overly as promised.
After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, we did the necessary paper work and had our sheep and bear tags. Then off to the range where we both shot well under moa at 300 yds.
Horese being packed and saddled at the corral.
Was a six hour ride into out camp. Had a cook tent and a tent each for guides and hunters. Spotted sheep the first morning from camp. Did the climb and found six rams bedded. One of the rams was very interesting, but was facing us and we could not tell if he had a full curl. Had to wait them out, then experienced a white out, when it cleared they had moved off. We made a move and tried to catch them on the backside of the ridge. Never saw them again. Spent the rest of the day glassing, spotted over 40 sheep.
Second day rode out west of camp for a couple hours. From a vantage point spent the day glassing for bear. Saw more sheep.
Should add I've ridden in the Rockies hunting elk. This was bog country for the most part, much of the time was spent on wet spongy ground and steep slopes. Also rode the creek and river beds, amazing the way their horses could pic their way through the rocks. After climbing down into one creek bed on foot, then trying to coax my horse down over the rocks behind me, she try to jump it. Didn't make it and crashed next to me, thought for sure she would be injured. Up and away no problem, tough animals.
Third day spotted sheep on the ride to the mountain, looked promising. Up top again could not put a full curl on any of them. Crossed over a shallow basin and made our way out a ridge on the backside. Before too far we spotted four rams below us. After studying them for close to a hour, my guide said the biggest one was legal and gave me permission to take the shot. Soon I had my first Dall sheep.
A happy and tired sheep hunter, the ram came down the chute behind us. With me is Levi, our camp helper and soon to be guide.
Spent the rest of the hunt lookin' for bear and moose. Saw a couple cows and a calf, no bear. A few caribou with a couple hugh bulls.
My partner continued to hunt sheep without success made a great 400 yd shot on a wolf.
Spent our last couple days in AK at the lodge waiting for the flight home. One other ram was brought in that hunt.
Our flight home went without a hitch. Bags and firearms arrived with us and most important--my horns and cape.
A thourghly great AK experience, with some really great people!!!!
22 September 2007, 18:08
DMBGood narrative.
And, kudos on the sheep kill!!!!
Thanks for the post.
Don
22 September 2007, 21:29
yukon deltaGlad your trip went better for you this time. I haven't met the Overlys but they have a great reputation on sheep. Can you post larger photos or I can help?
22 September 2007, 21:57
philny1I was surprised the pics were so small, Yes by all means enlarge them if you like.
Thanks, Phil
22 September 2007, 22:23
yukon deltaI sent a PM to you with my email address. You will need to email me the original photos so I can enlarge them. If I enlarge the ones you have posted it will not look right.
22 September 2007, 23:51
peterdkcongratulations phil
looks like an adventure for sure, thanks for the write up and pics.
peter
23 September 2007, 17:58
bluefinVery nice ram! Your camp site looks like a five star lodge. That's one of the nicer looking ones I've seen. Again, congrats on a successful hunt.
24 September 2007, 11:14
west2721Congrats on the nice ram. How old was it? I'm trying to count the rings but can't make them out too well in the bottom pic?
I saw one that was very close to full curl on my hunt. We watched it for over an hour as is stood on a ledge about 400 yds away. Nice sunny day and that sheep stood there looking out over the valley liked he owned the world. I'll see if I can download some video. . . didn't have my camera with me (pretty stupid).
24 September 2007, 18:35
philny1"Congrats on the nice ram. How old was it? I'm trying to count the rings but can't make them out too well in the bottom pic?
I saw one that was very close to full curl on my hunt. We watched it for over an hour as is stood on a ledge about 400 yds away. Nice sunny day and that sheep stood there looking out over the valley liked he owned the world. I'll see if I can download some video. . . didn't have my camera with me (pretty stupid)."
My ram is eight years. Ya get the wrong angle and its very difficult to judge em. I take more video than stills always regret it later on.
Thanks
Phil
24 September 2007, 22:12
NorthwayPhilny1,
Congrats on the hunt. Overly has some of the BEST horses anywwhere around. Incredible country too! I grew up in Northway and now live in Tok. Been out in Overly's country a bit. They can cover alot of country and see a lot of animals. Glad you enjoyed your hunt!
25 September 2007, 04:55
blaser93Joel and you had a grate Hunt but if you tell what you paid for the hunt people will die. You stold this hunt.