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Lets talk sheep #5353298 10/11/14 01:08 AM
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txtrophy85 Online Content OP
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If a person wanted to hunt some sheep, what would be the most economical hunt (ecomonical being a relative term)?

Before anyone brings it up, I'm talking real sheep in their native range, not a $150 Corsican at Thompson temples

For instance, from my research, it's alot cheaper to go shoot a mouflon in Hungary than it is to shoot a bighorn in Mexico

Draw hunts can be considered to although I'm more interested in pay to play hunts


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353336 10/11/14 01:30 AM
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OTC bighorn in Montana. It's a quota hunt and probably not worth it, but that's your cheapest hunt.

By the time you factor in putting in for draw hunts for years, a dall in Alaska probably isn't too bad. If you want a decent chance to draw, go through a draw service and have them put you in for several states. Otherwise, it's what, about 20 grand, give or take, when it's all said and done to do a dall hunt?

Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353340 10/11/14 01:34 AM
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What are some sheep prices like abroad?

Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: Sneaky] #5353387 10/11/14 01:59 AM
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Originally Posted By: Sneaky
What are some sheep prices like abroad?


To do a mouflon hunt in Hungary it was $10k last time I checked, and you shoot some monsters

I would me slightly more inclined to fly over there and do that then pay $30k here in the states. Lots of other sheep available for that, hell I can get a Marco Polo for $20k thru an outfitter hookup


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: Sneaky] #5353392 10/11/14 02:00 AM
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You could probably find a decent Dall hunt for $20k in the Brooks Range. Also, look in the NWT and Yukon.

Stone sheep.....$40k
Rocky Mnt Bighorn.....$35k
Desert Bighorn.....$50-60k in Mexico.

Supply and demand has skewed these hunts to incredible levels. If you're flexible, a cancellation hunt could pop up and save you some money.


"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353402 10/11/14 02:04 AM
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Id be more tempted to spend my dollars abroad and put in for draw tags here in the states


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353409 10/11/14 02:07 AM
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20k for Marco Polo is a really good deal, especially for such a big ram.

Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353419 10/11/14 02:10 AM
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If you can really go on a legitimate MP hunt for 20K, you should go ASAP. Last I checked that hunt was 45-55 grand.

Of course, travel costs and shipping of your ram will run several thousand also.

I believe the biggest sheep hunting bargain today is an Alaska Dall hunt. I plan on a Brooks Range hunt within the next few years. Total cost is around 20K.

Last edited by Nogalus Prairie; 10/11/14 02:22 AM.

Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: Sneaky] #5353420 10/11/14 02:11 AM
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Well, guess I'll never go on a sheep hunt. Geez!


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Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: Sneaky] #5353425 10/11/14 02:12 AM
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I got to shoot one with my bow at Devils River SNA last year for $130 bucks. That was a draw hunt, but they didn't do stand-by's. Only 5 of us did the hunt. Other than that, I got nothing!!! confused2

Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353446 10/11/14 02:21 AM
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I am excluding drawn tag hunts because they cannot be counted on with any degree of certainty. I have put in every state for every available tag for 13 years (that's 12 states for 15-16 tags) and drew for the first time this year. And the odds of drawing that tag were only slightly better than getting struck by lightning.

To take a ram out of the Montana Unlimited unit will confer near legendary status on you immediately. The country is unbelievably rough and the sheep are unbelievably scarce.

Last edited by Nogalus Prairie; 10/11/14 02:25 AM.

Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353475 10/11/14 02:37 AM
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Sheep hunting today is nothing like the days of Jack O'Conner and his mighty .270.

Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: J.G.] #5353476 10/11/14 02:38 AM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Well, guess I'll never go on a sheep hunt. Geez!


I can beat that price, there is a locker plant east of Rowena that slaughters them, it may not be a trophy, but it will be a sheep, or if you want he might even throw in a goat a few dollars more. up


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Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353480 10/11/14 02:41 AM
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I am rambling but if the sheep bug is biting you, you should begin applying in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Nevada and Idaho immediately. WY at least if nothing else-put in for Areas 1,2,3,4 or 5 and your odds for a random draw tag are somewhere in the 1-3% range. Which is dang good compared to other states.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353482 10/11/14 02:42 AM
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Darn, back to Roswell and looking for UFO aliens. Odds seem to be the same with a bigger payoff/reward for the UFO alien.


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it is the illusion of knowledge.--Stephen Hawking
Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: skeeter22] #5353490 10/11/14 02:49 AM
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Originally Posted By: skeeter22
Sheep hunting today is nothing like the days of Jack O'Conner and his mighty .270.


Actually the hunting is similar to it. All but the money part. smile And the travel to the hunting area is much easier. But (unless you dishonor the hunt by helicoptering to the top of the mountain-as some do) the mountains still have to be climbed.

I killed my Yukon ram on a mountain not too far from where O'Connor hunted and exactly the way he hunted-long packstring trip in and spike camp tents for 10 days. My rifle was a Pre-64 Winchester with a 2.5-8x scope.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353536 10/11/14 03:19 AM
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Have you considered free range aoudad?

Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: Nogalus Prairie] #5353540 10/11/14 03:21 AM
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Originally Posted By: Nogalus Prairie
I am excluding drawn tag hunts because they cannot be counted on with any degree of certainty. I have put in every state for every available tag for 13 years (that's 12 states for 15-16 tags) and drew for the first time this year. And the odds of drawing that tag were only slightly better than getting struck by lightning.

To take a ram out of the Montana Unlimited unit will confer near legendary status on you immediately. The country is unbelievably rough and the sheep are unbelievably scarce.


Nog, do you know any particulars on that Montana hunt? Like, do they usually meet quota? How many people attempt it? Etc.

Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353557 10/11/14 03:32 AM
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I would pay $20k to go on the Marco Polo sheep hunt right now. Hook me up!!!!


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Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: Sneaky] #5353570 10/11/14 03:44 AM
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Originally Posted By: Sneaky
OTC bighorn in Montana. It's a quota hunt and probably not worth it, but that's your cheapest hunt.

By the time you factor in putting in for draw hunts for years, a dall in Alaska probably isn't too bad. If you want a decent chance to draw, go through a draw service and have them put you in for several states. Otherwise, it's what, about 20 grand, give or take, when it's all said and done to do a dall hunt?


Not a bad deal if you can get someone to fly it and scout for you so you're on legal sheep when the season starts.

One buddy got a cancelation Stone's for $17k 3yrs ago. Was then lucky enough to draw an Escalante tag to finish up his grand slam.

Another lucked into killing a Fannin on a Dall hunt to finish his grand slam. Rumored he was a wee bit emotional when he figured it out.

Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: dogcatcher] #5353574 10/11/14 03:47 AM
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Originally Posted By: dogcatcher
Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Well, guess I'll never go on a sheep hunt. Geez!


I can beat that price, there is a locker plant east of Rowena that slaughters them, it may not be a trophy, but it will be a sheep, or if you want he might even throw in a goat a few dollars more. up


Dont really want to go rifle kill livestock. But thanks though.


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Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: Sneaky] #5353743 10/11/14 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted By: Sneaky
Have you considered free range aoudad?


This is a great idea. I found that my aoudad hunt in the Chinati Mnts a few years back was every bit as challenging as any of my Grand Slam hunts. Check with Muley Mike or Bubba Glosson.

Just make sure you don't spring for a HF hunt where you sit in a blind watching a feeder, at least if you want to experience the essence of true sheep hunting....glassing, stalking, climbing, earning your trophy. Now before I get flamed, there's nothing wrong with watching a feeder, but it's not a sheep hunt in the classic style!


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Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: Sneaky] #5353753 10/11/14 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted By: Sneaky
Originally Posted By: Nogalus Prairie
I am excluding drawn tag hunts because they cannot be counted on with any degree of certainty. I have put in every state for every available tag for 13 years (that's 12 states for 15-16 tags) and drew for the first time this year. And the odds of drawing that tag were only slightly better than getting struck by lightning.

To take a ram out of the Montana Unlimited unit will confer near legendary status on you immediately. The country is unbelievably rough and the sheep are unbelievably scarce.


Nog, do you know any particulars on that Montana hunt? Like, do they usually meet quota? How many people attempt it? Etc.


Many hunters look to the unlimited entry hunts in Montana every year. But you have to understand how it works. The Fish and Game Dept sets a quota for the unit....lets say that quota is 3 rams. And lets say that there are 200 hunters in that unit on opening day. As soon as the 3 rams are killed--usually on Day One--the hunt is over for everyone. Each hunter must check in periodically by radio or cell phone to determine when the third sheep is killed.

Thus, the successful hunters in the unlimited units are the guys who scout thoroughly pre-season and know where ther rams are for opening morning. Then they hike in and set up on their ram and generally shoot at first light. Accordingly, it is almost impossible for a Texas hunter to do enough scouting to get the jump on a resident Montanan who does his homework. Your best bet would be to pay or coerce a local guy to find a ram for you. Then you would need to be lucky enough to get your ram before the others do.

It is the hunting equivalent of the Oklahoma Land Rush.


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Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353810 10/11/14 01:12 PM
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There are several unlimited units. It is my understanding some are killed out at first light and in some no sheep are taken all season. Read some blogs on them-they are brutal. The vast majority with an unlimited tag either turn around and go home or quit after a few days of tough terrain and zero sheep.

Coincidentally, my guide on the AZ sheep hunt was born and raised in Montana and is the only man to ever take a record book ram out of an unlimited unit.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Lets talk sheep [Re: txtrophy85] #5353826 10/11/14 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
If a person wanted to hunt some sheep, what would be the most economical hunt (ecomonical being a relative term)?


I'm really getting into the sheep hunting. I imagine within 5 years I will consider myself a sheep hunter that dabbles in Elk & Deer. I think the remote mountain hunting is the pinnacle challenge for me.

Aoudad - I will never get snobby about the Grand Slam sheep, I will ALLWAYS say that Aoudad hunting is the most fun and challenging for me. You can walk up on a Bighorn and stick it with an arrow, try that with an Aoudad! You also get more of a Sheep experience for 10% of the cost!

Dall Sheep - I personally find Dall the most beautiful and maybe most challenging of the Grand Slam. Also a bonus they are the least expensive to hunt! Dall populations in Alaska have reduced over 50% in last few years because of winter kill, but there are still areas with good numbers. You can get Dall hunts between $10-15k with Outfitter. The $15k hunts are very good quality hunts great areas with great rams. I have had a hunt booked for next fall for 2 years and they tagged out some awesome rams this year.





Rocky Mountain Bighorns - Opportunity is mostly to draw in states, which I recommend a subscription service that does all the headaches for you. I pay someone a small fee and they submit my application in 8 different states, they even pay for the tag for small interest rate so no money out of my pocket and then state refunds them. Out of 8 states I don't expect to start having a better chance with luck for 10 more years. However, this application services has clients draw every year with less than 10 years. There are some good Over the Counter opportunities in Canada. There are actually some outfitter hunts starting $20k or so, but sometimes the quality is minimal.

Desert Bighorns - There are several state draws or go to Mexico. Not counting the cheap high fence hunts, there are some free range opportunities around $30k with the high quality hunts closer to $60k.

Stone Sheep - I think Stone sheep have reputation for being more expensive and one of the harder to tag. There are some Canadian outfitters in the $40-50k range.

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