Got lucky and drew a Sheep tag! [Archive]

BrianW

01-28-2006, 02:24 PM

Meerkat

01-28-2006, 02:28 PM

I hope you and your sheep are very happy together. Really, it couldn't have happened to a nicer person! :D

jack grebe

01-28-2006, 02:30 PM

WOW IT EVEN COMES WITH HANDLES :D

George Roberts

01-28-2006, 02:32 PM

Just don't come home into your bedroom with the sheep under your arm and say "This is the pig I have sex with when you have a headache.)

Meerkat

01-28-2006, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by jack grebe:
WOW IT EVEN COMES WITH HANDLES :D ROTFL!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D

Phillip Allen

01-28-2006, 02:46 PM

I'm not a fan of super-light rifles...my thinking is that if you can't tote an 8# rifle then you shouldn't burden the rescue folks by exposing yourself to the danger of getting off the sidewalk...(said with a smile)

The ultimate light rifle is a tight fitting (for the light cartridge) piece of cane wrapped with a lot of duct tape and a tack hammer with a tack glued to it...get close first

Phillip Allen

01-28-2006, 02:48 PM

Or...you could try aperture sights and leave off the heavy scope…

Donn

01-28-2006, 02:48 PM

Congrats, Brian. I look forward to pics of the hunt.

huisjen

01-28-2006, 03:08 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/huisjen/1458.jpg

Do you guys have emissions inspections once you get the tag on him?

Dan

[ 01-28-2006, 04:09 PM: Message edited by: huisjen ]

BrianW

01-28-2006, 03:11 PM

Phillip,

I'm going to have a rifle built in the 7lb range. I agree with you, getting crazy light can make it hard to get on target quickly.

I doubt it will be sporting iron sights of any sort. Probably a Leupold 3.5x10 Vari-XIII scope on quick release rings and a spare scope at camp.

Dall sheep are very tasty. Better than Mountain Goat, and we love that meat.

Plus the horns are a nice trophy. My tag is for either a full curl ram, or a ewe. Dall Sheep are one of the 3 big game species in Alaska that require a guide for non-residents. Brown bear and Mountain Goat being the other 2 that require a guide.

Phillip Allen

01-28-2006, 03:15 PM

Okay...I'll come up sometime and carry the back-up rifle fer ya (I'd like the hunt but not interested much in shooting more than targets...sides, I don't like butchering) I'm thinking of taking up training horses again when I gets back home...the one type of hunting I still would love to do is a long trek on horse back...bikers ain't got nothing on horse back trekking...

Paul Pless

01-28-2006, 03:26 PM

Congratulations! I'm jealous.

I had my sheep and goat rifle built about four years ago. Its a cut down #1 chambered in .257 Wby Mag topped with a Kahles scope. As much as I trid to keep the weight down, with a sling it weighs right at 8 pounds.

What you thinking about getting to hunt with?

huisjen

01-28-2006, 03:41 PM

A fresh waffle lures 'em in like nobody's business. He had one this morning, and now he's jonesing for another.

Dan

BrianW

01-28-2006, 05:39 PM

Paul,

The 257Roy (Weatherby) is a great cartridge. In fact, I'm thinking along the .25 caliber lines myself. I know several folks shooting the 25-284 (obviously a 284 Winchester necked down to .25 caliber) and am strongly leaning toward that chambering. It can be built on a short action yet has as much powder capacity as a 25-06.

I'd like to find a M70 Classic donor rifle just for the action, then of course have it rebarreled by Pac-Nor (http://www.pac-nor.com/) and stocked in a McMillan (http://mcmfamily.com/mfsinc_n/index.html) handle. Buit finding a left-handed, stainless, M70 short action will be tough. I may have to go with an action from Montana Rifles (http://www.montanarifleman.com/actions.htm) even though they are a touch on the heavy side.

There's another 'Mauser type' action that should be released at the Shot Show next month. I'll wait to see the specs on that one before I buy anything right now.

BTW, the Montana actions are investment cast at the same place Ruger uses now.

Bruce Hooke

01-29-2006, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by huisjen:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/huisjen/1458.jpg

Do you guys have emissions inspections once you get the tag on him?

Dan:D :D :D

uncas

01-29-2006, 09:01 AM

Doesn't look as though that ram is registered...exp. date 04!!!!
Don't take him out on the highway...

htom

01-29-2006, 11:10 PM

Jealous, just jealous. Have a great time!

jaburgin

01-29-2006, 11:51 PM

once in a lifetime chance , enjoy! and does nobody use 270 anymore?

BrianW

01-30-2006, 12:46 AM

You must be referring to Jack O'Conner's favorite cartridge. smile.gif

My wife has a Ruger rifle in 270 Win, but it's right-handed, and I shoot left-handed. Swapped out the stock for a Hougue 'overmolded' version, and installed a Timney trigger, loaded up some 130gr Barnes Triple X bullets over a light load, and she loves shooting it.

About the only thing more boring than a 270 Win is the 30-06 Springfield. Hard to stay awake when talking about.... zzzzzzzz

;)

N. Scheuer

01-30-2006, 05:48 AM

Do the guys that don't get "Sheep Tags" get Women instead?

Moby Nick

Gresham CA

01-30-2006, 06:25 AM

Both my Browning and my Ruger are 270's.

jaburgin

01-30-2006, 07:12 AM

well im glad to see the 270 is still used great flat shooting round , and yes jack oconners favorite . seemed to me the perfect match for a big horn.

huisjen

01-30-2006, 08:24 AM

Originally posted by uncas:
Doesn't look as though that ram is registered...exp. date 04!!!!
Don't take him out on the highway...It's okay Jamie. He's farm use only.

Dan

uncas

01-30-2006, 08:29 AM

Better put one of these on his stern....note it is cloth!!!!!

http://www.drivingessentials.com/images/Safety%20items/Reflective_Triangles.JPG

Norman Bernstein

01-30-2006, 08:57 AM

Are they edible? Or do you kill them merely for the fun of it?

Donn

01-30-2006, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by BrianW:

Dall sheep are very tasty. Better than Mountain Goat, and we love that meat.

Paul Pless

01-30-2006, 09:08 AM

In fact, I'm thinking along the .25 caliber lines myself. I know several folks shooting the 25-284 (obviously a 284 Winchester necked down to .25 caliber) and am strongly leaning toward that chambering. It can be built on a short action yet has as much powder capacity as a 25-06.
Brian,

Hasn't Winchester released a .257 WSM? If so you could probably buy a factory gun (boring I know) with almost everything you want already installed at a pretty good price.

Paul

[ 01-30-2006, 10:11 AM: Message edited by: Paul Pless ]

BrianW

01-30-2006, 11:50 AM

Are they edible? Or do you kill them merely for the fun of it?Yes, and yes. ;)

BrianW

01-30-2006, 11:54 AM

Besides, 'billy' has been getting lonely...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/BrianW/hunting/goat.jpg

...and needs a partner on the wall.

Sheep, the other 'white meat'. smile.gif

uncas

01-30-2006, 11:56 AM

Send me a roast...
I have eaten a heck of a lot of beasts...because I have a curiousity factor of nine...
I have had Mtn Sheep...poorly classified...elk, moose, bear, seal, goat, whale, pronghorn, ya name it... and the usual.woodchuck, beaver,..even tried porcupine..don't go there.....but hey...I love trying something new...

[ 01-30-2006, 12:57 PM: Message edited by: uncas ]

Phillip Allen

01-30-2006, 05:25 PM

BTW...take a lot of pics please

ken mcclure

01-30-2006, 05:52 PM

Kind of like West Virginia, where they now practice safe sex. They tag the sheep that kick ....

huisjen

01-30-2006, 05:57 PM

Hey, have fun Brian. And maybe next year you can get a cow tag. And you can go through the fun of gearing up again for the hunt. I guess there's special camo available.

http://www.cow.net/images/outstanding.gif

:D tongue.gif

Dan

Phillip Allen

01-30-2006, 06:00 PM

That outfit is udderly ridiculous

uncas

01-31-2006, 06:03 AM

Yup...the cow should never have put it on... :D

BrianW

01-31-2006, 02:03 PM

A cow moose would be quite nice in my freezer.

George.

01-31-2006, 02:26 PM

Originally posted by BrianW:
...only 3% of applicants get a tag for that area. Why so few, for a herbivore?

Not an anti-hunting question at all. Just a question. My gut feeling is that if it needs to be tightly regulated, it may be too far gone already. But maybe not, in this case.

George.

02-01-2006, 11:58 AM

:confused:

Donn

02-01-2006, 12:08 PM

The area is near Anchorage, a population center. The low % probably has more to do with the abundance of applications, than the lack of Dall Sheep.

uncas

02-01-2006, 12:11 PM

I was thinking more in the line that residents get the lions share of permits...being residents...and the low percentage is for out of staters.
The reason for having any out of staters would be money...cost of the permit...and in some small way, the money they would bring into the community.

htom

02-01-2006, 01:00 PM

http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=sheephunt.tok

They are trying for an annual harvest of ~30 rams, so they issue ~100 tickets, for which they get around 2500 applications. (I assume that the other area is equally well managed; I'm not sure which you're talking about.)

Donn

02-01-2006, 03:33 PM

There's another large area, Delta, that also has 100 tags let. Then there are a few with 75, several with a dozen and several with single digit numbers. There are also 100 archery tags in each of a few areas. Then there's a certain amount of subsistence hunting, I assume for indigenous folks.

The Dall population, statewide, looks to be around 50K.

Edited to add: Here's what Tok looks like:

<img src= "http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/GIS/maps/specialareas/maps/MA_tok.gif">

[ 02-01-2006, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: Donn ]

George.

02-01-2006, 03:51 PM

Originally posted by Donn:
The Dall population, statewide, looks to be around 50K.

Doesn't sound to healthy for a large herbivore, unless it is a very habitat-restricted species.

Donn

02-01-2006, 03:56 PM

From AlaskaZoo.org:

"Overall, Dall sheep populations in Alaska are considered stable. The remote nature of Dall sheep habitat provides a great buffer from human disturbance, but use of alpine habitat for recreation or homes will continue to create difficulties for these shy animals. Their population growth rates tend to be slower due to births occurring every other year and higher mortality due to dangerous habitat and predation. In areas where they are exposed to livestock, massive die-offs can occur due to disease. Years of heavy snowfall or extreme weather may also cause fluctuations in population numbers."

BrianW

02-01-2006, 04:02 PM

Sorry George. missed the your question. But, the others have answered it fairly well. The low percentage is due to the number of applications submitted. ADF&G also knows that often only 50% of those drawn actually go on the hunt, and of that number maybe 50% are successful. They take all that into consideration when they decide how many permits to issue.

Both non-resident and resident hunter may apply. But non-resident hunters must use a registered guide service, adding about $7500 to the cost! :eek: Or, if a nonresident has a relative within second degree of kinship, they can hunt with them. It's a silly rule, as many non-resident hunters are more experienced than resident. It started out as a program for safety and to help slow down some of the hunting many years ago. Now it's basically a money making deal for guides.

Here's a picture of me glassing for sheep in the Wrangle-St. Elias area back in the early-90's...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/BrianW/hunting/SHEEP.jpg

and from a Mt Goat hunt a couple years back...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/BrianW/hunting/P9030019.jpg

I love being up in the moutains, even though I have a healthy 'respect' for steep heights. I just don't like getting up there in the first place. smile.gif

George.

02-01-2006, 04:07 PM

Well, if there are enough of them, I see no problem in picking a few off. Especially since they are herbivores, and their ecology is built around being picked off.

Were it not for hunters, there would not be so many places kept that are good for hunting... smile.gif

Phillip Allen

02-01-2006, 06:10 PM

Hey Brian...how much does one of those sheep weigh and at what (likely) extreme range will you shoot at one?

BrianW

02-01-2006, 06:34 PM

Phil,

According to the ADF&G website, they range from 110-230lbs live, the carcass weighs from 55-115lbs, and if ya debone it out in the field, you should get around 40-80lbs of meat.

I'm not a long range kinda shooter. But, I'm serious about this hunt so I'm spending some money on a sheep rifle. Decided to stick with a Remingtom M700 in 30-06 I have already. Just order a McMillan stock in Remintons 'Mt Hunter' configuation. Already have the 3.5-10x Leupold and Talleys to mount it. The trigger will be replaced and I'll have the whole thing coated, as it's a blued rifle, and I'm kinda rough on blueing. smile.gif

But to answer your question... about 400-500 yards will be my max range. We'll see how the load development goes, but I plan on using Barnes Triple X bullets somewhere in the 165gr range.

Phillip Allen

02-01-2006, 06:40 PM

I think the 30-06 is a good choice but I hate plastic stocks...no class to my mind. I do own an FN-FAL with a plastic stock though.

good luck

Paul Pless

02-01-2006, 06:45 PM

I'm not a long range kinda shooter.

...about 400-500 yards will be my max range
Brian, I'm not questioning your ability, but I do find the above two statements to be a bit incongruous. Paul

[ 02-01-2006, 07:58 PM: Message edited by: Paul Pless ]

Paul Pless

02-01-2006, 06:52 PM

http://serengetistockworks.com/glryimages/Prickett3006_1.jpg

Believe it or not, that is a laminated stock.

Check out this new stock company here: http://serengetistockworks.com/

Donn

02-01-2006, 06:55 PM

That's incongruous, Paul, but it isn't. That's considered mid-range.

Paul Pless

02-01-2006, 07:04 PM

Thank you Donn, and who continues to claim the forum needs a spellchecker, not eye. ;)

BrianW

02-01-2006, 07:05 PM

Phil,

It won't be pretty in the traditional manner. smile.gif

I'm going for utility, cost, and accuracy. Heck, I already feel bad using a Remington, don't make me feel worse. ;)

Those Serengeti stocks are very nice.

BrianW

02-01-2006, 09:14 PM

Paul,

I understand your point of view concerning distance. There's actually a group of 'hunters' who pride themselves on long distance shooting. They even have their own talk forum like this one. However, their track record for clean kills is hard to argue with, they do their homework.

I don't subscibed to that school of thought. I believe stalking and getting a close as possible is the proper way to hunt. Given the terrain, I hope to get withing 150 yards. But Sheep have excellent eyesite and if needed I'm prepared to stretch that distance quite a bit.

I seem to recall shooting the M16 out to 300 meters with irons. 500 yards with a good scope is not out of normal limits. smile.gif

[ 02-01-2006, 10:16 PM: Message edited by: BrianW ]

Phillip Allen

02-04-2006, 11:11 AM

Something that long range shooters often forget is that a bullet having traveled several hundred yards has pretty much worn out. The .223 round of the M16 is capable of hitting a man sized target at 300 yds but will have to hitch hike to get to 500 yds. A jacket designed to expand properly at say 200 yds after being fired from a 30-06 may as well be a full metal jacket at 500 yds. Jackets designed for belted magnums may go to pieces at close range and high velocity only to be poor expanders at extended range. A good fix is H-mantel European bullets or some of the premium types sold here…Nosler comes to mind. If a bullet is propelled from a hot belted magnum (.30 cal) may be the equivalent of a 30-30 once much distance is covered. To expand on my thinking a little further; a clean kill zone of eight inches diameter may diminish to two inches at extended range and works at cross purposes with the ability to hit well in the same rifle.

I guess that my point is that the whole thing is somewhat complicated but does not preclude trying…I just want people to educate themselves as much as possible on the subject.

paladin

02-04-2006, 04:26 PM

My automag was built for this purpose...detachable long barrel, short pistol barrel, and detachable shoulder stock...in .257 Roberts....also barrel for .18-.223 fer wolverine...and everything else is the Ruger M-77 in 7mm rem mag....

BrianW

02-04-2006, 08:54 PM

Paladin,

I've handled, but never fired an automag pistol. They're the ones with the bolt and carrier much like an M16 rifle, correct?

The one I held was very heavy for it's size.

I'll stick with the bolt action rifle for this hunt. Simple and fairly light.

Wecome back!

paladin

02-05-2006, 11:09 AM

Yup...used it fer the same purpose...the shoulder stock is a lightweight tube assembly and the entire machine fits very well in a backpack, assembly in less than a minute when you think you are within range, and the reloaded Roberts round works very well in a 16 1/2 inch barrell....and you change the powder when you load for the short barrel....just use a different color on the primer seal so's ya know the diff'rence...and the scope is stainless steel with a powder coating so no shiny stuff..4X pistol scope....that's what bagged the wolvering fer the ruff on my parka...

bobbys

09-04-2009, 02:50 PM

Alaska Fish & Game released the winter drawing results yesterday, and I drew a Dall Sheep tag for an area near Anchorage. It was a long shot draw, as only 3% of applicants get a tag for that area. smile.gif

http://www.safariclub.org/images/db/static/Sept_safari/dallsheep1.jpg

I've gone sheep hunting once before, but we didn't find any legal rams. I'll get another chance next August.

Gotta build a lighter rifle, as my bear guns are too heavy to pack up and down the mountains. Wouldn't hurt to shave a few pounds myself. smile.gif.

Congrats Brian.

I was hunting the Steens in Oregon and came across Them while hunting deer, I think one gets one tag a lifetime..

I was 40 feet from a trophy, A thrill indeed..

I also came across the wild Horses.

I bought a Model 70 SSteel with MaCmillian stock 300Weatherby but my boy took it as hes a Guide in New Mexico.

paladin

09-04-2009, 07:12 PM

I'm sitting here with a nice comfy .257 Roberts with an auto ranging sight mounted on it. Calculates trajectory to target for you.

botebum

09-04-2009, 07:23 PM

Reviving a three and a half year old thread about hunting as if it was started today ... only here:rolleyes:

Doug

coelacanth2

09-04-2009, 08:45 PM

What brand of sight is that , Chuck? I put one of Cabela's 'scopes on my Marlin, it has a bullet drop compensating reticle calibrated out to 300 yards for the Hornady Leverevolution ammo. Is it one of Zeiss' rangefinders?

TerryLL

09-04-2009, 08:54 PM

Great score Brian. I wish you success.

RodSBT

09-04-2009, 09:31 PM

Good on ya, Brian.

I've been applying for many years here in MT. and have yet to draw for sheep, goat or moose.

Some beautiful country up there.

BrianW

09-04-2009, 09:45 PM

Well gee thanks guys!

But like Doug mentioned, this thread is 3 years old. ;)

Just checked, and there's no picture posted, so here's one that's not too bloody...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v136/BrianW/Sheep%20Hunt%202006/brianrammarthasriflecannon.jpg

Was a good, hard hunt.

bluedog225

09-04-2009, 10:09 PM

I promised there would never be another ewe.....:eek:

TimmS

09-04-2009, 10:38 PM

we keep those in fences around here.....sell the wool....eat the lambs....what's da big deal?

Just kidding! Nice prize for a great hunt. thanks as always for sharing the photos

paladin

09-05-2009, 01:01 AM

My scope is a Leatherwood, calibrated to 1000 meters......but don't work that well with the .257. The mount slips off and goes to the 7mm for the long range stuff.

seanz

09-05-2009, 02:03 AM

Congratulations Brian. You are now an honorary Kiwi.

You're a bad man, a very baaaaa-ad man.

Brian; That is really nice timber on that rifle.......what is it, Antiques Roadshow Camo?
:p

bluedog225

09-05-2009, 06:25 AM

You're a bad man, a very baaaaa-ad man.

Brian; That is really nice timber on that rifle.......what is it, Antiques Roadshow Camo?
:p

I'm sure he is just "kidding".....did it get your goat? ;)

bluedog225

09-05-2009, 06:43 AM

I'm sure he is just "kidding".....did it get your goat? ;)

Sorry. I didn't hoof to say that....

bluedog225

09-05-2009, 06:45 AM

Sorry. I didn't hoof to say that....

I can't stop....it may be a fetaish.:(

bluedog225

09-05-2009, 06:48 AM

I can't stop....it may be a fetaish.:(

This has really got my goat. Please don't Pan me.

bluedog225

09-05-2009, 07:48 AM

This has really got my goat. Please don't Pan me.

Is this the first you have herd of this?

BrianW

09-05-2009, 07:59 AM

Brian; That is really nice timber on that rifle.......what is it, Antiques Roadshow Camo?
:p

I borrowed that rifle from my hunting partner. He builds wood stocks, and that's the real deal. Figured wood, treated with linseed oil if I remember correctly. Don't remember what kind of wood though.