Alaska Dall Sheep Hunt/Guide ?

[Torrent50]

I am in the infancy stage of planning an Alaska Dall Sheep hunt.  I am wondering if any of my fellow Hunt Wa members have any personal experience and/or recommendations on guides to look into booking with (or ones to avoid).  Any info that might help me whittle the choices down would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[Houndhunter]

Horse back or back pack style hunt?

I'll say this, the sooner you book the cheaper it'll be. The company I work for is booked out to 2022 and the prices continue to go up every year.

[Torrent50]

Well, I would be game for either horseback or backpack.  I'm not as young as I like to think, but what I picture first is a backpack style.  I was figuring that the cost would be going up since every other type of hunt is doing the same.  Hoping it won't become impossible to afford by the time I get it all figured out. 

[fishngamereaper]

No personal experience but I think hunting with Billy Molls would be a blast.

[jdb]

https://hiddenak.com/

[Houndhunter]

Horseback isn't necessarily easier but much more comfortable for sure. They will be more expensive though.

No personal experience but I think hunting with Billy Molls would be a blast.

Billy Moll's is a great guide, spent my first year working with him. He'd be on my recommendation list for a backpack style hunt for sure.

[greenhead_killer]

My buddy went two years ago and had a great time. I can ask what outfitter he used. He’s been back up for mt goat/Sitka combo with same guys and was successful all around. Sounded like a great trip

[Skyvalhunter]

Are you thinking on applying for a special permit area also or strictly hunting a no permit area? Time is almost over for the special permit and unless you sign a outfitter contract or have a kindred relative your out. I would look at a Brooks Range or Alaska range hunt to get the total experience.

[huntnphool]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,177477.msg2348786.html#msg2348786

More good info here.

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,190782.msg2526022.html#msg2526022

[Torrent50]

Thank you all for the info provided.  It's not going to be a cheap adventure and getting feedback from people who have had good experiences gives me a bit more confidence in moving forward.

[Falcon]

Not an expert by any means.  I went once in 07 when i was 44.  Booked it 2 years out and went with a decent outfitter in the Alaska Range.   The hunts back then were super cheap compared to now.
I got the hunt for 8k.  Now you are easily looking at 20k plus for a reputable outfitter.   The good outfitters are usually booked up 2 years in advance.   Alaska is getting hammered by high numbers of sheep hunters, but its also big country.  A great place to go and talk one on one with the outfitters is the sheep show in Reno.  It will only virtual this year, but its a great spot to to scope out your options.

Not many outfitters in Alaska use horses.
Pretty much all of them fly in the client to a high river drainage.  From there you backpack in to a high camp
I chose the early hunt which ate up 3 days of the hunt before season, but the rams aren't spooked, and you get first crack at them.
Get in the best shape of your life.

PM me if you want to talk some night.

Good luck,
Bryan

[Torrent50]

That's a nice ram Falcon.  Seeing that makes me want to do this even more.  Thank you for the info and offer.  I will take you up on that here one of these days. 

[starbailey]

I second a lot of what Falcon said. If I was planning a hunt and wanted to go sooner than later, I'd find an outfitter I'd give them a deposit and book dates. More than likely they will be 2-3 years out. Then have them apply you for the special draw permits in the Chugach. (Mid December app deadline) If drawn you are going that year if not you have your place in line.
I highly recommend Dan Montgomery Alaska Trophy Adventures!
Bryan B.

[Skyvalhunter]

Just remember if you are going to hunt a permit only area find an outfitter that hunts that unit. You can either apply yourself or have them apply for you. So it's a no point system in AK and its luck of the draw so you might never get drawn in a given unit. If you want to hunt in the next couple years and don't want to rely on luck of the draw I would suggest finding an outfitter that hunts an area where no draw is required. The Chugach unit has some units that are draw only and believe me its tough(<5%) as I have not drawn in over 10 yrs of applying for there and TOK.