Let's Play a Game! "Age that sheep!"

[Houndhunter]

When aging I always start with locating the second and third year annuli, will almost always be the longest distance between rings so easy to locate. Than start counting up from that third annuli. If his third year year is at the bottom of his chin it's usually a mature ram and worth taking a closer look.

[Karl Blanchard]

When aging I always start with locating the second and third year annuli, will almost always be the longest distance between rings so easy to locate. Than start counting up from that third annuli. If his third year year is at the bottom of his chin it's usually a mature ram and worth taking a closer look.

what's your opinion on Lancasters crown method?

[Karl Blanchard]

For real though, that has to be super stressful sitting behind the glass counting rings or trying to will a ram to turn his head so you get a better look at him. Wanting it to be legal so badly but wanting even more badly not to shoot a sub legal ram. I'd love to be in that spot though and envy you immensely.

Especially this year, there will not be many rams available that are legal at all due to the big winterkill back when these rams were first born.  Dall sheep harvest stats are on a downward trend in Alaska right now.  Counting annuli in the field is tough, even tougher when there aren't alot of rams around. 

I'm not in the envy spot this year though, but wish you the best of luck, it'll be a tough hunt but not impossible.  Can't wait for the pics and the story, hunting Dalls in Alaska is something everyone should experience, wild and big country up there its cool.

Don't forget back to back to back bad winters recently to nuke all the upper age class. No 8 year Olds and no 10+. Great timing on our part  😬😬😬

[Houndhunter]

When aging I always start with locating the second and third year annuli, will almost always be the longest distance between rings so easy to locate. Than start counting up from that third annuli. If his third year year is at the bottom of his chin it's usually a mature ram and worth taking a closer look.

what's your opinion on Lancasters crown method?

I'll have to look that up as I'm not familiar with that method.

[Karl Blanchard]

When aging I always start with locating the second and third year annuli, will almost always be the longest distance between rings so easy to locate. Than start counting up from that third annuli. If his third year year is at the bottom of his chin it's usually a mature ram and worth taking a closer look.

what's your opinion on Lancasters crown method?

I'll have to look that up as I'm not familiar with that method.

scroll down to like the 3rd video.


https://agingsheep.com/#first

[Limhangerslayer]

With so many things that are factors.  It’s almost like you need to shoot a9 or 10 year old to make sure it’s 8.  Or carry a ruler see if he’ll let you walk up and check him!

[Karl Blanchard]

With so many things that are factors.  It’s almost like you need to shoot a9 or 10 year old to make sure it’s 8.  Or carry a ruler see if he’ll let you walk up and check him!

 

[Houndhunter]

When aging I always start with locating the second and third year annuli, will almost always be the longest distance between rings so easy to locate. Than start counting up from that third annuli. If his third year year is at the bottom of his chin it's usually a mature ram and worth taking a closer look.

what's your opinion on Lancasters crown method?

I'll have to look that up as I'm not familiar with that method.

scroll down to like the 3rd video.


https://agingsheep.com/#first

Thanks for the link, was very informative. That guy knows way more about Dall sheep than I do but I like my way judging in the field for age, find that third year annuli. I've guided three rams that we shot off rings and I took my time in the glass to make sure they were legal. I try to get 2 out of the 3 on a ram legality wise before my guy pulls the trigger  .

Lets see some more pics to judge!

[Karl Blanchard]

Here's a ram that's a no brainer due to being full curl but how old is the old boy...

[time2hunt]

9.5


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Karl Blanchard]

Here is a reference guide Dan-O sent me in case anyone needs to use it...

[Timberstalker]

 

Even detailed the growth rings!  Dude is a sheep legend.

[Houndhunter]

I'm counting 9.

[LDennis24]

It's in it's 9th year. I notice alot of Brooks range sheep are not as heavy as other areas. I found a nice article that talks about that and the fact that alot of Brooks Range rams rarely get over 40" inches. So there's your goal! 40"+

https://www.newsminer.com/fairbanks-hunter-bags-46-inch-sheep-in-brooks-range/article_cacce685-407b-5c83-83f8-445937d3614a.html

[Karl Blanchard]

It's in it's 9th year. I notice alot of Brooks range sheep are not as heavy as other areas. I found a nice article that talks about that and the fact that alot of Brooks Range rams rarely get over 40" inches. So there's your goal! 40"+

https://www.newsminer.com/fairbanks-hunter-bags-46-inch-sheep-in-brooks-range/article_cacce685-407b-5c83-83f8-445937d3614a.html

  My goal is legal