Dall Sheep

Dall sheep hunting is the primary pull. There are an estimated 14,000 - 26.000 Dall sheep in these mountain ranges. Counts are based on information provided by hunters, guides, and outfitters. Non-resident hunters take an average of 200 rams annually. The annual harvest is 0.8 - 1.5% of the Mackenzie Mountains Dall sheep population. Rams have to show ¾ curl in order to be legal to be harvested, and the average age of rams taken is about 10 years of age. The average life expectancy of Dall sheep is only 8-9 years, but they do get as old as 16 years. Dall rams older than 4 years of age usually stick together as do ewes over 4 years of age. Older rams roam in groups of 3 - 10, but solitary animals are also seen.

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While trophy sizes in horn length range from 23" to 44", the mean average is 35". Bases range from 10.5 to 15 inches with an average of 13 inches. The average time spent hunting for a ram is about 4 days. Dall sheep hunting starts July 15 and ends October 31, but most of us outfitters leave the high country by the end of September due to encroaching snow.