Dall Sheep Hunting in the Brooks Range, Alaska

Rifle

Above everything we recommend a gun that you are familiar with. One that you trust and like. We recommend a scoped light weight, bolt action rifle that is stainless with a synthetic stock or carbon stock. The complete rifle with scope should ideally weigh less than 6-9lbs. If you are looking for a good excuse to buy a custom sheep rifle this is the time! Minimum caliber is .7mm for the sheep, but keep in mind this is grizzly bear country - up in the Brooks Range above the Arctic Circle - where the salmon run doesn't reach. So the bears, hungrier, more aggressive, and more likely to charge. Your guide will always have your back, but I highly recommend a 30 caliber rifle!. I personally at this time use a 300 win mag.

I recommend the Nosler 21 and 48. Another great choices is the Scoute Mountain Standard.

Nosler Model 21 Rifle

Nosler Model 48 Mountain Carbon Rifle

Scoute MountainStandard

H-S Precision PLR – Professional Long Range Hunting Rifle

Weatherby Vanguard Weatherguard Bronze Bolt-Action Rifle

Scopes

I recommend the Leupold VX-6HD 3-18 x 50 with the Illuminated TOMA reticle. It is a solid and proven scope that I've used for several years with total time in the field of approx. 20 months. Highly recommended.

Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50mm Riflescope w/ Illum. T-MOA

Ammo

There are a lot of choices in high quality ammo out there. It all comes down to what shoots best in your rifle. Spend the time and put plenty of rounds downrange before coming on your hunt.

I personally use Nosler Accubond. Another great option is the Hornady Precision ELD-X
I recommend staying away from solid copper bullets, because the bullet often passes right through the animal. We want every foot-pound of pressure going toward making a solid, ethical kill.

Nosler AccuBond 300 Rem Ultra Magnum - 180GR

Hornady 300 Remington Short Action Ultra Mag 178 gr ELD-X® Precision Hunter®

Shooting Advice

Most shots are less than 300 yards laying in the prone position. However hunters should be prepared to take 800 yard shots if needed. You also need to be prepared to shoot off of natural rock outcropping. A very doable shot these days. Your guide will do the best he can to help get you where you need to be to make a clean kill with confidence. Your rifle should be zeroed in at 200yds.

Also I recommend taking shooting courses to prepare for your hunt. Here is a course I recommend:

SCOUTE Precision Hunter Development Course

Binoculars

High quality binoculars are well worth the investment and they will last a lifetime. I have and continue to use my 10x42. From a glassing perspective, some people think you want a 15x - but as soon as the wind blows, you start to shake, and as soon as you find an animal with your binos, you switch to your spotting scope anyways. The 10x42 is small and compact enough to move more freely and easily and has plenty of power for this hunt.

I recommend the Leupold 10x42 Santiam HD - it's a solid pair of 10x42's for the price. Very durable, and Leupold has been a supplier to the military for years, so they understand durability and quality. However, this bino doesn't yet have a built-in range-finder, so you might also consider some of the alternative recommendations below from Leica and Swaro with built-in range finders. I've used these before and so have plenty of my clients.

Geovid Range Finder 10x42

Swarovski EL Range 10x42

Leupold BX-5 Santiam HD 10x42mm Binoculars

Spotting Scope

Most of my clients don't bring their own spotting scope with them, but if you want to get completely tricked out with solid optics of your own on this hunt, I personally use the Leupold SX-5 SANTIAM HD 27-55X80MM ANGLED scope. I've used it in the field quite a bit and it's never let me down.

Leupold SX-5 SANTIAM HD 27-55X80MM ANGLED

Boots

Out of all your gear your boots are the most important part of the kit. Keep your feet healthy and in good shape, and you'll be rock solid for the walking and climbing this hunt typically requires. This requires not just a boot but a system for your feet and the boot is one part of the system. The other parts of the system are insoles, socks, gaiters and camp shoes. Your feet should have natural calluses left alone and trimmed nails. When selecting parts of this system go off of your personal history on other hunts. There is no need to experiment on a sheep hunt.

Your boots should be 6"-10" high for this type of hunt. Keeping your feet dry is very important so make sure your boots are in good shape. They should be broken in and well oiled. I recommend putting them on wet and wearing them dry and this will allow them to stretch and shrink to fit your foot.

I personally like the Lathrop & Sons, but Crispi, Kenetrek and Zamberlin also make great boots.

MOUNTAIN EXTREME 400

2092 MOUNTAIN TREK GTX® RR

Crispi Briksdal SF GTX

L&S Mountain Hunter™ Wide Fit

Hip Waders

Hip boots are optional. They are needed more on Caribou and Grizzly hunts where the creeks are larger and more river crossings.

Glacier Socks

The Glacier Sock is a great alternative to hip boots, and weighs only 11 oz. It can roll down and be tucked into your gaiter when not needed. They are warm and stable with great support and no break in time. They reduce foot and ankle fatigue and at the end of the day your feet will be stronger than in a traditional leather boot. They do take some getting used to and have a unique purpose. They are clumsy at first while standing or walking on hard flat floor but are great wading in braided creeks, river crossings, climbing, traversing and tundra crossings.

Socks

Any solid pair of stretchy or merino wool socks, such as Kenetrek's Alaska Super Heavyweight or Darn Tough will do. Just don't bring cotton socks!

Quantity: 5 pair

ALASKA SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT OVER-THE-CALF SOCK

Darn Tough Hunter OTC Extra Cushion

Sock Liners

Sock liners are optional. They reduce friction causing hot spots and blisters. They are lightweight and fit in a sandwich Ziploc bag. Great insurance if you have had a history with blisters and hot spots.

Quantity: 3 pair

ULTIMATE LINER SOCK

Gaiters

Gaiters seal between your pants and boots keeping out unwanted water while crossing braided rivers and low wet vegetation with snow. I recommend Kenetrek or Outdoor Research Gaiters.

Quantity: 1 pair

HUNTING GAITERS - SOLID LODEN GREEN

Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters

Camp Shoes

Remember you may wear your camp shoes as much as your hunting boots. They will give your feet a break after hiking and be easy to slip on around camp. They may be used on river crossing or as approach shoes on the stalk.

Crocs or anything that's easy to slip on and waterproof or dries out quickly. I personally wear Crocs with a slightly more aggressive sole for some added traction. Gator Waders has a nice booty-type slip on as well.

Men's Camp Boots - Black/Seven

Crocs Men's and Women's Classic Realtree Clog | Camo Shoes

Upper Body

Mosquito Head Net

Sometimes, mosquitos can get pretty bad and we can handle some of the deterrent with deet, but that won't completely do the trick. One of the reasons caribou keep moving all the time in Alaska is because of the mosquitos! So - the mosquito net is a super important piece of gear for the hunt - it's an absolute must have. And in fact, it may be good to bring a backup! I always carry two mosquito nets for this sheep hunt.

Sea to Summit Permethrin-Treated Mosquito Head Net

Lightweight Long John Top

This is your base layer and you will wear it all the time.

Eberlestock Bruneau SPF Hoody

Mid-weight Long John Top

This layer fits over your lighter base layer and is a secondary base layer for colder temperatures.

First Lite Men's Wick Quarter Zip

Midweight Heavy Putty

Eberlestock Payette Down Hoody

Heavyweight Layer

Eberlestock Thunderbolt Mountain Parka

First Lite Brooks Down Sweater (Jacket)

T-Shirts

Nice to wear around camp or hiking on warm days. This should be your only article of cotton clothes.

DUTTON TEE

BULWARK TEE

FOCUS TEE

Lower Body

Lightweight Long John Bottoms

Eberlestock Selway Merino Baselayer Pant

First Lite Men's Kiln Long John

Mid-weight Long John Bottoms

First Lite Men's Furnace Long John

Hiking Pants

This layer is your basic pant that you will wear every day. This pant should be quick dry flexible fabric that breathes with pockets.

Eberlestock Salmon River Pant

Fjallraven - Men's Keb Gaiter Trousers

I really like the Fjallraven pant, with its reinforced knees and seat, but some of my clients wouldn't like the more "athletic" cut of this pant perhaps.

Shorts

Shorts are optional. Your shorts should be a quick dry swim trunk material.

First Lite Men's Guide Lite Short

These shorts weigh little and take up little room. They're nice on warm days walking up river valleys and around camp while drying gear. I like to wear them even over my base layer when climbing elevation or pack rafting.

Insulating Pants

This pant should have full length leg zippers to put on over your boots.

KUIU Super Down Pro Pant

I like Kuiu super down pants because they're light weight and very warm.

Underwear

I recommend bringing 2-4 pair of merino / wool underwear. Duckworth makes awesome briefs made from wool from sheep that graze in Montana.

Duckworth Men's Vapor Brief

Head & Hands

Sometimes you need lightweight and sometimes you need heavyweight gloves. When you're hiking and your body temps get up - you're going to want some lightweight hand protection and sturdy - like a work glove with some padding to protect against the sharp brush and shale / loose rock or scree. But then when you are more stationary or when the temps really plummet, you're going to want more insulation on your hands, so a heavyweight pair of gloves is also a must have in your kit.

Lightweight Gloves

Mechanix Wear: M-Pact Leather Work Gloves

Heavyweight Gloves

Bridger Glassing Mitt

Outdoor Research Alti Mitts

Stocking Cap

A must have in your kit for in Alaska.

Duckworth Knit Rigger Hat

VOORMI Cuff Beanie

Headlamp & Extra Batteries

When it comes to head lamps, I do see the appeal of rechargeable headlamps, but when you're out in the backcountry I'd rather have a few sets of spare batteries I can rely on and that makes it easier. I like either the Petzel Tikka XP or the Black Diamond Storm 400.

Petzl Tikka XP Headlamp

Black Diamond Equipment - Storm 400 Headlamp

Rain Gear

Notice I have the rain gear separated from the normal clothes with the important gear. Your rain gear should be lightweight and packable. Your rain gear needs to be completely waterproof not weather resistant. This is your shell layer and shouldn't be insulated and should be oversized to fit over other layers.

For rain gear, as well as all other clothing on this, and many other big game hunts, I recommend getting solid colors vs. camo. With the exception of some turkey hunts or MAYBE some archery hunts, I don't believe camo makes a difference. I've killed plenty of animals up close wearing jeans.

Many people use rainpaints to try to stay dry, but in my experience the rain pants typically have lots of leaky spots with their seams. With the rafting pant, they have a neoprene cuff that hugs your ankle and that you can flip down over your boot, forming a waterproof seal. And then on top of all of that, I'll put my gaiters to truly keep the water out of my boots. This creates several layers of waterproof protection, but the downside could be that your feet get really hot. So the rule of thumb sometimes when sheep hunting is glass for 10 min, walk for 10 min….or however long you walk, take that much time to glass and that should help keep your feet in good shape.

Eberlestock Seven Devils Rain Shell

Eberlestock Seven Devils Rain Pant

First Lite Omen Stormshelter Jacket

First Lite Omen Stormshelter Pant

Simms G4 PRO Wading Jacket

KUIU Chugach TR Rain Pant

Knife

Knives are an important part of your kit, but when it comes to knives for field dressing animals, typically your guide will have you covered. I carry two knives on me at all times - the Havalon Piranta 60a and the Speedgoat by Montana Knife Company. If I was only going to carry one knife on this hunt, it would be the Havalon along with some extra blades.

Havalon Piranta-Edge Blaze Orange

The Havalon is a phenomenal knife, and my go-to knife for this hunt along with 10 extra blades.

Montana Knife Company - The Speedgoat Fixed Blade

I carry the Speedgoat because it's a sturdier knife to have as a backup, and Montana Knife Company (MKC) has been doing some great work making knives right here in the USA.

Trekking Pole

I like to use one pole allowing one free hand for climbing. They are nice for crossing creeks and steading yourself on the mountain.

Carbonlite Pro (Pair)

I recommend a carbon fiber high-quality pole like the Mountainsmith Carbonlite Pro.

Sunglasses

Definitely bring a solid pair of sunglasses that are comfortable to wear for hours, perhaps most of the day.

SMITH Guide's Choice ChromaPop Glass Polarized

Leupold Refuge Performance Eyewear Sunglasses

Water Bottle

Nalgene Wide Mouth Water Bottle

Nalgene wide mouths are easy to fill. They can be filled with hot water and have the lid screwed down tight to sleep with.

Lightweight Dry Bags

Dry bags are nice to keep clothes organized and dry. I recommend the Cirrus ultralight dry bags from Eberlestock.

Eberlestock Cirrus Ultralight Dry Bag

Camera with Extra Batteries

Battery life is short in cold weather and it is well worth carrying an extra battery. I would recommend a small pelican case for your camera that is waterproof but a Ziplock will work.

Snacks

2-4lbs of favorite snacks. Little comfort goes a long way.

Drinks

Item is Optional
If you like certain drinks, for instance coffee/hot chocolate/tea/energy or alcohol. Small comforts go a long way in the field. Just don't bring a heavy glass jug. Weight matters!

Global Rescue / Travel Insurance

Global Rescue

Optional - but a nice insurance policy in case something goes wrong in the field.

Satellite Communicator

Being able to tell your friends/family/loved ones that you're safe and share your location can help people feel at ease when you're off the grid. A good sat communicator can also be your SOS button if you ever get into a tough situation and need rescued. I've used Zoleo in Alaska and it's very easy to text people using your phone, but through the Iridium satellite network - anywhere in the world. Super weatherproof as well.

ZOLEO Satellite Communicator

Book or Kindle

Nice for bad weather days (yes it happens!) or while waiting on planes.

Extra Eyeglasses or Contacts

Cash

Extra cash for traveling, trophy fees and guide gratuities. One question I get asked all the time is, "What's the standard guide tip?" Industry standard is about 10%.