LivingTheDream
AH legend
First and foremost - All I can say is this hunt was just absolutely awesome! There is nothing I can complain about and it far exceeded my expectations. Just an amazing hunt with great people. To give everyone a heads up I got my sheep! But I would give them 6 out of 5 stars.
I also want to thank many of the members here. @375 Ruger Fan is the man! But I talked with many members here and they gave me a lot of advice and what to look for and who to talk to and how to prepare. It goes without saying this is why this site is special is the members here really do help other hunters.
But wanted to give everyone a full review of equipment and training since I know this is big for sheep hunters.
I started saving for a sheep hunt over 7 years ago, saving change and what not and buying I-bonds as part of my saving strategy. Taking any extra and saving it and slowly buying equipment along the way. It would be a pair of pants for Christmas or buying a new backpack here, but slowly getting all of the equipment. Not knowing the type of sheep hunt I would do, I was super weight focused and happy to report that when I weight my full pack minus ammo and gun I was at 22.5lbs, so I was ready.
Training Preparation - I started the stairmaster 2 years ago, I could barely go 30 minutes and get 150 flights in that time. The first time I did 60 minutes, I did 280 flights and thought I was the man. Overtime this got better and better, by the end of it I was doing 450 in 80 minutes and could hit 200 flights in 30 minutes. This help with stamina but lacked some of the core balancing muscles. I did a lot of planks for the core muscles (look up "bring Sally up planks" on Youtube and this is a great 3 to 4 minute core workout). Finally, I walked, I walked a lot, with my pack and about 60lbs total. I did 2 to 3 hours a week in a hilly spot, this pretty much got my muscles ready and by the end I could walk up and down for 3 hours and would not even be sore. I would say start this 4 to 5 months out. There was a some slight burnout on my part. On a side note and the to show the benefits of sheep shape, I was walking with my pack where there is waterfalls, and one day someone was doing a swimsuit photo shoot! That was awesome! Next trip, I will walk on rocks more with my pack, just to build balancing muscles and get some extra confidence. I think my guide was part goat because he could fly in the rocks, I did alright once I lost the pack but I didn't have the balance in the rocks.
Lowa Hunter GTX - Awesome Boots - A little tough to break in, but you can feel them grip. I haven't feel once while wearing them, and they give awesome ankle support. For mountain hunting, they were great.
Kuiu Ultralight 6000 pack - Weighs about 3.5 lbs and can handle some weight. The buckle system can be a little frustrating at times but they expand and collapse for almost any situation and get handle some weight. Can add different pockets and features. The rifle system they use to carry your rifle is ok, if you get it locked in right it is nice, but you have to get it perfect.
Sitka layers - Great stuff and held up great. Was able to easily layer, morning were about 30 and afternoons about 80, being able to layer was a lifesaver and never felt cold and never got too sweaty.
Kuiu Guide Jacket - A little bulky but was great for riding horses.
Must haves - Camp shoes, camp pants, and T-shirt. Also buy compression shorts, those things are great for hiking. Trust me on this - buy compression shorts, I wish I had them on my elephant hunt.
Ok so now that is out of the way onto the hunt!
I also want to thank many of the members here. @375 Ruger Fan is the man! But I talked with many members here and they gave me a lot of advice and what to look for and who to talk to and how to prepare. It goes without saying this is why this site is special is the members here really do help other hunters.
But wanted to give everyone a full review of equipment and training since I know this is big for sheep hunters.
I started saving for a sheep hunt over 7 years ago, saving change and what not and buying I-bonds as part of my saving strategy. Taking any extra and saving it and slowly buying equipment along the way. It would be a pair of pants for Christmas or buying a new backpack here, but slowly getting all of the equipment. Not knowing the type of sheep hunt I would do, I was super weight focused and happy to report that when I weight my full pack minus ammo and gun I was at 22.5lbs, so I was ready.
Training Preparation - I started the stairmaster 2 years ago, I could barely go 30 minutes and get 150 flights in that time. The first time I did 60 minutes, I did 280 flights and thought I was the man. Overtime this got better and better, by the end of it I was doing 450 in 80 minutes and could hit 200 flights in 30 minutes. This help with stamina but lacked some of the core balancing muscles. I did a lot of planks for the core muscles (look up "bring Sally up planks" on Youtube and this is a great 3 to 4 minute core workout). Finally, I walked, I walked a lot, with my pack and about 60lbs total. I did 2 to 3 hours a week in a hilly spot, this pretty much got my muscles ready and by the end I could walk up and down for 3 hours and would not even be sore. I would say start this 4 to 5 months out. There was a some slight burnout on my part. On a side note and the to show the benefits of sheep shape, I was walking with my pack where there is waterfalls, and one day someone was doing a swimsuit photo shoot! That was awesome! Next trip, I will walk on rocks more with my pack, just to build balancing muscles and get some extra confidence. I think my guide was part goat because he could fly in the rocks, I did alright once I lost the pack but I didn't have the balance in the rocks.
Lowa Hunter GTX - Awesome Boots - A little tough to break in, but you can feel them grip. I haven't feel once while wearing them, and they give awesome ankle support. For mountain hunting, they were great.
Kuiu Ultralight 6000 pack - Weighs about 3.5 lbs and can handle some weight. The buckle system can be a little frustrating at times but they expand and collapse for almost any situation and get handle some weight. Can add different pockets and features. The rifle system they use to carry your rifle is ok, if you get it locked in right it is nice, but you have to get it perfect.
Sitka layers - Great stuff and held up great. Was able to easily layer, morning were about 30 and afternoons about 80, being able to layer was a lifesaver and never felt cold and never got too sweaty.
Kuiu Guide Jacket - A little bulky but was great for riding horses.
Must haves - Camp shoes, camp pants, and T-shirt. Also buy compression shorts, those things are great for hiking. Trust me on this - buy compression shorts, I wish I had them on my elephant hunt.
Ok so now that is out of the way onto the hunt!
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