NWT Dall or Stone???

[ltsheets]

Ok I've done some more tweaking on my sheep budget and I'm starting to have trouble deciding which sheep hunt I want to do. I know this is a good problem to have and I consider myself very fortunate to be in a position that I'm having to make this decision. Based on my savings plan, I'm looking right now at either a Dall hunt likely in the NWT in 2019 or 2020 depending on which outfitter I choose, or a Stone hunt in 2021. I'm hoping like all hell that this won't be my only sheep hunt, but that being said, I'm going to plan like it will be just in case. I know there's no real wrong decision between the two but I'm curious what everyone thinks. If you could only hunt either a NWT Dall or a Stone 1-2 years later, what would you do and why?

 

[gillettehunter]

Good question. Part of my answer is it depends. A lot depends on your health. I made a determination in Wy about 5 yrs ago to apply for a unit that I knew it was likely I could draw with the preference points that I had. It is not the best unit and I knew that if I got a ram it would likely be smaller and I'd have to work harder to get him. Good decision. Got my ram and a yr later started having knee problems. I'll turn 60 in a few days and had both knees replaced 9 weeks ago. Hopefully by next summer they will be back to 100%. The point is don't wait too long if health could possibly be an issue.
If health appears not to be a complication I'd say go for the Stone. It is significantly more rare and is one I'd try to do especially if a sheep slam is being contemplated. Dall are beautiful, but easier to get on a hunt for. Id say book early and lock in a price. Get some trip insurance and plan for the Stone. Bruce

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Either Dall or Stone are good, but I'd go to the Yukon for Dall and BC for Stone. From my research, the Stone are a more expensive hunt.

I posted a Yukon Dall hunt report last year and just recently @LivingTheDream posted a Yukon Dall hunt report.

https://www.africahunting.com/threa...ep-hunt-report-with-dickson-outfitters.30905/

 

[ltsheets]

Health shouldn't be a factor. I'm still young (33) and in pretty good shape. I'm leaning stone right now because of one of the reason you stated...how rare it is. That said, it's hard to wait! haha

Good question. Part of my answer is it depends. A lot depends on your health. I made a determination in Wy about 5 yrs ago to apply for a unit that I knew it was likely I could draw with the preference points that I had. It is not the best unit and I knew that if I got a ram it would likely be smaller and I'd have to work harder to get him. Good decision. Got my ram and a yr later started having knee problems. I'll turn 60 in a few days and had both knees replaced 9 weeks ago. Hopefully by next summer they will be back to 100%. The point is don't wait too long if health could possibly be an issue.
If health appears not to be a complication I'd say go for the Stone. It is significantly more rare and is one I'd try to do especially if a sheep slam is being contemplated. Dall are beautiful, but easier to get on a hunt for. Id say book early and lock in a price. Get some trip insurance and plan for the Stone. Bruce

 

[Ragman]

For myself, I would choose Dall sheep. Both Dall and Stone are Ovis dalli, with the Stone being a subspecies (stonei). So technically they are the same species with slight differences due to geography. I would love to shoot a sheep, but am definitely not aspiring to even attempt the Sheep Slam, so to pay the extra $ and have to wait longer for the hunt just for a different colour hair on the animal (and I guess the different name) wouldn't be something I would consider. But that's just me. Plus I think the Dall is a little prettier. Just my .02!

 

[ltsheets]

Yeah I've read both the reports. I'm a friend of Mike's and the outfitter he hunted with is one of the ones in the Yukon that I'm considering. I'm actually waiting on them to finish their season so I can have a chat with the owner about future prices.

Stone is definitely more expensive but IMO probably the most rare sheep to have hunted. That is one reason it's so appealing to me.

Either Dall or Stone are good, but I'd go to the Yukon for Dall and BC for Stone. From my research, the Stone are a more expensive hunt.

I posted a Yukon Dall hunt report last year and just recently @LivingTheDream posted a Yukon Dall hunt report.

https://www.africahunting.com/threa...ep-hunt-report-with-dickson-outfitters.30905/

 

[LivingTheDream]

I'm pushing for Stone and then come back with me to the Yukon. So much to hunt, so little time and money.

 

[ltsheets]

Haha..."so little time and money"....so true!

 

[Bullthrower338]

For me it would be stone out of the two, Dall have far more options of where you can hunt them.
I passed up a great opportunity on a Desert Sheep due to the fact my ex wife(not ex at the time) would have lost it. Wish I would have done it. That is my dream animal for NA.

 

[ltsheets]

I hear ya. I helped my buddy with his Desert hunt last March and it was amazing! I've heard some reasonable prices recently for desert rams. Some have gone at auctions for around 30k which overall is a lot less than a stone. Some desert hunts are just stupid though!

 

[Bullthrower338]

Yes sir, I had a legitimate deal worked out for 25k and should have jumped on it down in Sonora.

 

[curtism1234]

Personally, I'd just do the cheaper and then go aoudad hunting too

 

[LivingTheDream]

@Bullthrower338 you just broke my heart. Man that is a heck of a deal, sorry it didn't happen.

 

[Bullthrower338]

@Bullthrower338 you just broke my heart. Man that is a heck of a deal, sorry it didn't happen.

Won't ever again! Nobody around to chew on my ass now! Lol

 

[LivingTheDream]

@Bullthrower338 Guess you could say you are living the dream, ha see what I did there.

 

[Redruff]

Stone in BC. Because it ain't going to be getting cheaper. There's a Sheep Hunter I know here that shot 3 Stone's years ago and the most expensive was $5800 Cdn. Good luck!

R.

 

[cpr0312]

Either would be a dream hunt! That said if you have the funds might as well go hunt stone, either way it will be amazing and I will be jealous!!

 

[ltsheets]

25k for a desert in Sonora?!?!?! WOW!

@curtism...I can hunt Barbary every year here in NM over the counter for about $55. That's not a problem haha.

 

[gillettehunter]

That was a steal for a desert Bighorn. Find another like that send them my way....... Bruce

 

[ltsheets]

^^^^what Bruce said haha