Long Range Pursuit | S6 E6 Sheep Hunting in the NWT with Mike and Aaron Part 2

Published on April 28, 2020
Duration: 22:06

This episode follows Mike and Aaron on a Dall sheep hunt in the Northwest Territories. Despite challenging weather and terrain, they successfully harvest two rams. The video highlights the difficulties of long-range sheep hunting, including wind calls, terrain navigation, and shot placement at extended distances.

Quick Summary

Long-range Dall sheep hunting in the Northwest Territories presents challenges like unpredictable weather, steep terrain, and the need for precise wind calls. Hunters assess rams based on horn curl, mass, and broom length, utilizing tools like Gunwerks rifles and Hornady ammunition for successful harvests at distances up to 881 yards.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Arrival in Northwest Territories
  2. 00:05Dall Sheep Hunting Conditions
  3. 01:01Navigating Fog and Wind
  4. 02:09Challenges of Mountain Terrain
  5. 03:24Spotting the Sheep Herd
  6. 04:41Assessing Ram Potential
  7. 05:18Reflecting on the First Day
  8. 06:25Dilemma: Move Camp or Pursue
  9. 07:00Evaluating Ram Characteristics
  10. 08:06Decision to Re-evaluate a Ram
  11. 08:41First Ram Harvest
  12. 09:30Wind Assessment for Second Shot
  13. 10:17Preparing for the Second Shot
  14. 11:14Shot Details and Wind Hold
  15. 12:30Observing Wind and Mirage
  16. 13:11Second Ram Harvest
  17. 14:04Recap of Successful Hunts
  18. 15:01Post-Hunt Reflections
  19. 16:04Approaching the Harvested Sheep
  20. 17:35Examining the First Ram's Horns
  21. 18:00Assessing Ram Age and Horns
  22. 19:41Examining the Second Ram
  23. 20:07Fannon Sheep Characteristics
  24. 21:13Distinguishing Fannon from Dall Sheep
  25. 21:49The Work Begins: Caping and Packing

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key challenges in hunting Dall sheep in the Northwest Territories?

Hunters face significant challenges including unpredictable weather like fog and clouds, rugged and steep mountainous terrain requiring careful navigation, and the need for precise long-range shooting due to the sheep's wariness and habitat.

What factors are important when assessing a Dall sheep ram for harvest?

Key factors include horn curl, mass, and broom length, with hunters looking for mature rams. Distinguishing between ewes, lambs, and mature rams is crucial, and understanding the specific characteristics of Fannon sheep is important for this hunt.

How critical are wind calls in long-range sheep hunting?

Wind calls are absolutely critical for long-range shots. Hunters must observe environmental cues like grass movement and mirage to accurately estimate wind speed and direction, making precise adjustments to their aim to compensate for drift.

What ammunition was used for the successful long-range sheep harvests?

The hunters utilized Hornady ammunition, which proved effective for the long-range shots. They achieved double-lung impacts on both harvested rams, demonstrating the reliability and performance of the ammunition in challenging hunting scenarios.

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