What a coincidence. I just got back from a three-week backpack hunt on the North Slope. (I’m an AK resident, so no guide needed.) It’s great country and it was a terrific, physically challenging trip, but the hunting this year was very tough. I know the area from prior trips, but sheep numbers were way down and the rams were farther back and high up in the toughest terrain I’ve ever seen them in. When we got back we learned that almost no rams had been taken anywhere there, guides were canceling hunts, and ADFG was considering an emergency closure of the sheep season. There’s a lot going on with sheep and sheep hunting there, and you might want to wait a few years until it gets sorted out. I don’t mean to be discouraging. This is one of my favorite trips in the world because of the country and the wildlife, but sheep numbers are way down. (This is well north of mountain goat range, BTW.) Don

Don

If I could be so bold–sounds like a great article for the mag. how to Hunt AK. I left in 85 so sure the rules have changed, being a resident I did not need a guide. Perhaps you could cover latest conditions, areas for specified game, and what I would find interesting –how do we pack our bows,arrows,broad heads, etc. to get them through the airport Nazis, and avoid broken equipment at the destination.

Mike

I’ve been out in the field–no surprise this time of year–and apologize for the late reply. All good suggestions, Mike. Of course you could write a whole book about hunting Alaska and not cover everything, but we are starting a new “Backcountry” column in which we’ll look at many of these issues. Best, Don

donthomas wrote: … but we are starting a new “Backcountry” column in which we’ll look at many of these issues. Best, Don

Excellent. I’m looking forward to this.

Thanks Don. x2 on the back country column.:D

Mike

Try Rick French at sheephunterak@yahoo.com I packed with him while at guide and packer school with Royal Tine outfitters.He also does a mean Baxter Black….