Are You In Sheep Shape?

The mountains of British Columbia offer some of the best wild sheep hunting in the world. With 3 major species Dalls, Bighorns & Stones and 2 sub-species California Bighorn and Fannin (cross between Dall & Stone)it’s a sheep hunters dream.

If you’ve never hunted sheep before for the most part they are a very challenging animal to hunt. Aside from some Bighorns which are sometimes taken in very close proximity to a road you can expect you’re going to have to hike for your trophy ram.

If you’re hunting stones or dalls get ready to hike for sure and if you’re smart you’ll be getting ready several months ahead of the game.

Last year was my first sheep hunt and coming from a family of outfitters I’ve been fortunate to learn from some of the best guides in the province but no amount of advice can prepare you for the physical endurance needed to actual carry yourself and your gear up some of the mountains you may find sheep on.

How did I prepare last year?

I went on a 1.5 hr bike ride daily, around my area. There are some hills that maybe go up a few hundred meters in total. It was a good workout and I lost 24 lbs in about 3 months. Was it enough to be in Sheep Shape? I don’t think so… I should have been doing much more work with my actual pack on my back.

So what I have been doing this year?

This year I put it in full gear and I’ve packed my bag for a 7 day trip into the mountains. My bag is packed ready to go aside from my rifle. I put the pack on and hike for at least an hour everyday around the trails at my house.

After only a few weeks I really noticed a difference carrying the pack. My knees also feel much better while hiking and they used to get sore pretty fast from some old Rugby injuries.

It’s been a few months now and I can scale Mt. Finlayson which is 419 Meters (around 1300 ft.) in elevation in less then an hour fully packed. It’s hard bloody work and I sweat like a pig but at least I am training my body with the full weight I’ll be packing in the mountains on mountainous terrain.

If you don’t have access to hills in your area, consider going to the gym and using the stairmaster with your pack on or else resort to running or lightly jogging up flights of stairs.

Whatever you can do to get yourself physically ready for your sheep hunt will ensure that you have an enjoyable time in the mountains. It’s rugged terrain and you’re going to start hurting after only a few days.

So what have you done to keep yourself in Sheep Shape?

Happy Hunting!
Carl