Alaska Dall Sheep Hunting List
Updated August, 2017. This packing list is to give you an idea of what I like to pack for a backpack Dall sheep hunting trip in Alaska. Everyone’s list will vary. Be sure to carry what you need, but cut as much extra weight as you safely can. Please email me with your ideas and suggestions.
Ammunition The same caliber as your hunting partner, if practical. 15 rounds.
Antibiotic Check with your Dr. and use correctly
Anti-diarrhetic Lomotil or similar.
Archery Repair Kit With spare bow string.
Aspirin/Antacids And whatever else you need for your personal “medicine cabinet”
Bag, Plastic I line my pack with a trash compactor bag.
Balaclava Fleece or polypro. They are the warmest item you can carry per pound!
Batteries Spare for headlamp and GPS.
Binos/Covers Waterproof lightweight binoculars. Vanguard Endeavors are hard to beat for value if you are shopping around.
Blistex Or other lip balm.
Bone saw I don’t carry one if planning to do a European mount.
Book Bring one light book. You may have a long wait or two!
Boots Broken in, waterproof hunting boots. I like all leather. Some like plastic boots.
Bow/Arrows Razor sharp arrows.
DEET Insect repellant. Small bottle..
Camera/Card/Batts Waterproof camera and/or in ziplock bag. New/Charged batteries.
Candle stub For emergency fire starting
Canteen Filled with filtered/treated water unless you have a bottle filter.
Cap A Gore-tex cap with a bill to keep the rain off your face, and earflaps.
Cape Salt About 3-5 lbs in plastic soda bottles stashed at base camp/pickup point.
Compass/Mirror Carry it! Know the direction to camp, river, etc. Signal mirror is a plus.
Cooking Pot One 1 liter aluminum pot.
Cup I use my pot.
Duct tape 20 feet wrapped around your water bottle.
Eyeglasses/Contacts Extra pair, just in case.
First Aid Kit Bring instructions also. Keep it minimal. AVOID GETTING HURT!
Floss Can be used as sewing thread, too.
Food About 2 lbs. per day. Bring dry foods, rich in calories.
Fuel I use one med. bottle in 10 days for my MSR stove. Conserve!
Gloves Fleece
Game Bags Two quality game bags.
GPS Mapping GPS. At least one per party. Know how to use it. Enter camps, pickup points, etc.
Handkerchief One. They have lots of uses.
Headlamp/batteries It’s good if your GPS and headlamp use the same size batteries. LED headlamps are the way to go.
Hiking Pole Worthwhile for stream crossings, climbing, packing heavy weight, etc.
Hooded Sweatshirt Fleece
Jacket Fleece. Ideally windproof. If not, use with rain gear if needed.
Knives Two small, light, sharpened folding knives. Include 1 Swiss Army knife. Carry in two places.
License In a ziplock in a secured pocket
Lighters One in a ziplock in an inside secured pocket, the other elsewhere.
Long Underwear Top and bottom. Capilene is good. Smartwool might be even better.
Maps In clear, one gallon “freezer” ziplocks. Fold the map to show your area.
Matches In a waterproof container
Measuring Tape Pre-measure a length of parachute cord and it will have dual use.
Mitten Shells Goretex. To wear over gloves or mittens if cold or wet
Moleskin Or some other blister treatment. Use it BEFORE you have blisters
Needle Great for field repairs. I carry with my dental floss.
Pack ALPS OutdoorZ Commander Freighter pack is a very good pack and a great value.
Pants SportHill Men’s Expedition Pants are my favorite, they are stretchy, comfortable and dry fast. They are often recommend by sheep hunters. Later in the season I often carry one pair of fleece pants.
Parachute Cord aka 550 cord is strong and the inner strands can be used separately if desired.
Prescription drugs Make sure you carry them on your flights.
Pen/Pencil If you won’t be writing much, you can use the tip of a cartridge.
Rain gear Quality raingear, top and bottoms. Good for rain or wind protection. Helly Hansen Impertech is the choice of many that don’t trust breathable gear. Sitka Gear makes outstanding breathable raingear for those that can afford it. I’ve had good luck with breathables.
Regulations I’ve had to consult the game regs MANY times in the field.
Rifle Sighted-in. .270+. A familiar gun that YOU can shoot ACCURATELY.
Satellite communicator Garmin Inreach Explorer+ I wish this had been available years ago. For me, this is a great compromise for price, performance, safety, communication and subscription plans. There is two-way texting, maps, gps, an SOS button and more. Most of Alaska does not have cell phone coverage. If the expense of buying isn’t justified, check into rentals.
Scope Cover
Sleeping Bag Rated to about 20 degrees. Down is lightest, but keep it dry! Line the stuff sack with a plastic bag.
Sleeping Pad Closed cell foam or Therm-a-Rest. Good for insulation & comfort.
Socks I wear one pair wool and one pair liner socks. Bring spare set of each. I also have one pair of warm socks I save for sleeping, only.
Space Blanket The large, reinforced kind, NOT the thin ones as big as a cigarette pack.
Spoon One each
Spotting Scope I have a Leupold 12-40 that I am really happy with. If you are going to use a spotting scope much in your hunting career, definitely get a good one! At least one per party.
Stove MSR white gas stoves for two or more folks. Or Pocket Rocket.
Tags/Permits In a ziplock in a secured pocket.
Tent Poles/Stakes Bring a quality LIGHT tent. Fly should nearly reach the ground.
Toilet Paper In a ziplock.
Toothbrush/Paste Small tube of toothpaste.
Tripod Carry one that fits your camera and your spotting scope. Lightweight.
Watch
Water Treatment Giardia is NOT a myth. I favor Aquamira Drops.
Ziplock Bags M/L I always carry a couple extras. For maps, carrying water, etc.
Take a copy of your written agreement with the air taxi, listing pickup place and time and fees. The folks at home should have a copy, too.

Here is a list of some Dall Sheep hunting books and DVDs. Sheep Hunting in Alaska by Tony Russ is the book to get. For DVDs, I think it’s hard to beat Black Shale, White Sheep.