The Hunt Backcountry Podcast · by Exo Mtn Gear

548 | NWT Dall Sheep (After the Hunt)

October 15, 2025·1 hr 13 min·5 clips

Jim spots rams 180 yards above him, takes the shot, and immediately bursts into tears from the adrenaline dump.

This episode features host Mark and returning guest Jim, a listener who completed a Northwest Territories Dall sheep hunt. They dive into the detailed aftermath of Jim's expedition, focusing on lessons and experiences. Jim shares his extensive physical preparation, including pack training with weights up to 65 pounds on steep climbs. He details complex travel logistics, flying from Denver to Edmonton, then to Yellowknife, Inuvik, and Norman Wells before a float plane to base camp at June Lake. The outfitter's operation involved eight hunters, with staff using helicopters to shuttle parties into remote spike camps after safety briefings and rifle checks. Jim describes his spike camp with guide Don Burt, emphasizing a methodical, slow-paced hunting style focused on thorough glassing and careful movement in alpine terrain. He recounts a tense moment on a sketchy shale sidehill where he wished for an ice-axe trekking pole for safety. On the first full hunting day, Jim spotted a group of rams, including a shooter, at a ranged distance of 480 yards but chose not to take the shot due to spooked animals and his self-imposed 400-yard limit. He explains the mental conflict of dialing his custom turret for 450 yards as a compromise before ultimately backing out. The rams retreated, and Jim spent subsequent days glassing and relocating camp, battling regret as most other hunters in camp reported success. A close encounter with a caribou at 27 yards tested his focus, but he remained dedicated to the sheep hunt. On day four, guided by Don's intuition, they moved quickly with a poor wind and stumbled upon the same ram group at just 166 yards. The most surprising insight is the immense logistical cost revealed by the outfitter, with helicopter fuel reaching $150 per gallon by the time it reached base camp. Jim's disciplined decision to pass on the first shot, despite pressure and capability, highlights a mature hunting ethic learned from past rushed shots. The episode reveals how the vast, folded alpine terrain can hide entire valleys, making navigation and glassing uniquely challenging. The constant daylight required sleep aids like eye masks and melatonin, while Starlink at base camp offered a modern connection in profound remoteness. The tone is conversational and reflective, blending a detailed trip report with introspective lessons on preparation and mindset. This episode is ideal for backcountry hunters interested in sheep hunting logistics, physical training, and the psychological aspects of high-stakes hunting. Listeners seeking only fast-paced hunting action or those with no interest in technical gear and travel planning might find it too detailed.

As heard by us

A clear-eyed post-hunt debrief about judgment, nerves, and knowing when to stop.

Episode 548 stays close to Jim after the hunt and the planning, and that makes the Northwest Territories doll sheep story feel more like a real aftermath than a clean finish.

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Why you'd press play

When you want a calm, hard-nosed debrief after a doll sheep hunt in the Northwest Territories.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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