Sheep Hunts

With the decline of trophy sheep in most general hunting units within the state of Alaska, your best chance at harvesting a trophy ram is in one of the limited draw areas.

Hunting with Freelance Outdoor Adventures

It is becoming more and more evident that the best opportunities in Alaska to harvest a trophy ram are in the limited draw areas. We have recognized the decline in most of the general areas and have put our energy almost exclusively into hunting the TOK and 14C limited area sheep hunts. Unlike most outfitters, we are licensed in both the TOK & 14C, so we can apply you in both units. The way the Alaska random draw works you are allowed six different hunt choices, and each choice is independently put into the draw.  To give yourself the best opportunity at drawing a primer tag we recommend hunters apply all six choices.  

In 2006 the Alaska Department of Fish & Game implemented changes for the drawing application. Before a nonresident, that is not a second-degree of kindred, can apply in the TOK or 14C area, they must first have a signed agreement with a TOK or 14C licensed registered guide. Please contact us for Limited Draw Application. This completed application will meet the Fish and Game requirement. We will then apply you for your desired hunts or the hunts that we feel will best suit you.

Our guides are very knowledgeable in sheep habits and behavior. They are young, experienced, and ready to do whatever it takes to get you your ram. Sometimes the difference between getting a great ram and just an average ram is having a guide that is willing to go over the next mountain. All of our guides posses the latest in equipment, making field judging, packing, and just living in sheep country much more comfortable. For us and our guides, sheep hunting is not a job but an obsession.

TOK Management Area

The TOK Management Area (TMA) was created in 1974 with the goal of providing Dall sheep hunters the opportunity to harvest large-horned, trophy rams in an uncrowned setting. TMA rams exhibit the second greatest horn length and the fourth greatest horn mass qualities of rams inhabiting seven mountain ranges in Alaska. Rams harvested in the TMA average 36 to 37.5 inches. Between 3 and 9 rams per year are harvested with horns greater than 40 inches, representing 8-17 percent of the harvest. The TMA is the only sheep hunting area specifically established for trophy ram management in Alaska.

Freelance Outdoor Adventures recognizes the importance of having the opportunity to harvest a great ram, but to also have a great hunting experience. The TMA is one of the few places left in the state that we believe we can accomplish both of these objectives on a consistent basis. We encourage every person that is interested in Dall sheep hunting to apply in the TOK, so they may have a chance at having the hunt of a lifetime.

Rifle Hunts

There are 8 different rifle hunts within 14C & an early hunt and late hunt within the TOK.  These hunt periods take place within the time frame of Aug. 10 – Sept 20. We spend large amounts of time in 14C each year and have a good idea of how the ram bands have disbursed, and which hunt areas tend to have the largest number of good mature rams from year to year. The earlier hunts tend to have better weather, and fewer hunters have been in the field, but the odds are tougher. The later hunts have better drawing odds but you can run into some adverse weather making your hunt more difficult.

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14C has two archery only sheep hunts. To apply for these archery only units you must have first completed an International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) course. You can archery hunt in any of the rifle hunts without completing a (IBEP) course. We only hunt the late DS240 archery only hunt as the earlier hunt is in a very small area that tends to have a lot of resident pressure. The weather can be nasty on the late archery hunt, but if you are patient, and in good physical condition, there is a good chance you’ll have a shot opportunity at a quality ram. Many P&Y rams have come out of these units, we have archery hunted this area since 2005 and have over 50% kill success with over 90% shot opportunity.

All permit applications are entered into a computer database. Once entered, each application is carefully checked for potential problems such as correct hunt numbers, date of birth, hunting license information, etc. The computer then randomly assigns a number to each hunt on each valid application. The random number is referred to as your draw number. Party hunt applications receive one draw number for each hunt. That is, both applications on the party hunt application receive the same draw number per hunt, so if that number is drawn, both party members receive a permit. Permits are awarded to applicants with the lowest draw numbers up to the number of permits allocated for that particular hunt. If five permits are to be awarded for a particular hunt, the five permits will be given to the first five lowest draw numbers until the total permit allocation is awarded. For example, if four of the five permits have been awarded, and a party application has the next random number, the party application will be skipped. This is because there is only one permit left available, and two permits would have to be awarded (one for each party member). The permit will be awarded to the next individual applicant whose number has been selected. After all permits have been tentatively assigned for a species, the listing is checked to identify any individuals who have been selected for two permits for the same species. If this occurs, the individual is awarded a permit based upon the first, second or third choice on the permit application. The other permit is then made available to the first individual applicant with the next lowest random number. The process is repeated for all hunts for that species until all possible permits are issued within the rules for awarding permits. Alternate lists are required to be used in a few specific hunts to maximize hunting opportunity. The alternate list is generated from all remaining applicants using the draw order already assigned in the original random draw. If the original applicant drawn does not notify the department of the intent to hunt by the date required, the next applicant(s) on the alternate list will be offered a permit, until all permits have been awarded.

*Sheep hunts operated in the TOK management area and 14C are conducted under Freelance Outdoor Adventures registered guide John Rydeen #1269