Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli) are thin‑horn mountain sheep found in Alaska and the mountainous northwest of Canada. Rams weigh 73–113 kg and ewes 46–50 kg; males carry massive amber horns that flare and curl, whereas ewes have slender horns. Their coats are bright white and consist of a woolly undercoat and long guard hairs, helping them blend into snow‑covered cliffs. The species’ dramatic horns and the challenge of hunting in rugged alpine terrain make them highly sought after.
Dall sheep hunts are some of North America’s most demanding. Hunters typically access remote mountain ranges by bush plane, horseback or long hikes, then glass high basins and ridges for rams before stalking on foot. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game notes that early‑season hunts in August offer milder weather, but rams remain at high elevations, whereas September hunts may find sheep at lower elevations but involve snow and cold. Success requires physical fitness, pack trips of 20–50 miles and ascents of 3,000–5,000 feet; rifles must be accurate for steep, cross‑canyon shots. In many jurisdictions, rams must meet a “full‑curl” horn requirement before harvest, adding to the challenge.
Dall’s sheep are divided into two subspecies—Dall’s sheep in Alaska/Yukon and Stone’s sheep in central Yukon and British Columbia. Populations are generally stable, but lamb survival can be affected by severe winters, disease and predation by wolves, eagles and bears. Hunting is tightly regulated through limited permits and full‑curl size restrictions to ensure only mature rams are taken. Because rams’ horns grow throughout life and can account for up to 8–10 % of body weight, harvest fees and tag revenues contribute to habitat protection and research in Alaska and Canada.
The annuli rings on a Dall sheep’s horn record annual growth and allow biologists and hunters to age rams. Rams live in bachelor groups outside the autumn rut, when they clash horns in impressive battles for ewes. Ewes lamb on high ledges to avoid predators, and the herds descend to mineral licks in spring to obtain calcium and magnesium. These sheep spend most of the year in open alpine meadows but retreat to steep cliffs when threatened.
Dall’s Sheep can be found in the following location:
Dall’s Sheep has the following variations:
- (Varieties to be confirmed)
