First time watching your channel. You all have such a beautiful bond, sharing the hunt, camp and life. The love is a beautiful thing to see amongst all of you. Loved the video!
Just fyi, Those sheep at the end of the video are all rams. Awesome video and great stalks. Keep up the awesome content. Everything you guys upload instills the core Alaska values that we are proud of. Can’t wait for the next videos!
I'd refer you to the Alaska Fish and Game guide to identifying legal Dall Sheep but I can't find it online. The bases of the horns really give it away if your close. If you look their very slender compared to the length but we watched them walking around and they definitely to not have any of the required anatomy, lol. Thank you very much for watching !
I’m 100% sure they’re rams. The only reason I say that is so you don’t pass them up next time. Ewes will have very skinny horns that go more straight up and back almost like a goat, and about the same size, those ones look to be 3 and 4 year old rams. With that being said you did the right thing, when there is doubt sheep hunting don’t pull the trigger. They’ll be bigger next year anyways. Keep up the good work!
I'm embarrassed to have to admit it but you are 100% correct. At the time I was convinced they were ewes. Thinking back on all the hunts I've never stalked up close to any ewes (I mean why bother right?) so these young ones just looked so small. Your right though, they'll be bigger next year and maybe it's for the best that we let a few go.
Awesome, families that play together stay together. Kudos to your wife, 👍 shooting lady; (eg. you, Sir, are one lucky man). Thx for sharing your terrific family hunting memories.
Un freaking believable!you did with your family what most grown men dream of doing! F**** yeah! Congratulations pumped for you guys! Look forward to doing that with my family one day!
I hope you do! I mean, even the smaller scale hunts with the family are definitely worth the effort . When the Kid's were younger we would take week long hunts for moose/caribou and bear but always on a smaller scale. Those trips prepared everyone for what we do now.
All of your videos are great. Definitely creating memories with the family and teaching lessons they will never forget. Of those lessons, I truly believe conservation should be included. I would challenge your children (and yourself) to get out, hunt hard, and find older mature rams. Teaching them that it's ok to return home empty handed in the interest of conservation is a valuable lesson. The sheep population has been on the decline and, we as hunters, need to do our part to ensure the future of our wildlife. Taking "any ram" just because you can, is irresponsible even if it is legal. The advantage you would still have would be in the event you and/or your children make a mistake judging a full curl ram, it could be used as a learning experience without having to forfeit your harvest. Also, I know you called it in the video (no bashing here) but I will mention... you owe it to those animals to spend some more time at the range. Things happen but that many shots within that distance is definitely excessive. One safety tip... on those fast moving water crossings, packs should NOT be buckled. You want to be able to get out of that thing quickly if you go down, it only takes a split second for things to go sideways. You don't want to be fumbling for buckles. Lastly, I will say you guys definitely deserve a parenting award. The experiences you are providing your kids are once in a lifetime to most!
Thank you for watching! I appreciate the constructive criticism and praise. We will definitely be working on our shooting skills and the tip about unbuckling packs is a great idea. As to the management of the sheep in our area I can completely understand your position but I think there are some unique aspects to our situation. I ran the numbers for the total population of every area that is allowed to access where we hunt, 5200 people (rounded up, from the 2020 census). Of that 5200 people I could only guess how many are hunting sheep but it is undoubtedly a very small number. While harvesting older rams is undeniably in the best interest of the sheep population, it is also a fact that in our area, on the long list of sheep mortality, hunting is at the very bottom. We've taking 4 rams over four years, two were state legal by age and the other two were 6 years old. I guess I see your point but I also feel we're being pretty conservative. Do the numbers change your mind or do you think I'm off base?
@@growingupalaskan The numbers wouldn't personally change my mind on taking mature rams. Hunter harvest rate has been proven to be at the bottom of the mortality list statewide (that's why it's so concerning to see areas being closed, but that's a whole new debate ;) ) I can appreciate that you have taken the time to research the numbers in your area. Having taken two state legal and two 6 year old rams, I wouldn't argue you are being irresponsible, just that there is room to be more selective. I hear mention of the "any ram tag" in all of your videos (understandably this needs to be mentioned to avoid the onslaught of CZcams F&G pro's lol) but I never hear mention of attempting to find old or mature rams (although I did hear your daughter mention she would have been happier if it was full curl) you actually stated during this hunt, when there were 3 rams available, you shot "the only one you could find in your scope". Even if that ram turned out to be the largest/oldest ram in the group, that statement would lead viewers to believe that your first concern was successfully filling a tag, not selecting the more mature ram for harvest. I still think you guys are doing great things, and I look forward to more videos. The next time I'm in the neighborhood, I'll stop in for a sub sammich :)
Awesome video, great job, you guys do deserve the parent of the year award, those kids have life skills and not the participation awards everyone else gives away! Curious what brand of waders those were? Thanks again for the video, keep them coming, our youth deer season starts today!
Good luck with your deer season! We're headed to Michigan next week for archery and part of gun season. I can't wait! The waders are Hodgman Gamewade Packable Hip Waders (their about 20 bucks on amazon which is great b/c we destroyed them.)
I'm glad I watched it twice and saw the banner....I was like, um, that is not legal...but then saw the banner. :). Keep up the videos, I love watching. Can't believe more of you didn't take a bath in those creek/river crossings...lol
Great job. I wish I was able to get my videos that good. I’m not being critical or anything negative but I thought the sheep had to be 8 years old or full curl?
We are hunting under subsistence regulations so in that area we can take any ram. I usually include that info somewhere in the video, you might have missed it or I might have forgot, lol. Thanks for watching though and your right, it is normally full curl or 8yrs old to be legal.
Love the video but I have to say that I do believe the 4 sheep at the end are all rams. When you show the first one by itself you can see the anatomy when he scratches his head and they all do have ram horn configurations of young rams. Better safe than sorry though all the time and the right thing to teach the kids. Parents of the year by the way!!!
A great video, I didn't see anything wrong or negative about this hunt, some may say it's wrong to shoot a young ram, but they surely eat better than an older one, one thing i think you need to put in somebodies pak is a coil of 3/8 or 1/4 in. rope to help on the river crossings, more luck next time ...........
You are a better patient than me. I would have ditched the splint, had some plastic around the finger, and would be doing as much as the other four fingers would allow.
You really need to get some speech therapy for the two kids that can’t pronounce their “r”. Not being a dick about it this actually comes from my own experience of not being able to pronounce my r as a kid and my name is Mark. I took speech therapy in fourth and fifth grade and worked really hard to pronounce the r sound and finally got it but before that people when asking me my name would always be confused at what I said as well as trying to understand me when I talked. My niece had the same issue but her mom never pushed her to correct it and always said she could just move to Boston when she grew up. Surprisingly she did move there for a while but it really didn’t help because she then had a Minnesota accent without being able to pronounce her r sound. She is in her 30s now and still can’t pronounce her r sound. Just trying to give some good advice from experience
I appreciate you sharing your personal experience. We're actually looking into an online speech therapist for a couple of the kids. It's hard or impossible to get anyone in person being as remote as we are but I agree it's important.
Been to that same spot several times, was happy to see you guys there! Good job Ben and Stephanie, congrats!
We hope you'll get back there soon!
Love this sooooooo much! Keep it up! What an awesome family.
Thank you! Will do!
Thanks for taking us along. They're growing up way too fast. I really enjoy all your videos.
Our pleasure!
Congratulations
Beautiful family
Wild game is a healthy life
First time watching your channel. You all have such a beautiful bond, sharing the hunt, camp and life. The love is a beautiful thing to see amongst all of you. Loved the video!
Thanks for watching!
Just fyi, Those sheep at the end of the video are all rams. Awesome video and great stalks. Keep up the awesome content. Everything you guys upload instills the core Alaska values that we are proud of. Can’t wait for the next videos!
I'd refer you to the Alaska Fish and Game guide to identifying legal Dall Sheep but I can't find it online. The bases of the horns really give it away if your close. If you look their very slender compared to the length but we watched them walking around and they definitely to not have any of the required anatomy, lol. Thank you very much for watching !
Definitely
Like your sure they're Ewes? I've had two comments that they're rams but I was 100% sure they were not. People got me second guessing myself.
I’m 100% sure they’re rams. The only reason I say that is so you don’t pass them up next time. Ewes will have very skinny horns that go more straight up and back almost like a goat, and about the same size, those ones look to be 3 and 4 year old rams. With that being said you did the right thing, when there is doubt sheep hunting don’t pull the trigger. They’ll be bigger next year anyways. Keep up the good work!
I'm embarrassed to have to admit it but you are 100% correct. At the time I was convinced they were ewes. Thinking back on all the hunts I've never stalked up close to any ewes (I mean why bother right?) so these young ones just looked so small. Your right though, they'll be bigger next year and maybe it's for the best that we let a few go.
Take subscription from Ukraine! You are awesome family, take care and fast hand restoring!
Thanks for the sub!
Awesome, families that play together stay together.
Kudos to your wife, 👍 shooting lady; (eg. you, Sir, are one lucky man).
Thx for sharing your terrific family hunting memories.
Thanks for watching!
I never cross a creek where if I fall I go over a bluff... Great Video
Yeah, it's pretty special, lol.
Wonderful family,brave in everything I waiting for next.God bless you and keep you healthy and happy
Thank you for that!
Now that was just a great all-around family video. Looking forward to more vids from you all. Have a good winter.
More to come! Thanks.
Un freaking believable!you did with your family what most grown men dream of doing! F**** yeah! Congratulations pumped for you guys! Look forward to doing that with my family one day!
I hope you do! I mean, even the smaller scale hunts with the family are definitely worth the effort . When the Kid's were younger we would take week long hunts for moose/caribou and bear but always on a smaller scale. Those trips prepared everyone for what we do now.
what you have there is what everyone is searching for happiness love family content
fabulous I wish you the best
Thank You! The best adventures are shared!
Awesome family and awesome video.
Thanks so much!
All of your videos are great. Definitely creating memories with the family and teaching lessons they will never forget. Of those lessons, I truly believe conservation should be included.
I would challenge your children (and yourself) to get out, hunt hard, and find older mature rams. Teaching them that it's ok to return home empty handed in the interest of conservation is a valuable lesson. The sheep population has been on the decline and, we as hunters, need to do our part to ensure the future of our wildlife. Taking "any ram" just because you can, is irresponsible even if it is legal. The advantage you would still have would be in the event you and/or your children make a mistake judging a full curl ram, it could be used as a learning experience without having to forfeit your harvest.
Also, I know you called it in the video (no bashing here) but I will mention... you owe it to those animals to spend some more time at the range. Things happen but that many shots within that distance is definitely excessive.
One safety tip... on those fast moving water crossings, packs should NOT be buckled. You want to be able to get out of that thing quickly if you go down, it only takes a split second for things to go sideways. You don't want to be fumbling for buckles.
Lastly, I will say you guys definitely deserve a parenting award. The experiences you are providing your kids are once in a lifetime to most!
Thank you for watching! I appreciate the constructive criticism and praise. We will definitely be working on our shooting skills and the tip about unbuckling packs is a great idea. As to the management of the sheep in our area I can completely understand your position but I think there are some unique aspects to our situation. I ran the numbers for the total population of every area that is allowed to access where we hunt, 5200 people (rounded up, from the 2020 census). Of that 5200 people I could only guess how many are hunting sheep but it is undoubtedly a very small number. While harvesting older rams is undeniably in the best interest of the sheep population, it is also a fact that in our area, on the long list of sheep mortality, hunting is at the very bottom. We've taking 4 rams over four years, two were state legal by age and the other two were 6 years old. I guess I see your point but I also feel we're being pretty conservative. Do the numbers change your mind or do you think I'm off base?
@@growingupalaskan The numbers wouldn't personally change my mind on taking mature rams. Hunter harvest rate has been proven to be at the bottom of the mortality list statewide (that's why it's so concerning to see areas being closed, but that's a whole new debate ;) ) I can appreciate that you have taken the time to research the numbers in your area. Having taken two state legal and two 6 year old rams, I wouldn't argue you are being irresponsible, just that there is room to be more selective. I hear mention of the "any ram tag" in all of your videos (understandably this needs to be mentioned to avoid the onslaught of CZcams F&G pro's lol) but I never hear mention of attempting to find old or mature rams (although I did hear your daughter mention she would have been happier if it was full curl) you actually stated during this hunt, when there were 3 rams available, you shot "the only one you could find in your scope". Even if that ram turned out to be the largest/oldest ram in the group, that statement would lead viewers to believe that your first concern was successfully filling a tag, not selecting the more mature ram for harvest. I still think you guys are doing great things, and I look forward to more videos. The next time I'm in the neighborhood, I'll stop in for a sub sammich :)
Awesome video, great job, you guys do deserve the parent of the year award, those kids have life skills and not the participation awards everyone else gives away! Curious what brand of waders those were? Thanks again for the video, keep them coming, our youth deer season starts today!
Good luck with your deer season! We're headed to Michigan next week for archery and part of gun season. I can't wait! The waders are Hodgman Gamewade Packable Hip Waders (their about 20 bucks on amazon which is great b/c we destroyed them.)
Nice video and great family fun. Look into the burris eliminator scopes they are awesome. Great job
Thanks! Will do!
@Growing Up Alaska: Carlton Family Adventures I have had the eliminator 3 for about 10 years now, and it works amazing
Great family.
Thank you!
Well that escalated quickly!
Awesome hunt. Looks like you had a blast. I hope you go back after that big boy.
We'll see what happens next year but I'm planning on getting in there again. Thanks again for watching.
I'm glad I watched it twice and saw the banner....I was like, um, that is not legal...but then saw the banner. :). Keep up the videos, I love watching. Can't believe more of you didn't take a bath in those creek/river crossings...lol
LOL, yeah it's pretty neat being able to harvest any ram. It definitely takes the pressure off.
Great job. I wish I was able to get my videos that good. I’m not being critical or anything negative but I thought the sheep had to be 8 years old or full curl?
We are hunting under subsistence regulations so in that area we can take any ram. I usually include that info somewhere in the video, you might have missed it or I might have forgot, lol. Thanks for watching though and your right, it is normally full curl or 8yrs old to be legal.
Love the video but I have to say that I do believe the 4 sheep at the end are all rams. When you show the first one by itself you can see the anatomy when he scratches his head and they all do have ram horn configurations of young rams. Better safe than sorry though all the time and the right thing to teach the kids. Parents of the year by the way!!!
Now I'm questioning it, lol. We need a CZcams vote.
A great video, I didn't see anything wrong or negative about this hunt, some may say it's wrong to shoot a young ram, but they surely eat better than an older one, one thing i think you need to put in somebodies pak is a coil of 3/8 or 1/4 in. rope to help on the river crossings, more luck next time ...........
Thank you. I think the rope is a great idea!
I thought sheep have to be 8 years old ? Great video none the less. Happy hunting
We are hunting under subsistence regulations in a subsistence area so it's a little different but generally speaking it is 8 years old or full curl.
You are a better patient than me. I would have ditched the splint, had some plastic around the finger, and would be doing as much as the other four fingers would allow.
I actually broke the first repair in my sleep! So after the second surgery I was pretty cautious, lol.
Good old barret fieldcraft? I have one in 6.5CM that I use as my sheep gun.
While not the prettiest scenario, it’s real life. We have all been there if you hunted very many years.
Most folks just don't film their mistakes,lol.
always great videos. don't tell my wife but I wanna marry steph.
She read this and told me she had "options" LOL. I won't tell your wife.
@@growingupalaskan Haha she is awesome. If you keep chopping your fingers off I'll have options too :)
You really need to get some speech therapy for the two kids that can’t pronounce their “r”. Not being a dick about it this actually comes from my own experience of not being able to pronounce my r as a kid and my name is Mark. I took speech therapy in fourth and fifth grade and worked really hard to pronounce the r sound and finally got it but before that people when asking me my name would always be confused at what I said as well as trying to understand me when I talked. My niece had the same issue but her mom never pushed her to correct it and always said she could just move to Boston when she grew up. Surprisingly she did move there for a while but it really didn’t help because she then had a Minnesota accent without being able to pronounce her r sound. She is in her 30s now and still can’t pronounce her r sound. Just trying to give some good advice from experience
You have to be sick
I appreciate you sharing your personal experience. We're actually looking into an online speech therapist for a couple of the kids. It's hard or impossible to get anyone in person being as remote as we are but I agree it's important.