Short Distance
Aug. - Sept. - Oct.
Option 1 August
Option 2 September
Option 3 October
95%
Snow Sheep Hunt

Snow Sheep Hunt

Success Rate
33-37”
Average Size
50-300 Yards
Total Price
$29,500
$10,900
(additional trophy)

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Overview

All hunts begin and end at the airport of Magadan. We meet our clients on arrival and take them directly to the base/spike camp by helicopter, or in the event of non-flying weather we move them to a Magadan hotel. Hotel and meals expenses while in town are the responsibility of our clients.

Upon arrival to the Spike camp, you will rest, sight your rifle, get to know your guides and check the equipment. Spike camps come equipped with large tents, metal stoves, electricity. During the hunt, you will also more than likely to set up overnight fly-camps. Guides, at all times, carry their own rifles, binoculars, satellite phones, fly tents, food supplies. The guides are also skilled in taking trophy pictures and preparing the trophies according to international standards. Upon completion of the hunt, you will fly-out back to Magadan. Kulu Safaris offers some of the most sought after snow sheep species you can hunt for. With our untouched territories boast high populations of trophy quality Yakutsk, Kolyma and Okhotsk Sub-Species of Snow Sheep. Our guided snow sheep hunts have played host to some of the biggest names in the industry!

Hunting Snow Sheep with Kulu
What to expect

If your goal is to harvest a great Snow Sheep, Magadan Region is the best way to start. This region is approximately the size of France, with a population of just over 140,000 people. Infrastructure is lacking and most snow sheep hunting areas with saturated and healthy populations are accessible only by helicopter. The terrain is mostly rolling hills transitioning to rocky ridges. The average altitude of the sheep hunt is 2000-4000 feet. Some areas, especially closer to Yakutia feature Alps-like mountains with alpine fields and gorgeous vistas. Snow Sheep Hunting Method is stalking.


Kulu Safaris is the only outfitter that can offer all 3 Snow Sheep subspecies in one hunting trip. Hunting is done out of a fully-equipped base camp located on the highlands, at the altitude of ~3000 feet. However, a certain number of sheep hunters (6+) in one cohesive group is required to open such a base camp. If the number of sheep hunters is less than that, Kulu Safaris will offer sheep hunts from Spike Camps. Such Spike Camps do come equipped with large canvas wall tents, wood stoves, warm showers, a large supply of food, electricity, satellite communication. For sheep hunts, we usually offer the following set up: 1 hunter, 1 main guide (with 5+ years of experience in hunting sheep), 1-2 assistant guides, an interpreter. Some of the assistant guides speak English and therefore serve as English-Russian interpreters. You will set out of the spike camp with a full hunting party, gain altitude, and set up a sheep camp for one night. From the sheep camp, you will scout the whole mountain ridge – it is up to the main guide to making the decision about possibly splitting the sheep hunting group and covering more ground or staying together. After one or two nights at the altitude, you will go down back to the spike camp, rest, then proceed to scout the opposite mountain ridge.

Shot distance
Shooting a Snow Sheep: Average shot distance for snow sheep is 200 yards. Be prepared to shoot for 400 yards and at an angle if needed. The guide will assist with range-finding. Once a sheep trophy is spotted, expect long arduous stalking – snow sheep has incredible eyesight. You will often see the snow sheep herds or individual animals on slopes of mountains, either feeding on green patches or resting on sandy areas. Sometimes, you will be able to catch snow sheep moving through sheep trails. The best times to hunt sheep are early morning and late afternoon, which is why fly camping is advised.
Magadan Region is home to three subspecies of snow sheep: Yakutsk, Okhotsk, and Kolyma Snow Sheep. Kulu Safaris is the only outfitter in the world that organizes tours for all 3 subspecies on its own hunting territories. Snow Sheep have shoulder height of 36-39 inches (91-99 cm). Weight 180-230 pounds (82-104 kg). Snow sheep are about the same size as Dall Sheep and a little bit smaller than Stone Sheep. Snow Sheep have compact, muscular bodies and relatively long legs. The hoofs have 2 soft, cushiony pads that act as shock absorbers and provide grip.Snow Sheep Hair texture is somewhat different from that of the Dall or Stone Sheep – it is much thicker and provides for more warmth.
In winter the coat of the snow sheep changes drastically and resembles that of the domesticated sheep, with long, shaggy hair. The horns are similar to those of the Dall and Stone Sheep of North America, with color scheme ranging from dark brown to blonde yellow.

Habitation map

Subspecies of snow sheep

  • Yakutsk
    Yakutsk snow sheep: Similar in coloration to Okhotsk Snow Sheep, although slightly smaller in body and horn size. This snow sheep is the most widely distributed out of all Snow Sheep Species. The average size of the horns is 33-36 inches (85-91 cm) long. The majority of these subspecies are found in the Yakutia region of Siberia. All the sheep located in the Yakutia region are considered to be Yakutsk snow sheep. Within the Magadan Region, the eastern boundary is the Kolyma River until it intersects with the southern route of the Trans-Siberian Highway. The boundary then runs westerly until the Trans-Siberian Highway intersects with the border of Yakutia. Out of all 3 subspecies, the hunt for Yakusk one will be the most challenging, due to remoteness of the hunting areas, as well as ragged mountain ridges. Expect long drives and tough terrain.
  • Kolyma
    Kolyma snow sheep: Kolyma Snow Sheep is similar in size and appearance to Kamchatka Snow Sheep. It is larger than Yakutsk and Koryak Snow Sheep in body and horn size. Coloration is also brownish, rather than grayish. This snow sheep species is found only in the Magadan Region, and predominantly in the Kolyma Mtn. range. The eastern boundary is considered to be the large river valley west of the Koryak Mountains of the Koryak Autonomous Region. The northern boundary is considered to be the Chukotka Autonomous Region border. The western boundary is considered to be the border of Yakutia, from the Omolon River to the Kolyma River. The western boundary follows the Kolyma River to the Trans-Siberian Highway. The southern boundary is considered to be the Trans-Siberian Highway, which begins in the city of Magadan.
  • Okhotsk
    Okhotsk snow sheep: Widely recognized as the largest of the Snow Sheep size-wise, Okhotsk Snow Sheep can be found West from Magadan. The summer coat is usually more grayish in comparison to the fur of the other Snow Sheep Subspecies. Rump patch and the belly are usually white. Typical size of the horns varies, but our trophies measure 36.5” inches average and 13.5” inches in thickness. Okhotsk Snow Sheep has large white areas on the face. Within the Magadan Region, the boundary is the southern route of the Trans-Siberian Highway, from the city of Magadan until it crosses the border of Yakutia. The boundary then goes south and follows the border of Yakutia. The area for the Okhotsk snow sheep in Magadan is similar to the area size for Yakutsk Snow sheep. Our world records for Snow sheep were namely Okhotsk snow sheep: in 2007 Stanley Golub (USA) had taken 41+ inch horns sheep (165+ points) and in 2014 Richard Sand (Denmark) took a monster with 42” horns (173 points).
Weather conditions
The weather conditions during Snow Sheep hunt highly depend on the hunting season. At Kulu Safaris we offer hunting from August 1st to October 10th. During August you can expect warm and humid weather with temperature ranging from very hot during the day (up to 90F) to fresh during mornings (Around 50F). Night temperatures rarely go below 32F. Expect to see light rains and heavy fog.
September will still provide warm days with up to 75F, but snow and freezing rain are possible. Expects night temperatures to drop below zero. Late September and October – light snow cover possible. Expect average temperatures to be around 30F-35F. It will be cold at night, a warm sleeping bag is advised.
Itinerary
14-day trip breakdown
Day 1
Arrival to Magadan Airport, transfer to Magadan City to check in hotel, or flyout to spike camp
Day 2-12
Hunting in the mountains, with possible change of location
Day 13
Helicopter flyout to Magadan, checking in hotel
Day 14
Local market to buy souvenirs, then airport, then flight to Moscow
Our guides
It's hard to imagine an outfitter without decent guides. There are many experienced and skillful guides working with Kulu Safari in Magadan, some of whom are still working in the 90s. Starting to work with us, next year he takes a 2-year training course as an assistant guide, before he begins to accompany the hunter on a tour on his own.

© 2024 KULU SAFARIS
We provide hunts for the Yakut, Kolyma and Okhotsk Snow Sheep (We are the only company that can organize hunts for all three subspecies in one tour)
QUICK LINKS
ORGANIZATION DETAILS
ООО "Кулу"
ИНН/КПП 4909076660/490901001
ОГРН 1024900964483
Тел: 8 (413 2) 64-49-30; 60-67-02
Email : kulusafaris@gmail.com