However, most sheep hunters value a heavy horned old ram as the finest trophy in sheep hunting. The sheep outfitting industry has a long respected reputation in Alberta and bighorn sheep have always been a premier trophy for sportsmen from around the world. Most early expeditions were by pack train in the fabulous ram country adjacent to the Rocky Mountain spine and Banff and Jasper National Parks. That allows plenty of grass for the sheep to stay fat and healthy during the killer moons in March and April when many big game animals suffer after the long winter. It is important that the ewes come through the winter strong and healthy so that they can throw big healthy lambs.
Healthy lambs get a leg up on life when the mother s milk is rich and nutritious.
The result is big-bodied lambs, which can grow correspondingly big horns on the mature animal. Almost all sheep outfitting in Alberta is done in the old time style, with packhorses and tent frame camps. The exception is an archery-only zone near Canmore, where much of the hunting is easily accessed on foot. This hunt occurs in the late season and provides a tremendous opportunity to harvest trophy rams with a sharp stick. These November hunts can be bitterly cold and they require a special breed of hunter.