Snow Sheep Hunts

Hunting Snow Sheep

The snow sheep’s Latin name, Ovis nivicola, means “one that lives in snow,” and for a good reason. They inhabit the mountains of northeast Russia. They are closely related to bighorn sheep (some scientists think they are a subspecies). Four snow sheep subspecies’ populations are large enough to be hunted: Kamchatka snow sheep in Kamchatka, Kolyma snow sheep in Yakutia, and Kolyma, Okhotsk, and Chukotka snow sheep in Yakutia.

The season for snow sheep hunting opens August first and continues up to October 15 in Kamchatka and until November 30 on the mainland (in Magadan Oblast and Yakutia). The best time to hunt is the last two weeks in August and the first two weeks of September. The later in the season, the higher the risk that bad weather may ruin your hunt or delay your return.

The high population of snow sheep in Russia allows for a success rate of over 90%. The temperature during the hunt can range from +5 to +20 C (40-70 F) down to – 10 C (5 F) at the end of September. Therefore, hunters are expected to be physically fit. The hunter may spend a few nights away from the base camp and may be required to ride a horse. Most shots are usually within 200 meters (220 yards) range. 

North-Central Siberia Snow Sheep Hunt

Putorana sheep are located in the Putorana Plateau of north-central Siberia. It is an isolated population located 600 miles west of the nearest herd of Yakut snow sheep. Its winter coat is dark grayish-brown, with a white belly and large white rump patch. Legs are as dark as the body. There are whitish areas on the face and crown. This sheep numbers less than 5,000 and is protected, making obtaining a hunting permit nearly impossible.

 Kamchatka Snow Sheep Hunt 

The Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia is home to the largest subspecies of snow sheep. Kamchatka sheep call the Sredinny, Vostocny, and Eastern Ranges home. The population of Kamchatka snow sheep is healthy and growing, creating a game-rich environment and the most successful snow sheep hunting available today. Elevations in these regions can exceed 11,000 feet, and hunting can be demanding. The Kamchatka snow sheep are usually found in these ranges between 5000-8000 ft in elevation. The habitat of Kamchatka sheep is relatively easy to access. Outfitters and wildlife biologists state that there are about 5,900 Kamchatka sheep on the peninsula.

The Kamchatka Peninsula has some of the “easiest” snow sheep hunting. A Kamchatka sheep is considered any sheep taken on the Kamchatka Peninsula south of the 60th parallel. This region is very much like the Dall Sheep areas of the Wrangell Mountains in Alaska, with alpine meadows and glaciers, at altitudes up to 7,000 feet. The longest snow sheep horn taken, a 45-inch monster, was from this region.

Kolyma Snow Sheep Hunt

Kolyma snow sheep are found only in the Magadan Region, predominantly in the Kolyma Mountains range. The eastern boundary is the large river valley west of the Koryak Mountains. The northern boundary is considered to be the Chukotka Autonomous Region border. The western boundary is the border of Yakutia from the Omolon River to the Kolyma River. The western boundary then 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. The Kolyma Mountains run in a northerly direction.

Okhotsk Snow Sheep Hunt

Okhotsk sheep are found in Khabarovsk, Okhotsk, and the southern part of the Magadan Oblast. It’s large, brownish-gray in color, and resembles the North American Stone sheep of British Columbia. Adult rams can weigh more than 350 pounds. The horns form a spiral with a slight outward flare. Typical horns of the trophies average 36 inches, but 38 to 40-inch trophies are not unusual, and occasionally 41-inch trophies are found. On a good day, a hunter can see up to 30 sheep in the coastal mountains.

Snow sheep hunting requires the hunter to be in excellent physical condition and have the fortitude to complete the hunt. Hunting in East Siberia for the Okhotsk Snow Sheep is not easy, but it is rewarding. This hunt will take you into the pristine mountains of East Siberia, and you will have an adventure of a lifetime. Don’t wait too long to book this hunt because it is very popular, and permits are limited in number.

ChukotkaSnow Sheep Hunt

This subspecies of snow sheep is found in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of Russia. It is north of the Koryak and Magadan Regions and east of Yakutia. Google Earth plainly shows the boundary between Koryak, Magadan, Yakutia, and the Chukotka Autonomous Region. The Chukotka region is vast, and in reality, only a small portion of it is home to sheep. It is believed that there are several different mountainous areas of Chukotka where the sheep can be found, but not in large numbers.

In 2015, for the first time, several Grand Slam Club/Ovis members successfully hunted snow sheep in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug of Russia. At present, the only hunting areas believed to have legal permits are the areas very near the borders with Magadan and possibly the Koryak regions.

Yakutian Snow Sheep Hunt

 All the sheep in the Yakutia Region are considered to be Yakutian snow sheep. These sheep are found in the Yakutia area of Siberia, from the Lena River eastward, north of the 62nd parallel, including the Verkhoyansk, Chersk, Mom, Kolyma, and other ranges. These areas are mountainous, but the terrain is surprisingly gentle. The snow sheep season in Yakutia is open from August first to November 30. The rams usually rut in December, but scheduling the hunt for December in the hope of getting some early rut activity is risky. In addition, any random blizzard may ruin the hunt and/or delay your return. Most outfitters recommend the last two weeks of August and the first two weeks of September.