| (Ovis dalli dalli) |
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Dall’s sheep are pure white with amber-colored horns. Rams weigh from 160 to 242 pounds
and ewes are smaller at 110 to 150 pounds; both stand 3 to 3 ½ feet high at the shoulder.
Rams and ewes both grow horns throughout their lives, but those of the ewe are less curved,
more slender and shorter (about ten inches long) than the ram's. The horns of a ram stop
growing each fall, resulting in annual growth rings which, like tree rings, can be used to
determine the age of the ram.
AVERAGE WEIGHT RANGE
Adult Dall’s sheep weigh between 110 and 245 pounds.
REPRODUCTION
Dall’s sheep mature slowly and have low reproductive rates. Females normally reach breeding
age at three years of age and produce only one lamb per year. Males breed when their horns
are large enough for them to establish a dominant position in the ram hierarchy, usually at
seven to nine years.
With the approach of the breeding season in October and early November, head-butting and
clashing among rams increases. In a clash, two rams several yards apart rise up on their hind
legs and slam forward and downward into each other. Such contests are usually won by the
larger rams, which will have the advantage when the ewes are in estrus and ready for
breeding.
A dominant ram will guard an estrus ewe for 2 to 3 days until she indicates her willingness to
mate. After breeding, the ram will seek out additional estrus ewes.
The rut extends from mid-November to mid-December followed by a gestation period of about
175 days. For protection from predators, ewes seek out steep terrain to give birth. About a
week after the lambs are born, ewes and lambs group together in nursery bands, which
remain in the lambing area for 3 to 4 weeks before moving on to the summer range.
FOOD USAGE / SELECTION
Dall’s sheep eat grasses, sedges, broad-leaved plants and dwarf willows. In winter, when
these foods are scarce, the sheep add lichens to their diet. The distribution and availability of
forage requires the sheep to move seasonally between traditional summer and winter ranges.
The animals supplement their diet with regular visits to mineral licks.
RANGE
Dall’s sheep are found in Alaska and northwestern Canada.
HABITAT
Dall’s sheep live mostly above timberline on ridges, dry meadows, and steep mountain slopes.
There usually are rocky outcrops and cliffs nearby. They are generally high- country animals
but sometimes occur in rocky gorges below timberline. In the mountains, snow may
accumulate in some places and be almost completely swept off by winds in other places, such
as low plateaus and ridges. It is these latter areas that are important as winter range from
October to May, especially if they are adjacent to precipitous escape terrain. The total size of
the winter range used by Dall's sheep is usually much smaller than the summer range. In early
summer, as the snow melts, sheep expand their movements to incorporate recently exposed,
greening vegetation, generally at higher elevations.
Common Hunting Methods Spot and stalk is the common method for hunting Dall’s sheep.
Stalking of the sheep occurs only after extensive glassing of the slopes. Because sheep are
continuously surveying lower terrain, the objective is to approach sheep from above. Most
hunters utilize high-powered rifles, as long-range shots are the norm.
HUNTING CHALLENGES / VALUES
Rough and rocky conditions at high altitudes can be very dangerous for hunters. The Dall's
sheep's keen eyesight, smell, and hearing quickly alert them to predators, or hunters. The
size of their horns and their majestic mounts make them an extremely sought after possession.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
It takes about eight years for the trademark circular horns of a Dall’s ram to grow to full size.
These horns are made of keratin, the same substance as fingernails.
Although their thickened skulls are an adaptation to the tremendous impact of their head-
butting, it is not uncommon for rams to have bloodied faces and splintered, or broomed, horn
tips.
Dall’s sheep travel to sites called “licks” to eat the mineral-rich dirt, which balances their diet.
Dall’s sheep are pure white with amber-colored horns. Rams weigh from 160 to 242 pounds
and ewes are smaller at 110 to 150 pounds; both stand 3 to 3 ½ feet high at the shoulder.
Rams and ewes both grow horns throughout their lives, but those of the ewe are less curved,
more slender and shorter (about ten inches long) than the ram's. The horns of a ram stop
growing each fall, resulting in annual growth rings which, like tree rings, can be used to
determine the age of the ram.
AVERAGE WEIGHT RANGE
Adult Dall’s sheep weigh between 110 and 245 pounds.
REPRODUCTION
Dall’s sheep mature slowly and have low reproductive rates. Females normally reach breeding
age at three years of age and produce only one lamb per year. Males breed when their horns
are large enough for them to establish a dominant position in the ram hierarchy, usually at
seven to nine years.
With the approach of the breeding season in October and early November, head-butting and
clashing among rams increases. In a clash, two rams several yards apart rise up on their hind
legs and slam forward and downward into each other. Such contests are usually won by the
larger rams, which will have the advantage when the ewes are in estrus and ready for
breeding.
A dominant ram will guard an estrus ewe for 2 to 3 days until she indicates her willingness to
mate. After breeding, the ram will seek out additional estrus ewes.
The rut extends from mid-November to mid-December followed by a gestation period of about
175 days. For protection from predators, ewes seek out steep terrain to give birth. About a
week after the lambs are born, ewes and lambs group together in nursery bands, which
remain in the lambing area for 3 to 4 weeks before moving on to the summer range.
FOOD USAGE / SELECTION
Dall’s sheep eat grasses, sedges, broad-leaved plants and dwarf willows. In winter, when
these foods are scarce, the sheep add lichens to their diet. The distribution and availability of
forage requires the sheep to move seasonally between traditional summer and winter ranges.
The animals supplement their diet with regular visits to mineral licks.
RANGE
Dall’s sheep are found in Alaska and northwestern Canada.
HABITAT
Dall’s sheep live mostly above timberline on ridges, dry meadows, and steep mountain slopes.
There usually are rocky outcrops and cliffs nearby. They are generally high- country animals
but sometimes occur in rocky gorges below timberline. In the mountains, snow may
accumulate in some places and be almost completely swept off by winds in other places, such
as low plateaus and ridges. It is these latter areas that are important as winter range from
October to May, especially if they are adjacent to precipitous escape terrain. The total size of
the winter range used by Dall's sheep is usually much smaller than the summer range. In early
summer, as the snow melts, sheep expand their movements to incorporate recently exposed,
greening vegetation, generally at higher elevations.
Common Hunting Methods Spot and stalk is the common method for hunting Dall’s sheep.
Stalking of the sheep occurs only after extensive glassing of the slopes. Because sheep are
continuously surveying lower terrain, the objective is to approach sheep from above. Most
hunters utilize high-powered rifles, as long-range shots are the norm.
HUNTING CHALLENGES / VALUES
Rough and rocky conditions at high altitudes can be very dangerous for hunters. The Dall's
sheep's keen eyesight, smell, and hearing quickly alert them to predators, or hunters. The
size of their horns and their majestic mounts make them an extremely sought after possession.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
It takes about eight years for the trademark circular horns of a Dall’s ram to grow to full size.
These horns are made of keratin, the same substance as fingernails.
Although their thickened skulls are an adaptation to the tremendous impact of their head-
butting, it is not uncommon for rams to have bloodied faces and splintered, or broomed, horn
tips.
Dall’s sheep travel to sites called “licks” to eat the mineral-rich dirt, which balances their diet.
