Western Sheep Hunt Layering System

Posted by Leland Schmoker · July 05, 2023

It was May 20th, and I was heading back to my hometown in Central Wyoming to visit family when I finally acquired service and received a text from my brother saying, "Answer your f***ing phone! You just drew a sheep tag!!!"

The Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribe had just drawn for the 22' season, and I had just won the sheep lottery. Being my personal first but fourth sheep hunt I had been on, I knew I was in for a treat hunting the grizzly bear-infested Absaroka Mountain Range in Western Wyoming.

The mountains would be steep, water would be scarce, and the weather would be unpredictable, ranging from scorching heat, galeforce winds, and whiteout blizzards all on the same trip. I knew it was essential to have my layering system dialed with the ability to carry minimal gear.

The trick would be staying warm during the frost-blanketed nights and cool when exerting myself cresting ridges. After trial & error, several outings, countless miles, and one ram later - here's what I shook out as my go-to system that worked no matter the elements.

Socks and underwear. Sitka doesn't currently sell socks or underwear, so I purchased both the Ultra Merino Socks and Underwear from KUIU. Socks are often overlooked but, in my experience, are some of the most essential parts of your system. Without socks that breathe, keep your feet dry, and are somewhat padded on pinch points, you risk blisters and sore feet. Invest the money and get yourself some quality socks and underwear that you can wear longer than usual and will hold up to long days of use.

CORE Heavyweight Bottoms. I'd spend half the day wearing these and the other half looking forward to putting them back on because they are so comfortable. As the season stretched out, I’d wear these under my pants to sleep in and during the first half of the day. All it took was one miserable trip of not having them to know I messed up. These are essential for late-season hunts. I also found myself wearing these as sweatpants to keep the amount of gear I brought to a minimum.

Mountain Pant and Timberline Pant. During the scouting season and beginning of September, I wore the Mountain Pant. However, as soon as we got to the end of September and early October, I solely wore the Timberline Pants - which I prefer. The Timberline pants feature a removable knee pad, a textured butt area that's great for riding in a saddle or sitting on a hillside glassing, and my favorite part - adjustable bib straps. I hate wearing a belt while hiking with a pack, and these allow you the ability to not have to. Later in the season, I never took these off. I'd hike in them and sleep in them because it was so cold, and they continue to hold up season after season.

CORE Lightweight/Heavyweight Hoody. I use the CORE Lightweight Hoody and Heavyweight Hoody as a next-to-skin pieces. When it's super hot out, I'll start my layering system with the CORE Lightweight Hoody (mainly during scouting months). As soon as the season starts, I transition into the Heavyweight Hoody. Yes, you are sometimes hot, BUT it zips halfway down your torso, allowing you to dump heat fast. I'd rather be a little hot for an hour or two during the day than cold the remaining 22.

Kelvin Aerolite Vest/Jacket. 80% of my hunts, I'm only wearing a Heavyweight Hoody and a Kelvin Aerolite Vest. When hiking around, it keeps my core warm and allows me to dump heat. As soon as it gets a little colder, I either add or swap the Kelvin Aerolite Vest for the Kelvin Aerolite Jacket. The Kelvin Aerolite System uses tiny little air pockets that leverage air as your insulation over traditional down. This is great for two reasons. One, it doesn't lose its loft when compressed, no matter how long you compress it. Two, it's warm when wet. Unlike traditional down that loses its loft when wet or compressed, the Kelvin Aerolite System does not. They are warm standalone and exceptional when paired on those colder hunts.

Dewpoint Jacket/Pant. The later the season got, we didn't have to worry about rain, but we did have to worry about snow and wind. The Dewpoint System never left my pack. When it snowed, I'd put it over my Aerolite Jacket or Vest to stay dry. When it was extremely windy, I'd put it over my system to trap heat. They are a must and extend the capabilities of your system. I've had the system for two years now and can't believe I haven't ripped it. They're so much stronger than they look.

GTX Gloves. I'm a gear snob, and I've tried numerous technical gloves, and nine times out of ten, I wear leather gloves because they're easier to put on and take off, they're tougher, and there's just something to be said about a premium leather glove that fits just right. However, as soon as the snow starts flying or it's raining, those leather gloves become useless, and that's when the GTX Gloves come out of my pack.

GTX Gaiters. I almost always wear gaiters. When you are limited on space, and you have to make do with minimal gear for several days, you need to keep the gear you have in good condition. The GTX Gaiters are one of the ways I accomplish this. They protect your pants and boots against mud, snow, and dust, allow you to cross rivers, and reduce the gunk on the bottom of your pants, allowing you to crawl into a sleeping bag without making it slimy and gross.

Dialing in your gear is something that comes down to a personal preference and can vary depending on where you live and what you hunt. The backcountry of Wyoming is unforgivable. There's rarely service, and the nearest town is usually hours away after a good hike or a horse ride. This is the exact system I used to harvest my ram and what I use to hunt backcountry elk from September through late-season cows in December.

Use it as a baseline and tailor it to your hunting needs. If you ever have questions about your system, give us a call, and we'd be happy to go over it with you (even if it's not Sitka or Stone Glacier.) If we don't know the answer, we partner with guides around the USA and Canada and can surely get you an experienced answer.

by Austin Nimmo

Western Sheep Hunt Layering System by Austin Nimmo