Counting Ounces: Adam Foss’s Sheep Hunting Gear List
Author
Adam Foss
Category
Gear Talk
Read time
7 min
Last updated
Sep 1, 2026
Adam Foss breaks down the sheep-hunting system he's refined over 20 years, piece by piece, and why each one earns its spot.
I’ve been refining my sheep hunting gear list for over 20 years and write this with only one caveat—don’t simply take my word for it. Yes, these are my personal choices, but the ideal setup for you may vary based on your discomfort tolerance, risk tolerance, hunting style, weather conditions, time of year, and personal preferences.
Key Takeaways:
Adam Foss has refined his sheep hunting gear list for more than 20 years through personal testing in backcountry environments.
Foss’s current sheep hunting pack weighs about 67 pounds for a 10-day hunt, reflecting a balance between weight and comfort.
His sheep hunt gear list is designed for extended mountain hunts from summer through early fall, with substitutions for colder conditions.
Foss’s go-to sheep hunting pieces include the Timberline Pro Jacket, Dew Point Jacket, Dew Point Pant, Core Lightweight Hoodie and the Mountain Optics Harness.
The best system for an individual is only obtained through the trials of personally testing gear in backcountry environments. With that disclaimer in mind, the sheep hunting gear in this list is what I’d typically bring for an extended mountain hunt in places like British Columbia, Alberta, the NWT, Yukon, and Alaska and has covered me from summer through early fall. With a few substitutions (warmer footwear, headwear, gloves and insulation layers) I’ve comfortably used these pieces in some of the coldest conditions in North America.
What To Consider When Packing For A Sheep Hunt
When assembling a sheep hunting system, there are a few key factors I consider. Every item on my sheep hunting pack list must be:
Lightweight and compact.
Minimalist in design.
Made from durable materials.
Built for a specific role, but can also serve multiple purposes.
Designed to work well with every other piece of gear on my list.
When building my sheep hunt gear list, I try to think through all the scenarios a specific hunt could present. Consider all situations from hiking to glassing to hanging at camp to stalking in and packing out. I ask questions like: What will I wear on a stalk? What if the ground is wet and I’m crawling? Do I expect to camp in the valley or up on ridges? Where will I glass from and for how long? What’s the weather typically like in that mountain range? Answers to these questions guide gear decisions while mapping out a hunt plan, which is inherently valuable.
Rain Gear on Your Ultralight Sheep Hunting Gear List
I’ve loved the Dew Point Jacket and Dew Point Pant since the inception of the Dew Point series in 2012. I think this is the gold standard for early season sheep hunting. It keeps you dry, it's lightweight, packable, and it's relatively durable. The beauty is in its simplicity: pit-zips, a simple adjustable hood, and no bells and whistles that add bulk or weight.
Along the same lines, I think about how pieces will interact with each other. Will my rain gear fit well over my insulation? What will I wear around camp? What will I wear when I’m hiking, or when I’m glassing? Predetermining these scenarios has been helpful to determine what’s needed.
I strive to be efficient. Over the years, I’ve started bringing less and making more intentional choices. Back in the day, I brought extra pants and baselayers in case my first pair got wet. The reality is, duplicate items are rarely needed. Sure, a clean shirt on day 7 is nice, but it’s not a necessity.
Insulation for Your Sheep Hunt
My go-to insulation layer is the new Timberline Pro Jacket. I'm super excited about this because I tested it out for 40-45 days last year. It’s an interesting insulation jacket because it's not just a puffy coat. It has WINDSTOPPER® fabric, so it’s windproof and way more durable than just a normal puffy coat.
DOWNLOAD ADAM FOSS'S COMPLETE SHEEP PACKING LIST >>
Tops & Jackets
It's synthetic fabric, so it dries really fast, wicks moisture, and helps your body regulate temperature. Bonus feature: a built-in face mask and a hood that helps block the sun.
I like a small mid-weight insulation piece if I'm dealing with a little bit of colder temperatures or up on a ridge. The Ambient 75 has a half-zip front for quick ventilation and it's extremely lightweight. That's all I really need for a little mid-layer.
This new jacket is a must-pack. It pulls double duty as a breathable insulation piece and a windproof layer rolled into one. It’s perfect for long, drawn-out stalks where the weather might change and you might switch back and forth between moving fast and holding still.
This is my go-to rain gear. The waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX® fabric is extremely packable and surprisingly durable for a product that’s so lightweight. When not wearing it, I always have this jacket rolled up into its hood and stashed in an outside pocket of my pack for easy access.
Pants
This is a really light, stretchy, breathable early season pant. It has hip vents so you can dump heat and some stretch for easy range of motion. And it’s pretty durable, so you don’t have to worry when going through some brush on your way up into the alpine.
Same as the jacket, the Dew Point is everything I need and nothing I don’t. I’ve never carried a lot of stuff in the pockets of my rain gear as I find it bulks up around the thighs where the material isn’t as forgiving as a non-waterproof hiking pant. Therefore, I prefer the simplicity of this pant. It restricts my legs less than any other rain gear I’ve tried. Side zips are absolutely critical for easy on and off.
Accessories & Equipment
This is on me 99% of the time. In the main pocket are my 10x42 rangefinder binoculars. My inReach is clipped on. In my right hand pocket is my archery thumb release so that it’s handy and I don’t have to dig through my pack. In the left hand pocket I’ve got things like ChapStick, a lighter, and sunscreen.
I change into the Ranger clog shoe in camp to let my feet relax. They're also great for deeper creek crossings.
Low-profile headwear to add a bit of warmth on cooler days. This beanie has a great warmth-to-weight ratio and is also windproof.
I like having two sets of gloves, one fleecy pair and one leather pair. These ones are low-profile fleece. They’re stretchy and don’t take away much dexterity.
I wear these windproof goat skin leather gloves when I'm on the rocks or in thick brush. They're going to stand up to some abuse.
Solid, breathable mid-weight merino wool blend socks. Don’t overlook what a quality sock can do for the comfort of your feet.
This bag is probably overkill for an early season sheep hunt, but it is a nice to have. I think of a sleeping bag as an insurance policy. I can crawl in there while I dry out my wet clothing.
Preseason Sheep Hunting Tips
In addition to gear, there are things you can do before the season starts to help you make the most of your sheep hunt, whether you'll be hunting Dall sheep, Stone sheep, or either species of bighorn.
First off is fitness. The more miles you can log in the types of terrain you'll encounter on your hunt, the better—bonus points if you're wearing a loaded pack. Put your gear through the ringer and know how and when to use it.
Secondly, know where you're going. Study the maps, make scouting trips, spend as much time as you can behind the glass, and have a plan.
Finally, sheep hunting is such a mental game. Prepare yourself for the discomfort. Embrace the whole experience. Punching your tag is just icing on the cake.
Article Contents
Adam Foss
Adam Foss is a dedicated bowhunter, photographer, filmmaker, and conservation advocate. Raised hunting in Alberta’s Southern Rockies, his connection to wild places and passion for bowhunting began at an early age. That pursuit has since taken him into remote mountain ranges around the world and shaped a career built around the outdoors. His work spans photography and filmmaking, writing, product development and years of testing gear in the field. Today, Adam works as a photographer and creative director for the production company he runs with his wife, Frankie, and is the co-founder of Migrate, an archery-focused company born from a lifetime spent bowhunting.
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