This area is known for Dall Sheep that frequent it. Viewed through Binoculars it was pretty easy to identify these animals as Dall Sheep; although Mountain Goats can be found in the area as well.
This area is known for Dall Sheep that frequent it. Viewed through Binoculars it was pretty easy to identify these animals as Dall Sheep; although Mountain Goats can be found in the area as well.
Wildlife density (especially for large, viewable Mammals) is actually pretty low in Alaska overall, but if you know where certain animals frequent and factor in seasonal movements...it's pretty easy to sight them if you go where they are. It sounds kind of simple...but you often hear folks who've visited the state complain about not seeing any wildlife, especially if they are used to dodging White-tailed Deer on the roads down in Texas or Pennsylvania. I read recently that the state of Maine estimated their Moose population to be around 40,000 animals. Alaska is many times the size of Maine, yet our Moose population is estimated to be "only" 200,000.
With Dall Sheep...if you know what mountain they frequent when lambing or waiting out winter...you can find them, though it could get expensive getting out too them. These animals can actually be viewed (and were in this case) from the highway running between the towns of Anchorage and Girdwood. They are only a few hundred feet above sea level in this photo.
