TalusHunterCA
FNG
Ok, I can do math but it's more complicated than the difference is number of days.
In my research for Dall sheep outfitters, some offer 7-day hunts at almost the same price (within $2K-4K) of those outfitters that offer 10, 12 or even 14 day hunts.
In speaking with different day amount outfitters, on average, they say that it can take 1-5 days to tag out or sometimes it can take the full 7 or 10-12-13 days, depending on weather, location, any rams seen in pre-season scouting or previous hunters etc.
The 7-day areas are usually limited draw hunts in AK or fly-in hunts OTC and the 10, 12-14 day hunts are usually OTC in Canada or AK with some horse, backpacks or fly combo. Some of the shorter hunts are also in OTC areas and they claim you can add on days at a daily rate.
What makes you decide between 7-day and 10-12-14-day hunts if the outfitters and Dall are of equal quality? Or is there always a difference in quality of outfitter or quality (age class, size) of sheep between a 7 day and a 10-12-14 day trip?
The other interesting part I am reading in contracts is that if you tag out early, some of the outfitters also claim that the hunt is over and you must go back to base camp where you can either fly-out right away or stay as a guest for the remainder of days BUT not stay in the backcountry with your guide to hunt other OTC species unless you've previously booked a higher-priced combo hunt in advance. I assume this is due to limited tags. I would have liked the opportunity to hunt black bear or wolf/wolverine or fish in some of the remote country if I had a few days left that I actually paid for already, but in most cases this doesn't seem possible. It just seems odd that we wouldn't continue to hunt for OTC animals, celebrate, eat sheep meat, and continue on for the remainder of time enjoying the backcountry. I guess that outfitters want to maximize revenues and put the guide on another hunt or stop paying them for extra days or have the hunter upgrade to larger trophy species: Caribou, Moose, Grizzly. I am fully prepared to book a combo hunt if that makes the most sense- and I would love to hunt other trophy species, it's just interesting that this is the case. I just wanted people's thoughts for those who've faced this situation before or understand the industry.
In my research for Dall sheep outfitters, some offer 7-day hunts at almost the same price (within $2K-4K) of those outfitters that offer 10, 12 or even 14 day hunts.
In speaking with different day amount outfitters, on average, they say that it can take 1-5 days to tag out or sometimes it can take the full 7 or 10-12-13 days, depending on weather, location, any rams seen in pre-season scouting or previous hunters etc.
The 7-day areas are usually limited draw hunts in AK or fly-in hunts OTC and the 10, 12-14 day hunts are usually OTC in Canada or AK with some horse, backpacks or fly combo. Some of the shorter hunts are also in OTC areas and they claim you can add on days at a daily rate.
What makes you decide between 7-day and 10-12-14-day hunts if the outfitters and Dall are of equal quality? Or is there always a difference in quality of outfitter or quality (age class, size) of sheep between a 7 day and a 10-12-14 day trip?
The other interesting part I am reading in contracts is that if you tag out early, some of the outfitters also claim that the hunt is over and you must go back to base camp where you can either fly-out right away or stay as a guest for the remainder of days BUT not stay in the backcountry with your guide to hunt other OTC species unless you've previously booked a higher-priced combo hunt in advance. I assume this is due to limited tags. I would have liked the opportunity to hunt black bear or wolf/wolverine or fish in some of the remote country if I had a few days left that I actually paid for already, but in most cases this doesn't seem possible. It just seems odd that we wouldn't continue to hunt for OTC animals, celebrate, eat sheep meat, and continue on for the remainder of time enjoying the backcountry. I guess that outfitters want to maximize revenues and put the guide on another hunt or stop paying them for extra days or have the hunter upgrade to larger trophy species: Caribou, Moose, Grizzly. I am fully prepared to book a combo hunt if that makes the most sense- and I would love to hunt other trophy species, it's just interesting that this is the case. I just wanted people's thoughts for those who've faced this situation before or understand the industry.
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