Have you ever cancelled a hunt or know someone who has?

[hunt1up]

I booked a 2025 Dall hunt in January of 2023. The hunt is this coming August. I'm not a mega millionaire, but my wife and I do well enough that I could financially stomach such an expense. I paid my deposit and I saved the remaining cash since. I have the cash in the bank ready to go. Over the past few months I've started getting SLIGHTLY cold feet, and even more so lately. With the current economic uncertainty I know our business is due for a bumpy ride. Additionally, and probably the main hesitation, is that I'll be gone for 17 days. My kids are 12 and 14 so they aren't babies, and my wife is pretty understanding, but it's still a very long time to be gone.

I've also considered that the money this hunt requires could easily fund many other really high quality hunting experiences for years to come. Canada moose, top end elk hunts, etc. I've hunted for over 25 years and I've enjoyed some really good hunting experiences all over the US. I wonder if the juice is worth the squeeze for the sheep.

So, have any of you cancelled a BIG hunt? Did you regret it? How about people you know? If I cancel such a rare opportunity I doubt I'd stomach starting over since prices are only skyrocketing. As of right now I'm still in the GO camp, but to say I'm 100% in would be a lie. Thanks for any opinions!

 

[Winnie]

When you are old and in a rocking chair, would you be glad you went or would you be glad you did something else with the money (other hunts you mentioned)? How much are sheep a priority (or not) for you? Has sheep hunting been the #1 dream for a long time or do you just think it would be a fun hunt? Would you lose your down payment?

I would ask yourself some questions from different angles and see how you answer!

 

[Winnie]

When you are old and in a rocking chair, would you be glad you went or would you be glad you did something else with the money (other hunts you mentioned)? How much are sheep a priority (or not) for you? Has sheep hunting been the #1 dream for a long time or do you just think it would be a fun hunt? Would you lose your down payment?

I would ask yourself some questions from different angles and see how you answer!

 

[hunt1up]

When you are old and in a rocking chair, would you be glad you went or would you be glad you did something else with the money (other hunts you mentioned)? How much are sheep a priority (or not) for you? Has sheep hunting been the #1 dream for a long time or do you just think it would be a fun hunt? Would you lose your down payment?

I would ask yourself some questions from different angles and see how you answer!

To the first question, I guess I don't know. I'm generally a "go now" kind of guy as the future isn't guaranteed. If I didn't sheep hunt I would certainly fill the gap with other desired experiences.

Doing at least one sheep hunt has been a pretty high priority. #1 dream, I dunno. It's up there though.

I don't know about the deposit yet. I know the Outfitter has a long wait so I believe if I cancel before a certain point and someone takes it I would get it back. Contract says 6/1. I emailed them just so I have that knowledge.

As mentioned, I'm still in the go camp. I don't want to make a rash decision I'll regret. Just considering my options.

 

[Scottf270]

Honestly any question of going after sheep should have been answered before you booked. Whether you really valued a sheep over other animals, were financially prepared and or committed to let go of the money or could be gone from family should have long been answered.

Are you thinking your not physically prepared or concerned you will spend all that money and come home empty? Are you afraid you picked the wrong outfitter or area? If those are real nagging fears, you should probably cancel.

 

[hunt1up]

Honestly any question of going after sheep should have been answered before you booked. Whether you really valued a sheep over other animals, were financially prepared and or committed to let go of the money or could be gone from family should have long been answered.

Are you thinking your not physically prepared or concerned you will spend all that money and come home empty? Are you afraid you picked the wrong outfitter or area? If those are real nagging fears, you should probably cancel.

Those are fair points. At the time of booking these concerns were not present in my mind, at least not much.

I'm in better physical condition than I've been in a long time. I mountain hunt a fair amount and I'd say I'm physically in better shape than most people turning 40. No concern there at all. I'm not concerned with my outfitter choice either. Nor am I afraid of coming home empty handed. I'm fully aware that that is possible and I'm ok with that.

This could simply be a little anxiety kicking in now that the time has come. I'm not nervous about the experience itself. I travel all the time for work and hunts. I'm not worried about the travel or the terrain or any of that. I guess I've just started to consider is it a "responsible" choice. It probably stems from the fact that I'm pretty financially risk adverse when it comes to big ticket items. And this is the biggest to date.

I'll likely go and it'll be a great experience. I just wanted to get some opinions from others who may have had similar reservations.

 

[FAAFO]

Many of the clients that had to save for years for their hunt are so wound up during their hunt dude to the financial burden they couldn’t enjoy the hunt until they shot their animal. You could see it in their mannerisms and they would even mention it. I don’t particularly enjoy taking these clients because after a couple days in the hunt you can see/feel the tension. On the contrary the clients that are stupid rich can be hard to motivate to get up the mountain . But at least the tension isn’t present.

My advice is 100% go with what your gut is telling you. I’m not sure if your hunt is in AK or CA but if it’s AK remember that the success rate is around 50% maybe/probably less.

I think we all save money up for something we think we want, only to get to that goal and decide something else. At that point I don’t think there’s a wrong decision in this situation.

 

[Scottf270]

One thing I learned when I started going on what I'll call " high dollar adventure hunts" is that once the money is spent, it's gone forever. They were the adventures of a lifetime and provided trophies, memories, and joy that I will cherish till the day I die.

Having said that, they hold no significance to anyone else and retain no monetary value beyond the memories and experience. In a way, they are a fairly selfish expenditure if when you spend money, you like to have something to hold in your hand and or resell in the future.

In the end, you are born and then you die. It's what happens in between that matters. You come into this world with nothing and you leave with nothing. Whether you spent your money on experiences or hard assets, it is over for you.

If setting up future generations or leaving a big estate is what makes you happy, then do it. If seeing wild places and magnificent animals plus testing yourself makes you happy , then do that. Typically the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

I'm retired now at nearly 64 years old. I worked in a factory my whole life so I was never a wealthy man. I have managed to hunt and kill Kodiak brown bear, A-Y moose, elk, mule deer, antelope etc. I finally killed a giant tom Mt. Lion in Alberta in February. I hope to have a couple more elk hunts in my future.

I could have bought a classic car or another Harley or 100 acres or lived in a nicer house. I can honestly say I would never trade my experiences back for all the money spent. Those memories and trophy's are mine, no one else's. If that makes me selfish, I'm okay with it.

If hunting means anything to you, I think you will regret not going. Good luck on your decision.

 

[hunt1up]

Many of the clients that had to save for years for their hunt are so wound up during their hunt dude to the financial burden they couldn’t enjoy the hunt until they shot their animal. You could see it in their mannerisms and they would even mention it. I don’t particularly enjoy taking these clients because after a couple days in the hunt you can see/feel the tension. On the contrary the clients that are stupid rich can be hard to motivate to get up the mountain . But at least the tension isn’t present.

My advice is 100% go with what your gut is telling you. I’m not sure if your hunt is in AK or CA but if it’s AK remember that the success rate is around 50% maybe/probably less.

I think we all save money up for something we think we want, only to get to that goal and decide something else. At that point I don’t think there’s a wrong decision in this situation.

Hunt is in the Yukon. Success rates are pretty high. I've done a ton of DIY hunts successfully. Elk, moose, tons of deer, antelope, aoudad, etc. I feel pretty confident I can stay motivated to the proper level. I'm used to doing all the work myself, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. So I'm good from the hunt itself perspective.

 

[hunt1up]

One thing I learned when I started going on what I'll call " high dollar adventure hunts" is that once the money is spent, it's gone forever. They were the adventures of a lifetime and provided trophies, memories, and joy that I will cherish till the day I die.

Having said that, they hold no significance to anyone else and retain no monetary value beyond the memories and experience. In a way, they are a fairly selfish expenditure if when you spend money, you like to have something to hold in your hand and or resell in the future.

In the end, you are born and then you die. It's what happens in between that matters. You come into this world with nothing and you leave with nothing. Whether you spent your money on experiences or hard assets, it is over for you.

If setting up future generations or leaving a big estate is what makes you happy, then do it. If seeing wild places and magnificent animals plus testing yourself makes you happy , then do that. Typically the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

I'm retired now at nearly 64 years old. I worked in a factory my whole life so I was never a wealthy man. I have managed to hunt and kill Kodiak brown bear, A-Y moose, elk, mule deer, antelope etc. I finally killed a giant tom Mt. Lion in Alberta in February. I hope to have a couple more elk hunts in my future.

I could have bought a classic car or another Harley or 100 acres or lived in a nicer house. I can honestly say I would never trade my experiences back for all the money spent. Those memories and trophy's are mine, no one else's. If that makes me selfish, I'm okay with it.

If hunting means anything to you, I think you will regret not going. Good luck on your decision.

Great post. Outside of my family and work obligations, hunting and the outdoors consume all of my free time. Hunting season never ends. It's app season, then it's turkey season, then it's elk season, then it's deer season. Oh and fishing season in between all those. Put like that, then going is the logical choice.

 

[medvedyt]

i had to cancel on hunt here when i thorn my ankle and i was drawn on an area with not that hunting pressure from outfitter nor local as it was only a 2 tags area. i cancelled the tag (still within the limit) the area management changed and for the last 2 years no more sheep to be seen.

moral of the story if you can go and afford it go as you never know what can happen ...

 

[fatlander]

It sounds like you’ve got a ton of stuff at home that’s going to be weighing on you while you’re hunting. I’ve never laid out sheep money for a hunt and cancelled, but I’ve been on tough backpack hunts when things weren’t squared away at home. The backcountry has a way of letting all those nagging demons out. Sounds to me like you wouldn’t enjoy the hunt while you’re there.


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[hunt1up]

It sounds like you’ve got a ton of stuff at home that’s going to be weighing on you while you’re hunting. I’ve never laid out sheep money for a hunt and cancelled, but I’ve been on tough backpack hunts when things weren’t squared away at home. The backcountry has a way of letting all those nagging demons out. Sounds to me like you wouldn’t enjoy the hunt while you’re there.


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Honestly the home life is good. Helping run a family business has it's challenges but that comes with the territory. But from a family perspective it's really really good to be honest. Got a great wife and great kids. I will be burdening my wife in my absence but she understands, and has always given her blessing for me to pursue such things. Do I feel a little guilty being gone 17 days? Sure I do.

 

[wind gypsy]

Hunt is in the Yukon. Success rates are pretty high. I've done a ton of DIY hunts successfully. Elk, moose, tons of deer, antelope, aoudad, etc. I feel pretty confident I can stay motivated to the proper level. I'm used to doing all the work myself, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. So I'm good from the hunt itself perspective.

Fair chance it'll be physically easier than some of your DIY hunts. My Dall hunt was.

I did it before wife/kids in 2019. Couldn't justify the spend now even though we could afford it so I understand the anxiety. Was it worth $18k fee+ travel and taxidermy back then? I loved it but wasn't positive it was worth the spend. Inflation and hindsight now makes it seem like it probably was.

 

[FAAFO]

Hunt is in the Yukon. Success rates are pretty high. I've done a ton of DIY hunts successfully. Elk, moose, tons of deer, antelope, aoudad, etc. I feel pretty confident I can stay motivated to the proper level. I'm used to doing all the work myself, sometimes successfully, sometimes not. So I'm good from the hunt itself perspective.

have you been on many guided hunts? It’s not comparable when you drop 40k on a hunt vs a DIY hunt when it comes to mental toughness. It’s a whole different experience. It’s not about motivation. The guys who have to save up for their one chance are the most motivated of all, but they rob themselves of the experience due to stress of a high dollar hunt.

I take lots of pics for the clients and I’ve had numerous ones thank me later because they can’t even remember half of the time leading up to them killing their animals. The stress one puts on himself due to the cost of the hunt is real. You’ve brought up a topic a lot are afraid to talk about.

I feel like if someone books a hunt and has to think about anything financial regarding it then they likely can’t afford the hunt. Monetary wise they can afford it but in all other aspects they cannot. That doesn’t mean one shouldn’t do it. Life is short, just live it.

But in my opinion one can only really afford something if you don’t have to give two thoughts about it after purchasing. I fully recognize that thought process is foolish. I’m ok with that

 

[Sierra Hunter]

You run a business and the work/risk that entails for the ability to do things like this, + with a wife at home willing to give you the gift of time and support. I see all green lights, unless coming home empty would crush you psychologically about the $ spent or if the money jeopardizes any of the things that allowed you to consider going. I’ve spent money on “bigger” hunts but never felt like I risked anything fundamental to a healthy life.
Hope if you go we get a good re-cap.

 

[Kenai_dtracker]

Honestly the home life is good. Helping run a family business has it's challenges but that comes with the territory. But from a family perspective it's really really good to be honest. Got a great wife and great kids. I will be burdening my wife in my absence but she understands, and has always given her blessing for me to pursue such things. Do I feel a little guilty being gone 17 days? Sure I do.

Do your kids hunt? My daughter is 11 and I'm transition into getting her more involved, and this fall will be her first youth hunt for deer, but if she likes it, a trip for us out west is in the cards. If you kids hunt, maybe spend the money on a great youth hunt with memories forever.

When I'm gone on my hunting trips, I do feel guilty, but then when application season comes around, that's long forgotten, haha.

 

[hunt1up]

Do your kids hunt? My daughter is 11 and I'm transition into getting her more involved, and this fall will be her first youth hunt for deer, but if she likes it, a trip for us out west is in the cards. If you kids hunt, maybe spend the money on a great youth hunt with memories forever.

When I'm gone on my hunting trips, I do feel guilty, but then when application season comes around, that's long forgotten, haha.

Yes they do. They are very avid hunters. I've taken both of them on several out of state hunts. My daughter on a few cow elk hunts and antelope, my son for aoudad, axis, and antelope. They each kill several deer and turkeys a year too. I now spend as much time on their hunting pursuits as my own, probably more, lol! My applications and hunt planning has tripled in recent years. While I get my sheep hunt, I'm also taking my son to Texas for a DIY aoudad/axis hunt in May and my daughter cow elk hunting in December. I'm very fortunate to be able to do those things.

I appreciate all of the replies guys. I'm not on the verge of calling this off. I'm generally pretty analytical by nature and probably overthink things. I'm just trying to look at things from all angles.

 

[Bigred323]

If it’s not going to hurt yourself financially or put your family in a bind, my vote is on the go side.

I’ve felt exactly what you’re feeling and will probably feel it more as the time gets closer. I’ve got a dall booked in 2027 in the NWT and it is by far the largest expense (besides house) that I’ve spent and never even dreamed that I’d pay that much for any kind of hunt. BUT, we’ve worked hard, live well below our means, and it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do so with the full support of my wife, booked it.

Even though she fully supports me, I still feel a sense of selfishness knowing that we could do some really cool stuff as a family with the money, but we are still able to take some trips as a family anyway. My biggest worry is at the time of the hunt, my son will be almost 7 and daughter 4 so me being gone that long will definitely be Felt, but I’m trying to do some of the more physical/more remote hunts while I’m younger and before my hunting switches gears to hunting with my kids instead of for Myself all the time.

All that being said, unless something drastically changes, I will be going for sure lol.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

I wish I sent my deposit in 21' when I got the contract instead of Jan of this year. The hunt doubled in cost. That said, it's your call.