It's 2025, where are the most affordable guided hunts domestic and abroad?

[Northern Safari]

As we're all aware, the price of everything only goes up. Guided hunts are no exception to this rule and many that were once considered "affordable" to the middle class are no longer so.

I'm trying to compile a list of "affordable" options to pursue at home and abroad. My target budget is $20,000 CAD but let's call it $15,000 USD. This seems like an obtainable amount that can be saved up within a year or two.

Looking at today's prices, which guided hunts would be doable within this budget framework in North America and abroad?

The North American sheep are obviously well above that budget, and from what I've been seeing so are guided hunts for trophy Caribou, Grizzly and Moose.

That leaves.....deer, black bear, pronghorn and even elk and mountain goat just makes the cut.

Would this budget be enough for a SA plains game hunt? What about a single bull cape buffalo?

A single Spanish or Mid-Asian ibex?

How about a Tahr/Chamois Combo in NZ or a single water buffalo in Australia?

Any others?

Travel costs, export and taxidermy would have to be taken into consideration.

 

[Bandit16]

Look at Romania I’m doing a chamois hunt there this year for a fraction of that budget plus airfare. Stag are a bit more but roe and fallow deer are less. For $15k you could do a couple of species.


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[Northern Safari]

Look at Romania I’m doing a chamois hunt there this year for a fraction of that budget plus airfare. Stag are a bit more but roe and fallow deer are less. For $15k you could do a couple of species.


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Awesome, are you hunting with Marius? I was actually considering Romania for a brown bear hunt after seeing prices in the Yukon. Carpathian Chamois is also on my wish-list.

 

[Nickziegler]

New zealand tahr and chamois hunt $10000-15000 depending on using a helicopter to get you into the area and drop you off / pick up

Newfoundland moose hunt - $6000-$15000. Depending on remoteness and if a float plane or helicopter is used to get into camp.

Romania fallow deer. Seems like an awesome hunt for around $5000

Can't beat a spring bear hunt in BC!

Mtn Goat is a hunt everyone should do. If your on the fence with that budget do it now. I hunted them in BC in 2017 for $9000. Same hunt is $16000 and climbing

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[TheCougar]

I would get a Delorean, find a clock tower in a lightning storm, and set the dial for 2008.

 

[Northern Safari]

New zealand tahr and chamois hunt $10000-15000 depending on using a helicopter to get you into the area and drop you off / pick up

Newfoundland moose hunt - $6000-$15000. Depending on remoteness and if a float plane or helicopter is used to get into camp.

Romania fallow deer. Seems like an awesome hunt for around $5000

Can't beat a spring bear hunt in BC!

Mtn Goat is a hunt everyone should do. If your on the fence with that budget do it now. I hunted them in BC in 2017 for $9000. Same hunt is $16000 and climbing

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I have Mt Goat booked for BC in 2026. Paid ~13,000 CAD, I see they have gone up since.

 

[Northern Safari]

I would get a Delorean, find a clock tower in a lightning storm, and set the dial for 2008.

2008 prices sound great right about now. I got into this game a little too late.

 

[Sbird2019]

As we're all aware, the price of everything only goes up. Guided hunts are no exception to this rule and many that were once considered "affordable" to the middle class are no longer so.

I'm trying to compile a list of "affordable" options to pursue at home and abroad. My target budget is $20,000 CAD but let's call it $15,000 USD. This seems like an obtainable amount that can be saved up within a year or two.

Looking at today's prices, which guided hunts would be doable within this budget framework in North America and abroad?

The North American sheep are obviously well above that budget, and from what I've been seeing so are guided hunts for trophy Caribou, Grizzly and Moose.

That leaves.....deer, black bear, pronghorn and even elk and mountain goat just makes the cut.

Would this budget be enough for a SA plains game hunt? What about a single bull cape buffalo?

A single Spanish or Mid-Asian ibex?

How about a Tahr/Chamois Combo in NZ or a single water buffalo in Australia?

Any others?

Travel costs, export and taxidermy would have to be taken into consideration.

Plaines game is fairly reasonable in SA. Most animals are around the $2k-$4k range with some being right at or under $1k (warthog, Impala, etc). Anything dangerous game or glamour game (sable, roan, etc) will be above $5k

Definitely yes on the Cape buffalo in SA. Pricing it out currently myself with several outfitters. Going rate seems to be in the ballpark of $10k-$12k for a 7 day buff hunt. If you include buff as a package, you could likely get 3-4 animals (buff included) for that $15k threshold

Once you venture outside of SA, prices for Cape buffalo can increase pretty dramatically

 

[PathFinder]

SA can be done way cheaper than the outfitter price lists suggest. Buy a hunt at a banquet auction, that's the cheapest way to get a base package. That will include several animals and you can add from there.

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[Sbird2019]

SA can be done way cheaper than the outfitter price lists suggest. Buy a hunt at a banquet auction, that's the cheapest way to get a base package. That will include several animals and you can add from there.

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Good tip ^

Never hurts to try to negotiate too. Your mileage may vary with that one. I’d let the outfit lead though so as not to risk offending. Sometimes the PH or the outfitter will play ball and will sell you some non-target species. Especially if it nears end of season, or if they have a problem animal somewhere.

Definitely don’t give them every target species when building a package. Keep a couple close to the chest and this may get you a discount later as the hunt winds down and your PH wants to keep you spending

 

[Reburn]

But if I tell you where the cheaper / good hunts are on the open internet then they wont be cheaper / good anymore.

 

[Northern Safari]

Plaines game is fairly reasonable in SA. Most animals are around the $2k-$4k range with some being right at or under $1k (warthog, Impala, etc). Anything dangerous game or glamour game (sable, roan, etc) will be above $5k

Definitely yes on the Cape buffalo in SA. Pricing it out currently myself with several outfitters. Going rate seems to be in the ballpark of $10k-$12k for a 7 day buff hunt. If you include buff as a package, you could likely get 3-4 animals (buff included) for that $15k threshold

Once you venture outside of SA, prices for Cape buffalo can increase pretty dramatically

That’s what id like for my first Safari. Cape buffalo plus a handful of plains game. I’m assuming the costs of the taxidermy can also be spread out over time if it’s not required in full up front.

 

[Bandit16]

Awesome, are you hunting with Marius? I was actually considering Romania for a brown bear hunt after seeing prices in the Yukon. Carpathian Chamois is also on my wish-list.

I looked at Marius and will probably do a hunt with him in the future. This is through Hunting Consortium and is a little more than Marius would charge. I had some very specific dates that they were able to match up with.


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[Alder_]

New Mexico.

But seriously, what @Reburn said. Let's make a list of affordable hunts so everyone drives that demand up, so then they drive their prices up. Makes a lot of sense.
Keep your info to yourself and those close to you.

Carry on.

 

[Speaks]

Are there options of semi guided hunts, they get you set up in an area, get maybe a day of guided instruction, then you finish out the week on your own? I would have to imagine it would reduce cost substantially.

 

[Bandit16]

Are there options of semi guided hunts, they get you set up in an area, get maybe a day of guided instruction, then you finish out the week on your own? I would have to imagine it would reduce cost substantially.

There are absolutely drip camo options but you still need to draw tags in most of the areas.


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[Northern Safari]

New Mexico.

But seriously, what @Reburn said. Let's make a list of affordable hunts so everyone drives that demand up, so then they drive their prices up. Makes a lot of sense.
Keep your info to yourself and those close to you.

Carry on.

Are we not a community here? The amount of people on this forum will not drastically change the economy of any of these these hunts if they like me, are looking for a deal.

The number one upward pressure on all of the mountain game and big game at large throughout North America is how high sheep prices have become.

 

[Northern Safari]

Are there options of semi guided hunts, they get you set up in an area, get maybe a day of guided instruction, then you finish out the week on your own? I would have to imagine it would reduce cost substantially.

Not that I am aware of here in Canada, utilizing an outfitter/guide is mandatory for hunting big game outside of your home province.

 

[Reburn]

Are we not a community here? The amount of people on this forum will not drastically change the economy of any of these these hunts if they like me, are looking for a deal.

The number one upward pressure on all of the mountain game and big game at large throughout North America is how high sheep prices have gotten.

If this logic was true then spot burning units with 5-10 or more points wouldnt be a thing. But it is.
Which shows you logic is flawed.

 

[prm]

You could shoot a lot of plains game in SA on a 15k budget.