NWT and Yukon Dall hunts

[ridgerunnerrron]

I was not at the Sheep Show. However I heard that some Dall outfitters are booking hunts out into year 2030 at $70 K!
If this is true, as long as there’s some hunters out there that will pay that number, then the hunt prices are just gonna continue to spiral upward…like they’ve been doing!
Def out of reach for too many hunters.

 

[kscowboy01]

Wow. I did my Dall in the Alaska Range in 2013 for $8,000+air charter. I thought the Canadian hunts were crazy high at $18K back then…

 

[tstowater]

Times have changed. Supply and demand and the value of the US$ going to heck. Lots of money chasing a smaller number of sheep. I really wouldn't expect prices to back off any time soon as long as people are concerned that the prices are only going to go higher if they don't book now (which will keep pushing prices higher). Just my two cents. Flexibility and cancellation opportunities will be your friend if you are looking for a sheep hunt with a quality outfit.

 

[Gadjet]

If dalls are booking for 70 grand I can only imagine where stone prices are headed!

 

[CaliforniaMuley]

Saw a few Yukon hunts for under 50. A lot above. NWT guys were 60-70 k. A few under that but said price will be going up to compete with other outfits. And majority were booking into 30 /31 but didn’t have a price yet. Said it will go up 5-10 percent, take your deposit and let you know 2 years out. Pretty wild!!!

 

[cbeard64]

Crazy. I believe that the demand was always there but the outfitters didn’t fully realize it. After Covid the outfitters began to realize how in demand their hunts were and haven’t looked back on the price increases. Who knows where it will stop?

 

[CHL]

It won’t stop unfortunately. This is the new “normal”.

 

[waspocrew]

Glad I booked when I did. Heading to NWT with South Nahanni in Aug. 50k when I booked - still crazy high.

 

[OMB]

Crazy. I believe that the demand was always there but the outfitters didn’t fully realize it. After Covid the outfitters began to realize how in demand their hunts were and haven’t looked back on the price increases. Who knows where it will stop?

Yup. An outfitter I've hunted with for more of a niche species realized this before Covid. A mutual friend told him 15 years ago, "you really need to be charging 50% more or higher for this hunt, you will still have a waiting list." Started raising prices slowly, now is the most expensive by far, still has a multi year waiting list because he's the best at what he does.

Perfect storm of events with Dall sheep- increased hype and prestige around sheep hunting, Covid years of cancelled hunts, peak years for Boomers retiring with a ton of cash, Alaska populations not doing well, and outfitters finally realizing they were undervaluing their hunts. Moose hunt prices have also gotten insane for those that pay attention.

Also- private equity making a mess of things isn't just limited to backpack companies. Those concessions that turned over in the last 5 years that are charging the most for hunts have to pay back the loan from the wealthy American dentist or grain farmer or President's son somehow .

 

[ridgerunnerrron]

If dalls are booking for 70 grand I can only imagine where stone prices are headed!

$70-125k.

 

[Ophert]

Holay, now I know why outfitters get pissy at residents. From their perspective I just took a 70k animal from them

 

[ridgerunnerrron]

!

 

[idig4au]

These prices are sad and ignorant. I’m so happy I went all in and did most of my bucket list hunts before this nonsense started and sheep hunting became what it is today. It’s just sad.

It’s not only sheep, it’s across the all species. It’s becoming a sport for the elite unfortunately.

 

[waspocrew]

I wish I could have gone sheep hunting when prices were great - trouble is, I was probably 10 at the time.

Same with locking in a house with a great mortgage. Unfortunately, it is what it is.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I'll wait to draw one here in WA, probably never. But no way am I paying those prices.

 

[wyosteve]

Prices are all relative. A friend of mine did a Stone, moose, caribou and goat hunt for $3600 so you can imagine how long ago that was. BUT, wages at the time were about $1.10 per hour. Today, it's not uncommon to be earning $40-$50 per hour. $3600 x $40 per hour is $144,000 so prices are proportionately still the same.

 

[IDVortex]

I'll wait to draw one here in WA, probably never. But no way am I paying those prices.

This is where I am. Realistically speaking. The only 'exotic' hunt i plan to buy is a MT goat hunt. But ill have to get on that hopefully next year otherwise ill be priced out of it. Or start going to the sheep show.

 

[ridgerunnerrron]

These prices are sad and ignorant. I’m so happy I went all in and did most of my bucket list hunts before this nonsense started and sheep hunting became what it is today. It’s just sad.

It’s not only sheep, it’s across the all species. It’s becoming a sport for the elite unfortunately.

That is a def fact! Never thought I would see it in my lifetime, let alone since covid, it is insane.