NWT and Yukon Dall hunts

[OMB]

Why would a Yukon Outfitter charge less than $50 and the NWT Outfitters are $60+. If you are chasing only a sheep, what's the difference? I'm looking to book and trying to understand what I missing....A Yukon sub $50K outfitter seems like the logical choice.

Helicopters are expensive to operate, and as much as those outfitters and their clients want to claim otherwise, they are an easy button. I'm sure everyone's mileage will vary, but seeing the band of rams you're hunting from the helicopter on the way in happens more often than going in by horseback or fixed wing.

The Arctic Red 10 day backpack hunt went for $57k at the Hunt Expo auction for pretty great dates to go hunting this year, so it's not all doom and gloom for the "Dall sheep are $70k hunts" crowd.

 

[CHL]

Talked to Iron North (Yukon) at the Expo and he’s at $55K. Not a bargain by any means, but in today’s sheep prices, not horrible.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

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.

What is "Ignorant" about charging what the market will bear? If they are booked out 4-5 years they are not ignorant. Further, what creates the level of cognitive dissonance you possess? Your profile states your location is "on one of the 7 continents" and you just stated you already "went all in" and completed your bucket list hunts. The elite is you, me too, but mostly you. Just because someone else is living their dream today there is a problem with it? Talk about sad and ignorant...

I've seen these "$XXXXXX" pricing rants for 30 years and every iteration people seem just as surprised as the last. Most of the folks lobbing volley of complaint were never going anyway.

 

[OMB]

Talked to Iron North (Yukon) at the Expo and he’s at $55K. Not a bargain by any means, but in today’s sheep prices, not horrible.

You're basically hunting the same sheep as they're hunting at ARRO or Gana River, just with an August 1st start date. I would book with Ben/Iron North in a heartbeat if I didn't have other plans booked.

 

[idig4au]

What is "Ignorant" about charging what the market will bear? If they are booked out 4-5 years they are not ignorant. Further, what creates the level of cognitive dissonance you possess? Your profile states your location is "on one of the 7 continents" and you just stated you already "went all in" and completed your bucket list hunts. The elite is you, me too, but mostly you. Just because someone else is living their dream today there is a problem with it? Talk about sad and ignorant...

I've seen these "$XXXXXX" pricing rants for 30 years and every iteration people seem just as surprised as the last. Most of the folks lobbing volley of complaint were never going anyway.

“Ignorant prices” refers to prices that are absurd, crazy or outrageous. A simple google search will indicate this. And yes the current situation is sad as these prices put these hunts out of reach for most except those lucky enough to draw. A dall sheep hunt was always in reach for many in the middle class, but at current prices, not so much. One can’t save fast enough to match the current price escalation. This is sad.

Where did I mention that I have a problem with others paying these prices? To each their own and I couldn’t care less what people do.

And yes, I am on one of the 7 continents. Perhaps I want my location private or maybe I travel globally for work….what is elite about this? As for my bucket list of hunts (which I didn’t even disclose), well I absolutely have no post-decisional dissonance regarding my past hunting or expenditure decisions.

What is ignorant is making presumptions on a forum about individuals whom you know nothing about.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

“Ignorant prices” refers to prices that are absurd, crazy or outrageous. A simple google search will indicate this. And yes the current situation is sad as these prices put these hunts out of reach for most except those lucky enough to draw. A dall sheep hunt was always in reach for many in the middle class, but at current prices, not so much. One can’t save fast enough to match the current price escalation. This is sad.

Where did I mention that I have a problem with others paying these prices? To each their own and I couldn’t care less what people do.

And yes, I am on one of the 7 continents. Perhaps I want my location private or maybe I travel globally for work….what is elite about this? As for my bucket list of hunts (which I didn’t even disclose), well I absolutely have no post-decisional dissonance regarding my past hunting or expenditure decisions.

What is ignorant is making presumptions on a forum about individuals whom you know nothing about.

What Google search indicates these prices are absurd, crazy, or outrageous? They are BOOKED. Yeah, I'm sure when there were less hunters who knew Dall sheep existed, and more Dall sheep to hunt it was more affordable. Good observation.

Stop pretending you weren't trying to appear to be the great global traveler, if you didn't want to show a location you just don't show one like the rest of us.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Interesting thread. I'll admit I have not followed or kept up on the trends super closely the last few years but boy am I glad I did my dall hunt in 2013, at locked in 2010 prices which kept me under $10K. I couldn't or wouldn't want to pay the prices that are being asked now. Perhaps my priorities have changed or perhaps its because I have already experienced it but I think alot of the increased demand is due to guys online continuing to hype up these type of hunts which only makes others want them even more. and willing to pay whatever prices the outfitters are charging (I don't blame them for pricing at market). I had an amazing experience but as someone that has hunted wilderness areas throughout the west for mulitple species I wouldn't say it was out of this world and so much better then other hunts that are a much lower price point.

Don't get me wrong, sheep are cool(I have two of them) but imo they are not worth the price being charged now.