Planning a once in a lifetime sheep hunt

[Peter638]

I talked to someone who hunted dalls with North Curl this year and had a GREAT experience. I did some research and everything I read was extremely positive so I reached out to them. Mac Watson said they were booking in 2027 and beyond. I was targeting 2029 because I had previously booked a moose/caribou hunt in the NWT with the Lancasters for 2027. The sheep hunt was $42k, but they hold that price for future years if you put 10% down. I ended up booking for 2029 because I felt like I could hedge against inflation in hunt costs by locking my 2029 price in now (something other outfitters I talked with don’t do). I guess time will tell if it was a good move or not!

I’m thinking to try the same. Book now then hoping they hold the price. Haven’t had time to really sit down and start calling.
Waiting to buy a house outside of the five boroughs of NY just so I can get a rifle. That’s a big thing holding me back. What if it the hunt comes before I get a house and don’t even have a rifle.(I’ve been strictly bow my whole life).

 

[Newbie Sheep Hunter]

A NWT dall hunt for $42k in 2029 will seem like a steal. What happens if the concession is sold between now and then?

Sorry, I wasn't clear, but North Curl actually operates in the Yukon (my moose/caribou hunt is in the NWT). I think your point still stands though!

Good question on if the concession is sold. The Watsons have been operating for a number of years, but are also on the younger side so I don't think it is a major concern, but obviously you never know. I would hope if its sold it goes to a good operator that Mac vouches for and I would still have a good experience with them. If not, I guess I would hope to get my deposit back and look for a different hunt. I would think any reputable outfitter who takes over a concession like this would make that option available to people who had already purchased a hunt. But worst case I guess I'd be stuck going with whoever buys the concession.

 

[Newbie Sheep Hunter]

I’m thinking to try the same. Book now then hoping they hold the price. Haven’t had time to really sit down and start calling.
Waiting to buy a house outside of the five boroughs of NY just so I can get a rifle. That’s a big thing holding me back. What if it the hunt comes before I get a house and don’t even have a rifle.(I’ve been strictly bow my whole life).

That was one of the main reasons I booked with North Curl. I liked the idea of locking in my price now, when it seems like prices are still going up rapidly with no slow down in sight. And it's also getting harder and harder to book high quality sheep hunts (Ravens Throat was already booking into 2030 without even telling you the price; the Lancasters were sold out through 2027 and not booking beyond that when I spoke to them and it was going to be tough to get in 2028 when it opened up because all of their hunters this fall would have had first crack at those hunts; and I got similar responses from others I spoke with).

I also like the idea of knowing I have the hunt locked in, but also have plenty of time to plan/prepare for it. I was listening to an old Jay Scott podcast when he played a talk by Jason Hairston (around episode 538 I think) called "Don't Wait". It basically made me realize I'm not getting any younger (45 now, 50 by the time my hunt rolls around) and the longer I wait, the more difficult it will be to go on these types of dream hunts. So I went full "YOLO", booked the hunts, and figured that with 3-5 years notice, I'll figure out a way to make it work. But it's definitely tough to justify spending that kind of money on a hunt when you have significant "real life" expenses, a family, etc. Fortunately, my wife understands what a dream it has been for me to do these hunts and has been very supportive.

 

[Peter638]

The outfitters I contacted seemed to have availability next year and possible this year for possible blackouts.
Do you think that’s an indication the area might not be holding enough legal rams or the hunt is priced high?

 

[Newbie Sheep Hunter]

The outfitters I contacted seemed to have availability next year and possible this year for possible blackouts.
Do you think that’s an indication the area might not be holding enough legal rams or the hunt is priced high?

Which outfitters did you talk with and in which areas? As others have said, sheep numbers certainly seem to be down in Alaska, so if word is spreading that could lead to less bookings for those outfitters. I could also definitely see the increasing prices as a factor there as well.
The outfitters I spoke with in the NWT and Yukon did not have openings in the coming years, although they all mentioned cancellations happen so its possible something opens up.

 

[wyosteve]

I would ask to see a written contract for review prior to putting down a deposit. It should address many of the contingencies. There was a thread on here a year or so ago about a sheep outfitter that was sold and the new owners significantly raised the price on future hunts that were already booked. If I remember correctly, basically told those hunters to pay the increased price and they wouldn't honor the previous outfitter's price. Not sure what happened to the deposits if the hunter didn't pay the increased rate. A search should turn up the thread.

 

[Smoke10]

I would ask to see a written contract for review prior to putting down a deposit. It should address many of the contingencies. There was a thread on here a year or so ago about a sheep outfitter that was sold and the new owners significantly raised the price on future hunts that were already booked. If I remember correctly, basically told those hunters to pay the increased price and they wouldn't honor the previous outfitter's price. Not sure what happened to the deposits if the hunter didn't pay the increased rate. A search should turn up the thread.

100% agree with reading the hunt contract before paying a deposit.
And then obviously once you agree to the contract, sign it and submit your deposit with the signed contract.

The contract will tell you all the terms:
-Total cost you pay the outfitter
-Year/season you will be hunting
-What gear/food the outfitter provides
-What gear you are responsible to bring
-Deposit amount
-Paying the remaining hunt balance
-Cancellation scenarios
-Trophy fees for other animals you may harvest while hunting

and other terms I can't think of right now