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Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: Commando on February 04, 2016, 08:36:58 AM


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Title: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: Commando on February 04, 2016, 08:36:58 AM
How much could someone expect to spend on a call sheep hunt in Alaska?  I've seen varying prices at a few different place a d was just trying to get a average price. No way I could afford this now but its defiantly a dream hunt. Thanks
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: popeshawnpaul on February 04, 2016, 09:00:12 AM
I paid 17k last year.  This year they are up to 18k.  I looked at prices at the sheep show and they range from 16k-25k.  Plan on these prices rising about 1k a year.  So if you hunt 5 years from now and go on the hunt I went on, it's likely to be 24k. 
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: birddogdad on February 04, 2016, 09:09:47 AM
I paid 17k last year.  This year they are up to 18k.  I looked at prices at the sheep show and they range from 16k-25k.  Plan on these prices rising about 1k a year.  So if you hunt 5 years from now and go on the hunt I went on, it's likely to be 24k.

does this include everything or just the advertised charges? do you pay guide "tip", any hidden air costs for local transit? I agree around 1K/year rate increase. All this is based on Nonresident rates right?

have considered summering over in AK, gaining residency to make this longtime dream a cost managable for the retired blue collar guy...
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 04, 2016, 09:14:01 AM
Just Do It!  Spent a fortune on a moose hunt with son year before last. Never regretted a second.
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: Commando on February 04, 2016, 09:26:04 AM
Thanks guys. All my over time is going to a saving fund for this and a few other hunts but I probably still won't be able to afford it for awhile. For some reason I was thinking 40000. I think I got this confused with a stone sheep hunt. I think it would be so cool to gonto.the Brooks range and hunt these things. Should I think to save somewhere around 30 which will include the hunt airfare  mounting the sheep and everything else or is that over kill?
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: Falcon on February 06, 2016, 01:49:58 PM
30k is more than enough to make it happen in the next few years.  There are some great outfitters in Alaska.
Do your home work and make sure you call their references both successful and not.
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: X-Force on February 06, 2016, 10:39:35 PM
Hope you can make this hunt happen. What an experience
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: Commando on February 07, 2016, 07:31:34 AM
Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I will be working a bunch of overtime in the next few years. I am gonna try and make this happen for sure!
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: popeshawnpaul on February 07, 2016, 12:40:21 PM
I paid 17k last year.  This year they are up to 18k.  I looked at prices at the sheep show and they range from 16k-25k.  Plan on these prices rising about 1k a year.  So if you hunt 5 years from now and go on the hunt I went on, it's likely to be 24k.

does this include everything or just the advertised charges? do you pay guide "tip", any hidden air costs for local transit? I agree around 1K/year rate increase. All this is based on Nonresident rates right?

have considered summering over in AK, gaining residency to make this longtime dream a cost managable for the retired blue collar guy...

Here are the hidden costs:
-tip of 1500 or so (unless your a cheapskate and then $500)
-airfare to anchorage of 200 (back of the plane)
-mounting of sheep 1500 (you can save here if you don't shoot a sheep)
-box of ammo $40
-sheep license $450
-celebratory Glendronach 15 year scotch:  $110 (plus the mounting fee of $1500 above)
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: stew pidasso on February 07, 2016, 01:28:06 PM
$1500 for what kind of mount? Pics please.
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: Falcon on February 07, 2016, 04:03:40 PM
I paid 17k last year.  This year they are up to 18k.  I looked at prices at the sheep show and they range from 16k-25k.  Plan on these prices rising about 1k a year.  So if you hunt 5 years from now and go on the hunt I went on, it's likely to be 24k.

does this include everything or just the advertised charges? do you pay guide "tip", any hidden air costs for local transit? I agree around 1K/year rate increase. All this is based on Nonresident rates right?

have considered summering over in AK, gaining residency to make this longtime dream a cost managable for the retired blue collar guy...

Here are the hidden costs:
-tip of 1500 or so (unless your a cheapskate and then $500)
-airfare to anchorage of 200 (back of the plane)
-mounting of sheep 1500 (you can save here if you don't shoot a sheep)
-box of ammo $40
-sheep license $450
-celebratory Glendronach 15 year scotch:  $110 (plus the mounting fee of $1500 above)

Agree with Pope on the hidden costs.  I was able to take a red eye to Fairbanks and take a cat nap before I caught my shuttle to Healy where I met my outfitter.  Generally speaking you will most likely build in some money for a motel room and maybe a taxi.  You will have to get your ram sealed by fish and game and that is often done after you leave the hunt.   
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: USMC86 on April 11, 2016, 03:46:57 PM
Spent $6,500 on my sheep hunt in 2001 with a "name" outfitter who I won't name.  Anyway, one that lots of folks would recognize.  Probably the only bad hunt that I've ever gone on, even though I got my sheep- crappy gear, unorganized, bad attitude, etc. 

Agree with all the other posting on real costs for a Dall sheep these days.  Not the type of hunt that you can expect to find a bargain on...at least, in my case, the cost was really low but- like so many other areas in life- I got what I paid for.  You may want to consider applying for the hunts in the Chugach Range.  I have been applying for a couple years- no luck yet- but the sheep are incredible in there.  Dan Montgomery is one of the outfitters that hunts that country- google him and check out his facebook page- and from my one and only goat him (with him) I can assure you he is the real deal.  Awesome sheep, beautiful country and an incredibly fit, kind and thoughtful outfitter- the real deal. 
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: Falcon on April 11, 2016, 04:42:10 PM
I paid 17k last year.  This year they are up to 18k.  I looked at prices at the sheep show and they range from 16k-25k.  Plan on these prices rising about 1k a year.  So if you hunt 5 years from now and go on the hunt I went on, it's likely to be 24k.

does this include everything or just the advertised charges? do you pay guide "tip", any hidden air costs for local transit? I agree around 1K/year rate increase. All this is based on Nonresident rates right?

have considered summering over in AK, gaining residency to make this longtime dream a cost managable for the retired blue collar guy...

Here are the hidden costs:
-tip of 1500 or so (unless your a cheapskate and then $500)
-airfare to anchorage of 200 (back of the plane)
-mounting of sheep 1500 (you can save here if you don't shoot a sheep)
-box of ammo $40
-sheep license $450
-celebratory Glendronach 15 year scotch:  $110 (plus the mounting fee of $1500 above)

Don't forget the price a quality cigar :drool:
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: Bushcraft on April 13, 2016, 04:20:57 PM
I paid 17k last year.  This year they are up to 18k.  I looked at prices at the sheep show and they range from 16k-25k.  Plan on these prices rising about 1k a year.  So if you hunt 5 years from now and go on the hunt I went on, it's likely to be 24k.

does this include everything or just the advertised charges? do you pay guide "tip", any hidden air costs for local transit? I agree around 1K/year rate increase. All this is based on Nonresident rates right?

have considered summering over in AK, gaining residency to make this longtime dream a cost managable for the retired blue collar guy...

Here are the hidden costs:
-tip of 1500 or so (unless your a cheapskate and then $500)
-airfare to anchorage of 200 (back of the plane)
-mounting of sheep 1500 (you can save here if you don't shoot a sheep)
-box of ammo $40
-sheep license $450
-celebratory Glendronach 15 year scotch:  $110 (plus the mounting fee of $1500 above)

"you can save here if you don't shoot a sheep".

That is some priceless humor right there!  :chuckle:
Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: SilkOnTheDrySide on April 13, 2016, 04:37:53 PM
Just curious...1k a year is a pretty hefty increase...way ahead of inflation.

Is this a new trend?


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Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: starbailey on April 13, 2016, 07:10:44 PM
I'll agree with the comments here for the most part. Dan M. Runs a top notch outfit and you would be well taken care of. I hunted the Alaska range with one of his guides and killed a great ram.
Alaska is cheeper that The Yukon or NWT because of competition. Those Canadan hunts can be $3-5000 more but have lots better success rate. Travel expenses are also more, $1-3,000 more. I do feel the experience is more relaxed though.
If possible research some possible outfitters, contact them and see if you could put a deposit down holding a price. Maybe this years or next years price. This works for me as it can save on raising costs and it farces me to save. Most outfits will be willing but 3 years out is max I've found.
For me I budget:
Airfare/hotel $1-2,000
Tip $1-1500
Extra $1,000 (gifts, alcohol, dinners, baggage, ect)
Taxidermy $1,500- $3,000 (life size or shoulder mt)
Hunt cost - right now I think $20,000 is probably average.

If your serious about a white sheep, id look to find as many raffles to enter as you can afford. Most WSF chapters and National WSF <1 club program has fully guided sheep raffles. Washington WSF will be giving one away, we just did 2 in march(dall, stone) as a door prize next year.

Title: Re: Alaska sheep hunt
Post by: Bean Counter on April 13, 2016, 07:23:43 PM
tagging  8)
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