Why do Canadian guided hunts costs so damn much compared to international hunts?

When I was a bit younger I read a lot on a few hunting forums that had ads for hunts all over the world posted on them. On the few occasions that these hunts were priced in the local currency, there was always some complaining from...wait for it...American hunters! They were accustomed to seeing prices in USD...they expected to see prices in USD...and so of course the outfitters catered to them since they made up such a huge percentage of their clientele. In more recent years, it seems that an increasing number of Euro hunts are priced in Euros. I wonder how American hunters will be able to handle spending money that isn't even identified with the $ sign?

Don't forget: the average Canadian probably has a pretty good idea at any given time what the exchange rate is between the US and Canada. The average American usually hasn't a clue, since the odds are that he will never need to know.

Sadly, the point of this thread is that...whatever units the money is measured in...once it's converted into equivalent units, it still usually costs way more for a Canadian to hunt a Canadian animal on Canadian soil than to travel to a foreign country, sometimes halfway around the world, and hunt the same or...better still!...a far more exotic quarry there.
 
USD just happens to be the international hunting currency whether we like it or not. I was able to find a few outfitters that offered Canadian prices as well (worked out slightly better than doing the USD conversion).
 
smellofspentcasings said:
You can always take your chances without guides for cheap.
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Sure, you could...but...for most guys it doesn't really make a lot of sense. You take a couple weeks off work to go on the hunt...you still spend a bunch of money on travel, lodging, food, perhaps specialized gear that you don't already have...you step off the plane or stagger out of the truck when you get there...and then what? Do you just wander blindly around hoping to bump into a sheep or caribou or whatever?

You can only do so much research on an area via internet. Scouting requires boots on the ground...and assumes that you have a decent idea of where to even begin. So...do you make one or more visits to the area before the season, trying to learn it well enough to give yourself a chance to find the animal when hunting? That's more time away from home and more expense.

How about if you want a horseback hunt...or a fly-in...or are hunting migratory game like caribou, that might be here today in large numbers...but 50km away tomorrow? How do you deal with that lack of local knowledge...or lack of horses...without having a guide? And one of the main reasons for hunting far from home, IMHO, is the chance to hunt something completely different, something you can't find at home...which means that a significant part of your repertoire of hunting skills and knowledge might be pretty useless.

Getting an animal on a DIY hunt is infinitely more satisfying...to me, at least, and doubtless to many others as well...but it's infinitely more work and less likely to succeed. Realistically, guides are the logical path to hunting away from home and striking a pleasing combination of satisfaction, fun and success...for a bit more money (to some places) or a lot more money (to most Canadian destinations :().
 
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Prices are ridiculous and the concept rubs me the wrong way. I do not support the selling of our game animals to the few who can afford it. And guide/outfitters having territories and tags? Boolsheet.
 
bearkilr said:
The federal government has little impact on the outfitting industry and hunting in general, it's mostly provincially regulated.
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Who controls the border and import/export and firearm regulations? How do you think that is going to go? Any track record present to make realistic predictions?
 
Trimmer 905 said:
There aren't enough American hunters who are well-heeled enough to afford six figure trips. Only the best of the very best Canadian guides and outfitters will capture most of that business. The rest will simply fall by the wayside.
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You're severely misinformed. The only animal approaching that 6 figure number is California bighorn in BC.
 
bearkilr said:
You're severely misinformed. The only animal approaching that 6 figure number is California bighorn in BC.
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Alright,I'll give you that,but,even as such,that's frickin' insane. I haven't seen a guided hunt anywhere in western Canada for under 5 figures. That,in and of itself,is outrageous. How the hell would you think that with Liberal firearm control policy,taxes through the roof that the concept will be remotely sustainable long term?
 
Trimmer 905 said:
Alright,I'll give you that,but,even as such,that's frickin' insane. I haven't seen a guided hunt anywhere in western Canada for under 5 figures. That,in and of itself,is outrageous. How the hell would you think that with Liberal firearm control policy,taxes through the roof that the concept will be remotely sustainable long term?
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Yes prices are insane on many species, I'll agree on that, but if the demand wasn't there, you wouldn't have those prices. Maybe there'll be a reset if demand drops, simple economics.
 
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