Thanks for asking me to write this Bowsite Feature!
Guys,
As I wrote in the article, due to a lot of research along with a high level of physical fitness, I applied for a unit in Wyoming that guys with more points than I had had been bypassing.
Since I sent this article to Pat, the Wyoming draw results have come out and I drew the tag in the 'max points' draw.
My research and physical condition therefore allowed me to draw a coveted WY sheep tag several years before I would have otherwise. You, too, can do this!
Note that this is the second sheep tag I've drawn in public draws in the past two years.
I'll likely will not hunt sheep outside my home state unless I move.
Wish I had taken advantage of a lot of hunts that looking back to 2000 or even 1990 timeframes have skyrocketed in price. I can remember snow sheep hunts running around $7k including airfare- as close to a Stone as I may have ever been.
Personally, I'd get as much out of a few DIY hunts with my son vs me taking another ram species. It truly all boils down to one's own priorities and income.
There really is not much compared to a tough sheep bow hunt, like a lot of people I hope to have another taste.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Say "Hi" to your dad for me the next time you see him.
Kyle
There are several desperate ways to hunt sheep that are within financial means. One would be to hunt an unlimited sheep unit in Montana....no guided needed! Might be a tough chore having success (especially with bow) but it's possible to hunt sheep in Montana every year. A second way would be to move up to Alaska for enough months to become a resident and hunt an OTC dall sheep unit. A third way would be to draw ewe tags. Draw odds may not be too terribly bad and a ewe is a sheep!
Moving to Nevada also increases the draw odds tremendously!
When I moved to NV in 2009, one of NDOW's main guys told me, when I told him how many points I had, "You will draw a tag in the next few years."
He was right!
I enjoyed writing it and hope it helps a few guys get a chance to go sheep hunting.
Nothing more, nothing less.
The supply has been steadily increasing, esp. in the Lower 48. But demand has been increasing faster than the supply.
One more thing, razorhead:
The increase in the cost of sheep hunts is almost 100% the result of inflation. Inflation is 100% the result of your government deflating the value of our currency.
On our last ram hunt together (2011) he was not 70 yet- but climbing an avalanche chute half a day and having a 175+ ram at 14 yards at full draw with the only sappling blocking the vitals while I was 19 yards from the ram too is one of the most memorable hunting memories I will ever be fortunate to experience. Heck, it never crossed my mind to have my bow up and to back him up when I could here the ram coming up the chute to us. I was pulling for dad to get his ram finally, I just sat motionless until that ram could tell something was not right and whirled around. Had I been cognizant that something like that would happen, I had a clear shot and then a long opportunity once the ram was calm looking back at us (experiences like this are what makes taking a wild sheep with archery gear such a monumental achievement).
My dad is working on his 5th Colorado Ram tag. Drawing tags and actually killing sheep with archery arr two different endeavors, although I have watched my dad pass on 3 160" rams in easy bow range wanting one a bit better.
Thanks for sharing your insight Kyle.
I need my Desert to have all of my OIL species ~~
Good luck, Robb
I've been fortunate enough to go on two guided sheep hunts. Hopefully will get to go on a few more in the future.
A lot of info done in a concise manner.
so, i set a goal, yes, a monetary goal. If X, then I do my research, due diligence and book the hunt.......ie...."I had earned it" by achieving the goal.
This made the cost justification easier (not easy!) to swallow.
Mark
Wouldn't want it any other way if I was on the other end of the transaction.
One of my favorite quotes to live by, is one that I read in a past thread on bowsite. Though I don't recall who said it, the statement was very simple...."life is short, write the check"!
Absolutely. I love that quote.
As I've often said, "I refuse to die with a bunch of things on my bucket list that have been there a long time. So I better do them while I still can."
If there is a will there is a way to go sheep hunting, but just like hunting sheep, coming up with the finances to do so will be tough for most but adds to the overall experience.
You only live once but if you live it the right way, once is enough!
also what is the drive to hunt sheep? im a whitetail hunter and would like to expand my species, but not sure this is a good fit due to cost and terrain.. im not sure my fear of heights would be good for me with hunting sheep and goats, so perhaps the challenge is the real appeal?
thanks ben
I might be in Pat's corner about focusing on a goat rather than a sheep.
Goats are also a great entry level 'gateway drug.' Once you've gone goat hunting, you'll be hooked for life on hunting in high, far-away remote mountains. That will make you want to become a sheep hunter!
Ben,
Like anything else, it's supply and demand. But their costs are also pretty steep.
Goats are "entry level"...? Not sure about that comment, I'd say they are just as difficult if not harder in some respects.
They are 'entry level' because they are more affordable than sheep hunts.
They are as physically as demanding as sheep hunts, yet they are easier to hunt than sheep, primarily because they are way easier to spot than are sheep. Sheep blend in. Goats stand out like a flashing light.
However, for me I just cant justify the cost vs my desire to hunt sheep and/or take that $$ away from the family.
To each his own though. Yes, I'm not getting any younger but neither are my kids.
I have to say that I didn't know anything about sheep or sheep hunting until Scott asked me to meet him at the Division office where they were meeting with a group called the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society (RMBS).
I attend the meeting and I was so impressed with the RMBS group and how they interfaced with the CDOW that I decided to attend one of their monthly meetings. They wondered who I was and I told them and that I wanted to hear more about what the organization did for the sheep and the hunters. I attended about 4 more monthly meetings and became a member and since there was an opening on the BOD and I seemed to be interested enough to attend, they asked me if I wanted to be on the BOD. Of course, I was very excited to be a part of this organization.
After a couple more months I knew that I wanted to do more so I became a Life Member. There were a lot of responsibilities that I took over (raffles, sheep shop, banquet preparation, preparing handout materials for the meeting of the ones that drew sheep or goat tags and setting up and manning the booth at the Denver Sportsman's Show. There was more but I will not mention anything else. It did take a lot of my time but I did it for the sheep herds, not for personal recognition. I have to say that it was the most rewarding thing I ever did for the sheep and for the other hunters that hunt the Bighorns. That is why my handle is BIGHORN.
And, as Scott has mentioned above, I am going to apply for a 5th ram tag. My spine is fused in 9 levels and my age tells me that I shouldn't do this but it is in my blood. Scott was with me when I arrowed my Unit 2 bull last fall and my bull caribou the year before. This fall my wife is coming with me on a bull moose hunt in Manitoba. And yes, there is this little thing about a 6th spine surgery at the end of this month.
I figure that if my friend Paul at the Fort can keep going I can too. Well, at least try my best.
Thanks again for the article my friend.
I moved to BC and hunted Stone's sheep in the first full year I lived here in a late season hunt, and then connected the following year on a late August hunt on a beautiful dark ram.
One of my really enjoyable trips was actually down to Texas for an Aoudad hunt. I killed a 27" ram on a semi-guided hunt in west texas. The country was rough and it was every bit of a sheep hunt as any hunt I've been on. All in I think I was around $3000 and that included travel from Canada. The mount is stunning in my trophy room and people love looking at it as its unique. A pretty good 'cheap' option to get into some really enjoyable sheep hunting and I look forward to going back one day!
I'm luckier than I probably even realize, getting to hunt bighorns within an hour or two of my house on day-trips on a OTC tag every year, and within a 16-18 hour drive I can be hunting Stones on the same OTC tag. All I know is I'm trying to enjoy every chance I get to chase sheep while I'm young enough to do it and get out there. Getting to chase mountain goats is a special treat as well and one that I rank VERY highly up there with sheep hunting.
Great conversation!
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback.
With a little luck you will eventually draw a tag and still be physically able to hunt them.
With a little luck you will eventually draw a tag and still be physically able to hunt them.
I'd surmise that unless he was very unlucky in the draws, it would be less than if he'd bought the hunt outright.
It would be an interesting exercise, however.
Most states don't charge you for the tag unless and until you draw. So for those states, there's no cost there.
For states that do charge you for the tag, then refund your money when you don't draw (NM, CO, ID, WY), you're out the time-value-of-money from the day you sent them the money to the day you get it back.
Many states require you to buy a NR license, either to apply, or to get points if you don't draw. So that's a hard cost, as are the application fees states charge. OTOH, if you are already planning to hunt deer, elk, birds, or speed goats in AZ, NV, OR, ID, etc., then that license fee probably shouldn't be used in the calculation.
To figure it all out, a guy would probably need to do a state-by-state analysis, pick a reasonable time-value-of-money, factor in inflation, total it all up for various time periods, then compare those totals against what simply purchasing a hunt outright would cost.
Of course, if you go ahead and pop $$$$ for a hunt up front, then you've lost all of the future growth on those dollars forever, which can be considerable.
Back in the mid-late eighties, I had a couple ask me to help them with their retirement planning. At some point I mentioned I used American Funds as my primary mutual fund firm. They responded by saying, "Oh, we know American Funds. We used to have some money with them."
I'm thinking, "Oh, crud. 'Used to?' " So I asked them about it. Why the, 'Used to?'
Their response was one for the ages: "Well, we inherited about $500 of American Mutual back in the mid-fifties. It was too small an amount to do much with, so we just held on to it. Then a couple of years ago, we sold it and BOUGHT A VERY NICE NEW CAR!" which cost them ~ $20,000!
The time value of money; The 8th wonder of the world!
Where you have to start looking state by state individually are the states that cost more and/or make you submit the funds.
CO's a great place to apply (based on odds) if you can part with $2100 for a couple months, or you can go the DBHS route for $1400 for better odds right now but worse odds over several decades.
NM - personally, I don't apply there even though I really want a sheep tag. The tag price ($3100) is too much IMO, mainly because you have to submit it upfront and the odds now are horrid. Personal decision.
MT - the odds are so terrible that the new cost has to be made by the individual. $80ish non-refundable. For me, it's worth it.
WA - I stopped applying in WA. It's like $120 non-refundable for really bad odds. Not worth it. I'd apply again in WA if the non-refundable was 1/2 that.
OR - If OR was a place I wanted to build points for elk, I'd apply for sheep, but the upfront cost and non-refundable ($170ish if you're not already applying for other species) just for sheep keeps me from applying in OR.
ID: Any year I don't apply for elk in ID, I'll be applying for a CA DBHS. Making that decision is tough. Next year I'll probably need the elk tag when it comes time to apply. I'm probably not going to apply for moose over CA DBHS. Again, high non-refundable ($170ish), but the odds drive me to take an occasional pop at a sheep in ID.
WY - Another tough call if you're just starting out. Catching the PPs may not happen before old age so you're hoping for a random tag. The cost up front ($2100ish) would be easier to swallow if you had archery tags and odds like CO, but that's not the case. Plus, if you're a DIY hunter, you're limited by the wilderness. I don't apply for sheep in WY because of this, but I do for moose...my personal cost:benefit analysis puts moose at the "just under my threshold" and sheep at "just over my threshold."
So for me, it's 8-9 sheep apps per year not counting AK. Counting up the $, I still don't think I could buy a sheep hunt with it. It's impossible to calculate due to the rise in costs of sheep hunts and the rise in costs of applying. Everything static or appreciating in value evenly, I think the apps are worth it. Plus, I want to hunt them DIY, so drawing a tag is the only option anyways.
Or you can move to AK. I'm probably going to hunt Dall in 2018 OTC unless I draw in 2017. But I see them as mutually exclusive because I really want to hunt desert sheep, whether they be CA DBHS or DBHS.
As sticksender and njbuck says...
How bad does a guy really want it? If there's a strong will to make it happen, then there's a way to make it happen!
The draw odds in most states is usually less than 1%. The odds of drawing a tag in 100 years may be ok...if you can live that long! Some states like Wyo that offer almost all their tags to the guys with highest pref pts. Someone just starting out applying has virtually 0 chance to ever draw.
The cost above is for applying in just one state! If the average price to apply for out of state sheep is say $100 the cost for applying for 25 years is $2,500. If someone applies in 4 states that would be $10,000 to apply for 25 years and $20,000 to apply for 50 years.
It may be easy to say, "apply for as many tags and states as you can" but it comes at a lot higher price than a lot of guys realize! Garth pretty much started this trend of thinking many years ago. A lot of guys don't realize that the draw odds you look up for sheep in a particular unit today aren't going to be the same draw odds 10 or 20 years from now. Every year your odds of drawing decreases because more applicants apply each year than the number of tags issued. With more guys applying each year it is becoming tougher and tougher to draw limited high demand tags!
If it were me and I was young and wanted to sheep hunt I would likely move to Alaska and dall sheep hunt each year, hunt unlimited Montana sheep units each year, save up and hunt a "poor man's" sheep such as aoudad, or apply for ewe tags. It is always easier to draw sheep tags as a resident. I would live in a state where I had a decent chance to draw a sheep tag in my lifetime. If $ isn't an issue....by all means "apply for as many states and tags as you can!"
Mike
"It comes down to most states charging $50 to $200/year to apply."
Those numbers only work if sheep are the only thing you apply for. There are very few people who put in for sheep who aren't putting in for other things - as I pointed out is the case for me.
Yes, each state individually needs to be looked at for long term cost vs odds of drawing, but that's not every state. And I agree with your point that there are some states where one could conclude that it's not worth it.
I put in for roughly 35 total tags per year and it costs me around $1500 a year in non-refundables and that includes 9-10 sheep tags if you tack on AK.
Let's cut out ID and assume it's 9: "$50-$200" per tag to apply would imply that it costs somewhere between $450 and $1800 per year to apply for those tags, but I'm spending $1500 per year on 35 total tags and 9 of them are sheep tags?
If you're playing the "Western Tag Game," sheep are just a part of it and the cost to apply is what I would consider small.
Not to mention the possibility of multiple tags. If you decide to pay for one guided sheep hunt instead of applying, you are guaranteed to go on exactly one sheep hunt. Kyle mentioned above the example of someone who's gone on 5. Now, of course, you "could" draw zero.
But I honestly believe that I will hunt sheep in the lower 48 in my lifetime with my draw strategy. Obviously, I can't prove that though. But on on a personal level, over my lifetime of applying which should be at least 35 years of apps, I can say without a doubt that the money in is worth the chances I'm buying.
Yes, in today's dollars, that's $52,500 over my lifetime for those 35 tags/year. But I'm going to go on a bunch of awesome hunts. I just don't know what they are yet.
If I were to just go guided, I could blow through $52,500 in one hunt.
And adding on tag prices doesn't really compute because most guided hunts you still have to buy the tag (and tip).
The guy who's 'gone on five' has gone on more than five sheep hunts. 'Five' is simply the number of sheep tags he's drawn in the lower 48!
You can't draw multiple if you don't apply.
Seems like a no-brainer for me. $1000 in apps per year can get you in the running for well over 20 dream hunts. I realize that's a lot of dough for some folks, but you choose what you spend your money on. I drive an old truck and an old car and I do a lot of cooking for myself instead of eating out everyday.
I guarantee that when that tag ends up in your hand that you'll think it's worth it.
Apply. You never know what will happen if your name is in the hat!!!
I apply religiously for desert bighorns. I hope I've got enough time and luck to pull a tag one day.
You've spent some significant cash on sheep hunts and sheep apps.
Worth it? Yes or no?
And I'll pose that question to anyone else who's hunted sheep as well.
It was worth every penny, despite the eleven year drought covering six different sheep hunts between mid-August, 2002 until late November, 2014 in BC and AB where I saw exactly ZERO legal rams.
But, ah, the memories! The adventures! The country! The people!
I don't care where you live or how much your home is worth. I bet you can't find a better 'home' than this! (Stone sheep hunt, Frank Simpson, 2014.)
This photo was taken after a 3,700' ascent from the road you see at the bottom of the valley. Six-plus hours to make the climb, only to discover neither of the two rams we'd spotted were legal.
Adventure!
Similar to others I apply for multi-species in other states. I have pulled the plug in numerous states because draw odds are so horrible and the additional cost for applying continues to sky-rocket. I would much rather put my hard earned money towards exciting trips I can actually conduct on a fairly regular basis rather than just dream about.
As each state raises the price it costs for bonus/pref pts, application and license fees....and draw odds continue to drop I find myself pulling the plug on more and more applications.
Many of the best memories of my hunting career were in the sheep hills. I pretty much thought outside the box to secure 3 of the 4 sheep tags I drew but draw odds continue to drop in those areas. To be totally honest, if I was a young hunter just starting out and wanted to sheep hunt I likely wouldn't apply for many public tags unless I had a career where I made more $ than I do. If I was young and wanted to sheep hunt I would likely move to Alaska for several years to partake of self-guided sheep, mtn goat, grizz hunting opportunities. If I didn't want to move to Alaska I would likely move to a state where I had a fighting chance of drawing a sheep tag in my lifetime. If that isn't possible I would likely hunt "poor-mans" sheep.
I know for a fact I would never be willing to fork out $15,000-$20,000+ for a guided hunt...especially since I get so much satisfaction out of hunting on my own. There are an incredible number of trips I could take for that kind of $. My preference is to apply for tags that I'm pretty certain of drawing in my lifetime and spend my hard earned cash on trips I can enjoy! If I made more $ and didn't have a family to support I would likely have a different opinion on tossing $ to the wind applying for tags with such horrible draw odds!
Once those same kids are gone on their own, I'll be taking my 25 or so Montana points and go ewe hunting.
It takes commitment of both time and $$.
I bit the bullet and went on a Yukon Fannin hunt in 2006. That hunt was $20,000 "all in". Today, it is well more than twice that.
I began applying in nearly all the states with available sheep tags in 2002. The first few years the hard costs were about $600/year. Today, they are about $1500/year. Plus I buy several state-sponsored raffle tickets and some other raffle tickets per year.
That adds up to a lot of money, but it's all I know to do to have a chance to hunt sheep in the lower 48. Is this for everyone? No. It's a personal thing - and not a decision to be made lightly.
In 2014 lightning struck and I drew a NR AZ desert ram tag, making it all worth it.
I booked a Yukon dall hunt for 2017.
I just love to hunt sheep. So I'm going to sacrifice (within reason and my means) to give myself every opportunity to do so.
Dan--I'm max or one below right now in MT; I was projecting what I will have by the time I am ready to go.
Sheep hunting is #1 in my book but my salary won't allow much of it. I will fill the gap with high country mule deer. A lot of the same experiences but without the curls at the very end.
"Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Cancellation Hunt October 2nd to 12th, 2016 This has been very high success Bighorn hunt the last few years. Now available due to a cancellation by the outfitters client. This horseback hunt takes place in Southeastern BC in the East Kootenay Mountains. Rams have scored 165 to 172 class, so pretty darn nice rams.
Traditionally a $35,000 hunt, the outfitter is willing to look at a base price, then trophy fee arrangement, on taking the ram. On a traditional priced hunt, the outfitter can either extend the length of the hunt or bring the client back to hunt at the end of the season, which is October 25th."
Contact Jack Atcheson and Sons if you're interested.
406-782-2382
Forgot the picture.
Mark
I have no idea. I just posted that as an example of what folks might see when a cancellation hunt becomes available.
How is something that's reduced in price by a LOT not a bargain?
I'm not saying something has to be almost free to be a bargain, because that in no way is the definition of the word. All I'm saying is that when something good is being offered at far below retail, that's a bargain.
BTW, I did not start this thread. Pat did. If you can't find any helpful information in the feature Pat asked me to write, that puts you in the minority. Indeed, you are the first person to complain. Everyone else who commented had positive things to say.
It would depend on the rate of inflation (historic average is ~ 3%) and the interest rate you pay on the loan (historic rate is greater than inflation, as it must be)
Everything else being equal, taking a loan would cost you more money than would investing over the years and paying the higher cost of the hunt caused by inflation.
if you think about an increase on a 10,000 hunt at 8% inflation, which some hunts seem to run, that hunt would be almost 16K in year six.
One of the things I wrote about in the Feature was getting a cancellation hunt.
Last Wednesday, Atcheson and Sons e-mailed me about a cancellation stone sheep hunt in the Yukon.
After asking lots of questions, checking references, et. al., I decided to take the hunt.
Retail, the hunt is $41.5K + 5% GST, plus tags, air charter and licenses. The outfitter is otherwise booked out until 2019.
But because it's a cancellation hunt, I got it for $33,500 which includes the 5% GST, the air charter, the govt. harvest fee, as well as the tags (sheep, grizzly, caribou) and license. That's over a $12,000 savings.
either way i wish you the best of luck!
For whatever reason, going to Africa is of no interest to me.
MPN,
For sure it's a chunk of change. But the only thing I have left on my hunting bucket list is getting a really nice Stone; 160" or better and with awesome chocolate and white coloring.
I have a Stone, but while he's legal by a mile, he's a runt and does not have the amazing coloration I love. At age 68, I figured, "I'm going to do this at some point anyway, so I might as well do it now while I still can."
"Life is short. Write the check!"
Congrats & best of luck, Kyle!!
Happy for ya man.
Good luck, Robb
It is foolish for one man to count another's money.
Been looking at jobs up there and hoping to get lucky. Figure the only way I will ever get to hunt Stones is to just move north:)
NvaGvUp's Link
Lucky me!
We've always kept separate bank accounts and each of us decides what to do with our own funds. I pay most of the bills for the mortgage, utilities, etc. and she chips in for some of those things.
That makes it easy for us to spend as we choose.
We both have saved and invested well for long time, which allows us to do stuff like sheep hunting without harming our retirement or our ability to pay our bills.
No question sheep hunting can be expensive, which is why most sheep hunters are in their fifties or more. The value of compound returns on your investments is truly the Eighth Wonder of the World, so when you put that together with your career progression, sheep hunting is something many can then start doing.
Of course, staying fit enough to be able to handle the physical part of sheep hunting is equally important. It does no good to have the funds if you haven't also kept yourself in great shape.
See my Bowsite Feature on 'Getting and Staying in Sheep Shape' at the link for information on that.
My hunt was self guided so the biggest expense was having the sheep converted to a shoulder mount. I have now been applying for a Colorado Desert sheep tag but the odds are very long as only 10 tags are available but one is available to non residents. Here in Colorado one can not apply for a Big Horn Sheep and a Desert sheep in the same year so most apply for the BHS and if successful, then apply for the Desert.
For those that live out side of a state or providence that has sheep, no doubt it can be done with lots of planning and some sacrifice but harder to do with a growling family and limited budget. I move from Ohio to Colorado, six years prior to the sheep hunt and that made the sheep hunt possible as I might have never hunted sheep if I had stayed in Ohio. The memories of that one sheep hunt has remained and been burned in my mind for years so good luck for those still trying if only in their dreams my best, Paul
That was a very well written article.
Great Job
The scenery is incredible, but to me, better yet is that for two weeks, the only sign of civilization you'll see is a contrail or two.
Can it get any better than that?
Keep us posted.
I'm finally starting to live life more and do things I may not have done in the past. I leave for AK for Dall on August 4th for the 10th opener.
I also booked a desert tag in MX for Feb 2019 and a stone hunt in the Yukon for August of the same year.
Now I just need to draw that WY tag and also figure out how to ask the wife to make room for some full body mounts.
You put your hands around pair of bighorn sheep horns and your life will be changed forever.
Earlier this year I'd planned on cutting back and only doing three hunts, all archery hunts. Two of those are elk hunts in OR and WA I'd bought at WSF Chapter banquets in 2015 and 2016. The other is an IL deer hunt where I arrowed a 165" Whitetail last year. The only reason I'm going back is because a Bowsite buddy went there with me and wanted to return again this year. How could I say 'No' on that?
But then the WSF banquet season came along and first I bought an OR muzzleloader blacktail hunt on-line at the Eastern WSF banquet auction for late this year. I got it for 50% of retail. One of the reasons for that, I'm sure, is that the hunt just an easy six-hour drive from Reno. For the folks back East, it's an all-day cross-country flight. There was tremendous discount value for me right there.
Then in early April, also on-line, I bought a 2018 AK Brown Bear hunt near Bristol Bay at the AK WSF auction. That also came at a discount, although not at a 50% discount.
Part of my thinking there was that Alaskans can do that hunt or a similar hunt for a LOT less than can non-residents. Which led me to believe there not might be much competition for that hunt.
So, as I wrote about in the feature, there can be some great values and opportunities at auctions. Pay attention and do your research!
Thank you, Michael!
That means a lot to me.
All I'm trying to do is pass along what I've learned over the past many decades so others can learn and benefit from it
Total cost on all three hunts combined was less than $29K. That's what one Canmore hunt costs now. I did these hunts over a 10 year period by staying in shape, saving my money and making friends with the right people so when a late cancellation came up I got the call each time.
Where there's a will...
It doesn't look like I can get a flight tomorrow, but Saturday is looking good.
Enjoy and be safe
Good luck, Robb
I'm leaving early Sunday morning for Whitehorse via Vancouver. Then it's on to the backcountry on Tuesday for a 10 day quest for a nice Dall. C'mon clock - keep on ticking!
Cool post.
For those who've never flown from Seattle to Anchorage, here's some advice:
On the flight up, get a starboard window seat.
On the flight back, get a port side window seat.
I'm outta' here at 12:44 tomorrow, via SFO to Vancouver. Overnight in Vancouver, then head to Whitehorse to arrive at 10:57 on Sunday.
Take the charter to base camp Sunday afternoon, then it's 'Game On!'
Be safe and good luck!
This cancellation hunt came up less than one month ago. I bought it, but I've needed to do nothing extra with my training beyond what I always do.
If that wasn't the case and I'd let myself get lazy and become a slug, no way could I ramp up for a sheep hunt in less than one month!
Get in shape and stay in shape! Make it a lifestyle, maintain your base and when an opportunity like this arises, your physical fitness will not be an issue.
"Never Give Away Your Base!"
Not ever!
United has a new lounge there as does AmEx. Both are well done and relaxing.
Flew to Vancouver with no issues and my baggage arrived on time.
Off to Whitehorse in the AM
What a Ram
Good luck, Robb
And good luck Kyle!
