Because we are in a period of superhigh inflation due to the Fed devalueing our money so we will be "more competitive" with the world market.

It is going to get much, much worse.

It has something to do with....GREED.

Since non-residents must hire a guide to hunt brown bear, Dall sheep, and mountain goat, and the commercial hunting industry in Alaska has matured into what all commercial industries in America have grown into, prices have gone to the obscene.

F*#k these guides. Do the ibex hunt. Like you noted, your odds of success are higher there anyway. These guys/guides/whatever need a real whoop in the a$$ in order to come back to earth.

In short, the answer is simple: to hell with them. Go elsewhere until they're gone.

As a long time resident, I welcome you. When the money sharks are gone, come on up. Stop by for coffee on your way up the mountain.

It's a real shame that I can fly all the way to Namibia and hunt cheaper than I can in my own state. No, it's not a shame - it's downright disgusting!

Gents,

I realize that Africa can be quite a good value compared to a guided hunt in Alaska. That is, when applied to a non-resident. Not locals though. As far as I know, brown bear tags cost no more than $25 for a resident, sheep and goat can be had for free.

If you guys (residents) are paying $5,000-$10,000 for your critters up here, your doing something wrong. BTW, the $5-10,000 figure is my idea of a basic Africa non-dangerous game, multi-species plains game hunt. Your mileage may vary, but probably is close.

I'm not even close to that kind of money for my harvests. Good thing, too, cause I'm too cheap to put that kind of money out. That's one reason I'll never see Africa.

I've never bothered hunting goat, and likely never will.

I'm a meat hunter. I go for moose, caribou, deer, and black bear. I'm a little lazy for Dall sheep, but would like to try it someday.

I did a Peninsula brown bear hunt once, cause an inexpensive opportunity presented itself. Otherwise I wouldn't bother with brownies, either.

its nothing but greed, I agree.

What makes it worse is that people still pay it and it wont change as long as guides are booking hunters.

I honestly cant believe some of the prices that some hunts go for. It blows my mind.

Thanks god I dont have to worry about this problem but it still pisses me off.

I am not sure I would call it greed, but it is surely the capitalist principle of supply and demand. When I grew up in Illinois there were very few whitetail and little opportunity to hunt big game. That has changed. While the number of hunters dwindles nationwide, the number of big game hunters continues to increase. A strong economy lifts all boats, including the guides. If you can get a price for your services, why would you feel obliged to charge substantially less? I agree hunting in Alaska is expensive, but it is also more expensive to operate in Alaska - mandatory liability and worker's comp insurance, fuel costs, transportation into the bush, etc., and no cheap local labor. How are these guides supposed to pay for the multiple Supercubs they keep in the air almost incessantly scouting for game if they don't charge a lot? Heh, heh.
Guides drive me nuts or worse, but the price they charge is the least of the problems I have with them. Very few are making a good living, let alone getting rich.