I have a question on the subject of "Trophy" fees. I understand that when you go to Canada to bear hunt that the tag that you purchase actually allows you to havest two bears (depending on the area) ..if that is the case then why should an outfitter charge you an additional $500.00 trophy fee for a second bear? I think if I pay for a WEEKS hunt and tag my first bear on the first or second day and have paid for a tag that allows me two bear where does the guide get off charging me an extra $500 "trophy" fee? I have employeed his service for 6 days and have a tag for two bear ...whats your thoughts on this subject?

Doc

I could be for the handling and care of the second bear. I don't know. It should be discussed with your outfitter. a portion of it may be to pay the tax to the government for the second bear. I know in BC that you have to pay the government a pre set "tax" (they have another name for it that eludes me at the moment) on all animals killed.

I think that the best way to describe it is as such...

It is like a restuarant that has a price fixed menu.

For your $75, you get the four courses, however for an additional $15, you can add a fifth course...

When it comes to the hunt that you mentioned, it is because you have entered into a contract with the outfitter for a 1 bear hunt and the hunt is priced based upon the work required to provide that service and that 2nd animal is like an additional course.

When I negotiate group rates for my groups to Canada for bear or caribou, the first thing that I'll get the outfitter to do is no trophy fee for the 2nd animal.

Now africa is a completely different beast entirely... with basically the all inclusive resort (package hunts) and the lodging-only resorts (al a carte trophy hunts) were you are responsible for all your own entertainment expenses.

SA

Spy I have never hunted Africa and most likely never will BUT back to your Resturant analogie, I agree with you that if it is a fixed price on the menu and you opt to want more then you have to pay more BUT if its an ALL you can eat buffet then there should be no extra charge for 2 helpings and that brings me to my original question ...if you buy a tag that includes TWO bears and you have paid for 6 days of hunting where does the outfitter get off on wanting to charge an extra $500.00 for the second bear that you have ALREADY paid for? Please understand I am not trying to argue ...just asking opinions...

Doc

Doc,

What I think you are missing is that, while you are able to harvest 2 bears on your license, you have entered into contract for a single bear...

Think of it this way for that 6 day bear hunt, you have entered into a contract for the following:

1. 6 days lodging

2. 6 days meals

3. Up to 6 days of hunting for the harvest of 1 bear

4. The processesing of 1 bear

Another way to look at it is if you are doing a hunt that doesn't allow the harvest of extra animals...

If you book an elk guide for 7 days and you take your elk in first 30 minutes, would you expect a partial refund because your hunt didn't last the entire week?

I understand where you are coming from... I'm just telling you how they price it and what you are agreeing to when signing a guide contract.

SA

SA I know where you are coming from also and beleive me I am not being argumentive here I just think that its seems a little questionable for a outfitter to sell you a 6 day hunt but only one bear on a two bear tag ...NOW let me say this ...that if you take that second bear you should tip the guide for the care of the bear but I just have to object to the "Trophy" fee for a second animal ... guess thats what makes the world go around ... I do see the "Trophy" fee maybe being a deterrent to shooting a second animal JUST to be shooting one and if thats the purpose I might could justify that in my mind ...however IF it IS the case then they should not sale a two bear tag ...just a thought ...

Doc

i can see how this goes both ways.................

overall though i just like the idea of going on a hunt where a second animal is possible. even if it costs more i would think its worth it. i know when i think of caribou, i am looking at an area where there is a 2 bull limit. even if it costs more, i guess in a way to me it feels like 2 different hunts, and for just a little more i get em both. i also like to look at combo hunts, with more than one species. im not rich, and dont get to travel a lot, so when i do i like to experience it all.

i know sometimes that is asking a lot, but to me its important.

The "Trophy Fee" I have always had an issue with is the fee associated with the taking of a larger than average animal. The practice makes my skin crawl.

What I am talking about is when you have agreed to retain the services of a guide/outfitter for the hunting of a particular animal in an area they control, could be an elk or deer. You pay $X for this service BUT if you take a 150 class deer or larger or a 330+ elk or larger there will be a "Trophy Fee" of an additional $1500 to $3000 dollars. I've seen it on small farms as well. I purchased the right to hunt on a dairy farm in NY for deer for $500 for the season. I took 2 nice does over 2 weekends and on a 3rd a took a nice buck. The farmer congratulated me back at the barn and then took me aside and asked for a "Trophy Fee". He said a buck like that was worth "extra". He didn't get it and I never went back. Heard the same crap in bear, elk and moose camps.

I guess with fenced in meat shoots where you prepick out your antler size it could be part of the deal... but you won't see me there. I personally feel that paying a "Trophy Fee" based on the success of a hunt rots .. unless you find an outfitter that is willing to take little or nothing without predefined success being achieved.

Doc, as far as your 2 bear thing. Like anythiing you pay for, you need to set your expectations. You could perhaps negotiate a 2nd bear if you were to be successful on a first, but what you are describing is a difference in expectation. Your guide believes you are buying a hunt for 1 bear, and you are desiring a hunt for 2. Your additional fee of $500 is very realistic from your guides perspective as he has fulfilled his obligation of 1 bear. Talk to him about it, I'd be surprised if you could not work something out. One last thing, just because you have the tags doesn't mean you purchased the "service" of a hunting guide. You could go and buy a moose tag and have that in your pocket, but you wouldn't expect to be able to shoot a moose without cost. Think of the $500 as what it would cost to keep hunting, not unlike extending a vacation by staying additional nights. It is something your guide could have charged you up front for the "service of a 2 bear hunt" even if you did not score on 1 bear, which could save you money.

The "Trophy fee" is not a tax!!! The second tag is a supplmental tag. There is no 2 bear tag for 1 price. each bear tag costs a Res $19 for each tag. I expect a non RES will have to pay alot more.

Like Spyro say it's a menu. X amount for the first bear and for an additonal fee you can hunt the Second one.

I think it's poor for the Guide outfit not to mention this prior to anyone booking a hunt with them.
But if you look at it from a 2 hunt veiw it's a bonus

for another 500 bucks you get a second chance at that trophy you always wanted without traveling back the following year For another $4500 + plane fare.

Add in the fact that once you have BEAR #1 out of the way, your Guide now has to perform the services all over again for only $500. That is keeping the site baited, taking you to and from the stand. And once again caping out your bear once you shoot it. So to me $500 bucks is a small price.

As a side note your guide does have to pay X amount for each tag he is alocated on top of the price you pay for your tags.

Hey, I'm an outfitter up here in Canada and maybe I can shed some light.

First, some provinces have a two bear limit (BC, AB, Sask). But you have to purchase a second tag in each case.

Most outfitters in these area's sell either a one or two bear hunt, with a few offering a 2nd bear on a trophy fee. Meaning if you shoot your bear early in the hunt you can continue to hunt and you only have to pay if you shoot a bear.

The reason that some outfitters have gone this route is to avoid having small bears shot just to fill a second tag.

If you want a two bear hunt, there are lots of outfitters that supply them, so it should be easy to find one.

Devin