P&Y Online Auctions

[2BuckBizCT]

Pope & Young auctions take place April 12-15 in Reno, Nevada. But they also allow online bids. Anyone ever try online? I may look into an elk hunt. I got 8 soon to be 9 PP's for Wyoming Elk for Archery hunt, but can't find a decent hunt under $8K (not including flights of course, or $2K license, or processing, etc.). I don't want to miss my window for a bull archery elk hunt, but also can't justify $10K on it when I could do two separate mule deer hunts for the same price or a mule deer and bear, etc.

[E J]

I haven't but a guy in the camp I was in in south africa last month purchased his package through an on line auction.  I wouldn't be afraid to go that route. I'm thinking about doing it that way the next time I want to go on a hunt.

[Ogee]

I have bought several auction hunts, one online. They have been very good experiences, sometimes added to other hunting trips to use different outfits in one trip, or to add to an already planned vacation trip as a hunting portion of the time.

Need to do some research first, not unusual to see add on charges in fine print to offset the out of pocket to the donor.A solid outfit wont be afraid to answer some questions about the details. 

Not so much on N. American hunts but international ,one of the ploys is donating a free game animal and a weeks “free” day rates for 2 or more hunters and they make up the shortfall by ridiculous trophy fees for additional animals. Often that adds up to more than a regular priced hunt from competitors on multi species hunts. I always try to add a couple days at regular rates and/or extra animals to help offset the outfits donation, and I have been treated very well. The bulk donors who employ high add ones I dont bid on, not even if it was $1.

I have found the online to be a bit tougher than in person at bigger shows (like SCI or DSC) as many are just trying to get a bid in under the wire. In person it’s easier to drown the other bidders in a big jump bid if you are really looking for a specific outfits’ donation. 

 

For a Wyoming hunt this year I would want to know specific zones the outfit is in and ask about winter kill and potential tag numbers. Some chatter online is tags will be cut significantly for certain areas due to heavy snow pack making substantial reductions in herd numbers. (same for Nevada and Utah)

 

Edited April 6, 2023 by Ogee

[2BuckBizCT]

25 minutes ago, Ogee said:

I have bought several auction hunts, one online. They have been very good experiences, sometimes added to other hunting trips to use different outfits in one trip, or to add to an already planned vacation trip as a hunting portion of the time.

Need to do some research first, not unusual to see add on charges in fine print to offset the out of pocket to the donor.A solid outfit wont be afraid to answer some questions about the details. 

Not so much on N. American hunts but international ,one of the ploys is donating a free game animal and a weeks “free” day rates for 2 or more hunters and they make up the shortfall by ridiculous trophy fees for additional animals. Often that adds up to more than a regular priced hunt from competitors on multi species hunts. I always try to add a couple days at regular rates and/or extra animals to help offset the outfits donation, and I have been treated very well. The bulk donors who employ high add ones I dont bid on, not even if it was $1.

I have found the online to be a bit tougher than in person at bigger shows (like SCI or DSC) as many are just trying to get a bid in under the wire. In person it’s easier to drown the other bidders in a big jump bid if you are really looking for a specific outfits’ donation. 

 

For a Wyoming hunt this year I would want to know specific zones the outfit is in and ask about winter kill and potential tag numbers. Some chatter online is tags will be cut significantly for certain areas due to heavy snow pack making substantial reductions in herd numbers. (same for Nevada and Utah)

 

Thanks. I'm looking for 2024, not 2023.

[Ogee]

46 minutes ago, 2BuckBizCT said:

Thanks. I'm looking for 2024, not 2023.

It will take years for units to recover and thats if they dont get hammered again in subsequent winters. I’d be researching areas now to get a general sense where the lesser effected areas are. And of course so will everyone else…..

On auction pricing I would add;

There are not many “deals” on Lower 48 hunts, some on Canada and Alaska. Folks are comfortable bidding up N. America game. It’s overseas where the “savings” gets found (and like I replied before, even then one has to be careful); just speaking in general terms from what I have seen over 20 years of following this stuff.

 

 

 

[dbHunterNY]

23 hours ago, E J said:

I haven't but a guy in the camp I was in in south africa last month purchased his package through an on line auction.  I wouldn't be afraid to go that route. I'm thinking about doing it that way the next time I want to go on a hunt.

if you're going to Africa that's the way to save money i'm told. bid on auctions at SCI or other conventions or banquets.