How much is a Dall sheep worth?
This year, for the first time, sheep permits are being issued for two rams in the Kluane Wildlife Preserve.
One permit will be issued to a Yukon hunter through government lottery.
The Kluane First Nation auctioned off the other to the highest bidder — an Anchorage hunter paid US$160,000 for it.
The First Nation will set this money aside for future wildlife management and conservation, said Environment spokesman Dennis Senger Friday.
The two permits will continue to be issued every year, as part of Kluane First Nation’s final agreement.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Senger.
After a hunter is successful in the Kluane lottery, he or she can never apply for another sheep permit in the preserve.
“Usually, if you got a sheep permit last year, you’re not allowed to apply again the next year,” said Senger.
But because this is a unique opportunity to hunt in a new region, the Environment department applied for a regulation change.
On Wednesday, cabinet approved the change, which allows all sheep hunters, regardless of past permits, to apply for the Kluane hunt.
“So, we’re trying to notify all those sheep hunters who felt they were not eligible for a permit,” said Senger, who’s pushed the application deadline to June 28th.
“It’s such a unique opportunity and area,” he said.
“And it has never been hunted before, except for First Nations subsistence purposes and maybe by poachers.
“So, anybody who goes in there will probably get a record ram — it’s the type of sheep hunters are looking for.”
For more information, or to enter the lottery, contact the nearest Environment Yukon office.