Well, the latest news is the same number of permits has been made available again for this season, but the outfitting industry has won the ear of the NWT government. Apparently, the outfitters' claims have enough merit that the government has agreed to an independent review of the ENR's work. To do that the NWT government has contracted with the Alberta Research Council (ARC), a respected research and development company. ARC's report is due in September, with a preliminary report expected this April.
In the meantime, the permit cuts and bad press created by the ENR's claims have greatly affected business for NWT outfitters. It didn't help that the news coincided with an extremely poor hunt season in 2006, when unusually warm temperatures kept the caribou from migrating. The 2007 season was much better, with hunters and outfitters reporting normal migrations and good hunting conditions. Regardless, operators are having a hard time selling hunts. In fact, at this writing, all the NWT caribou operators have openings for this season. Boyd Warner of Adventures Northwest has six-day/seven-night hunts for two caribou priced at $5,595. John Andre of Courageous Lake Caribou Camps charges $4,950 for a one-bull hunt and $6,450 for a two-bull hunt. Both hunts are for five days. Joyce Rabesca at Rabesca's Resources has one-tag, 2 x 1 hunts for $5,995, plus $950 for a second bull if a tag is available. Hunts are for seven days. Barry Taylor of Arctic Safaris has six-day........(continued)
