Canadian Hunts: There is no question that having the US and Canadian dollars on par for the first time in 20 years is not a good thing for American sportsmen who want to travel north of the border. The typical brochure from a Canadian outfitter previously would list both an American price and a Canadian price. The American price was 15% less just a few years ago. Everyone now pays the Canadian price whether translated or not and nobody gains anything despite the increase to the customer. Want to do a caribou hunt this year? It will cost you more than if you had gone in 2007 but less than it will in 2009 so you might as well go now because it's not going to get cheaper anytime soon. The same rationale has kept interest in Quebec and Newfoundland moose hunts on pace with last year.

Spring bear hunts in Quebec and New Brunswick continue to gain in popularity partially because they are not particularly expensive to start with and the success rates for shot opportunity are near 100% at the better outfits. Plus, it's just plain fun to take off on a hunting trip in May or June. While prices and packages vary most hunts are still under $2000 and include meals, lodging and guide service not to mention the possibility of some awesome pike-walleye action.

It's not surprising that the exchange rate is also causing increased interest in domestic hunts. Our numbers are up for all western game. Deer and antelope combination hunts are not cheap at $5000 but when you factor in that harvest on two animals is over 90% its no wonder bookings are up. In fact, there are so many animals that most customers have the opportunity to look over a dozen or more bucks a day.

There is always steady interest in elk, but elk are tough. The best outfits don't shoot-out over half their clients. While this suppresses rebooking somewhat, a lot of customers try their luck at least a couple of times. Success rates are often higher for the bow hunter with most archery seasons coinciding with the September bugle.

One trend that is undeniably clear in the adventure travel market is that nobody seems to be getting tired of chasing big whitetails. The number of deer hunters that TUNDRATOUR is putting in the field has grown dramatically over the last several years as we have tried to keep pace with a diversified list of destinations. While some animals are tougher than others, as customers go, none are tougher to please than whitetail hunters. Hunts under $2000 always attract the most attention but there is a relationship between cost and opportunity. While less expensive hunts offer good value, shot opportunities are typically less than more expensive hunts. You can shoot a good buck at all of our whitetail destinations or you can come home empty. Just ask Mark Chicoine from Jericho, VT who has shot-out the last two seasons on 140 class deer at one of our least expensive outfits. For the serious buck runner however, it's the Midwest for consistency on trophy quality animals with either bow or firearm. In 2007 we averaged over 80% opportunity and almost 50% harvest on really huge bucks. During the November rut these hunts are in the $3-4,000 range but ask any of the dozen or more guys that harvested "rackers" with us last season if it was worth the money.

So as you peruse the isles of your local sports show this season, be sure to ask lots of questions and carefully consider all your options. Is 2008 your year for that hunt you've been dreaming about?