American Hunters Spend Big for Alberta’s Coveted Hunting Licences
While some Americans joke about Canada becoming the 51st state, others are spending a fortune just to visit and hunt big game in Alberta.
At a recent auction in Utah, seven special hunting licences issued by the Alberta government sold for a combined total of nearly US$356,000. These Alberta Minister’s Special Licences, granted annually, allow the highest bidders to hunt without adhering to some of the usual regulations.
During the 2025 Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Utah, American hunters shelled out US$50,000 each for the privilege of hunting moose and elk in Alberta. The licence for mule deer fetched an astonishing US$70,000. Even the right to hunt wild turkey drew bids, with one licence selling for US$4,500.
Other high-ticket sales included a white-tailed deer licence for US$32,500, a cougar licence for US$29,000, and a pronghorn licence for US$15,000.
But the most staggering bid came at a separate auction, where a single Alberta Minister’s Special Licence for bighorn sheep—the province’s official mammal—sold for a record-breaking US$400,000. That’s more than the cost of a brand-new Rolls Royce, all for the chance to harvest one of Alberta’s prized big game animals.
Alberta is recognized for having some of the best hunting in North America, and the eye-popping sums spent at these auctions suggest that word is spreading south of the border. For hunters with deep pockets, the opportunity to track and take down Alberta’s wildlife remains a luxury worth every penny.