From the 2015 Jan./Feb. issue of Sporting Classics.
Ask a big-game hunter what his biggest sporting concerns are and almost invariably, access to public hunting and rising costs top the list.
British Columbia’s Greg Williams and Newfoundland’s Shane Mahoney share these same concerns but chose to take action against the continued loss of a true wilderness hunting experience as well as the rising costs of hunts. They formed Wild Forever Alliance, which uses a club model, wherein hunters join via membership fees. The Alliance in turn gives away fully guided hunts-of-lifetime via drawings.
Launched in 2013, the group provided their members with hunting adventures in Alaska and the Yukon for moose, grizzlies, and black bears, and in addition to trips for Rocky Mountain elk, mountain caribou, bison, mountain goat, pronghorn, and mountain lions. In time, the Alliance will use proceeds from membership fees to donate to conservation groups that also support hunters’ rights.
The founders designed the alliance in such a way that the odds of winning always remain 1 in 100—favorable odds by most standards. As club membership grows, a free hunt will be added for every 100 new members. The cost to join includes a one-time activation fee of $99 and then $365 annually. The value of the trips ranges from $5,000 to more than $25,000. Since its launch in 2013 the Alliance has given away 28 hunts that exceed more than $350,000 in total value.
Standard contest rules apply and are outlined on the club’s website. Or for more information, call Greg Williams at (250) 263-5987 or Shane Mahoney at (709) 754-4780. —Tom Keer
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Cover photo via wildforeveralliance.com