BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?

02 Mar 05 - 08:24 PM (#1425449)
Subject: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: gnu

Per week, average cost to hunt black bear is US$1200... all found except booze. White-tailed deer about the same. Moose is BIG bucks, but there are only 100 licenses for non-residents. Upland game birds about US$800. BUT, since most of the world is into "preservation" and since I am starting to lean that way (LEAN... not converted yet), I am wondering if hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling tours of the bush, combined with campfires and singsongs and the like might be the way to go. Here's the question - I know most of you are folkies and you're going to spend your time folking, but, of all the people you know, here's the question... would you/they spend US$1200 for six days and nights touring the backwoods of New Brunswick, Canada? Being shown as many and more moose and bear and partridge and beavers and etc as my buddies show the "sports" that pay the big bucks?

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02 Mar 05 - 08:33 PM (#1425458)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Teresa

Most likely, if I had it. My grandpa used to make a living doing this sort of thing ... running a hunting camp. He took a bunch of the family bear-spotting once, but it wasn't the season yet. It's neat spending time in the wilds. :)

Teresa

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02 Mar 05 - 08:54 PM (#1425468)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Bee-dubya-ell

$1200 for six days of beavers in the bush with a little folkin' on the side? Hell yeah!

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02 Mar 05 - 09:10 PM (#1425478)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Clinton Hammond

I'd like a law passed to keep assholes with guns OUT of my countries wilderness...   Especially jerkasses who hunt, but don't eat what they kill...

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02 Mar 05 - 09:18 PM (#1425484)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Joe Offer

Do I get to sleep in an actual bed at night, or is sleeping out with the mooses?
Last time I stayed overnight in New Brunswick, I paid $30 Canadian for the room. I'm not sure it was worth even that.

-Joe Offer, who'd like to visit more lighthouses in the Maritimes-

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02 Mar 05 - 09:22 PM (#1425488)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: harpgirl

I'd like to tour the backwoods of New Brunswick. But not interested in hunting beaver...Maybe we could work something out...

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02 Mar 05 - 09:23 PM (#1425489)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Sorcha

Nope. Been dere, done dat, seen dem thangs. Offer me more. From Wyoming.

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02 Mar 05 - 09:32 PM (#1425493)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Alaska Mike

LOL,    Moose, bear, beaver, BIG DEAL!!! We got millions of 'em running through the countryside and the city both. You'ld have to pay me $1200 per week to get me interested in seeing yours.

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02 Mar 05 - 10:19 PM (#1425522)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Rapparee

Well, I'll do all that here in Idaho and toss in elk as well. And bison. And antelope. And wolves, and mountain lions -- and Mike, I know you don't have mountain lion in Anchorage! Sorcha might, but I know there ain't mountain lion in Anchorage (apart from the zoo, maybe).

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02 Mar 05 - 10:20 PM (#1425523)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: number 6

gnu .... don't forget to include some fine fly fishing in the package.

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02 Mar 05 - 10:35 PM (#1425536)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Rapparee

I got that, too. The Madison, the Snake, Henry's Fork, the Salmon -- the works.

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02 Mar 05 - 10:51 PM (#1425547)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: mg

well I could throw in a tsunami and various small rodents including nutria. But I thinking you are marketing to the wrong crowd. If I had 1200 and a week off I would go around the world or something...but I am sure that there are more affluent people who would pay the going rate for that kind of experience. mg

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02 Mar 05 - 10:59 PM (#1425551)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Metchosin

Typically gnu, they pay extra if they get to kill something, but I don't think the general idea is off the mark. You have got to advertise and you have to have a great website that gives people some idea of what they will get to see. And you should make yourself accessible to the German und the Asian market.

Be prepared to provide them with stuff. Remember, nobody's going to want to spend a week in the bush on C Rations.......unless maybe you are going to teach them survival skills.

Keep in mind that anybody that wants to learn survival skills is probably a nutter. You do not want to spend any time in the bush with someone who wants to know how to tear down a Glock and reassemble it in under 40 seconds.

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02 Mar 05 - 11:03 PM (#1425555)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Amos

I think you got something there, Gnu -- but it needs a bit more surveying to a qualified public.

A

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02 Mar 05 - 11:03 PM (#1425558)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Metchosin

I know of what I speak, I spent a week on horseback in the bush with a guy that got drunk every night and kept wanting to know what the statute of limitations on war crimes was. He carried his own personal survival gear, some of which included big knives and we were not to anxious to find out what else.

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02 Mar 05 - 11:49 PM (#1425591)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Little Hawk

No....but I'd pay $1200 for a good guitar.

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03 Mar 05 - 12:52 AM (#1425618)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Little Hawk

I would be willing to spend some money to see Sir jOhn from Hull. I want to know if he's actually human.

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03 Mar 05 - 01:07 AM (#1425628)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: dianavan

gnu - market by web and call it eco-tourism. Yes, there is a market but it is mainly German. You may also snag a few other internationals but don't forget - these people usually know nothing about the Bush and its alot like babysitting. They like their comforts and expect three meals a day.

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03 Mar 05 - 01:38 AM (#1425639)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Alaska Mike

Rapaire, we dont have mountain lions, but we've got lynx nearly as big. And fishing is world class here in the 49th state. We have 15 lb sockeyes, 20 lb cohos, and 90 lb king salmon. We've got 35 lb pike, 8 lb cutthroat, 45 lb lake trout, 40 lb steelhead, and halibut weighing over 300 lbs. We've got Black bears, Brown bears, Polar bears and Glacier bears. We've got so many wolves that the governor decided to kill 150 of them this year just to thin them out so the moose hunters will have some targets. And the state of Alaska pays my perdiem when they send me out into the boondocks to see them all. Life is good.

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03 Mar 05 - 06:39 AM (#1425762)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: gnu

Well, it appears I have a lot of competition, some who could easily blow me out of the water. However, my main market would be the eastern seaboard of the US. They can drive here in a day or fly in. My camp is a one hour drive away and borders on a lumbering operation that would take a few years to traverse. Old growth, new growth, whatever. Very diverse.

I was hoping I might hear from that market but, clearly, folkies tend to inhabit the more rural areas. I've always wanted to visit the western States and Canada and nothern BC, the Yukon and Alaska... your posts make it moreso.

Thanks for the comments.

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03 Mar 05 - 08:42 AM (#1425839)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Emma B

Whale spotting as opposed to whale hunting has become a big tourist thing - so stick with it gnu. I was once on South Uist when a bear had got loose and was very hungry - I drew the line at camping on that occasion!

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03 Mar 05 - 08:44 AM (#1425843)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Dave the Gnome

Time it right and you could offer them a trip to St John to see the highest tides in the world which cause the river to flow backwards! I only know coz son #3 flies into there visiting his lady. He has never seen the phenomenon though...

Cheers

DtG
(PS - I wouldn't for hunting but I would for good hiking and trekking.)

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03 Mar 05 - 08:46 AM (#1425846)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: GUEST,MMario

gnu - it seems a reasonable price for those who have the time and the money. Would that I did.

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03 Mar 05 - 08:51 AM (#1425858)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: greg stephens

Come to my place in Stoke. You can see the fox which comes into the garden occasionally, and have a pint in the Jolly Potters. And I'll organise a day trip to examine Sir JOhn from Hull in his natural habitat(you're allowed one shot with a small gauge airgun, after you've had seven pints).

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03 Mar 05 - 08:54 AM (#1425862)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Little Hawk

Five bucks. I'd spend five bucks to find out if jOhn is human.

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03 Mar 05 - 08:59 AM (#1425865)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Dave the Gnome

BTW - Talking of son #3 and his liking for New Brunswick anyone know what the best 'local' deals are to fly into St John and from where? We have always paid for a full package from London via Toronto up to now but we are getting a cheap airline flying to some Canadian cities from Manchester apparantly. Where would he be best flying to?

Cheers

DtG

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03 Mar 05 - 09:07 AM (#1425874)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: GUEST,Rapaire

Yeah, AK Mike, our lynx aren't that big. And your grizzlies easily outgrown ours. And we, of course, don't have any muskox that I know of, and our halibut fishing really, really stinks here. I hooked one the other day; it felt like I was trying to drag up a sodden living room carpet and when I got it in the boat I discovered it was just that, a sodden living room carpet. The junk some people throw in the river! (I once caught a couple silvers -- about 7 lbs. each -- outside Seward. Released 'em, 'cause I didn't have any way to either cook them or bring them home at the time. And that salmon that dangles from the scales down on the Homer spit is one I caught.)

Gnu, come visit. Sorcha's in Wyoming, there's Wyowoman, I'm here in Idaho and so are a couple others, Brucie's in Alberta, and there is the Pacific Coast crowd. From Seattle you can get to Alaska and God alone knows what you'll find Up There. Why, I understand that they all live in igloos, eat odd food, pan for gold, and have to wear mukluks all year around!

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03 Mar 05 - 09:31 AM (#1425894)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: GUEST,gnu

Dave... perhaps London to Halifax? Rapaire... I can only wish at the moment. Maybe in a few years. Thanks for the invite.

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03 Mar 05 - 09:43 AM (#1425904)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Alba

Dave there is a really cheap fare. The Airline only runs between UK and Canada.
My Son has used them to come to visit me in the backwoods of Maine....very near New Brunswick. Hi Gnu, I can see your House from here....not really but you get my drift...:>)
If you would like to have a peek Dave: zzzzzzoom in on this clicky:>)
Best Wishes
Jude

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03 Mar 05 - 09:54 AM (#1425914)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: ToulouseCruise

I doubt I would personally, gnu... but then, I already live pretty durn near dem backwoods... but I do like the thought process of BeeDubya... "

$1200 for six days of beavers in the bush with a little folkin' on the side? Hell yeah!

... definitely cheaper than that Ebay assistant we were all bidding on last month.

Brian

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03 Mar 05 - 10:47 AM (#1425941)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: ToulouseCruise

Hot Dam! Beavers au natural!

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03 Mar 05 - 10:59 AM (#1425953)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: gnu

Shave beavers? Sure. Right after I wash and shampoo the porcupines.

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03 Mar 05 - 11:34 AM (#1425995)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Dave the Gnome

Zoom! Thats the one. Scheduled to start flying out of Manchester come May. Thanks Alba.

DtG

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03 Mar 05 - 11:41 AM (#1426002)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Jeri

Joe: "We need dat money youse owe by da next sundown or next month, whichever comes foist, eh, or youse sleeps wit da mooses."

Seriously, gnu, folkies with a spare $1200 is a novel concept, especially if they don't have it earmarked for a really nice 10-year old car, a new computer, medical bills, the Holy Grail of pawn shop guitars, heat, food, a place to live that doesn't get soggy when the snow melts...you probably get where I'm going with this.

There's a market out there, I'm sure, but it's the folks with steady jobs and suits who brag about how much they spend on stuff as opposed to the people who work so they can do what they love, or love their work even though it doesn't pay well, and brag about how little they pay for things. Money and job happiness aren't mutually exclusive, but the combination is rare.

I would think there are quite a few folks who would love to do this, with the same demographic group(s) as the hunters, although it would be a more friendly sort of trip for whole families than a hunting excursion. You might want to check into how much insurance will cost you though. One guy gets eaten by a bear or skis into a tree, and you'll be up to your eyeballs in lawyers.

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03 Mar 05 - 12:02 PM (#1426025)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Metchosin

Good point Jeri, insurance would be an issue.

The Japanese spend mega-bucks to go to PEI to see the "Ann of Green Gables" house, I figured they would love to see a gnu too, when they were out that way.

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03 Mar 05 - 05:15 PM (#1426269)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Little Hawk

Bee-Dubya, you are a genius. I can see tourism just soaring in Canada in the coming season.

And how about this: "Come to New Brunswick and see NAKED FOXES!!!"

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03 Mar 05 - 06:15 PM (#1426337)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: gnu

Well for those with more prurient interests, rather than bald beavers or naked foxes, I might suggest early October, when the frost nestles gently on the nuts of the bull moose. Watching a cow moose do a "piss dance" might be a selling point (no, I'm not going to desribe it - it's one of those things you gotta see for yourself). And, seeing a 1200 pound bull moose walk on his hind legs a couple of feet toward a cow, already having "caught up with her", might be the ultimate in eco-porn. Maybe that's the ad for the website... t-shirts and all. Of course, a porcupine video would rule. You ain't seen, especially HEARD, nothin til.... ahem!! Excuse me.

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04 Mar 05 - 01:14 PM (#1426670)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: heric

Yeah, it's all fun and games until someone gets eaten by a bear.
How about an affordable ice hotel, or igloo village. Bring them hot chocolate in the morning and such. Let them photograph wildlife from their igloo windows, maybe even the elusive cat. You could even rig a pulley and bridle system that drags a moose across the view.

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04 Mar 05 - 01:18 PM (#1426678)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: DougR

Joe Offer: sorry for the correction, but eveyone knows that the plural of Moose is Meese. Meeses, not Mooses.

:>)
DougR

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04 Mar 05 - 01:34 PM (#1426699)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: heric

You could even plant cougar scat near their rooms, and show it to them. An esoteric phtographic opportunity for the ecotraveller.

Don't feel bad about it either. Two Irish girls once told me that many megaliths there were put in by the Tourism Board. Everyone wins.

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04 Mar 05 - 01:40 PM (#1426704)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: heric

"unearth" a Viking encampment! Time it well, and when you are called out on the fraud your notoriety will just be free marketing.

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04 Mar 05 - 03:31 PM (#1426804)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: open mike

or point out the spot where St. Brendan and his jolly men landed!!

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04 Mar 05 - 03:41 PM (#1426815)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: gnu

Nobody who ever landed in the fly infested bog country of Kent County, New Brunswick was ever jolly. Entomologists!! There's my target market for July!! Come to NB and expose one square inch of skin in July and see how long it takes to stop scratching!!

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12 May 05 - 04:40 PM (#1483592)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: GUEST,[e-mail]

Does anyone know how to get an email address from a user of this board?
I'm trying to get in touch with Teresa, can anyone help me out?

Thanks

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12 May 05 - 04:55 PM (#1483604)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: gnu

Start a thread titled "Help : Looking for Teresa" or similar. Have a peek near the top of the page and you find it. Have a nice day.

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12 May 05 - 04:57 PM (#1483607)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: gnu

Just curious.... how did you come to post this request on this old thread? Seems rather odd to me.

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12 May 05 - 04:57 PM (#1483608)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: TheBigPinkLad

Find a posting from Teresa and click the blue 'PM' next to her name.

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12 May 05 - 05:05 PM (#1483617)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: gnu

Can guests PM?

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12 May 05 - 05:06 PM (#1483618)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: GUEST

Nope.

gnu

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12 May 05 - 05:30 PM (#1483637)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: Stilly River Sage

Will she recognise who you are by your email address? I sent her an email with your question and email address in it.

SRS

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12 May 05 - 05:36 PM (#1483641)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: gnu

How did you, SRS, know Teresa is Teresa? The plot thickens....

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13 May 05 - 05:28 PM (#1484462)
Subject: RE: BS: How many would pay big $ to 'visit' me?
From: heric

hey this thread was about to fall off the page. Is no one paying attention?

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