Alberta's special hunting licences yield $356K at Utah auction
Licences fetched $920K Cdn in total; will be put toward animal conservation projects, government says
Seven unique hunting licences issued by the Alberta government have sold for the equivalent of $356,000 Cdn at an auction in Utah.
Minister's Special Licences are issued annually and exempt hunters with the highest bid from certain rules.
The weekend auction in Utah saw hunters pay $50,000 US each for moose and elk licences, while the mule deer licence was the most coveted and sold for $70,000 US.
Last month, the special bighorn sheep licence sold for a record-breaking $400,000 US at a different auction in the United States.
Licence holders are allowed to kill one animal that the licence is for, but the hunt can take place year-round in most parts of the province.
Overall, the licences have fetched $923,000 Cdn, which the government says it will put toward animal conservation projects.
Each licence is valid for one year.
The hunt must take place in designated wildlife management areas that permit hunting for the animal, but seasonal rules in the areas don't apply.