I would make sure you do your research before pulling the trigger on an auction hunt. I have purchased auction hunts in New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, and Turkey. The first two hunts were awesome however I spent a lot more money to hunt other species vs. what I paid for the auction which was my decision.
The hunt in Russia has been canceled three times for Covid and twice for the war. The plan is to go this spring as I can't get over not hunting brown bears in Kamchatka.
The auction for the hunt in Turkey has been a little different story. When I purchased the hunt at the SCI auction in 2022 it clearly stated you had to hunt in 2022 which I agreed to do. Unfortunately, the country Turkey suspended all Ibex tags that year so there was no way to hunt as there were no tags. I stayed in communication with the outfitter abroad as well as the US representative for this company and it was agreed I would be able to go on the hunt when tags were available.
Last year I attended the SCI show and met with the outfitter, and it seemed everything was on track. Before leaving the show I was told if an Ibex tag became available, they would reach out so we could plan the hunt accordingly. Several weeks later I received a message from Turkey that an Ibex tag had been found and they outlined the dates and times that were available. They also added that the hunt would take place with another company (outfitter) and a standard Ibex would be what to expect however they knew of one trophy Ibex and we would try for that one. I reached out to the US representative and after a lot of conversation it was agreed I would wait to get a tag in the area the outfitter normally hunts and that I would hunt with the outfitter that I planned to hunt with.
Several months later the outfitter is sending me all of the documentation for my hunt in December and requested I deposit $15,000 to secure my spot for this year's hunt. I responded to the email that this was an auction hunt and the hunt had been paid for. The outfitter was quick to respond that this was not an auction hunt that they offered me a hunt that I passed on, so I forfeited my hunt. Don't forget the conversation with the US representative where we agreed to wait until this year for the tag.
I reached out to SCI and we are working through the situation which obvioulsly is unfavorable. I am not publishing the outfitters name however if any of you are considering an Ibex hunt in Turkey and want to know so you don't run into the same issue feel free to private message me and I can
give you that information.
I will definitely look to purchase auction hunts however it will be only with the outfitters I have researched and communicated with before the auction.
I wish you the best on your next hunt!