South Nahanni Outfitters
South Nahanni Outfitters operates one of North America's largest private hunting concessions—9,000 square miles of untouched wilderness in the Mackenzie Mountains. Founded and run by Werner Aschbacher and Sunny Petersen, the outfit specializes in world-class Dall sheep, Alaska-Yukon moose, mountain ...
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South Nahanni Outfitters operates one of North America's largest private hunting concessions—9,000 square miles of untouched wilderness in the Mackenzie Mountains. Founded and run by Werner Aschbacher and Sunny Petersen, the outfit specializes in world-class Dall sheep, Alaska-Yukon moose, mountain caribou, and mountain goat hunts across remote territory accessed by their own helicopter.
- •Dall Sheep Hunts (8-12 days, July-September)
- •Average trophy horns: 35 inches (range 27-43 inches)
- •Record book rams with bases averaging 13 inches
- •Hunt ages: 9-11 years average, demonstrating sustainable practices
- •Starting at USD $44,000
- •Alaska-Yukon Moose Hunts (10-12 days, September-October)
- •World's largest moose subspecies with trophy spreads averaging 57 inches (up to 70 inches)
- •Record book animals (#15 SCI, #30 B&C) regularly taken
- •Moose rut runs September through mid-October
- •Starting at USD $34,000
- •SNO Big4 Mixed Bag Hunts (12 days, September)
- •Designed for hunters targeting 3-5 trophies in one expedition
- •Flexible "Lego piece" arrangement: choose combinations of sheep, moose, caribou, goat, wolf, wolverine, black bear
- •Starting at USD $49,000
Helicopter Access & Efficiency Their own helicopter eliminates non-hunting travel time and provides selective access throughout the concession. This means recently hunted game populations have time to renew themselves—they maintain a documented 100% opportunity rate across hunts.
Game Management Philosophy Zero hunting pressure combined with large concession size = older, more mature animals. Most outfits can't claim this. Their Dall sheep age average of 9-11 years (vs. 8-10 year average lifespan) proves the population isn't being depleted.
Fair Chase Hunting Only All hunts are spot-and-stalk. No hunting from helicopter, with helicopter, or immediately after landing. 12-hour rest period required before hunting begins. Guides use satellite messengers for camp communication.
| Season | Timing | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| July (Sheep) | Midnight sun, 80s°F | Sleek coats, extended daylight |
| August (Sheep) | Cool-down, fall colors | Excellent add-on opportunities |
| September (All Species) | Peak mixed bag season | Moose rutting, caribou migrating |
| Late September/October (Moose) | Advancing snow | Moving to lowlands, excellent hunts |
- •All helicopter flights for trophy retrieval
- •Bush plane flights within concession
- •Personal guide throughout hunt
- •Camping gear (excluding sleeping bag/mattress)
- •Field trophy preparation and salting
- •Full main camp service (meals, beverages, alcohol)
- •Unlimited satellite phone/internet at base
- •Trophy transport to Fort Simpson, export permit handling
Sheep hunters can add: mountain goat (July+), mountain caribou (August+), moose (September), wolf, wolverine (July+), black bear (mid-August+)
Moose hunters can add: caribou, wolf, wolverine, black bear (Sept-Oct); sheep and goat (September)
This is a mountain hunting operation. Expect: - Moderate to steep terrain on all sheep hunts - Hiking up and down mountains daily - Glassing, stalking, scrambling over rocks - Walking through brush and deadfall on soft terrain (moose hunts) - Small backpacker tents—this is wilderness camping
Fitness matters. The outfit states: "Everybody who is in reasonable shape, physically and mentally, and who can shoot straight, will have the opportunity to harvest a respectable trophy." They're not running luxury lodges; this is real wilderness hunting.
The concession is larger than Slovenia and swallows Yellowstone National Park twice over. No roads, no people, no towns—just game trails rutted into moss and lichen. Eight licensed outfitters operate in the Mackenzie Mountains with their own separate concessions; South Nahanni's 9,000 square miles are exclusive territory.
Published hunt reports dating back to 2004 document consistent success. Recent trophy highlights include record book entries and documented hunts from their annual reports (2004-2025). The outfit exhibits at The Sheep Show (Reno, Nevada, January 22-24, 2026).
South Nahanni Outfitters Ltd. Werner Aschbacher & Sunny Petersen P.O. Box 100, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5X9 Canada [email protected] +1-867-399-3194
Bookings for 2027 and beyond are being accepted now.