Lot of folks on here spend a good deal of funds on rifles, scopes, and ammo; and if the focus is hunting…was wondering how many are possibly frustrated with:
A: access to hunting land (talking whitetail)
B: goal of your hunting (trophy or meat or both)
C: what is an acceptable cost to get a good hunt (I know leases and guided hunts can be expensive)
D. acceptable distance to travel
Maybe within a group of like minded people there are some hunting options that are not cost restrictive; or regulatory restrictive for out of state hunters or cost, or getting tag pulled, etc.
No, not for me. I just was wondering if our group would say what is important to them in a hunt and what is the amount they are willing to pay to do it. My state has 2 million acres of public land to hunt, out of state deer license for 7 days of hunting is $100.00, our season is 3.5 months long, 1.5 million deer population of which we only kill about 20% each year. Just not sure people know there may be some easier options to get in some good hunting that is close to where they may live. It might be fun to put together some hunting groups from our bunch in different part of the country where the local guy could be the guide. Not for making money, just to get to shoot and hunt.
Just outside of Vicksburg, MS. Let me know if this is something you would like to do, again, just wanted to see what might be possible to coordinate among our members in different locations.
I was fortunate to grow up dirt poor but land spoiled in central Texas. For me I never had to look for a place to hunt for 30+ years. After the owner died and we lost the ranch I had to find a lease. It was an eye opener! I found a “cheap” lease and paid $5k over two years to shoot one spike! Public land in Texas is way too pressured and I just can’t bring myself to go on a canned hunt. I now go on one big Western hunt a year which costs me about $1k in tags, fuel, and supplies.
Appreciate the responses. The more specifics on cost, etc., hunting goals the more it will help me to try and shape a hunting trip to my area.
Keep sending them.
For me I would usually shoot one good buck a year and then meat only after that. These days I’m more about the hunt than the kill. The meat is a bonus and a nice rack is an even bigger bonus.
I started hunting for the meat - my first lease in TX forced me to consider the rack. We have made a big effort to eat as clean as possible for our health, and these whitetail don’t get a whole lot of processed twigs and berries. I also do 1 big western hunt per year, but I really do want to do more with TX whitetail, like some of the south TX style hunts, but like Justin I don’t want to pay the equivelent of multiple mortgage payments.
Bucket list, I would really love to do more big game hunts. Especially like all North American big game. Moose, Bison, Black Bear, Caribou, Stika, BlackTail, Mule Deer… Maybe if we win the lotto. Otherwise, I really have to be picky.
I also bow hunt, but I like hunting feral hogs more that whitetail with a bow. I don’t have the patience to sit in a tree for a whole day waiting on a deer to pass me by. Spot and stalk the hogs is fun.
This is exactly what I’ve been considering over the last few seasons due v to the demand vs supply out west. I live in AZ and drawing a tag can be difficult.
So i hunt the otc elk and pray for deer tags, I have hunted whitetail in idaho, and was pleased with the table quality and the hunt.
Also i like hunting the wide open but hunting thick forest or timber with the muzzleloader is very appealing. Plus turkeys and hogs!