To keep a long story short, my significant other owes me a hunt of my choice. I honestly have no idea what I want to do. I wanted to do an elk hunt but I was told is just not an option because of cost. I want this to be a bow hunt but depending on the situation, may end up being a gun hunt. So I am here asking you what are some hunts you have enjoyed and why. I am merely looking for things about the hunt itself and not so much as a guide/outfitter recommendation. Thanks!
Does it have to be guided? You can hunt elk in Colorado for under $1000. My top choice, if I were you, would be a mule deer hunt in South Dakota. It's close to you, good numbers of deer, inexpensive practically guaranteed tags, and lots of public land. Nebraska is also a good choice for the same reasons. DIY OTC is the way to go!
Are you interested in a Hog hunt? I have to say they are up there on my list of "fun" things to hunt. They dont hide coming around and its just a good change of pace to whitetail and turkey. They are tough and require good shot placement but the meat is delectable..
Doesn't have to be, this is just our first time doing a "different" hunt so we are just trying to up our odds at being successful. That's an idea that will be added to my list. It's definitely an idea that I had tossed around before this had arose. I love wild meat so the idea of eating a non farm pig piques my interest! So my first "out of state" hunt experience will be this fall to North Dakota for a whitetail hunt. The hunt I am "owed" probably won't happen until next year but we are trying to figure out what it will cost once I make a decision and we can plan it.
Black bear hunts are usually less expensive options than whitetail, mule deer, elk, etc. Being from Minn you may already hunt them there though. Hog hunts are usually pretty cheap comparatively also.
In 1988 a couple friends and I did an unguided caribou hunt in Alaska. We paid a pilot at King Salmon to drop us off on the Alaskan Peninsula and come back and get us in 5 days. Am sure the costs have gone up but was very reasonable at that time. Caribou were plentiful and a good animal to hunt unguided. Plus once one was on the ground it was manageable for one person to butcher and in a few trips get back to camp. If you are a military veteran you can save some bucks by staying on base.
Some good ideas. I like the thought of a hog/turkey combo in florida. I want to hunt to whitetails in other states and that is something we plan to do more in time but for now I am kind of looking at other animals being this hunt is a "free" hunt for me.
Seeing another part of the world is almost as good as the animals you are going to hunt. I love elk hunting but my all time favorite is Red Stag in New Zealand.
Let me second the stag idea. I went a year ago and had a blast. It's actually cheaper than a lot of elk hunts. You can also get into some good elk hunting in NM by finding someone who will sell a landowner tag,so you don't have to draw. I do it every year,and drive out from Ky with my wife. Got a 5x5 last year and brought home 200 pounds of meat.
I second the elk hunt. Here you go. http://forums.bowhunting.com/bowhunting-talk/dyi-colorado-elk-hunt-how-76889/
I always wondered how much it would cost to ship 600lbs of elk meat across country - I'm thinking it would cost as much as the hunt.
Some of us may just be dumb enough to drive clear across the country. It is only about a 24 hr drive...
I'm trying to do a DIY elk muley and antelope with a bow in the next few years or so. Hogs will be a little cheaper and you're all but guaranteed to get one
Out of state muley tags in those two states will run you a touch over $200, can't hunt much cheaper than that!
