Any die hard hunters on here ever have to move from prime hunting areas to less desirable areas?

[Elite]

Long story short but my family is currently wanting to move possibly to the states. We are currently in northern BC which has some of the best hunting available in North America possibly?

But the 6 months of steady frigid -40c weather and long dark winters have taken the toll on everyone. Every time we travel somewhere warm, We are depressed to go back and deal with the winter weather and question what are we doing here. Yes I realize you can dress for the weather. I grew up here so I realize all those comments will come. But try and take a young kid out side for a decent amount of time in -30c and it’s not fun at all for them.


We are currently looking to move to southern BC which is insanely expensive to live. We are possibly exploring some where in the states.


So my main concern is that my life revolves around hunting. I look for sheds all spring and then sheep/goat hunt and then switch to elk all fall.

Wondering how bad it is just to travel when wanting to go hunt vs hunting local often.

Anyone ever make this kind of switch and regret it?


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[Speaks]

There are places south of northern BC with great year round hunting related activities. They might not be exactly the same, but are available.

 

[Elite]

There are places south of northern BC with great year round hunting related activities. They might not be exactly the same, but are available.

Which areas? Seems like the only place with milder winters are Kelowna and further south


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[StupidLightweight]

That would be a tough position to be in. Unless you have deep pockets, you'll never duplicate the hunting opportunities of BC anywhere in the states. You can likely find comparable shed and elk hunting down here, but no chance on sheep or goats. That said, our southern states do have a much lower cost of living and all the pig hunting you can dream of!

Truthfully, if your life revolves around hunting, I'd stay put until the kids are grown. At that point, you and the wife can spend winters in New Zealand and partake in not one but two fall hunting seasons every year!

 

[Jimmy]

Sounds like you would be happier in a warmer climate.

Speaking as a hunter in California.... Yes its expensive and yes it's liberal. But I can get 2 deer tags and a bear tag otc every year, and that's enough hunting for me. I have a job and my aging parents and family are here. Weather is nice, we can go to the beach or the mountains. I guess it's a matter of perspective and what is really important to you. Do what is best for your family, whatever you decide that might be. I don't see how a husband and father can ever regret that.

I wouldn't tell anyone to move here, but I will say, I am content and have a blessed life. Living out in the country vs living in a big city makes all the difference in the world too!

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Anywhere in the states you can almost forget about sheep or goat as tags take a lifetime to draw, if your lucky.

 

[Elite]

Anywhere in the states you can almost forget about sheep or goat as tags take a lifetime to draw, if your lucky.

Definitely agree there…. And thought about that alot. I could always come back and tag along with friends on there hunts here though


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[Elite]

That would be a tough position to be in. Unless you have deep pockets, you'll never duplicate the hunting opportunities of BC anywhere in the states. You can likely find comparable shed and elk hunting down here, but no chance on sheep or goats. That said, our southern states do have a much lower cost of living and all the pig hunting you can dream of!

Truthfully, if your life revolves around hunting, I'd stay put until the kids are grown. At that point, you and the wife can spend winters in New Zealand and partake in not one but two fall hunting seasons every year!

I 100% agree with that but the kids are young. All under 5. So I’m questioning myself if I’m being selfish keeping them up here for my hunting addictions


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[LongWayAround]

Maybe the coastal areas of Alaska?

You can still hunt sheep, goats, moose, caribou, bears.

 

[Dexter Grayson]

I lived in Ak, my wife got knocked up and we tried to make it work but we were in the same boat as you, winters were tough with a little one. We moved back south and yes I don’t get to chase sheep and goats anymore but I spend an exponential more amount of time in the woods down here. Do I miss Alaska? Sure, during July-September.

 

[Speaks]

Which areas? Seems like the only place with milder winters are Kelowna and further south


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I know nearly nothing about Western Canada. But was thinking something like Utah for example with much milder winters.

I live in MN and we have lots of hunting but not the type that would appeal to someone used to Western mountain hunting.

 

[signing off]

Cold weather can wear on a person for sure.
I left a city location and have public ground within sight now. But when it's right there, RIGHT THERE but work and obligations keep me busy, it seems like it is taunting me.
If you want a change bad enough, it will happen. Hopefully you land in a great place.

 

[chasewild]

I live in Alaska, and that cold dark stuff is hard with kids. We moved up here to hunt sheep and goat and brown bear, but if I was going to move back, any of the core states would be fine. MT, WY, and CO I can do big hunts that keep me feeling inspired.

 

[ProRoad]

I have worked on movies in Vancouver, Montreal and Wellington NZ. Vancouver (BC) was our favorite and we considered moving there but it was too far from the grandkids. As a lifelong Californian that recently moved to Utah, I can tell you that the sense of relief politically, is life changing. If you must move, I'd say to move somewhere where the people have your same values, the values that your kids will see and subconsciously learn from. There are states that fit that description and for me they all have Rocky Mountains in them. If you plan it right, you can hunt in all of them. Of course, one of your main issues that you stated was the cold, so some of the northern areas will also have many months of cold, snow and wind! Good luck in the search eh.

 

[TaperPin]

I didn’t think we were allowing any new immigrants into the states? Not even joking. Some Canadian friends that couldn’t get sponsored by a US business were never able to make the move, but I really don’t know how it works.

I was living up north and my wife at the time said she was moving to warmer weather and I was welcome to come along, so I can relate to family pressures and wanting to keep everyone sane. A friend of mine also had a wife dealing with depression and in her mind all their worries would go away, but of course they don’t, but they stayed together. I had an opportunity to find wife #2 in a warmer climate.

Moving is a big expense, but if you don’t do it all the time you’ll fit right in anywhere. I feel bad for those who make a big move, get frustrated and move back to where they came before getting their legs under them. One big expense is hard enough and two is brutal.

Either way hang in there and good luck. It might be a long winter.

 

[wildwilderness]

Quite funny you listed -40 Celsius because that is exactly the same -40 in Fahrenheit !



Yes too cold for comfort, but be very careful moving somewhere unknown just for hunting. I would guess South Western BC would be a lot warmer, or even more coastal like Prince Rupert? Would be more temperate.


If money is an issue you can either do what it takes to make more money or live somewhere cheaper.


I live in Anchorage and it never gets that cold here.

 

[Elite]

I lived in Ak, my wife got knocked up and we tried to make it work but we were in the same boat as you, winters were tough with a little one. We moved back south and yes I don’t get to chase sheep and goats anymore but I spend an exponential more amount of time in the woods down here. Do I miss Alaska? Sure, during July-September.

Glad someone can relate to the cold, How far south did you end up going? Just travel to other states to hunt ?


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[wildwilderness]

I would say avoid the west coast for Cost and politics. Best western hunting is in the Rocky Mt states. There is a noticeable difference in Cold temps in the middle- Utah Colorado are warmer than Montana, Idaho, Wyoming. Then further south you get HOT in Arizona and New Mexico (northern mountain towns there still get snow)


I would consider a state where you can get Mule deer, Elk, pronghorn tags every year as a resident. Then travel to the east for whitetail deer- cheap and easy to do that in the Southern states, and even Texas with hogs. You can also do summer trips back to BC and if you still have family there hunt with them as accompanied.

 

[MtnW]

What’s the wifey think? Where is she from?
What’s your career path up there in God’s country? You can be happy anywhere if you make plenty of money. Is your career mobile?
I quit the major mountain adventures and sheep hunts when I was 50, it mostly a young man’s game. Plenty of great hunts available in the Rocky Mountain states but really a pay to play for similar hunting opportunities like you have.
Kids are resilient, careers and money not so much.

 

[Elite]

What’s the wifey think? Where is she from?
What’s your career path up there in God’s country? You can be happy anywhere if you make plenty of money. Is your career mobile?
I quit the major mountain adventures and sheep hunts when I was 50, it mostly a young man’s game. Plenty of great hunts available in the Rocky Mountain states but really a pay to play for similar hunting opportunities like you have.
Kids are resilient, careers and money not so much.

She is all for some where warmer and wants to be outside year around vs getting cabin fever (it’s a real thing) I have 2 red seal trades under my belt, so I would assume it’s mobile down there


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