Building a Hunting Lifestyle

[jlw0142]

I’m not an attorney, so my perspective on your chosen career is from the outside looking in (cop 23 years).

Job wise, consider becoming a deputy prosecuting attorney for a few years before deciding if you want to get into criminal defense, personal injury, etc. Even famed criminal defense and plaintiff’s attorney Gerry Spence was a prosecutor for about five years (I believe he likes it when people don’t remember that).

Location wise, from my perspective there’s Alaska and the Lower 48 and in the Lower 48 there’s Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and then there’s everyplace else.

I suppose you will find plenty if lawyers in Dallas that love their job and their big deer and Aoudad hunting leases in West Texas but it wouldn’t interest me.

Hahaha, yeah that’s not my speed either. I hear you completely and appreciate that! It’s good advice, and definitely something to consider.


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[Rich M]

So, without writing a book:

You said family comes first. That's the correct attitude. Family eats up a lot of time but the rewards are endless.

Then you said you are trying to establish yourself at work so you advance and make money.
If you want to be a partner at a firm or have your own firm, be prepared to work 60-80 hour weeks, maybe more. I'm a partner at a firm (not a law firm) and that's what I typically work - as the engineering guy above said, it is client-based. Your employees cry about work-life balance when you ask em for 5 hrs of OT and the client says the schedule changed, we need this by Friday. You had a hunt planned for the weekend and were leaving on Thursday... Or you got into camp and set up, then the InReach rings...if you won't pick up and leave, you are gonna lose a client... BTDT. I always say it is better to work for someone else - lots less responsibility and worries.

Then you said your faith is important.
Be careful with the church stuff - the church doesn't care if you get to hunt. Read about Mary and Martha - who was blessed? Paul also said something about people living quiet peaceful lives - how can they do that when serving all the time or out chasing new converts? Use your gift in service when necessary but don't get burned out. It is perfectly fine to say No.

 

[jlw0142]

So, without writing a book:

You said family comes first. That's the correct attitude. Family eats up a lot of time but the rewards are endless.

Then you said you are trying to establish yourself at work so you advance and make money.
If you want to be a partner at a firm or have your own firm, be prepared to work 60-80 hour weeks, maybe more. I'm a partner at a firm (not a law firm) and that's what I typically work - as the engineering guy above said, it is client-based. Your employees cry about work-life balance when you ask em for 5 hrs of OT and the client says the schedule changed, we need this by Friday. You had a hunt planned for the weekend and were leaving on Thursday... Or you got into camp and set up, then the InReach rings...if you won't pick up and leave, you are gonna lose a client... BTDT. I always say it is better to work for someone else - lots less responsibility and worries.

Then you said your faith is important.
Be careful with the church stuff - the church doesn't care if you get to hunt. Read about Mary and Martha - who was blessed? Paul also said something about people living quiet peaceful lives - how can they do that when serving all the time or out chasing new converts? Use your gift in service when necessary but don't get burned out. It is perfectly fine to say No.

This is good stuff. I appreciate it! Good point about the partner position.


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[Marble]

Thank you! Thankfully the area where I live offers perfect opportunities for me within a maximum range of 4-5 hours, so that is very nice. However, I have aspirations of Alaska moose and caribou trips, I want to go out west every year for elk or mule deer, and I have buddies who like to hunt in the Midwest. Of course I will have to make sacrifices every year, but I just want to minimize them as much as possible and truly live the life I want without being doomed to a life of dreaming of experiences that never come to fruition. Yeah I think you are right about gaining experience first. I’ve got to master my craft before I can really live the life I want, but I just want to get there before I am too old to enjoy the experiences properly, like so many do.


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I would encourage you to get some of the first experiences done so that you have a better understanding of what you really like the most. For me, it's archery elk. That's my priority. Second is mule deer.

But I can do those from CA and still stay with my business and my family.

If you structure your life correctly and make the things a priority that you want, then it's up to you to make it happen.

Henry Ford said, "If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right."

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[GundamBarbatos]

Do you mean that basically having kids will put all hobbies on hold?

Have kids

Your lifestyle priorities will change

 

[cnelk]

Do you mean that basically having kids will put all hobbies on hold?

Do you have kids?
Grandkids?

 

[wyosam]

Good luck with that.


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[OKHunter84]

You'll think about things differently at different stages in your life. What you think might be important now might be less important when you're older. Marriage, children, career are more important to me then hunting. I'll always hunt, it's part of who I am and how I was raised, but it shouldn't even be close to the most important thing in your life.

I hunted ten times more when I was in my late 20's then I have time for now. I'm sure when my boys are grown then I'll hunt more then I do right now.

I do agree that living close to what you want to hunt will make it much more feasible.

 

[TaperPin]

That’s awesome! Yeah, I think I could learn something from your Scandinavian friends. Just gotta go do it! I really appreciate the insight


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It sounds simplistic, but as your income rises, the number of opportunities for private ranch/farm/lodge/etc hunting will go way up. The better people skills you have the more sweetheart deals can be taken advantage of. It’s not a hidden thing, but since it’s often by invitation only it’s not on the average hunter’s bingo card. You may be sitting on baits in Minnesota for a big bear with a guy who enjoys having the company, or have an open invitation to go moose hunting with a family in Alaska, hog hunting wine vineyards in Napa valley, blasting whitetails on a big west Texas ranch, culling high fence ranches, shooting turkeys in Kansas, getting a pack trip hunting invitation if you have time to help get the horses and mules ridden before the season, shooting cow elk off haystacks with last minute land owner tags, or open invitations for offshore ocean fishing if you pitch in for gas. I know some hunting groups of 6 to 10 fairly well off guys that take turns hosting back country trips - every year one guy makes all the arrangements for the group and even if some don’t draw a tag they usually enjoy going along. Another group of friends are into international hunts and they all go to a different place each year for a few weeks.

 

[jlw0142]

It sounds simplistic, but as your income rises, the number of opportunities for private ranch/farm/lodge/etc hunting will go way up. The better people skills you have the more sweetheart deals can be taken advantage of. It’s not a hidden thing, but since it’s often by invitation only it’s not on the average hunter’s bingo card. You may be sitting on baits in Minnesota for a big bear with a guy who enjoys having the company, or have an open invitation to go moose hunting with a family in Alaska, hog hunting wine vineyards in Napa valley, blasting whitetails on a big west Texas ranch, culling high fence ranches, shooting turkeys in Kansas, getting a pack trip hunting invitation if you have time to help get the horses and mules ridden before the season, shooting cow elk off haystacks with last minute land owner tags, or open invitations for offshore ocean fishing if you pitch in for gas. I know some hunting groups of 6 to 10 fairly well off guys that take turns hosting back country trips - every year one guy makes all the arrangements for the group and even if some don’t draw a tag they usually enjoy going along. Another group of friends are into international hunts and they all go to a different place each year for a few weeks.

That’s pretty awesome to hear. That would be a sweet gig! I appreciate the encouragement


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[BrooksRanger]

Have you ever thought about moving to Alaska?
There are many opportunities to work here in law both privately as well as for the State. The State is always hiring attorneys…you’ll have exposure, experiences and responsibilities much earlier here in you career than many other states. Build your resume and go hunt the Great Land.

 

[Boarmaster]

Hunt while you’re young. Have a balanced life. Don't wait thinking you will have tons of time after you get older. You may not have the health to do so. I will less of the high dollar lifestyle because in my 70s and beyond because I spent money on hunting and fishing my whole life. But I wont regret doing it my whole life. I had a life threatening illness at 57 years old. I was not sure I would live let alone be able to hunt.
Laying there I was damn glad I had done so many things in my 20-50s. I did recover enough to hunt.

 

[jlw0142]

Have you ever thought about moving to Alaska?
There are many opportunities to work here in law both privately as well as for the State. The State is always hiring attorneys…you’ll have exposure, experiences and responsibilities much earlier here in you career than many other states. Build your resume and go hunt the Great Land.

Man, have I! I would love to live in Alaska. Have spent some time there and it has unmatched beauty and some of the nicest people I have ever met. But my wife is not on board with that, so I’ll have to table that idea for now. Maybe I can convince her at some point!


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[jlw0142]

Hunt while you’re young. Have a balanced life. Don't wait thinking you will have tons of time after you get older. You may not have the health to do so. I will less of the high dollar lifestyle because in my 70s and beyond because I spent money on hunting and fishing my whole life. But I wont regret doing it my whole life. I had a life threatening illness at 57 years old. I was not sure I would live let alone be able to hunt.
Laying there I was damn glad I had done so many things in my 20-50s. I did recover enough to hunt.

Fantastic point. Thank you for adding that!


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[BoilerBowHunter]

I have two younger daughters (ages 7 and 4). I will be gone for 10 days this September hunting elk out of state. They will be sad. And they’ll get over it and move on.

Me taking time to pursue my passions makes me a better father. I also want them to see me chasing my passions and what goes into it, so that they can see that it’s worth working hard for something you care about. Time outdoors and time with close friends also makes me a better person/husband/father. Thankfully I’m lucky enough to have a wife that’s supportive. Different perspectives, and I’m not saying one is right and one is wrong, but I don’t equate taking time off for hunting to being less of a father to my children.

To the OP - good luck finding the balance you’re looking to strike. The fact that you’re being intentional about it means your ahead of 99% of others, and because of that i think you’ll find it.

 

[jlw0142]

I have two younger daughters (ages 7 and 4). I will be gone for 10 days this September hunting elk out of state. They will be sad. And they’ll get over it and move on.

Me taking time to pursue my passions makes me a better father. I also want them to see my chasing my passions and what goes into it, so that they can see that it’s worth working hard for something you care about. Time outdoors and time with close friends also makese a better person/husband/father. Thankfully I’m lucky enough to have a wife that’s supportive. Different perspectives, and I’m not saying one is right and one is wrong, but I don’t equate taking time off for hunting to being less of a father to my children.

To the OP - good luck finding the balance you’re looking to strike. The fact that you’re being intentional about it means your ahead of 99% of others, and because of that i think you’ll find it.

Thank you so much for all of that! I couldn’t agree more with your perspective. I certainly hope I do!


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[Speaks]

Work as appearance counsel and do contract doc review. Its not big money but quite decent and you have full schedule control, but only get paid for the work actually done. Feel free to pm me.

 

[Rich M]

Thank you so much for all of that! I couldn’t agree more with your perspective. I certainly hope I do!


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Fwiw, I hope he is also including his 2 daughters in his hunting stuff around home. A lot of kids get raised by folks who dont include them in their passions. Teaches a diff lean than those who include the kids.