Decisions of a 23 year old/2019 Hunts

[Cml5895]

I had a good feeling that I would be getting the answers I wanted to hear when I posted on this forum. A lot of great advice has been said and I really do appreciate all of it, whether it is to stay or go. I contacted the outfitter yesterday evening and let him know that I am very grateful for the opportunity, but I won't be able to make it work this coming season. He understood and told me to stay in touch for the future.

I made the decision last night while laying in bed that I am going to run full steam ahead on the job search. I'm mainly looking at Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. If the right opportunity comes along that fits my needs, I have no reserves to pack everything up and leave. I'm not getting any younger.

 

[RyanM]

I had a good feeling that I would be getting the answers I wanted to hear when I posted on this forum. A lot of great advice has been said and I really do appreciate all of it, whether it is to stay or go. I contacted the outfitter yesterday evening and let him know that I am very grateful for the opportunity, but I won't be able to make it work this coming season. He understood and told me to stay in touch for the future.

I made the decision last night while laying in bed that I am going to run full steam ahead on the job search. I'm mainly looking at Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. If the right opportunity comes along that fits my needs, I have no reserves to pack everything up and leave. I'm not getting any younger.

I agree with everyone else. If you want to move, then move, but don’t give up the good job at a young age. Good luck in your job search and your move!

 

[Almosthere]

Set a goal, create a plan of attack and accept nothing else. Remove all the negative influences that may hinder your goal. Advice coming from someone that came from a dysfunctional family situation and got out...

 

[cnelk]

There's an old saying that applies to this thread

'Youth is wasted on the young'

Got your message Collin - I will be in touch

 

[Wellsdw]

I was in the exact situation 15 years ago. Had a guide job lined up in Wyoming. Right before leaving got hired as a firefighter (long term dream goal) chose that path bc it was the adult thing to do. Regret ever since on not guiding a couple years at least. Go guide

 

[Takem]

You sound like a responsible guy who understands he has debt to pay and I'm betting you will make sure it gets taken care of. Just because you have a debt doesn't mean you have to be a slave to it. I would shoot for the moon and try and set up a construction job that starts after the guiding season this year. You may love guiding and if you can get it set up right this may be a great way to find out.

Some people would have you give up the time you know you have right now for the prospect of time you may or may not have in 30 years. Be responsible but don't be afraid to take chances. Let us know what you do.

 

[BCSojourner]

Hello all! I need you guys to help me decide my future. As a little background, 23 years old currently living in Western New York. I have a full time job as a construction project manager which is very comfortable for me. I travel out west several times annually to hunt and I know that NY is not where I want to live my entire life and I have always felt a strong need to move away from home. Earlier this week I received a message from an outfitter who I have hunted with several times in Colorado. He asked if I would be interested in coming out this August and learning to guide for elk with his outfit. Currently have no wife, no kids, and I am not getting any younger. I know I want to work hard and do something I really love doing, which I think for three months of the year this opportunity would be it. The only thing holding me back is the rest of the 9 months of the year. I have a significant amount of debt from school that I am handling just fine with my current situation, but that would change with a big move.

If you were in this situation, what would you do? I know that I will end up regretting not making a move early on in my life. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[BCSojourner]

Take a few weeks and come out and do some job searching. Construction management is a pretty good field to be in for the states that you listed. I moved west from NE (grew up in the Catskills) in 1977 at the age of 25 with wife and 2 boys. We packed everything we owned in a 12" UHaul trailer and pulled it behind an Oldsmobile Cutlass to WA state. We moved back and forth with the Feds eightl times in my first 15 years and it always worked out well - made lots of friends, saw new country, etc.. Going back east to visit now is ok but no comparison to the Rocky Mt states. Did a stint as a Project Manager with the Army Corps of Engineers for a few years when the new Ft. Drum was being built in northern NY in the late 70s and the taxes I paid back then are still more than I pay in CO now. When I was your age I had the wanderlust and was a hunting fool. Still am a hunting fool but have been happily settled in CO for almost 30 years. You probably won't or can't make a living guiding but you have an opportunity and are at an age that makes such a move doable. If you can locate outside of the bigger urban hubs like Denver, Boise, etc. you can probably find some reasonable housing. Taxes will also be lower. If you like to hunt this is the place to be.

 

[Bigtmiller]

Best advice is live where you want to. Especially now when you are young. I would seriously look at Alaska. there are really good jobs there, like oil field, and you live right next to the best hunting and fishing there is. I followed the money instead of what I wanted to do. so now I have drive 20 plus hours to get to good elk hunting and at least 6 hrs to get to good trout fishing. If I could go back to 23, I'd go to Alaska.

 

[JWM]

I was in a similar situation 10 years ago. I graduated in western New York with a construction management degree and wanted to move out west. I ended up taking the highest paying job I could find which was in Virginia. Worked hard for 5 years and got debt free and built up some savings, moved to Utah and took 6 months off to hunt and fish. Worked for another 2 years to build my savings back up and did the same thing. I’ve since done it twice more averaging about 6 months off every 2-3 years. I was able to work out a deal with one employer but it was tough for them to let me go during the busiest time of the year so I’ve ended up quitting and just finding new jobs in the spring. In UT it’s been super easy to do with the way the economy is and I’ve gotten hired no questions asked each time within just a few days of looking. This way I am able to live comfortably, afford nice gear, save some money be debt free. My advice is to live as frugal as possible and get debt free as quick as you can and that will really give you some freedom. It would also help to find a wife with a nice job so you can get on her insurance lol. Once you hit 30 things start to go downhill.

The economy is great now but that can change quick and construction can dry up so being debt free is the most important piece of advice I have. I had a professor in school that always reminded us to “live below your means” once graduating


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[Beendare]

You are asking, a ton of Guys "here" that, LIKE to Hunt and they will all give you about, the SAME answer, move NOW because, Hunting is SO important,.. to THEM ! I'd rather Hunt a little less than, be a "Slave",.. to DEBT !

Thats one way to look at it^

Look, Debt can be used to create leverage...and leverage can increase your return on investment. "Debt" isn't always a bad word.

ALL of the very successful folks I know have taken on debt....and used it to their advantage either creating a business, investment or in Real estate. To be clear; I'm not talking car payment here as that is a depreciating asset, and those types of debts are best avoided.

To the main question;
Its human nature to be resistant to change- its tough heading into the unknown.

I would look at areas that have a high quality of life for your priorities with hunting a factor but not the end all. There are many articles out there on best places to live by Money mag, Sunset mag, heck even the mountain biking rags do articles like that.

Apply for positions while you are still employed....then the transition will be less of a burden than just packing up Beverly Hillbilly style without anything prearranged. [ooops, not the best reference for a 23 yr old!]

 

[Btaylor]

Ellie Mae by the cement pond is never a bad reference

 

[16Bore]

Work twice as hard to get rid of all your debt. Then worry about it..

Debt is a dream killer.

 

[MtGomer]

I wouldn’t quit a high paying job to guide elk hunts. I would move out west and take another high paying job that would get you closer to your own elk hunting however.

 

[Yellowknife]

I would seriously look at Alaska. there are really good jobs there, like oil field, and you live right next to the best hunting and fishing there is.

While I wouldn't discourage anyone from moving here, people need to know that Alaska is at the bottom of a multi-year recession and our overall population has been declining because of it. The state is broke and contemplating going even more drastic budget cuts. I'm surviving, but I generally wouldn't advise anyone move here without a job offer in hand.

Also, those "really good" oilfield jobs are primarily shift work from oilfield camps and many are seasonal. They work well for some people, but not for others (including me).

 

[ODB]

Don’t make the mistake you are chasing a dream. Dreams are just that- short terms visions that vanish when reality hits. Now, if you are building a life, that’s another story. Don’t do anything until you have zero debt, and I mean zero. You WILL increase your debt when you move. Tips will suck, shit will happen. Stay where you are, sell all your worthless crap, pay off your debt and put 50K in the bank. If, after you do that, you still want to go, go.

Take it from one who knows.

 

[ndbuck09]

I haven't read all of these replies but I would tell you, you'll probably do better in the long run getting a similar job to what you have. And then also, don't pick the wrong girl. Wayyyyy to many guys don't think it through on the girl thing and end up with a lady that whines when they're going hunting or outdoors in general because then you won't be in town to "go out" and generally be basic all weekend with them. Then you have kids with said type of girl and voila, you don't even shoot your bow anymore, plus she gets herself knocked up at the "perfect" time and she has the kid in the middle of September. Lucky for me I found my best friend and wife in my late 20s and we're outdoors together and aligned on all things mountains but I know people that fall into the former boat and its a constant drain on their existence and happiness in my opinion.

 

[Clarkdale17]

I moved out to Denver from Upstate NY right after school almost two years ago specifically to hunt. I'm 24 and work as a FE for a large general contractor. I spent the first year throwing all my income at student loans, and am currently debt free. I have no regrets with the move.

My advice would be to find a similar job out West and use all your money to pay off debts while hunting in the meantime. After that you are free to pursue other options without the weight of overwhelming debt on your shoulders.

 

[Cml5895]

I haven't read all of these replies but I would tell you, you'll probably do better in the long run getting a similar job to what you have. And then also, don't pick the wrong girl. Wayyyyy to many guys don't think it through on the girl thing and end up with a lady that whines when they're going hunting or outdoors in general because then you won't be in town to "go out" and generally be basic all weekend with them. Then you have kids with said type of girl and voila, you don't even shoot your bow anymore, plus she gets herself knocked up at the "perfect" time and she has the kid in the middle of September. Lucky for me I found my best friend and wife in my late 20s and we're outdoors together and aligned on all things mountains but I know people that fall into the former boat and its a constant drain on their existence and happiness in my opinion.

Geeeeeeze what a way to live. This past summer I got out of a 6 year relationship with "the one" who really turned out not to be. A lot of lessons learned there, and I am not in a rush to get back into anything. Just making decisions for myself at this point.

 

[Antarctica]

I was thinking 'go' up until you mentioned school debt.

I'd say 'Yes' on moving out of New York. If you really want to guide, I'd go to a place where it has a more sustainable future (alaska). But don't do either if you're not going to be able to kill that debt ASAP.

Move yes, with a solid plan. 3 months of guiding is not a plan. There are ways to do it, but don't get behind debt eight ball and as others have said, that plan should include retirement.