Driving vs. Flying?

[bipock]

If you are going guided, how many of you drive out to your hunt vs. flying?

In doing the math, the cost between the 2 is pretty close. However, it's a 30-hour solo drive for me. Did it last year and enjoyed the trip out, not as much the trip back. There are pros and cons to each, so looking to see how some of you justify the transportation manner.

 

[Cady Creek]

All depends on time constraints. In this case, can you afford the couple days extra on each end to drive. I'm in the camp of prefer to drive. We drive 20+ West as well as 20+ to Florida a couple times a year. Flights are not getting any better, and airports and people suck. Just flew to Burlington VT this past weekend. Would have been a 15+ hour drive. Flight out took over 9 hours and flight home was 13+ all in from arrival time to baggage claim. Every flight we had was delayed, zero control and plenty of annoyance in the airports along the way. Solo drive could be a factor too though. Those get long.

 

[LFC911]

How are you getting the meat, horns, and hide back if you fly? I know you can pay for anything but the easy answer for me is drive. I like the solitude and scenery West of KS.

 

[Rich M]

I've done this 3 times. Drove 2x and flew 1x.

Drive out all excited, hunt for 7-10 days, drive back. At home exhausted both times.

Fly out, rent car, drive 3-4 hrs, hunt, do sight seeing, fly home with antelope in a sot cooler. At home tired but not too bad.

In future i hope to drive but also hope i won't be working either. If I'm still working - will fly.

 

[chizelhead]

For me it depends on meat and antlers. If I have confidence it can return safely, then I'm open to flying if it saves a lot of time. I have confidence in using Alaska Airlines. Less so with other airlines. It also depends on if I cross into Canada or not. If crossing into Canada, I definitely drive. The long drives can be difficult, but I kind of forget them shortly after arrival.

 

[grfox92]

I could never in my life imagine showing up to a hunt out of state without my truck with all my shit it in it. Unless it was not drivable, I am driving every time.

 

[Nine Banger]

I could never in my life imagine showing up to a hunt out of state without my truck with all my shit it in it. Unless it was not drivable, I am driving every time.

It takes planning, prep and training just like anything else we do to hunt.

Why limit yourself?

I can't drive anywhere fun due to work schedule and my family.

Flying to shoot and hunt was daunting and strenuous at first and now it's easy.

 

[bipock]

I like the solitude and scenery West of KS.

In a bit of humor, this was the part I was thinking about the most - missing western Kansas and the rolling hills. and wide open spaces.