Have you ever cancelled a hunt or know someone who has?

[hunt1up]

Thank you all for the replies. As I've mentioned, it is still my intention to go. I've come to the conclusion that the monetary aspect isn't the primary reason for the hesitation. I've had the money set aside for some time and our other financial responsibilities are covered. I've spent money on a lot worse things. I used to spend a ton of money on alcohol, and I quit that nonsense a few months prior to booking the hunt. I told myself that I can pay for half this hunt simply with the money I used to piss away(literally) on beer. I'll also be turning 40 this September. So this was a bit of a reward for some personal improvement and hey, a birthday present of sorts. That logic still checks out for me.

The main hesitation is the time. I've gone on at least one out-of-state hunt every year since 2006. Even when my kids were little my wife was supportive. In those days it was something like a 7-9 day antelope/deer hunt or archery elk, something like that. Since that time I've done plenty of 10-12 day trips, such as a 12 day drop camp moose hunt. The past 3 years I've gone on DIY elk hunts that resulted in early success. I was gone for about a week on all of them. Got an elk, took care of business, and drove home early. This hunt being 17 days(12 days of actual hunting plus travel) end to end just seems like it crosses an arbitrary line of being too long. Where do I draw that line? Is it 12 days, 14 days, 16 days? I'd do 12 days and not feel too guilty, so at what point is it too much? I don't want to fall into a trap of thinking that just because it's a more rare opportunity that that somehow justifies it.

I've talked to my wife about it over the weekend. She acknowledges that it'll be a lot of work for her. Kids are in sports and it's her busiest time of the year at work. But she says to go. I'll feel her out a little more to be certain.

 

[kybuck1]

Priorities man...I always enjoy the responses to these questions and also ponder on them myself when the situation arises. Been on a couple high dollar hunts now and have a few more booked. Let me give a few personal pieces of advice. You'll never not have the pressure to be successful unless you are filthy rich. No question it's a rich mans game for the best hunts but like life its supply and demand. Guides don't care in the end. They just want the money and will definitely cater to the ones with the most cash and repeats. Most are nice and mean well, but in the end it's a job for them. It is a whole experience but in the end that money is gone and you'll have the horns/antlers as that memory---if that is enough then go for it. Ask yourself what you really want and happy with. If it's bragging rights with your friends, just horns on the wall, outdoor adventure and hunt is a bonus to help drive your decision on what type hunt you want to do. More success and free range is going to really drive the price up. Do not put your family in a financial strain to fund a hunt---it's never worth it. Decide at a relative young age with the more physical hunts, some can cater to less mobile hunters but it's a real disadvantage. Hunts are only gonna get more expensive. One of my biggest regrets is not doing a RM sheep hunt a few years ago with a tag that just became available for 70K. Already had another sheep hunt that year and with work just didn't think I could swing it. Now that same type hunt is 120K plus and 3 years out.

 

[hunt1up]

Any option to get a relative over to help your wife out while you’re gone? G ma or G pa that she gets along with?

For sure. My mother-in-law and my wife are very close and she's retired. She's always willing to help. My parents are still young enough also and able to help with a baseball practice pickup or something. So there's a little support there. They both live maybe 30 minutes away but don't mind pitching in if asked. We don't ask very often so it's not an imposition to them. My kids will be in 7th and 9th grade so they're both self sufficient an helpful around the house. Logistics to school activities is the only real pain point with them.

 

[adamkolesar]

These threads are always interesting in the diversity of opinion and experience. I'll offer one small bit of perspective.
Your wife has acknowledged the degree of work involved in your leaving the family for this hunt. She's accepted the responsibility w/ help from family if the need arises. I'll assume you've got a great relationship and she's always had the option to object. She hasn't.
Your job is to have an awesome time and hunt hard without guilt. To do anything less, diminishes her gesture as a great wife.

 

[Roofer1]

Am dealing with the EXACT same thing right now, to the point its almost creepy. Just no consideration of pushing or cancelling. Heading to AK for Dall in August, kids the same age, in a good financial situation, and a awesome/understanding wife. Think my biggest issue is in my head. Have done several other AK hunts in the last few years and it's felt the same, selfish? Talked to my wife this past weekend and she brought up some good points. If she "turns me loose" (her words) for these types of adventures, I come back a better husband and father. Don't know if that's accurate or if she's just being supportive. She pointed out that I no longer fish, snowmobile, sit as taverns, .... or do pretty much anything other than family time or hunting. Not sure if any of that gibberish helps you or is just me spitting out my own anxiety, guess it's just saying you aren't alone in the thought process.

 

[jmart5687]

One thing I learned when I started going on what I'll call " high dollar adventure hunts" is that once the money is spent, it's gone forever. They were the adventures of a lifetime and provided trophies, memories, and joy that I will cherish till the day I die.

Having said that, they hold no significance to anyone else and retain no monetary value beyond the memories and experience. In a way, they are a fairly selfish expenditure if when you spend money, you like to have something to hold in your hand and or resell in the future.

In the end, you are born and then you die. It's what happens in between that matters. You come into this world with nothing and you leave with nothing. Whether you spent your money on experiences or hard assets, it is over for you.

If setting up future generations or leaving a big estate is what makes you happy, then do it. If seeing wild places and magnificent animals plus testing yourself makes you happy , then do that. Typically the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

I'm retired now at nearly 64 years old. I worked in a factory my whole life so I was never a wealthy man. I have managed to hunt and kill Kodiak brown bear, A-Y moose, elk, mule deer, antelope etc. I finally killed a giant tom Mt. Lion in Alberta in February. I hope to have a couple more elk hunts in my future.

I could have bought a classic car or another Harley or 100 acres or lived in a nicer house. I can honestly say I would never trade my experiences back for all the money spent. Those memories and trophy's are mine, no one else's. If that makes me selfish, I'm okay with it.

If hunting means anything to you, I think you will regret not going. Good luck on your decision.

Well said!