Have you had to choose a life in the woods or on the saltwater?

[5MilesBack]

I could totally see Apr-Sept living in the mountains, and Oct-Mar living on the water. My wife and I have really thought about that option for some time now. But I just can't grasp leaving each home vacant 6 months out of the year, or having others using them when we aren't there.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I personally would choose the woods because I get seasick very easy. No offshore fishing for me.

 

[RC_]

I grew up in CT and spent a lot of time on the water fishing and sailing until my teens. Went to school in Mass, moved to NYC and then spent a few more years in CT. Also hunted from when I legally could.

I can’t answer your mountains vs. salt question since I often contemplate the same thing. Obviously subject to your career, but I feel like I can pretty definitively say you should leave CT. Much better fishing and hunting opportunities in other parts of New England and the east coast, in areas that are going to be cheaper and likely align with your political views better.

For reference, I’ve been able to scratch the adventure itch better while living in Washington, DC than I ever did in CT. Mountains and, to me, seemingly endless public land to hike and hunt within 2-3 hour drives. Have since moved to northern Virginia and enjoying the benefits that come from being in a more freedom loving state. Other areas of Virginia and the Carolinas you could be in the salt or mountains within a few hours either way, benefit from better gun laws, lower taxes, etc.

Career and family will likely keep me from ever heading west permanently but damn if it isn’t appealing.

 

[TexasCub]

You have to take into consideration what phase of your life you are in too. I was a die hard mountain sheep hunter in my 30’s , I could carry 100lb packs in steep treacherous terrain, etc. fast forward 25 years and multiple surgeries later and I have zero desire to do any of that type of hunting, hell I have zero desire to pack out an elk but I’m not lost from adventure. I can launch a 30ft twin engine center console by myself and fish from light to dark 3 days a week. Or fish inshore on a 22’ bay boat every day of the week. You need to match your means with your adventurous desires depending on the phase you are at in life.

 

[fatlander]

If I had unlimited funds, I’d have a place in AK that I spent enough of the year to be a resident with hangar and a super cub. Then I’d have a small place in the keys with a center console to spend the worst of the winter fishing.

If I had to pick one or the other, I’d choose hunting over fishing. Only you can decide what’s best for you and your family.


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[Pony Soldier]

I spent time in Alaska (SE) and enjoyed mapping geology on the beach. Other than that I would avoid salt water at all costs.

Now mountains in Idaho or Montana - thats a differant issue. Coast range mtns in Washington - that's a differant issue along with the mtn jungles of se Alaska. Swinging from vine maple to vine maple on glacial cliffs were memorable but not pleasurable.

 

[FLswamper]

I moved from woods to salt. Outloor life changed dramatically but there are plenty of unique experiences where ever I am at. The suckiest thing about FL is there are no shooting ranges on public land down here.

 

[North of 60]

The gulf south has great fishing if you can withstand the heat, humidity, hurricanes, etc.

Minimal public land access compared to the west/northwest. In the gulf south if you don't own land, belong to a hunting club, or know someone with land, it is a challenging to find optimal places to hunt, much less just shoot to FLswamper's point.

 

[Rich M]

If i had to choose it would be fishing and not in CT.

 

[mainbeam pursuit2]

My choice is the woods.

 

[EdP]

As an escapee from southern New England almost 50 years ago, I say first off get out of CT. New England, where our nation began it's struggle for independance, has gone crazy with extreme left politics and stifling regulation. I still love hiking the Whites in NH and have friends there. I'm currently nursing a sore knee from a recent visit, but I don't want to live there, There are so many better places to live and work. SC is one, where as SCcritterkiller said, you can have both withing a couple of hours drive. I lived in the piedmont of SC for 18 years and loved it. I've learned that state politics are important if you are a 2A supporter or believe in individual rights, so choose carefully. Employment opportunities are also very important if you have or want a family. Hunting and fishing are great, but nothing beats raising a couple of kids with a good woman and seeing them grow into successful adults. In that case a good paying job means a lot more than to a single guy.