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

[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.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Southeast Alaska. We have both.

Or Southcentral for that matter.

 

[JeffRaines]

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.

Sure does, one of the things that keep me grounded here.

Me and my wife could go and find work anywhere, but making the amount of money we make here allows for a better work life balance vs what we'd make in other places.

We've toyed with the idea of moving to Montana or Idaho, and while the idea of it sure sounds good, the reality is that even though our taxes are "high" here our tax burden would be even greater in those states(state income tax)... coupled with a greatly reduced income and real estate that costs about the same means a worse quality of life no matter what way you cut it. The politics are a different story and for me leave something to be desired, but I also like being able to take vacations and have some luxuries.

Tradeoffs.

 

[Scoon]

Woods, without a doubt.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Both. And when I retire, it will be somewhere eI can chase bonefish or tarpon with my fly rod whenever I want.

 

[minas stiris]

both are essential

 

[rac5115]

This one is tough. I love hunting so the mountains seem like the place to be, but my lover for waterfowl hunting the bays a must. Think id have to go mountains as I think I can hunt on the ground longer than I can waterfowl hunt. Glad I dont have to choose though!

 

[yfarm]

I know very few old offshore fisherman, after spending the 35 years fishing long distances in the GOM in the summer and off Key West in the winter I understand why. Years ago I fished with an early 30s charter captain in Venice La who had been fishing there since childhood, he was at the end of his career as his knees were shot. It is an unkind environment to humans and boats.

 

[Phaseolus]

I've done both. You don't have to choose an either or situation.

 

[307]

Years ago I fished with an early 30s charter captain in Venice La who had been fishing there since childhood, he was at the end of his career as his knees were shot.

Knees shot? From what?

I think I'd choose salt. I've had enough mountains and the salt is new and exciting, for me.

 

[saltwatermuzzy]

I’ve been fishing on the ocean since I could walk. Growing up in San Diego and fishing from Catalina to 1,000 miles south to a high spot in the middle of nowhere. Starting from a Grom and working my way up to being a licensed captain now, I’d trade the water for mountains tomorrow if I could make a living. I love being on the water but it has become a job. I’ve seen things people only really see in Nat Geo documentaries, swimming with whale sharks, to great whites eating 100+ pound tuna 20 feet from the boat in one bite. I’ve been incredibly lucky to witness it all but I’d trade it tomorrow.