Heading west

[Will_m]

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[wannakillabigbull]

By the way, we enjoy a long deer season here.

Which states are you considering? Some states have longer seasons than others if that’s a top consideration. I wouldn’t choose AZ, NM, or CO if you’re looking for long seasons. MT or WY would be smart choices if you don’t mind the cold.

 

[Iron pig]

Best reason, if you want to, you should. I grew up in Alberta hunting Sheep, whitetail, Mule, Elk, Moose etc. and moved North of Pittsburgh 8 years ago for work. And first 16-18 hours were the norm, now managing projects in an office m, still 10-12 hours/day 5 days wit a few hours doing conference calls on weekends/e-mails.

Last year, my old time hunting buddy lost his wife due to a car accident, drastically changed his world. In the last4 years I Lost a couple relatively young Family members due to cancer/ heart related issues. 2 people under 55 have passed at work recently , and my 35 year old neighbor died unexpectedly a few years back. Makes you think of life and what you should do before it is too late.

I too miss the West, plan on going back there, either back to Alberta, or Montana. Once the kids grow up a bit and options for work open up a bit too, I plan on moving.

The East is nice, beautiful country but lacking species to hunt. I miss rolling prairie grasslands and the Rocky Mountains jutting up from foothills laden with streams rolling across farmland. Also miss real Winters you can actually do activities in. Etc.

IP

 

[Jimbob]

I moved to BC from Ontario last year and it was the best thing for my family. Hard to leave extended family and all the connections and head out to somewhere we had never been before and didn't know a soul. However, it has been the best year of our lives. Amazing community and people we are part of, my job is amazing, and the kids absolutely love their school. Simply put, life is better here.

The mountains and rivers are still awe inspiring everyday. The idea of every waterway running with cold clear water still gets me. Back home the creeks were beaver ponds filled with brown murky water. The coast is only 4 hours away, beach combing with the kids catching crabs, star fish and finding seas shells is something I never thought we would do. The hiking and camping is out of this world compared to Ontario. Nothing geographically compares with mountains.

Now the hunting is the real game changer. My son shot a nice bear this spring, he is 10 years old. He drew a goat tag and we will do a 7 day bacpack hunt in August to fill that. Together we drew a moose tag so Sep/Oct will have us chasing them. In a couple weeks I am headed a few hours north to do a 10 day solo stone sheep hunt. Then if time permits in the fall I'll head out for an archery goat nearby. The hunting opportunities are endless.

The whole experience of moving has been so great for my family. I think every family should have to move across the country once in their lives. The logistics of it is actually really cool. We sold the majority of our stuff, packed up a couple trailers and headed west. I say go for it!

 

[mountainman406]

Pack up and move west, you won't regret it. Moved from the East Coast 4 years ago and haven't looked back. Life's too short to be stuck in a location you don't want to be in. As far as hunting seasons go, a lot of states only have a few months of there year where there isn't some type of season open.....which then turns into Coyote season for me. Good Luck!

 

[Poser]

Sure you have a long whitetail season, but realistically, how many days are you hunting? 30-40? Between archery season and a rifle tag + deer, elk & bear, you can easily get 40 days of big game hunting in if you’re motivated. Waterfowl seasons are basically the same length as are small game seasons.

If you feel inspired to move and you have nothing holding you back, then move. What do you have to lose outside of a few grand in expenses? There are far more expensive mistakes to make in life and legal work should be available almost anywhere you wish to live.

Since you asked, you obviously want to do it and are potentially in a position to make it happen. The gauntlet is thrown down: move out West within 6 months or you’re a little bitch.

 

[Oregon]

I have a bunch of friends that visit me each year from the South. I met them during my service days stationed out there.
Some love duck hunting, some love chukar/hun hunting, others big game.
They all swear they’d move here in a heartbeat if it wasn’t for family or wife’s that say no way.

I was absolutely miserable living out there. Just isn’t the same.

 

[davsco]

two jobs ago i spent a lot of time out in reno/tahoe, what a beautiful place, massive elevation change, crystal clear waters, low humidity. got a fair amount of riding dirt bikes and atv's in, snowmobiling and snowboarding, wish i had checked out the hunting opportunities. would love to live out there but all our family is within an hour of us now, so no-go for the time being.

 

[ClearCreek]

Years ago I worked with a older guy that always said, "Live your life for yourself, not for anyone else." I moved west 33 years ago, best move I ever made! It was great advice.

ClearCreek

 

[wyosteve]

Similarly, I move to Wyo. 38 yrs. ago. 3 bighorns, 2 moose, numerous elk, deer, antelope, turkeys, waterfowl, upland birds, walleyes later, I can't think of anything I would have done differently.

 

[unclericco]

Head west then young man. It’s the best place to be. You’re an attorney no probs finding a GOOD job

 

[Gerard Marcaurele]

Be more brave than I and go.