How do you guys go on these cool hunts?

[Trapperkid]

I think it's fair to say we all pull for the young guy getting started in life trying to chase dreams of hunting big game. And you got pages and pages of earnest advice on how to get there.

But when it turns out the question is "how can I monetize this hobby" it elicits a very different response from people.

I don't think it's out of bounds to ask about your channel, but I'm much more willing to help a young cash strapped guy than a youtuber looking to make a name for himself.

This is understandable I simply want to tell stories and have on film some of the craziness that has happened on my adventures during this time. I asked the question not out of greed trying to make money but out of true lack of knowledge on how to go about these cool hunts as all week long I had been thinking about how I don’t ever do any of the western hunts I’ve always wanted to do like black bear and antelope and mule deer and elk that everyone here seems to do. I legit am just today trying to figure out how to acquire preference points and enter draws. The channel is a dream of if I show people all the fun I have out here ( I’m no good at it) and people watch it a bunch I could possibly pay for these cool hunts simply by showing the world these adventures and in the end have a collection of one man’s adventures in the outdoors.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Everyone should be a tad disgusted at the monetization of hunting… heck half the reason this discussion is being had is that “western hunting” has become wildly expensive…. Huh I wonder why that is?!

 

[Q_Sertorius]

This is understandable I simply want to tell stories and have on film some of the craziness that has happened on my adventures during this time. I asked the question not out of greed trying to make money but out of true lack of knowledge on how to go about these cool hunts as all week long I had been thinking about how I don’t ever do any of the western hunts I’ve always wanted to do like black bear and antelope and mule deer and elk that everyone here seems to do. I legit am just today trying to figure out how to acquire preference points and enter draws. The channel is a dream of if I show people all the fun I have out here ( I’m no good at it) and people watch it a bunch I could possibly pay for these cool hunts simply by showing the world these adventures and in the end have a collection of one man’s adventures in the outdoors.

And you had eleven pages of sincere advice telling you how to avoid playing the expensive and frustrating game of preference points and draws before you mentioned your YouTube channel. Just go hunt.

Enjoying hunting does not require a rare or expensive tag or gear. It just requires going hunting.

The whole hunting influencer thing is a toxic cycle. Going on expensive hunts so you can make content to pay for expensive hunts so you can get sponsors to pay for you to pimp their expensive stuff while making content to go on expensive hunts and convince other people that what they want to do is buy stuff they don’t need to go on hunts they can’t afford. There’s a reason a number of those guys eventually get caught doing something shady, because the product they are selling demands constant attention and new content and they had to sell part of themselves to get there. It’s like doing coke so you can work harder so you can buy more coke. Just break the cycle by not starting it. Enjoy the opportunities you have and plan for the things you want.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Everyone should be a tad disgusted at the monetization of hunting… heck half the reason this discussion is being had is that “western hunting” has become wildly expensive…. Huh I wonder why that is?!

You’re just jealous!

 

[HuntHarder]

Tons of comments in here feel like excuses for why someone is not as successful as others in life.

OP- work hard early in your career to set yourself up to have plenty of discretionary income. There is often lots of personal sacrifice. Some guys are willing to, some guys choose not to. I devoted almost 4 years of my life to my profession, basically putting it first. My wife and I knew it was going to be a rough 4 years, but in the end, it would be all worth it. Fast forward 12 years and I live a pretty comfortable life and have been on some hunts many dream of going on. I still choose to not live my life above my means and have money for things I enjoy in life. I still live in my same house I bought in 2009. This affords me the money and time away from work to do the things I enjoy. I could work more hours and make considerably more money but at my stage in life, I look for a balance, leaning toward family time and experiences.

To each their own, but I rarely look at other people and assume they are in debt. I just don't care if they are, that is their choice and the only real reason to constantly say things like that are to justify your current situation.

 

[aMurderOfCrows]

This thread reminds me of something Joel Maxfield said in a video I saw last year or the year before when the opportunity for a big hunt came up. “Honey, how attached are you to your half of the 401k.” Thought that was hilarious.

Doing some kind of side hustle can be worth it. Handy man stuff, trades stuff. I’m an electrician and there is quite a bit of money to be made for pretty simple stuff. $100 an hour for 20-25 hours a week adds up.

 

[wind gypsy]

These cool hunts are harder to do because so many people were determined to do them so they could show off how adventurous they are. Lots of hunters wouldn’t be competing for these things if it wasn’t to feed their ego and show off how ‘core they are. Even if it’s just for social media likes and back pats. There’s a vibe attached to it and you’re throwin it off. That’s why you’re getting the reaction you’re getting.