How do you justify sheep hunting?

[Jonesry09]

It's almost more "prioritization" then it is "justification". If you read through the above responses, you'll see everything from people who would never pay for a sheep hunt, to people who got another job to pay for one. All that is, is prioritization of the hunt/experience. Where does the experience of hunting sheep fall on your priority list? If it's low, your never going to justify doing it. No matter what you read on here and what how people describe the feeling of hunting sheep, it just won't make sense to you. You know what, that is absolutely fine. Despite what the world is telling people these days, it's alright to have different beliefs and priorities. Thats what makes us human.
On the flip side, if sheep hunting is high on your priority list, you will find a way to make it happen. To some, driving a run down truck or living in a small house is less important than the experience of hunting sheep. Again, that's what makes us all unique.
Sure, being in a higher financial tax bracket makes things a little easier as it's all relative (are you spending 10% of your annual income, or .01%). In the end, it all comes down to how bad you want to sheep hunt. If sheep hunting is a lifetime dream of yours, I guarantee you'll make it happen (saving a couple hundred a month goes a long way over time). It might take awhile to save up for it, but as people have mentioned, the lead up is part of the experience.

 

[beachbunny]

Have you ever thought of just going and watching them?
maybe i've been cull hunting too long........

 

[MallardSX2]

Nothing against anyone who wants to go sheep hunting. But for me, I would use that money to pay off my mortgage and or retire early and live my life knowing that sheep was just something I "couldn't" afford. lol

You really got to want one to pay the price it costs to kill one these days.

To put it into perspective: I could go on 15 trips to Colorado for elk for what it costs to hunt sheep 1 time. lol

 

[wyosteve]

X2l what Jonesry said. I can ask the same question to those who spend $150 on a ticket to watch a pro football game from nosebleed sections. That makes no sense to me, but it's not about the money, but the priorities and how folks want to spend their dollars.

 

[chucko]

Just save and do it do not justify it do not think about it simply figure out a way and make it happen after all if you are lucky enough to go that is all what sheep hunting is all about

 

[5MilesBack]

I can ask the same question to those who spend $150 on a ticket to watch a pro football game from nosebleed sections. That makes no sense to me, but it's not about the money, but the priorities and how folks want to spend their dollars.

I've had folks try to give me good tickets for free and I turn them down. The drive, the traffic, the crowds, the noise.......no thanks. But I am a big football fan........from my living room. Yep, all of these activities we do or don't do are about priorities and what's important to us.

 

[Rknight]

Nothing against anyone who wants to go sheep hunting. But for me, I would use that money to pay off my mortgage and or retire early and live my life knowing that sheep was just something I "couldn't" afford. lol

You really got to want one to pay the price it costs to kill one these days.

To put it into perspective: I could go on 15 trips to Colorado for elk for what it costs to hunt sheep 1 time. lol

Where are you finding guided elk hunts in CO for $2k, not even trying to be a smart ass but pm the info if you are. If you're saying diy colorado elk vs fully guided sheep hunts obviously there is a huge difference.


For 99% of the population justifying a $30k+ expense doesn't make financial sense. Like others have said you just prioritize what you love and it becomes easier. I haven't gone on a sheep hunt yet but the savings account to get there is getting close. It was as simple as looking at monthly bills and seeing where unnecessary things were, all of the sudden it was $2-300/mo on cable and stuff that now goes to the sheep fund. Toys got thinned out and that money goes in there. We seem to keep having kids and I don't want to be gone for 2 weeks when they're newborns so that has pushed me back a couple times which helps save.

Shoot, I know people in south texas that spend $30k on a deer lease every year to have the chance at a bread white tail, no way I'd ever consider that but it's what they like and it aint my money so whatever puts a smile on your face, there is always a way to make it happen. Peanut butter sandwiches and ramen are actually pretty good and your grocery bill will be way down

 

[MallardSX2]

^^ I was referring to DIY Elk. Obviously.

 

[chisana]

Move to Alaska.

Nah he can stay where he is.

 

[30338]

I moved my young family to Colorado in the mid 90s to hunt all I could and to raise them in the mountains as much as I could. Drew my first ram tag in 1999 for $150. Just drew my second ram tag this year for $312. In between there have been bears, mule deer, whitetails, mountain goat, elk, moose, and antelope. As well as high country hikes with the family for cutthroats, brook trout, rainbows. They learned to ski and snowboard along the way.

If a guy wants to do something bad enough, he typically can find a way. Pick the state that offers the best chance of offering what you are looking for and go for it. My bighorn sheep this year was only 1.5 hours from the house and we all scouted as a family all summer long up there. Great times.

Life is short, manage it well.

 

[Northpark]

Interesting responses. Everything from moving to Alaska (not happening though it’s crossed my mind) to doing things that make you feel whole. Family support seems to be a big part. Guess I just don’t want it bad enough. I lived in Colorado for 10 years and now live in AZ so there is hope that someday I will draw a tag and if I do the. I will take it as a gift. If not I guess I’ll enjoy hunting other things.

 

[MattB]

You can always make more money but you cannot make more time.

The former can provide the latter.

 

[littlebigtine]

marry a canadian?…

 

[Rich M]

I did a mule deer hunt in CO and 3 bighorns crossed a valley in front of us, bedded up on the rock rim - got to check them out a bit and found them to be incredible animals.

I'm not in a hurry to hunt them, but can see why some would.

$30K isn't a lot of money to some folks. Just how the ball bounces.

 

[HUNTNUT]

I didn’t have to justify it, as I’d spent 59 years justifying NOT going. The fire was lit at 5yrs old, according to my Dad…it never died. He’d give me Outdoor Life magazines each month. Living in NY, he hoped I’d be drawn to the whitetail articles. He would tell me later in life that it was the O’Connor sheep stories that drew my interest. My biggest regret is that he passed before I did my sheep hunt at 64yrs old.
Reading shmalzy’s response above tells me that not only did he and I experience the exact same feelings leading up to, during and after our hunts, but most likely many others went through the same transformation. My sheep hunt last season was the single greatest thing I’ve ever done in life. Was the $30K a lot to me, absolutely. Only you can decide if a sheep hunt might be equally important to you and what an appropriate price tag is for achieving your greatest dream.

The ONLY difference between your story and mine is that I was 50 when I pulled the trigger. Picked up a reduced price Dall sheep hunt in May of 2010. it was still a lot of money to me then, but I am so fortunate to have made the decision to go.

 

[Clarktar]

Moving north is the blue collar route.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Jon Boy]

Its easy to make money in America. If you want it bad enough and you're a capable man its nothing to put an extra 15k away a year.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[wildwilderness]

So I will start by saying I have always dreamed of sheep hunting. I’ve spent time watching sheep. Sneaking up on them for pictures etc. my odds of drawing a tag in my lifetime are nearly 0. Doesn’t stop me from applying every year in several states. The only “sheep” hunt I’ve ever paid for was a $2750 Aoudad hunt in west Texas. It was awesome and very much what I thought it would be. I also did it before it got any pricier. Same hunt with same outfitter is now $5k. Still a relative bargain in the sheep world.

I have often thought of going on a guided sheep hunt. The price of admission keeps me out of it. Could I save for several years and then go? Sure. No way would I consider it responsible. I don’t even own my home technically since I have a mortgage so the 30k would be responsibly put towards that or paying for a new vehicle when mine inevitably dies. My point being I’m really happy for folks that get to do this but how do you justify spending 30k on the cheap end?

As with most things most people dream about it an wish they can do it, but never take the actions to make it happen!!


I moved to AK 4 years ago and now hunt sheep every year with a free tag! For purely sheep I would say BC would be better, as well as the Yukon and NWT as a resident.but the tag there will cost $52.40


But once again most folk don’t have the cahones to make the move, too worried, “family” etc. life is what you make of it! Make it happen if that’s what you want, if not stop complaining about it!

On a side you will most likely make more $$$ in all these areas since there is high demand for workers and high compensation for living in these areas.

 

[Jimss]

I've hunted just about every north american animal and would have to say that my sheep and goat hunts were among the most special experiences I've had in the outdoors. I dreamed about hunting sheep and goat hunting since around 5 years of age and am fortunate things worked out. Unfortunately it takes breaking lottery type draw odds or big $ to hunt sheep....and is getting tougher and more expensive every year. I always thought I would be able to afford a hunt when I got older and made more $ but the inflation cost of guided sheep hunts have increased at an incredible rate.

Who knows how much a sheep hunt will cost 10 years from now! 10 years ago sheep hunts could be booked for $10 to $12k....and today they generally start at close to $20k. You can start saving but unfortunately it may take even more years of saving pennies to pay for a hunt. Something to keep in mind if you start saving now!

 

[HornPorn]

.... 10 years ago sheep hunts could be booked for $10 to $12k....and today they generally start at close to $20k.....

Try $30K......if you are paying $20K, you may as well leave your weapon at home.