We all have wants, desires and needs. The needs ......well, they likely don’t apply in the hunting world unless you are a subsistence hunter/gatherer living off the land. Some, but not most aren’t going to starve if you eat “tag soup” one year.
So for the rest of us, they are all wants and desires. Not a thing wrong with that and honestly you should have them to make life enjoyable and memorable. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you view it) everything has a price, many things have a hefty tag, however there are usually always cheaper options. Those cheaper options may require more leg work on your end, may be less convenient, less coordinated or may have inferior results compared to your want/desire but it IS still possible to complete your goal. How bad do you want it? This forum and others is a great way to get feedback from people who have “been there done that“ so that you can accomplish your wants/desires. Don’t let prices deter you. There is a way to either do it for less, or sacrifice to save up to pay more.
I am throwing in the towel on my annual deer leas which will save me thousands of dollars a year in lease fees, diesel, maintenance etc. That money now goes into my “bucket list hunt fund”. It adds up pretty quick. Hoping to to do a big hunt every 3-4 yrs if I save appropriately. I am okay sacrificing hunting Whitetail every year for opportunities to do other things. I reckon I can whitetail hunt until I am dang near dead so I can pause from wanting to do that every year here in TX. Going to Alaska, Yukon, BC to hunt moose, sheep, mtn caribou, goats etc, well the clock is ticking on my physical abilities to do those. So, I made the decision to get them in now, and focus on the easier hunts later.
Make a plan, and stick to it. Having more money is nice and makes it easier but there is always something bigger, more expensive that puts you in your place and is unobtainable. The biggest deterrent for most is lack of motivation, determination, and willing to sacrifice. Don’t let the person in the mirror tell you otherwise.
just my .02