How to hunt every year

[wilkINkc]

OP, I'm just getting started too. Going to build points up and do as many OTC hunts as I can in between. Planning my first one for 2022.

 

[Kjenkins011]

OP, I'm just getting started too. Going to build points up and do as many OTC hunts as I can in between. Planning my first one for 2022.

I think I’ve decided on doing as many otc hunts in Montana and Wyoming while building points. Get after Wyoming antelope relatively easy and cow/doe tags in the meantime too.

 

[wilkINkc]

I think I’ve decided on doing as many otc hunts in Montana and Wyoming while building points. Get after Wyoming antelope relatively easy and cow/doe tags in the meantime too.

Actually planning a cow hunt next year myself lol. Pretty inexpensive way to get started really.

 

[Kjenkins011]

Actually planning a cow hunt next year myself lol. Pretty inexpensive way to get started really.

Where are you looking? Backpacking in or what?

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Don't have kids

True for very young kids, but when they get a little older, they can be your ticket to the woods.

 

[wilkINkc]

Where are you looking? Backpacking in or what?

CO, NM, ID mainly. Thinking of a guided for my very first trip (some of those are surprisingly affordable for cows) then probably some DIY to follow that. Planning first trip with an older friend and that's about the only way he will go.

 

[wapitibob]

Newberg has a YouTube on it. If you aren’t hunting every year it’s your own fault.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

Kjenkins if u truly want to hunt every year, there may be some things u can give up to make it happen as well. I know a few guys i work with are like "how do u afford to go on these hunts" (not that i have done alot, montana, nebraska and georgia every year) meanwhile they are stopping at the gas station next to work and buying at least a 6 pack after work every day (sometimes a case). Add that up and there's your tag money as well.

Don't play as much golf, quit smoking or dipping etc. basically give up ONE thing that u spend money on quiet often and put it towards a savings for the tags.

That being said I do that, and still have struggled to make it every year. Of course the first hunt i done in Montana on my way back some dumbass totalled my truck for me, which made me take on an unexpected payment that has hindered me some in the subsequent years, but hey that's life

 

[Kjenkins011]

The original question wasn’t really about finances or time. It was mostly about how to get tags every year to get out for a hunt. The states I’ve lived in have never been draw tags so figuring out which tags I can reliably get year after year is what’s new to me.

 

[Poser]

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[Marble]

CO, NM, ID mainly. Thinking of a guided for my very first trip (some of those are surprisingly affordable for cows) then probably some DIY to follow that. Planning first trip with an older friend and that's about the only way he will go.

I would lean towards a pack in drop camp trip where you get dropped off with all your camp stuff. You'll be with a group and will probably pair up with someone.

You will learn a lot. It will be cheaper. And you'll get a really good idea on what you like and don't like.

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[HaydenLane]

The original question wasn’t really about finances or time. It was mostly about how to get tags every year to get out for a hunt. The states I’ve lived in have never been draw tags so figuring out which tags I can reliably get year after year is what’s new to me.

Cows and does.

 

[wilkINkc]

I would lean towards a pack in drop camp trip where you get dropped off with all your camp stuff. You'll be with a group and will probably pair up with someone.

You will learn a lot. It will be cheaper. And you'll get a really good idea on what you like and don't like.

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So even if I was solo I could get paired up with a group? That would be awesome honestly. I don’t have any friends locally interested in hunting out west and it sucks.

 

[Marble]

So even if I was solo I could get paired up with a group? That would be awesome honestly. I don’t have any friends locally interested in hunting out west and it sucks.

Yes. I am not an outfitter, but I do know they set camps with a certain amount of people. Like going fishing on a boat. They have camps with a certain capacity. From what I've seen it is anywhere from 2 to 6 guys. I'm sure the amount varies wildly.

I would just call around and see what they say.

A lot of guys who want to stay hunting like you do go on a drop camp hunt to get an idea on how to do it. Then they can take that info and apply it else where.

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[Doc Holliday]

Marble is right....definitely have to have an understanding spouse. While under the influence, I made a promise l that I would not go on a hunt in 2022. But in exchange I get to go on a bucket list hunt in 2023, and am going on an OTC elk hunt this year.

 

[mhabiger]

For elk, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Utah and Idaho all have OTC or OTC with cap tags. In nearly every state you can purchase OTC deer tags (sometimes doe only or whitetail only).

Then there are tags that don't draw out until 2nd or 3rd round and even after that tags that are available as leftover first come licenses (again often doe/cow).

If you are open to the type of terrain, state, travel distance, time of year, amount of pressure, method of take, amount of public land, etc... You could hunt as much as you can afford.

 

[Oldhunter2]

If you make hunting a priority then you can absolutely make a hunt a year happen. This year I’ve got 3.

I def second this

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Don’t have kids

Live in AK

Die alone….

 

[JonnyB]

There are OTC tags out there by the hundreds. compromises have to be made though eg: archery or mz only hunts, antler less/spike/ewe/etc hunts, extremely early or late season hunts, low success/high hunter number rates, and the list goes on. You just have to get on each fish and game website and check into their opportunities. It’s A LOT of work man, there’s no two ways about it.

I just got back from a dall sheep hunt, headed to Idaho for mule deer in October, and then Arizona for coues in November. This is after also going to AZ for coues this past January. I have 3 kids, a wife who works full time and is a full time nurse practitioner student. I am also in school full time. I was medically retired from the military 9 months ago, but even when I was active duty, I got at least one hunt in a year (not including day hunts or years when I was deployed) from the east coast.

All my hunts are DIY and mostly solo. I’ve been on like 3 hunts with a partner. Again, IT IS A LOT OF WORK. However, if you love it, it will be worth the effort and sacrifices made.

*one piece of advice, if you have a spouse or kids already, you WILL feel guilty at some point while being out on your trip. It has caused me to end hunts early for sure. Bust your ass all year at home being spouse/parent/whatever so that when those feelings start creeping in, you shut that shit down by reminding yourself how much work you put into your family life before leaving for your trip. It sounds dumb, but it’s something that isn’t spoken of much*


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[royowens]

It's all in the eye of the tagholder. What do YOU want out of hunts. Trophy quality, and high quality hunts? You either need a lot of money, or time put in.
Do you just want adventure, and a chance to bring home meat?
Then it's far more doable. You can hunt every year easily, but it'll take more work and lower standards.

I'm at a point in life where I choose to be hunting no matter what, but I also am starting to want higher quality hunts if I'm going to have to travel far for them.
I'm lucky enough to live in the mountains though. It's not a big jump for me to elk hunt.

If it's what you want to do you'll always find a way.


Speaking facts again, buddy.
This should be said about all sorts of hunting too. For sheep ewes allow the same adventure with less pressure of the curl.

I drew a Rocky Mountain Sheep, ram, tag this year for Colorado in unit S71, between Silverton and Durango. I work for an outfitter, for mostly elk hunters. My outfitter, my good friend, recommended that I hire an outfitter. After considering the benefits and costs I am choosing to a DIY hunt. My primary reason, not cost, was made because I want a full blown hunt adventure. I have all the pack equipment needed and feel very comfortable in remote Alpine conditions. Since I'm retired and live within two hours of the hunt area I can put in the days and weeks needed to do this tag justice. I truly appreciate this opportunity and will do my best honor same, knowing that there are well over 40 thousand hunters who would love to change places. I'm not looking for a "trophy", just a legal ram of half curl or better. My trophy will be the opportunity and adventure to harvest one of the most coveted animals in North America. For those who drew this year or in the future I recommended the following: Unless you live at higher elevation (above 5K feet) or have weeks of time to acclimate and scout, do not consider an Alpine Sheep or goat hunt in CO without the assistance of an outfitter. This country is very demanding physically and getting the proper gear in/out will be a challenge even for most physically fit.