JUST TURNED 40...WANT TO GO BEFORE I DIE!

[cravingame]

I have focused all my efforts buying points over the years on everything but sheep. I have always dreamed of a sheep hunt but the years waiting seemed to make trying pointless. Now sitting here with a Elk tag that took 13 years to draw...I'm thinking "That wasn't so bad!!!" So if I want to go before I'm old and decrepit, where would you start building points and why? tyia

 

[realunlucky]

Honestly it's not going to happen for you unless you get lucky and beat the odds. Want to increase your low odds? Then you gotta play in as many states as you can and hope to get lucky once.

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[Farmerlentz]

I felt the same way and booked a dall sheep hunt in Alaska. You can also look at the unlimited units in Montana for big Horn. Other wise I hope you are lucky. Alaska isn't so expensive if you figure on buying points in multiple states for 20 years

 

[AK Troutbum]

Start putting $100 a week into a jar and don't open that jar unless you're putting money in it. That's only about $14/day. Book a trip soon, with a very reputable guide, for 2023, the good one's are probably booked out that far anyway. By the time Aug. 2023 rolls around you'll have over 20K saved up for a guided hunt that you paid a 2019 or 2020 price for. Or you could move to AK now, and be hunting sheep next Aug. for the cost of a $45 hunting license.

 

[Ratbeetle]

If you have to have a ram, you're probably going to need to book a hunt. If you just want to hunt sheep, go after a ewe tag.

 

[Steve O]

Well, you are about 20 years behind. With that said, there are not many places where the points even give you an advantage. You have been given the best advice above with save money and book a hunt, move to Alaska, apply for ewe tags, or do the unlimited. As far as applying, Idaho and New Mexico you would be on even ground with all the other applicants point wise.

 

[Ariettabob]

All I can offer is don’t be like me at 40. I found every reason why I couldn’t afford it, when in reality I could’ve if I was willing to suffer just a little in other areas of life. I finally did something very similar to what AK Troutbum suggests and I leave for the mountains in exactly 364 days. Just Do It!!!

 

[VernAK]

Troutbum has it figured out but you can move to Alaska and wait until your 60 and get the free "Geezer License"

Works for me!

 

[AK Troutbum]

Troutbum has it figured out but you can move to Alaska and wait until your 60 and get the free "Geezer License"

Works for me!

A little over 8 more years Vern, and I’ll be joining your club!


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[arwhntr]

Start putting $100 a week into a jar and don't open that jar unless you're putting money in it. That's only about $14/day. Book a trip soon, with a very reputable guide, for 2023, the good one's are probably booked out that far anyway. By the time Aug. 2023 rolls around you'll have over 20K saved up for a guided hunt that you paid a 2019 or 2020 price for. Or you could move to AK now, and be hunting sheep next Aug. for the cost of a $45 hunting license.

This from AK Troutbum.

Otherwise you're just shooting for the moon hoping to beat the odds with no guarantee of ever drawing. If you want to start building points you need to start applying in every state to maximize your chances. (Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, also purchase raffle tickets). If the experience is more important than the ram then you could give the MT unlimiteds a try. Be prepared to see nothing but you'll get a taste of true backcountry sheep hunting. If you're okay hunting an ewe vs a ram, Nevada has relatively decent odds for drawing ewe tags, so another option there.

 

[87TT]

Yeah. Who you calling decrepit? Your just a pup.

 

[MallardMaster]

Start putting $100 a week into a jar and don't open that jar unless you're putting money in it. That's only about $14/day. Book a trip soon, with a very reputable guide, for 2023, the good one's are probably booked out that far anyway. By the time Aug. 2023 rolls around you'll have over 20K saved up for a guided hunt that you paid a 2019 or 2020 price for. Or you could move to AK now, and be hunting sheep next Aug. for the cost of a $45 hunting license.

I think I can get on board with this plan! In fact, I really like the idea. I'm gonna have to make some changes in life to make this happen, but I think it would be worth it for sure!

 

[Wapiti1]

It's a good plan, but I would suggest a small change to it. Open an investment account, and auto-deposit the money. Buy the S&P 500 ETF VOO at regular intervals, don't price shop, just buy it twice a year regardless of price. Or invest in something simple/safer like a CD, or money market fund. Sell when you have enough for the hunt.

I suggest this for two reasons: put the money to work, and make it harder to use for other things.

Saving is tough for some so a strategy to build wealth is needed. One that encourages saving, and discourages stealing out of the fund. There are safe, but useful investment options that will add to the kitty over 3 years time.

Jeremy

 

[TheGrayRider]

Suck up your pride and drive a used, beat up 15+ year old rusted out truck that you paid less than $2,500 cash. You will pay for multiple bighorn sheep hunts with the money you didn’t waste driving the expensive piece of depreciating scrap metal aka brand new vehicle on the dealership lot. Probably $45,000 savings.

I am amazed when I visit my taxidermist just outside Indianapolis and look at the recent bighorn trophies he is mounting for a few repeat clients. I ask him what these hunters do for a living. These hunters all own either new car dealerships and nursing homes. Tells you where most Americans dump their money.

Some new truck prices > $60,000 today. Annual nursing home expenses topping $120,000/ year in some places. Scary! You can easily afford big game hunts even on an average salary with the right financial decisions. Happy hunting!

 

[MallardMaster]

It's a good plan, but I would suggest a small change to it. Open an investment account, and auto-deposit the money. Buy the S&P 500 ETF VOO at regular intervals, don't price shop, just buy it twice a year regardless of price. Or invest in something simple/safer like a CD, or money market fund. Sell when you have enough for the hunt.

I suggest this for two reasons: put the money to work, and make it harder to use for other things.

Saving is tough for some so a strategy to build wealth is needed. One that encourages saving, and discourages stealing out of the fund. There are safe, but useful investment options that will add to the kitty over 3 years time.

Jeremy

I like that idea even better. Let the money do the work for me and in a couple years I will have a little more scratch too!