Everyone says to move out west, which I don't disagree with, but living in the Midwest or western adjacent has it's advantages.
I bought a lifetime hunting and fishing license in a state years ago for $725. I can hunt 2 bucks and 6-8 does a year, not to mention turkeys, dove and pheasant in some areas of the state. I still try to go out west, went on two hunts to NM last year and I'm going to Colorado this year. The ability to know I for sure can hunt and have venison ever year makes it less painful if you don't draw out west.