My perspective as a 24 year old that's more new to the game than most. I just know time is limited and hunting opportunities as a NR are just always going to decline. Tomorrow will probably never be as good as today. So it will most likely always cost more and take longer to get a tag out of state. But I want to hunt elk as often as I can since elk hunting is limited in my home state of NV, even as a resident. Right now I will play to hunt montana, wyoming, arizona and utah. New Mexico will also start getting my money too. The goal is to hunt arizona in the rut once, utah in the rut once and then always have a chance for a great tag in new mexico each year. The goal is to hunt as often as I can especially if its rough terrain, because I am only young once. This is the time to do the grueling hunts. So I am all about getting the experience and as I get older, will be ready for more prime quality hunts when my points accumulate. Also I think you cannot as a NR focus on just one species. Maybe the deer tag is easy to get in the elk unit I want. Well if I hunt that unit for deer a few times before I get an elk tag, I can use all those deer hunting trips to scout for elk too since I can log photos and notes on map services.
I look at it as if their is a will, there is a way. So right now not being married, not chasing a family life and focusing on work to increase my income as much will all cover my elk hunting addiction. And that will always be the goal, to make sure I am financially set to hunt. I think in my lifetime if you really wanted to hunt elk, it would be best to financially set yourself up to purchase a landowner tag each year or every couple years. Again its all about priorities and the priorities that matter most to you, you will find a way to fulfill. r
For reference I also purchased a 5 day red stag hunt for $1350 in 2024, but 2024 I probably will already have my wyo and MT general tags (I will draw my MT general tag in 2022, should have the PP for wyoming in 2023). Instead of hunting elk, I will get to chase red stag in the peak rut. Also as the NR game gets expensive, many more different out of country hunts are getting closer in price too. So the plan might be on the years I am sure I may not have an elk tag, maybe that is when I go chase a red stag or do some sort of other hunt if I can score a deal. Or have years dedicated to hunting deer, elk or other species. Longer quality hunts instead of many shorter hunts also is probably the move.
Lastly, that's where application services like gohunt and epic outdoors are critical. I think the hunter that starts planning out his points/ hunts 5 to 10 years in advance, studies the draw systems of each state, watches the draw and app trends will be able to secure hunting opportunity. Hunting as a NR just added another step in my opinion. which is instead of being able to hunt smarter, you now have to put in the work of reading the data and apply smarter along with hunting smarter and budgeting smarter.
I look at it as if their is a will, there is a way. So right now not being married, not chasing a family life and focusing on work to increase my income as much will all cover my elk hunting addiction. And that will always be the goal, to make sure I am financially set to hunt. I think in my lifetime if you really wanted to hunt elk, it would be best to financially set yourself up to purchase a landowner tag each year or every couple years. Again its all about priorities and the priorities that matter most to you, you will find a way to fulfill. r
For reference I also purchased a 5 day red stag hunt for $1350 in 2024, but 2024 I probably will already have my wyo and MT general tags (I will draw my MT general tag in 2022, should have the PP for wyoming in 2023). Instead of hunting elk, I will get to chase red stag in the peak rut. Also as the NR game gets expensive, many more different out of country hunts are getting closer in price too. So the plan might be on the years I am sure I may not have an elk tag, maybe that is when I go chase a red stag or do some sort of other hunt if I can score a deal. Or have years dedicated to hunting deer, elk or other species. Longer quality hunts instead of many shorter hunts also is probably the move.
Lastly, that's where application services like gohunt and epic outdoors are critical. I think the hunter that starts planning out his points/ hunts 5 to 10 years in advance, studies the draw systems of each state, watches the draw and app trends will be able to secure hunting opportunity. Hunting as a NR just added another step in my opinion. which is instead of being able to hunt smarter, you now have to put in the work of reading the data and apply smarter along with hunting smarter and budgeting smarter.
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