Once in a lifetime "adventure hunt"

[Jpsmith1]

So, I'm 49 year old and I've dreamed of a big adventure type hunt since I was a teenager or maybe younger.

Problem is, life got in the way. It always got in the way. Working hard to support a family, y'all understand, I'm sure.

Now, I'm FINALLY getting to a place in life where I can think about this and, given age and costs involved, it'll prpbably be a "once in a lifetime" thing.

I'm torn between crossing the pond and hunting Africa and heading west or northwest and hunting the rockies or Alaska.

Africa has been a special place for me because my grandfather, who is probably the whole reason I've dreamed about this, used to tell me all these wild stories about how we were going to go to Africa when I was old enough. He got very sick in my early teens and died when I was 15.

Most of my adult life, I've thought about the west as being more accessible with public lands and the ability to DIY but I'm getting older and 'creakier' and doing a first time mountain trip, solo, as a 50-something year old man doesn’t fly really well with my wife. For whatever reason, I can't build a crew who wants to go west every year or two, so that leaves a guided hunt which almost makes the west more expensive than Africa.

So, I'm kind of torn. I understand that some degree of planning is required for both trips and some advanced investment for point would be required for a US hunt and maybe a wait for permits or whatever for Africa.

I'm not even sure I have a question to ask or anything but I'll take random advice about hunt planning for dummies.

 

[Thess87]

If it really is a one and done, from your explanation I think it would have more of a special meaning go to Africa.

 

[grfox92]

Do you have any elk points I'm Wyoming?

I'd do a guided elknhunt in the thorofare. If you don't have elk points you can probably do mule deer with minimal points.

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[Maxhunter]

What is you price range? Africa is a better bang for your buck imo. North America is pricey no matter how you look at it. Do you a specific animal in mind like antelope, deer, or elk. Another question is do you have any points in some of the western states? If you don’t you’d have to buy a landowner tag in NM for elk etc. You can go to Canada like in Alberta and hunt a moose for a reasonable price. Alaska moose is $25k - 35k.

 

[sebastian.cassell]

Africa has been my favorite adventure hunt. The culture is awesome, the amount of game opportunities are incredible and realistically if you do only have a once in a lifetime opportunity why not shoot a bunch of critters? Another close one to consider would be hunting Alberta. They have a ton of big game species and also a super cool culture. Good luck with your choice!

 

[Jpsmith1]

I have a few elk points in Pennsylvania. Nothing anywhere else.

This isn't a 2025 thing, it's a thing that I'm planning for some time in the next few years.

It's less about a specific animal or animals than about an 'adventure' as goofy as that sounds.

Elk would be cool and would be a top choice of NA game but I think the hunt I'm looking for is more about the entirety of the experience than just the game being pursued.

The west has the "work" required to do the thing. The difficulty of climbing the mountain and fighting altitude for a flatlander. Africa just has the whole experience of being in such a wild place.

 

[Jpsmith1]

What is you price range? Africa is a better bang for your buck imo. North America is pricey no matter how you look at it. Do you a specific animal in mind like antelope, deer, or elk. Another question is do you have any points in some of the western states? If you don’t you’d have to buy a landowner tag in NM for elk etc. You can go to Canada like in Alberta and hunt a moose for a reasonable price. Alaska moose is $25k - 35k.

There is a good chance this will be a "retirement present" for myself. Budget, while a concern, is at the bottom of the list. I'm not spending $100k on an elephant or a Rhino or anything but something like Cape Buffalo or Moose could well be on the menu, especially if it's a one and done thing.

 

[keller]

Tough call if it truly is a one time hunt. Although I said the same thing once and keep finding a way to go back. I've never been to Africa but it won't be long .booked through 2027. Most likely 2028 will be Africa. The people I know that have gone to Africa even the ones who have hunted alot of other places say nothing compares to Africa and keep going back. It's also probably the biggest bang for your buck.

 

[Maxhunter]

I have a few elk points in Pennsylvania. Nothing anywhere else.

This isn't a 2025 thing, it's a thing that I'm planning for some time in the next few years.

It's less about a specific animal or animals than about an 'adventure' as goofy as that sounds.

Elk would be cool and would be a top choice of NA game but I think the hunt I'm looking for is more about the entirety of the experience than just the game being pursued.

The west has the "work" required to do the thing. The difficulty of climbing the mountain and fighting altitude for a flatlander. Africa just has the whole experience of being in such a wild place.

Sounds like you’re leaning hard towards Africa. You get to see and hunt lots of different animals. I think your grandpa would be proud if you went to Africa.

 

[grfox92]

I have a few elk points in Pennsylvania. Nothing anywhere else.

This isn't a 2025 thing, it's a thing that I'm planning for some time in the next few years.

It's less about a specific animal or animals than about an 'adventure' as goofy as that sounds.

Elk would be cool and would be a top choice of NA game but I think the hunt I'm looking for is more about the entirety of the experience than just the game being pursued.

The west has the "work" required to do the thing. The difficulty of climbing the mountain and fighting altitude for a flatlander. Africa just has the whole experience of being in such a wild place.

I've never been big on Africa.

Float plane into Alaska.

Floating a river in Alaska.

Riding Horseback into the Thorofare.

These would be the ultimate adventures for me in North America.


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[Steve O]

Africa is a lot easier to do than Alaska as you get older.

 

[Brandon.miller.4]

Ill only speak to what I have knowledge on (not Africa), but the west is much more doable and for all types of budgets than most first timers think. I'll cast my vote for "do both." Spend the money and go to Africa. In the meantime build some points for a couple species in a state or states and have some adventure. The west is not all 10+ miles in a 3k feet up. There truly is hunts for every type of person. Quality may vary and being physically capable will only help, but I don't think it's a valid barrier to entry. Out of all the hunts I have been a part of, good and bad, the one thing they didn't lack is adventure. The more you dig the more opportunity you will find.

I hope you make it happen!

 

[prm]

Africa is such a unique experience. You’ll see hundreds of animals daily and shoot as many as you want. Try to get a friend or two to come along. Evenings around the fire are more fun that way.
I highly recommend these guys: http://www.dukesafaris.com/

I went once, and acquaintances have probably 30+ trips and they never disappoint.

You can also do a western Elk hunt rather affordably. The hunts don’t have to be really hard. Start with a camp at your truck and then make changes as you feel comfortable.

 

[Soj51hopeful]

Another vote for doing both.

 

[elkguide]

I live by.... "A bad day hunting, (whatever that is) is better than any day at work!"

Since you're looking down the road, (don't look too far down the road) I would have a serious talk with myself and decide what you're going to want to look back on and tell stories of when you get to be an old man. For the "adventure" in the US, I would recommend a hunt in the Thoroughfare. The ride in is an adventure in itself. The views are spectacular. However, you are just hunting elk. (the most incredible animal to hunt in the US in my opinion.)

Africa is also an experience that you can't compare to anything else. Lots of different species and an amazing landscape.

Now for the WARNING!!!!!

Both are terribly ADDICTING!

ENJOY and start planning.

 

[miket]

A plains game Africa hunt is usually around the same cost as a guided landowner tag elk hunt. I am booked for my first trip to Namibia in May. Excluding cost to bring back taxidermy ( which I have heard is very expensive), the Namibia trip is about the same cost as the NM elk trip I have planned in a non trophy area. In Namibia I can shoot 13 animals and the hunt is twice as long.

Keep in mind from my understanding, most plains game African hunts are high fence, plus you can't bring the meat back. This kept me from it for years until I got into a group of guys that were going. The property is high fenced, but 100k acres.

Will report back after the hunt

If numbers help at all , my NM archery hunt is $10k, Namibia $7500 plus $2800 airfare. If I bring any heads back it will likely only be 1, if I shoot something particularly impressive. That will likely add a couple thousand

 

[Scoot]

OP-- don't forget what happened to your grandfather. There is no promise in tomorrow... I suggest you go when you can! Do Alaska first- it'll be more physically demanding. Africa isn't going to require so much work for you, so go there second.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[tim88]

If going once and done I would see if your wife/family wants to join you. I want to do africa someday with my wife, she is a non-hunter but it seems that most non-hunters that go on safari are still well accommodated and enjoy their time

if it's something that you have always dreamed of elk hunting, hire a guide and then try some DIY trips down the road

 

[go_deep]

From reading your entire post, I'd say Africa would be meaningful and be something that would kind of fulfill you and Grandpa's dream.

 

[Huntndog]

As others have said Africa is more bang for your buck. A Cape buffalo hunt is hands down the most exciting hunting I have done. The walking was much easier than elk hunting. You can make the hunt as challenging as you want, and riding around spotting plains game is fun in and of itself.
Having said that, part of the adventure is getting there. Both times I want were to SA. If you go that route, you need to look at the political situation and ever changing flight regulations. The Africa hunting forum provides a huge amount of information.
On the other hand elk hunting is getting so expensive it may make sense to go while you can or at least start getting points. With the other members I strongly recommend both!