question for travelled hunters: where would you start if…

Do something really cool. Invest the money (compound interest), get a better job, work harder, live well below your means, and retire at 55. At least try to be original. Who hasn't hunted in alaska or canada? You can always do those later. Maybe start applying for nonresident tags in some western US states including alaska. I tried that and drew several sheep, mountain goat, moose and plenty of the very common, everyone hunts, (Elk, Deer and Antelope) all in 20 years. 60-70 year old hunters kill sheep and mountain goats every damn year. The amount of overweight desk jockeys who kill elk, deer or antelope out here every year without dying of a heart attack (DIY) might really shock you. It is not nearly as difficult as people say. They are just bragging up themselves in most cases. Be aware of that fact. Good luck.
 
Navaluk said:
Do something really cool. Invest the money (compound interest), get a better job, work harder, live well below your means, and retire at 55. At least try to be original. Who hasn't hunted in alaska or canada? You can always do those later. Maybe start applying for nonresident tags in some western US states including alaska. I tried that and drew several sheep, mountain goat, moose and plenty of the very common, everyone hunts, (Elk, Deer and Antelope) all in 20 years. 60-70 year old hunters kill sheep and mountain goats every damn year. The amount of overweight desk jockeys who kill elk, deer or antelope out here every year without dying of a heart attack (DIY) might really shock you. It is not nearly as difficult as people say. They are just bragging up themselves in most cases. Be aware of that fact. Good luck.
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Already super invested - long term, dividend paying, safe stocks! Hopefully I can find a good job out of school when I graduate this spring. I’ve always gone against the grain, and have had a few decently successful ventures. Looking to break into hunting or fishing industries (who isn’t!).

Yep - already started applying for draws out west and building up. Though if I drew any MSG at this point I think I’d be in over my head!
 
Newk said:
Haha I definitely don’t care about flashy! What i will say is I would want to do something or multiple things I won’t be able to do as easily when I’m older, with more responsibility (time wise). So something like a 3 day elk hunt I can certainly do later in my years!
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Elk hunting can be very strenuous if you are in steep terrain at 10,000 feet packing an elk out by yourself.
 
270-300 said:
Elk hunting can be very strenuous if you are in steep terrain at 10,000 feet packing an elk out by yourself.
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Oh I bet! I’m looking forward to chasing elk in my day. I more so meant the time commitment in terms of travel.
 
I would suggest not blowing all of your money on one big trip.

Think about something that really appeals for a reasonable cost and invest the rest. Your future self will thank you and you can figure out what your actual priorities are. It doesn't have to be the last trip of your life.

My trip suggestion would be Kodiak. The mountains rising out of the ocean are incredible. You can do a mixed bag of deer, sea ducks, fishing, or splurge more to do a guided mountain goat. Kodiak deer was my first big hunting trip and it was kind of a rodeo, but I learned a ton that has payed dividends in planning and executing more trips since (similar to investing your savings). I cannot wait to make it back up there.

This is coming from someone who is definitely not the most financially minded guy, but every dollar you don't spend now will multiply in the future.

Edit: I didn't see your post about already being on this. Still think it bears repeating... You have decades ahead of physical capabilities to hunt western mountain species like elk.
 
LongWayAround said:
I would suggest not blowing all of your money on one big trip.

Think about something that really appeals for a reasonable cost and invest the rest. Your future self will thank you and you can figure out what your actual priorities are. It doesn't have to be the last trip of your life.

My trip suggestion would be Kodiak. The mountains rising out of the ocean are incredible. You can do a mixed bag of deer, sea ducks, fishing, or splurge more to do a guided mountain goat. Kodiak deer was my first big hunting trip and it was kind of a rodeo, but I learned a ton that has payed dividends in planning and executing more trips since (similar to investing your savings). I cannot wait to make it back up there.

This is coming from someone who is definitely not the most financially minded guy, but every dollar you don't spend now will multiply in the future.

Edit: I didn't see your post about already being on this. Still think it bears repeating... You have decades ahead of physical capabilities to hunt western mountain species like elk.
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Yeah to be honest I think a Kodiak mountain goat hunt might be the choice. I’ll be at an expo near school in two weekends. Not expecting any goat outfitters to be there based on where I am… but you never know and I’ve never been to one of these expos. I know there’s a big one going on this weekend out west?
 
Sorry about the loss of your parent. I lost my Dad a few years ago, way too young. The hunts I want most are the ones I can’t have.

$ is one thing time and health are another. It’s been said, but after reviewing our hunt last year, pard and I could have DIY hunted NZ in less time and same or less $ than DIY AK. Helicopter drops on public land and great terrain.

200k in a CD could fund a NZ or western DIY trip yearly.
 
Newk said:
Yeah to be honest I think a Kodiak mountain goat hunt might be the choice. I’ll be at an expo near school in two weekends. Not expecting any goat outfitters to be there based on where I am… but you never know and I’ve never been to one of these expos. I know there’s a big one going on this weekend out west?
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Couple of thoughts and general things to consider:

Be sure to add in the cost of any taxidermy you might want from this dream hunt.

Get the expected budget for the whole thing - and then double it, just to be safe. That will be a more realistic number, all told.

Probably smart, as you noted, to think of doing something you won't be able to do when you're a lot older. That's a good bracketing limit.

If you want to do something truly bad ass, I'd suggest dangerous game or hard to hunt predators. Maybe a cougar or wolf hunt out west, a grizzly or polar bear hunt up north, or a cape buffalo hunt in Africa. Also, I keep hearing Africa hunts can actually be cheaper than a lot of North American hunts, given how much money is chasing so few tags for trophy elk and mule deer, so it might be something worth giving some serious consideration to.

Keep in mind, experiences and travel like this...they're best savored when you have someone to share it with. Especially if it's someone close, like family. Solo travel and hunting has its place, but something tells me you might get more out of it, if you can find the right person to spend time on that trail with.
 
BC mountain goat hunt. I did one this last year and it was just freaking awesome. Kicked my butt, but honestly my absolute favorite hunt by far. The country, the difficulty, the people was just a great experience.

My guide has an opening this coming season he just texted me about a couple of weeks ago so if you want some more info, shoot me a message
 
Went sheep and caribou hunting in my early twenties. Memories I'll never forget. Hunted several states for deer over the years but now I'm content hunting deer, antelope and elk in my home state. My desire to hunt other places seems to have faded over the years and that same excitement has shifted to getting my kids out hunting. Do it while you're young, able and have that drive. Good luck
 
1- go on one 'cool' hunt or set your self up to go on many? Think long term. According to how much $$ it is, I'd carefully consider investing at your young age to set yourself up to go on MANY hunts. I understand that delayed gratification is a thing of the past for many, but this is what I would consider. If you are determined to spend that $$, then a Yukon 'float' hunt for moose would be on my short list. In my mind, that is the ultimate cool hunt. But, I'd strongly suggest investing and setting up for many hunts down the road. Best of success!
 
When I was young and physically able to hunt anywhere, I didn't have any money or time for an exotic hunt. Now I'm old and have money and time but physically I can't do nearly as much as I could in my 20's. So my advice - Select the species that you'd like to hunt that requires the most of your body and do it now. Lot's of hunts require only minimal fitness that you can do later in life - take advantage of your youth and hunt the tough places now!
 
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