question for travelled hunters: where would you start if…

[Poser]

I’d just do some DIY Western hunts, whatever floats your boat: 1 or 2 or 3 a year, taking some extra time off work, maybe unpaid time if that’s possible for you. Use the rest of the money to set yourself up for early retirement. We already have some very powerful, pro surveillance state corporate overlords balking at the idea of people retiring at the ripe age of 65. Hunt, spend some money, enjoy living your life, but carefully consider what 30k spent on a hunt now deprives you of 30 years down the road.

 

[sniper61]

At your age, Some thing that takes Crampons and an ice axe. Then work down from there as you get older. Sheep and goat hunting will take you into some of the wildest places on the continent.

 

[cnelk]

IMO - just pulling on hip boots, grabbing a 60lb pack, and getting into a SuperCub, flying 30 miles into the Alaska bush to go moose hunting ranks pretty high on all the stuff Ive done.

So much so, I did it twice

 

[Steve O]

As a late 50s guy having a nice potpourri of hunts behind him, I would book a SE Alaska mountain goat hunt first. After that everything else will seem like a cakewalk.

All the New Zealand DIY recommendations sounds pretty awesome as well. I wish I knew about that long ago. I realize my limitations a bit better now!

 

[Elkangle]

Blue sheep, Nepal by a long shot
Lord Derby Eland in Cameroon

whats the drive for blue sheep ?

 

[Steve O]

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?

Kodiak is my favorite place in the northern hemisphere but don’t limit yourself to just there; most of the goat hunts are on a draw. There are plenty of stunning goat hunts all over SE AK that are otc. But you are definitely on the right track with this IMO!

 

[wind gypsy]

As a late 50s guy having a nice potpourri of hunts behind him, I would book a SE Alaska mountain goat hunt first. After that everything else will seem like a cakewalk.

All the New Zealand DIY recommendations sounds pretty awesome as well. I wish I knew about that long ago. I realize my limitations a bit better now!

Beat me to it. Those are the two that first struck me as awesome adventures without spending the purchase price of a pickup on a sheep hunt.

Id look into the nepal blue sheep stuff too if prices are reasonable. Asian ibex looks like an adventure too. With my pessimistic outlook on the world/future and a young family, i'd be a little leery of some international hunts though.

If a guy is looking for a cool experience without spending a fortune, northern rockys wolf or high country muleys is appealing to me. Also, you're at the age where you might want to do dumb(er) stuff with shooting elk a ways from a road haha.

 

[Rich M]

I'd do an Alaskan trip for caribou. I turned down and trip to Quebec for caribou about 40 yrs ago - they don't allow it anymore. Can see AK following in the future.

Mtn goats would be nice too.

No interest in international hunts for me.

 

[Newk]

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!

I have a brokerage account building up with long term intentions of it being a hunt fund! But ya can’t wait forever and I am blessed to be able to afford to spend a little. Yukon float hunt for moose does seem super appealing but to be honest I’ve always had more interest in eastern moose hunts, so Newfoundland. Upstate NY kid so it just feels like something I have to do, being that I’ll never bank on drawing a Maine tag.