The most efficient use of time for non-resident hunters

[Dos Perros]

Most of us non-residents, I assume, have some limitations when it comes to time that we can dedicate to our big game hunting pursuits. So, let's assume a non-resident gets 10 vacation days to dedicate to a DIY/OTC backpacking type hunt...what's the best way to go about it?

Should one use all 10 days in one go, and go weekend to weekend? If we assume one travel day on each end, that would yield 14 days in the field.

Should one break it up into perhaps two hunts? Like go one week, come back for a week, and then go again? That would yield two 6 day hunts for 12 days total, but the overall energy of both hunts might be higher? Also, one could more easily apply the learnings from the first hunt to the second than if it were all in one chunk.

And what about scouting? Would it be better to maybe do one long hunt, and shorten it a few days, and move those days towards a scouting trip in July or August?

What do you guys do?

 

[MuleyFever]

So many factors to consider. How far away? Some times it is not realistic to make 2 trips. Time of year? An early bow hunt could benefit from a July scouting trip. A late rifle hunt not so much. You would be better off just going a few days early. Physical and mental fitness may be an issue. Doing 10 days may not be for everyone so 2 shorter trips may be better. Some seasons are not that long so you may be forced to do it in one trip too. For me it will depend on where and when.

 

[AZ Vince]

I favor one long trip if it's a great distance away.
Heck, I favor one long trip if it's in my backyard.

 

[Eagle]

Well, with one hunt in Wyoming, living in Alabama, I can give you my 2cents. Get to your hunting area at least 2 days early and scout before your season opens and then hunt for as long as your vacation time allows.

If I lived within 8 hours of the area I planned to hunt, I would do an early season scouting trip and then two separate week long hunts. As it is, living a minimum of 20 hours from the Rockies, arriving a couple days early is my best option.

 

[5MilesBack]

I'll tell you this right now......I was born and raised in Colorado. I NEVER scout the areas I'm going to be hunting that year. If I'm hunting it, I know where the elk are so don't need to scout it. The only scouting I do is for new areas or just to get into the back country during the summer.

If I was driving a long ways I'd definitely only make it one trip for two weeks. But I wouldn't waste any days for non-hunting days when I got there. I'd want my weapon and tag in hand and be able to shoot the day I head out.

 

[Mtnboy]

If it were me and I lived a reasonable distance away (say 12 hours or less), I'd probably try to do 2 shorter trips. That way if there is extreme weather, broken equipment or any other of thousands of variables that can "ruin" a hunt, a guy has a chance to re-group and go back again.

Then if you tag out on the first hunt you might have time to plan another, or hunt closer to home or something, getting in 2 hunts. Where if you have 1 long trip planned and you tag out early in that hunt, you are done for the year.

LOTS of variables in something like this though, ha!

 

[dirtytough]

I used mine all at once this year but it was a hunt that is extremely hard to draw. If its more of an otc type hunt then I try to spread them out and do a couple hunts that are around a week long. I drive 18+ hours when I hunt Colorado for a week long hunt.

 

[IanF.]

I find having a day or two in a area to understand it allows me to then really focus and understand what's going on back home on the maps and photos. So ignoring distance and $$ I'd do a short check it out scout or short hunt followed by a longer one. Another factor to consider is what if you tag out? I had a moose trip planned this year, vacation booked and had to cancel due to $$ issues, plan b became a muley hunt.

Ian

 

[Buckvoodoo]

The drive alone one way is 1600 miles...so it is get there early and enjoy the time I have off to do what makes my spirit happy.

 

[Brendan]

Living on the East Coast - it was 5000 miles round trip for me this year. That means one long trip, hunted 10 full days and 2 half days. All scouting was internet scouting, and the season was open when I got there. As long as I drive - I'd continue to do it the same.