Western Hunting Reasources

[willidru]

I've read a few of the post here, just getting into out of state big game hunting. Want to apply for multiple states and species. Any additional experience with Huntin Fool, goHunt, Epic Outdoors? They all have hunt advisers who will create a plan specific to your needs, all have giveaways (not sure of odds), all give notifications for deadlines and will track your bonus points, have discounted outfitted hunts and easy access to landowner tags

From what I can tell:

1. Huntin Fool
- has been around the longest
- best feature is contact with others who have drawn the unit you draw
- actual magazine
- advisors with unlimited access (phone call actual person)
- Covers multiple speicies in 18 states
- Cost $100/year

2. goHunt
- web based with Easy access
- Easy filtering
- advisers with unlimited access (not sure if this is email or phone)
- Covers multiples species in 9 states (covers every unit in these states)
- Cost $150/year

3. Epic Outdoors
- Original guys from HF
- advisers with unlimited access (phone call actual person)
- Not sure what states are covered
- Cost $100/year (not sure if there are additional cost for setting up draws)

Are there any hidden cost? Who has the most accurate info? What would you choose. What main points am I missing? Sorry for being so long winded.

 

[Straight6]

I joined all 3, have been a member of HF since '06, and Gohunt & Epic since they started.

GoHunt seems to have good state coverage and some info on every area in the states they cover. That being said some of the info on areas gets pretty general and is occasionally suspect in accuracy (most has been pretty good though). Its hard to have detailed info on that many units. Overall its a good product in my opinion and worth the money.

Huntin Fool does well at highlighting the top areas, but not a lot of info on any other units, though they have gotten better in recent years with OTC and easy to draw hunt coverage. The member list is a great resource when you draw a tag and may be the most valuable part of the membership.

Epic is new but I look forward to what they will bring in the future, mainly because of the good experiences dealing with Jason and Adam when they were with HF. I think they will put out a great product. Will it be much different than the others, probably not. But I prefer the consultants at Epic over the others I have talked to (HF).

In reality each are covering the same info, I don't think you'll find much difference among them with the exception of the consultants and having access to people that have experience in different areas. All 3 are worth the money in my opinion, others may disagree, but I see it as a small investment if you are applying in numerous western states.

 

[willidru]

I joined all 3, have been a member of HF since '06, and Gohunt & Epic since they started.

GoHunt seems to have good state coverage and some info on every area in the states they cover. That being said some of the info on areas gets pretty general and is occasionally suspect in accuracy (most has been pretty good though). Its hard to have detailed info on that many units. Overall its a good product in my opinion and worth the money.

Huntin Fool does well at highlighting the top areas, but not a lot of info on any other units, though they have gotten better in recent years with OTC and easy to draw hunt coverage. The member list is a great resource when you draw a tag and may be the most valuable part of the membership.

Epic is new but I look forward to what they will bring in the future, mainly because of the good experiences dealing with Jason and Adam when they were with HF. I think they will put out a great product. Will it be much different than the others, probably not. But I prefer the consultants at Epic over the others I have talked to (HF).

In reality each are covering the same info, I don't think you'll find much difference among them with the exception of the consultants and having access to people that have experience in different areas. All 3 are worth the money in my opinion, others may disagree, but I see it as a small investment if you are applying in numerous western states.

If you were to pick out of the 3, which would you select? I see the 1st year creating a strategy for the next decade as being the most crucial.

 

[Straight6]

Kinda depends on what your after, I think GoHunt is better for overall information on every unit in each state, makes it easier to research a little more and compare options. I think Epic and HF are better at covering top units (although it remains to be seen how Epic will cover each state). If you are interested in the top units, guided hunts, and landowner tags, I think Epic or HF would be a little better suited to your needs. My personal choice at the moment would be Epic based more on history and my interactions with Jason and Adam when they were at HF, very knowledgeable and helpful guys.