Where would you call home?

SDkid

FNG
Joined
Feb 9, 2023
I’m sitting at work here on this Saturday and my mind could only help but wander to where I’m going to be when I retire. I’m 24 so I have a year or two to go yet 😂. South Dakota upland hunting is lights out and it’s been a huge part of my whole life. Just want to stir the pot a little bit here for everyone else…
 

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I think about it often as I'm much closer to retirement than you!

Leaning towards Idaho for me. Good upland game, big game, fishing and mountains. Things I like...
 
These threads are posted a lot. The thing is look at how long you have to retire. Now look at what it was like that many years ago. Things change. So while state A may look better than state B today, will it still be like that in 20 years, 30 years?
 
You’re starting in a great place. Stay they until you find something much better.

Hunting will continue to change. Dont go east. Bird hunting sucks here.
 
I’d figure out opportunities for public land and mixed bags personally and triangulate.
 
I’m likely sticking right there I am. Other than taxes I own it. Retirement is just around the corner and everything I want is right here or not too far away. Coues out my back door, stinky pigs everywhere, 3 species of quail, fishing, biking, hiking, climbing, backpacking, snow sports…. Add NM right next door, CO and UT a half days drive N and I’ve got near endless choices :)
 
My salaried years are behind me. Piecework will continue until I tire of it. I worked in all of the westerm states. Most of them longer and more remote than most of the locals.

I was born in Montana and will likely die in Montana just like my father and grandfather.
 
Ideally right were I am with enough money to go where I want from here. I live in Utah.
 
South Dakota, North Dakota, or Northeast Montana in the Summer, early Fall, and late Spring.

Arizona in the winter, late fall, and early spring.
 
With some more thought into it I actually wouldn’t leave. I can hunt ruffed, woodcock, sharptails, and pheasants here. I would probably snow bird in Arizona for desert quail. Yeah. I think that’d be just it.
 
All other attributes (politics, weather, population) aside.

I've thought about how a state like CO would be great due to the fact that it's 8 hours to MT, 8 hours to AZ, 4 hours to Nebraska, etc and has decent hunting in state. So basically maximizing your options due to its central location.

Living in MT or AZ would be great for hunting after work but you limit the species you chase a bit more.

Not sure if this is the right approach or not though.
 
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