Well the wife has finally given me permission to look into a "destination" hunt. Looking for a traditional friendly outfitter and obviously trust the reviewers here. Hoping for 2020/21 season due to budgeting. I want the best bang for my buck. I'm open to anything from hogs to elk. Not looking to Canada or Alaska at this time.
Any suggestions will be appreciated. Would love a elk or muley hunt out west but not even sure where to start so here I am.
Equipment wise I am comfortable with 45-50# currently and hoping to build a 55-60# this summer.
Never hunted anything other than whitetail here in Michigan so I know there will be a learning curve.
Thanks Cody.
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Whats the budget?
Cody, something to consider is joining the PBS and then joining one of the many member hunts that we hold all over the country. The host already knows the area and arranges for a place to camp or stay, so really all you have to do is show up and hunt hard. PBSers love to bow hunt different animals in different places, so there are lots of options. This year, there were member hunts for javalina and deer in AZ in Jan, coastal hogs in GA in Feb and two separate hunts for hogs and javalina in TX in March (one was in wilderness that required pack-in by mules), then in August, we had elk in UT, mule and whitetail deer in SD in early October, whitetails in KY in mid October, and deer/turkey/bear in VA in late October. Might have been a few more that I forgot. There have been several hunts in AK and I am hosting a cow elk hunt in WY next fall for members looking for their first archery elk.
Tons of options for the adventurous bowhunter on a budget!
Jeff- what is PBS? Where can I find more info.
KSdan- that depends on which one of us you talk to. [emoji3]. $2000 or less is my goal. If I could put a group together for Kenny's lease I'd be good with that. Hell I'd be happy with a Illinois or Ohio ([emoji2961]) tag and a tip on some decent land. No more than 5 days with a day on both ends for travel. My biggest problem is I'm the only hunter in my family and friends. Going to gauge some interest with the guys from my winter trad league and see if I can get a group together to open more options.
I'm not gonna lie. I know there is no guarantee on hunting but I have a hard time eating tag soup especially seeing some of these tag prices. Hope this extra info helps.
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We did a bear hunt in Ontario the past few years (with a bunch of west MI guys too!). We were like 9/12 on bears including 3 PY. Travel and everything was less than $2k. Check on Jason Samkowiak there in MI on with Traditional Bowhunting and Wilderness Podcast. He reviews the bear hunt- BUT he also has a full podcast on various hunts and actual budgets. Its really informative. You can do MO deer/turkey DIY for probably under $700 for everything from MI. KS DIY could be done easily for 1K or less.
Dan in KS
Quote from: KSdan on December 12, 2018, 10:12:07 PM
We did a bear hunt in Ontario the past few years (with a bunch of west MI guys too!). We were like 9/12 on bears including 3 PY. Travel and everything was less than $2k. Check on Jason Samkowiak there in MI on with Traditional Bowhunting and Wilderness Podcast. He reviews the bear hunt- BUT he also has a full podcast on various hunts and actual budgets. Its really informative. You can do MO deer/turkey DIY for probably under $700 for everything from MI. KS DIY could be done easily for 1K or less.
Dan in KS
Thanks I'll look into it.
Cody
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Also- not sure how long you have been hunting or hunting with trad- but tag soup and trad can be a little too synonymous. If destination, budget, and actual harvest are your real goals- there may be better options.
Just my 2C
Dan in KS
17 years hunting experience with whitetail. 4 deer in those years. 2 years trad bow shooting. I have passed on 4 lifetime bucks due to not having a clean shot. I know it's unreasonable to expect a trophy, especially now that I wanna do things the hard way. I have taken my trad bows into the woods on 4 sits to no avail. Got within 40yds of 7 does but that was the closest I've been with trad gear.
Cody.
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Cody, PBS is the Professional Bowhunter Society. Click the link at bottom of my post, then hit "Membership Hunts" and check out the various hunts. Lots of other cool stuff to check out on the web site as well.
2k will get you a fair amount of options, Elk, Axis deer, Muleys, Antelope, Bears, Hogs, Javelina, Blacktail deer, Aoudad, and most average Exotics.
Hey Cody, I would think $2000 is plenty if you're willing to do a self guided hunt somewhere. I went out to South Dakota turkey hunting a couple years ago and spent under $1000. Most of my expenses were the gas to drive out.
Tattoo Dave
DIY is the best bang for your buck and is doable for many species. I have never done a guided hunt but have paid to hunt private property for hogs (fun hunt).
I know you said no Canada hunts but one thing to consider is in Canada your $2000.00 at today's exchange rate is $2660.00.
I went to North Dakota a few years back. Hunted the Badlands in the south west corner of the state. Seen a lot of whitetails, but we were after Mulies. Seen mule deer every day. I was lucky enough to connect on one the last day of our week long hunt.I was the only one of our group to tag a deer. I enjoyed it immensely. There were 4 of us. Not everyone hunted hard. The tags were very reasonable. Had to apply in April I think. DNR told me then that all applicants would most likely get a tag back then. Hunted public land. Never seen another bowhunter. There were a few bird hunters, but not many of those either. Beautiful country.
I agree that you can have many options with $2000 on a DIY hunt...
,,Sam,,
Quote from: Hummer3T on December 13, 2018, 01:54:37 PM
I know you said no Canada hunts but one thing to consider is in Canada your $2000.00 at today's exchange rate is $2660.00.
Didn't think about the exchange rates. Thanks for making this more difficult. I do know an outfitter in Canada through my local trad shop. Going to look into his rates.
I was sent a pm about sika deer in Maryland and the tags appear to be OTC. If I can tent camp, it looks like I may be able to pull this off for much less than a grand.
Hoping to get my game plan by March 2019 so I can start planning. Still gonna try to get a group together to try a lease with Kenny if there's room. Also looking into PBS and will be probably be joining the ranks there.
From a cost stand point a hunt out west is probably not going to happen just due to my lack of gear. That'll be my plan by age 40. Hoping one of my girls will develop the hunting bug and wanna tag along.
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$2,000 will buy you a hog hunt for sure...like a 5 dayer....
there's a few sponsors on tradgang that would be glad to take care of you
x2 on what Holchin said, PBS Membership hunts are awesome. You will get to hunt with some of the best hunters in the country and make some awesome friends. Good luck with whatever you decide!
Thanks for all the suggestions guys. So many different opportunities now I just gotta narrows down the game I want to go after. Didn't think there was as much out there in reach. Google does a good job of bringing the high dollar stuff to the top and pricing me right out of the game.
Terry- Thanks for the heads up on the sponsors. Once I get my plan narrowed I will be in touch and see what your suggestion is if I go that route.
Once I get some more details I'll make a new post to get my gear setup and tips.
Thanks again to everyone.
Cody.
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Check out Stickflingers in Manitoba. As far as a great trad experience, it is 9 miles deep and 10 miles wide. Spring bear.
If I were you I would put off your hunt and start buying gear for DIY adventures now. And start planning that first hunt , will give you plenty of time to go out and test your new gear. With a complete gear bag you could do any hunt you want and have the satisfaction of doing it yourself. I have done many DIY hunts and have had plenty of success hunting Elk , Bear , Hogs , Muledeer , Whitetail , Antelope , Smallgame , Javelina. I love backcountry backpack hunting , to me the adventure of new places and doing on your own is the best. I might not kill the biggest trophy animals but I always have a great time kill or no kill. Would be happy to help you along with gear selection and setting up your first hunt..
,,,Sam,,,
You already heard from two my hunting partners, Jeff Holchin and Dalton Lewis. They are right, the PBS has opened up many opportunities for myself, I have had many invites but just do not have the time from work. Whatever you choose, do something out of your Normal. I really like going and hunting different areas and terrain whether it be Georgia swamps or Alaskan Tundra. I would do an over the counter DIY elk hunt like Sam suggested.
We have done many DIY Colorado Elk bowhunts over the last few years. We usually use 2 weeks vacation and hunt 9-10 days. Our average cost when flying, renting SUVs and camping run about $1700 - $2100. Last year we drove, (34 hours) used 2 hotels on each end on travel and camped. Total expenses where $1200. You are basically a one day drive away. Budget about $250 to process each animal.
bps requires some membership criteria to qualify for membership. one thing is to have taken 8 game animals and be sponsred by membersome other criteria to become regular member, so likely out of reach for some of us.
There are plenty of good opportunities within reach. Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana all have lots of public land that can be easily hunted with the gear you have now. All you'll need is a cheap motel, fuel, food, tag and ambition. Or a truck with a topper or tent with a sleeping bag. The latter would probably only cost in the area of $5-600 total. A week in any of these states will likely show you a buck that will amaze you. I would plan one for this coming year and you'll see what you need for future hunts and go from there. You never get any younger and each year you wait is one lost. Hell I've driven that far just to go to a trad shoot. Just Do It.
I love it that you got this many replies, and that you have all these options. If you come into some cash real soon, join us early February in Texas where you can go on a hog hunt / javelina hunt with several of those dragons we have an opening or two. Best of luck to you either way you need to make sure you get out and Hunt if that's your passion.
Quote from: Hummer3T on December 15, 2018, 10:11:46 AM
bps requires some membership criteria to qualify for membership. one thing is to have taken 8 game animals and be sponsred by membersome other criteria to become regular member, so likely out of reach for some of us.
Actually, there are no harvest requirements or sponsorships needed to join as an associate member of PBS and participate in membership hunts. Check out the PBS website and click the membership tab for details. :archer:
Well guys I firstly want to say that since joining this website, and also the traditional world, that I am blown away by the friendliness. Whether here or via pm all these options are almost mind boggling. I was hoping for a one hunt answer lol. Instead I have been shown a world of resources I had no clue existed.
At this point step one will be joining PBS. Step two is a good compass (thanks Sam for the suggestion) and a new gps unit. I am going to sit down and compile what exactly I want from my experience. Once I have my wants narrowed down then I can get a plan and equipment list together.
If when this comes to fruition and it happens that I am in the vicinity of any one here, there will be an open seat around my campfire. For a new trad Hunter this site has been invaluable and the trad community is so inviting as a whole.
Thanks for everything this far!
Cody
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Quote from: TSHOOTER on December 15, 2018, 03:18:50 PM
Quote from: Hummer3T on December 15, 2018, 10:11:46 AM
bps requires some membership criteria to qualify for membership. one thing is to have taken 8 game animals and be sponsred by membersome other criteria to become regular member, so likely out of reach for some of us.
Actually, there are no harvest requirements or sponsorships needed to join as an associate member of PBS and participate in membership hunts. Check out the PBS website and click the membership tab for details. :archer:
[/quote
I guess I got the regular membership requirements mixed up with associate requirement.
Don't give up on a DIY backpack elk hunt. I have done 7 (CO, UT, ID) of these and travel and tag are less than $1000 if you drive a reasonable vehicle and split it with someone. No hotels, cheap food. You are likely to have a great experience but not terribly likely to kill an elk. Gear wise, I've made due with my whitetail hunting gear a $70 homemade silnylon tarp, $100 pack and a $80 bag. These have been the best hunts of my life without ever killing an elk.
Man there is soooo much you can get out and do for the price. Like other have said, tag soup is a very realistic thing but the adventure is where it's at.
Just go do it. No time will ever be perfect and no matter the planning, the narrative will change. I have done antelope, elk, mulies, hogs outside of my normal whitetail. None of which was I successfull besides many whitetail and hogs, but man what a ride.
If I had to pick one for the most laid back fun that wasn't a backpack hunt, it would be hogs. Most of the time, game rich environments and relaxed "fun" for me. Most bang for your buck in my opinion if I'm paying for a ranch type hunt. DIY elk/mulies if I'm looking for backpack style.
Hey Cody, I know it's short notice, but we can fit you in on our Texas Hog/Javalina hunt the first week in February if you are interested....
Quote from: Terry Green on December 16, 2018, 08:13:00 PM
Hey Cody, I know it's short notice, but we can fit you in on our Texas Hog/Javalina hunt the first week in February if you are interested....
Hey thanks for the invite and as much as I'd love to go I unfortunately can't get the time off work. I'll definitely keep it in mind for the future though.
Cody
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While you said "not Canada", you can do a guided (semi-guided anyway) for around $1500 plus tags (maybe another $250) in Ontario. Check out Pine Acres and Highwind Lake (I can recommend both, fishing is outstanding at Highwind right at your door).
Say you want to hunt elk and decide a DIY over the counter hunt in Colorado is for you. Most everything you already own should be good enough for a week or two. If you decide this is for you you can upgrade gradually over years. I use a 40 year old Kelty backpack (external frame), wool clothing from Goodwill, etc. You don't need to break the bank for a comfortable hunt. Most of us started out with baby steps and went from there.
You may want to consider an antelope hunt in Wyoming. Reasonably priced and with an outfitter, you still have to draw for a tag, but almost certain to get one. Be sure to clearly advise any outfitter you shoot a stickbow. My experience was that most cater to compounds with longer shots but there are those that cater to stickbows both spot and stalk as well as blind hunting.
Hi Cody,
If you ever want to chat out some ideas and options just let me know, we can grab a cup of coffee in Spring Lake or Allendale.
Thom
Quote from: sticksnstones on December 19, 2018, 03:17:04 PM
Hi Cody,
If you ever want to chat out some ideas and options just let me know, we can grab a cup of coffee in Spring Lake or Allendale.
Thom
Pm inbound
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