Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: inrut on February 04, 2009, 10:29:00 AM
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I was wondering with the economy in the state that it is in how many Trad Gangers are NOT going on out of state hunts this year? How many are laid of from work and are watching your spending and not buying new bows and the other “toys” we all would like to have? I for one will not be going out of state this year. I have a lot of opportunities but think it is not a wise choice at this point with the uncertain future that lay ahead. I’m currently one of those who have been laid off. I do have plenty of time now to tinker around and read Trad Gang. Your thoughts?
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I think tradgangers are going to have to swap more hunts.I like to hunt other places and hunts cost to much for the average working man.No ones job is safe in this economy.
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I've NEVER been on an out-of-state hunt and have always found the price asked for guided hunts to be nothing short of extortion! I HATE that I have to pay anything to exersise my God given right to feed my family with the game He provided us. It's bad enough that I have to fork over money to the government in the form of taxes on license fees...
We need more open generosity and trading when it comes to our sport. Far too many are secretive and selfish when they've found a good spot. If you have a community like this, of good hearted, respectful hunters, take advantage of the opportunity it offers to bring the spirit of abundance into your life. SHARE the spots you've found, and expect to have others share with you.
The only plot I have access to on a regular basis is just 5 acres but I've taken all of my close hunting buddies there, and I've never been short of game to take for myself. Funny how that works!
:thumbsup:
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The future is uncertain and death is always near. Hope for the best and plan for the worst! I will, like I have for almost 30yr, hunt near home. :D But if ya have the time and $$$$ go for it! Better to regret the things ya done, than regret the things ya never did. :readit: :)
Plus I love reading about other people adventures! :thumbsup:
GOOD LUCK!!
Raven >>>>--------->
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Originally posted by longbowben:.No ones job is safe in this economy. [/QB]
You got that right!!
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I'm not saving a dime for my kids, they can make their own way! Sign me up! I'll go!
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It depends on how a person wants to spend his/her money. I work alot of side work to fund my hunting trips or I would not be able to do them. My regular paycheck goes to my family. No side work-no hunt. But I don't have a problem paying an outfitter to hunt. They put in alot of work to show a person the way and they should be compensated for it. Not to mention food and lodging. I love to do "do it yourself" huntsbut sometimes it pays to use an outfitter. IMO
Mike
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I got lay-ed off Sept. 1st 08, just got called back to work 3 weeks ago. Not sure how that happened, or how long it will last. Made for a nice hunting season, but doesn't pay the bills very well. Always wanted to go hog hunting somewhere, but I just can`t justify the money for it right now. Maybe if I stay employed, I can feel better about spending the money on a hunt.
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It has been rough for folks - no one is safe. Would like to go out of state but for awhile - ain't happening!
J
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"Far too many are secretive and selfish when they've found a good spot"
No offense intended but i have lost some good hunting ground this way..I'm not selfish but when I spend hours and hours and all summer trying to find a good hunting spot, I sure don't want to lose it by trying to be generous only to have the place overrun with other hunters and slowly get pushed out altogether. Sorry, but thats what happens. I've had instances where i have taken one and then they go tell their buddies,ect...i guess this issue is a pet pieve of mine cause if people take me hunting, i don't divulge any info nor do i invite others unless that indivdual allows it and I just wish all hunters would be this way.
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I have also lost some good ground to showing it to a friend. The year after I showed him he went there without me and with 6 guys. I was not able to hunt there again. Gary
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I'm with TradBower and sagebrush. I've had that happen twice. Now it's just me and the boy. Hap
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I'm with Biggie! :bigsmyl:
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This is my first Tradgang post so nice to meet you guys.
In response to the OP, no I have no plans to go out of state to hunt this year. Keeping this in perspective though, I never have plans to hunt out of state lol.
In regards to being secretive and sharing. I have put more people in my hot spots then I have myself. Personally I get a lot of satisfaction from sitting a friend on a prime spot. There are also spots I keep to myself. For me its a balance.
I have a lot more land then me or a dozen friends could hunt. All my permissions allow for me to bring a guest. I'm more selective of my friends then my hunting spots. I have never run into the things you mention about "friends" abusing my generosity....yet (fingers crossed)
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LET me tell ya something it is time to get down an boogie let see what your made of. time for some low budget smashmouth hunting.we can all get deer hogs or whatever it is you like to hunt .I find its times like this that makes me humble. thank my maker for what Igot.Its these hunts with friends and family on public land and tent camping and crappy food that makes you happy to be alive.and 10yrs from now when your on some high dollar hunt sittin around a campfire flippen through pictures an you cross this low budget hunt you will come to relize that those were in fact the good old days .
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For now I'm one of the lucky ones and still working (that could change tomorrow though). I still put in for Utah Elk since I have the points, I'll be putting in for New Mexico Elk as well. I'm going on a DIY cow elk/spike bull hunt in Washington with some friends in November, and I'm going to (hopefully) spend some of my California points this year. I figure my draw chances might be a bit better this year...we'll see if that works out or not.
Of course that all can change depending on my personal economy but I am not going to let that stop me from planning and dreaming.
If I can't go then I'll be hunting my local private land access either through my relative, friends, or Wilderness Unlimited for my usual deer, pigs, turkeys...which I do anyway.
I probably won't go the outfitter route as I like to DIY. I like to plan, read the maps, do the research, etc and put my hunt together.
On the other hand, I am cutting non essential spending and trying to make the dollar go further so I can go hunting.
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Times are definitely tough right now but then i tend to live well within my means. I planned on doing a self-guided mule deer hunt but my friend backed out so i plan on combining my vacation with the wife and a self-guided pronghorn hunt in Southern Colorado. I plan to take the wife to Taos NM and since it is off season then the rates are pretty reasonable. Then hunt in Colorado for four days while the wife hangs out at the pool and fly home courtesy of free tickets from jetblue. After I lost a good friend suddenly I promised myself I would do an out of state hunt easch year no matter what, it might be a real cheap hunt but I would do it.
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I'm one of those that have never been on an out of state hunt, but would love to go. Money's real tight right now. I'm dealing with shortened work weeks, but thankfully still working some. I'd be happy to trade a hunt with someone, but I'd feel bad if they didn't get anything! I hunt about 150 acres of my uncle's land, and I know plenty of other places to go (mostly public) where practically no one else hunts. I'm in the southern Iowa area, if anyone's interested. :)
Right now, we're barely making it, thanks to God, and I'm gonna enjoy my longer weekends by cutting some osage, roughing out some bows, and trying my hand at laminated bows. I figure if I can't buy em, I can still make em!
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I've worked the past 25 years to get to this point in my life where I can afford to go places and I am. I have no credit cards, car payments or any of that. Time to live life before I'm old. I'm going hunting.
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I would be happy just to get a shot this year and kill my first deer a long with my son. I really don't care where it is.
(With my luck it will be one of them foam deer)
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No lay offs since I went out on my own 10 years ago (after getting laid off). My heart goes out to all those folks who are getting the shaft while politicians and so called kingpins of industry rape the land and everyone in it!
As for hunting my son and I hope to be fortunate enough to take an Elk hunt or two this fall depending on whether or not the lottery god smiles on us. There are still some over the counter opportinities too-something will work out!
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I will always go hunting. It's not a hobby for me, it's a huge part of my life so it obviously is part of my budget. I mostly do do'it yourself hunts but go outfitted when a bargain arises.
TMI here but I didn't clear 20,000 last year yet I went on a caribou hunt and hog hunted multiple times 600 + miles from my home. I even moved into a new home I built myself with the help of family and friends. I even went as far as to go to work for an outfitter for 3 months in CO. so I got my hunting fix more than you could imagine. No kids or wife so that helps but there are still no excuses if you really want it. I have no vehicle payments or any payments for that matter save mortgage, elect, you know the normal stuff. No big stupid toys. Where theres a will theres a way.
Sorry for the length.
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I`m lucky to be working. I got layed off 8 years ago from a 15 year old job. Took a small cut in pay with a job more stable.Good decision cause we booming.I`m blessed with some exceptional public land 15-45 minutes away. Over 280,000 acres in about ten tracts.A mile deep or access by boat and you got it to yourself.
God provides, you just gotta stop looking around at problems and look up for answers.RC
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Bummer for the guys who got screwed for sharing hunting spots with others. I hold dear to the faith that most people are good at heart, and this website has sincerely helped facilitate that. If EVER any of you are in California, round abouts Santa Rosa, drop me a line, and I'll get you on a 'yote/turkey/deer as best I can. Share the meat, give thanks to the Almighty, and when I'm in your neck of the woods hopefully you'll return the favor.
Now in my defense, I hadn't thought about the effort put in by guides and the other factors that make up the cost of a guided hunt, like lodging and food. That considered, and God willing, perhaps I will pay for an out-of-state guided hunt someday and hopefully it'll be along side some of you great fellows.
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I'm self-employed...no bailouts here! But I have enough points in out of state draws that I will continue trying. If Oregon managed our wildlife better I wouldn't have to try for a "dream hunt" out of state...but that's for another thread.
As for showing others your hunting territory, I have been burned before also. More and more it is getting harder to find country that is not overrun with hunters anyway. I was shown a pretty good spot for elk and I don't talk about it or hunt it unless I am with the man that turned me on to it. Period.
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times are heting me hard,i will be staying verry close to home in all of my hunting adventures this year. but on the other hand i have never had thes other things happen to me.. i must have a great bunch of friends,, for sure!!!
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This year is no different. One trip very close to Mexico chasing Javelina and then back to BC in May for my #1 love,, spot n stalk bears.
The future is uncertain no matter what the talking heads say on the news everynight.. They don't help scaring the hell out of everyone nightly...
spend the money if your able,, "time" you will never get back. I decided the spring of 2001 that I would stop wishing and start doing.. I've spent alot of money on out of state and out of the USA bow trips.. The best return on my dollars in life.
Once your family/home is taken care of,,, go do what you dream about...
Do NOT become an old man and say "I wish I would have...."
John III
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I'm not going to risk paying the bills or keeping food in the house, but I for sure will find a way to hunt out of State. I've done a few guided hunts and have come to realize that I much prefer do it yourself. I can do more hunts and spend far less doing them and have even more fun.
We all have a limited amount of time on this great planet, and I try hard to make the best of it while I can. Obviously basic family needs come first, but there is usually a way somehow to do the others things you love so much.
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Originally posted by Biggie Hoffman:
I'm not saving a dime for my kids, they can make their own way! Sign me up! I'll go!
DITTO!!!!!!!!! Life's too short I'd rather be old and broke than be old regretting the things I never did!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daren