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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: WhiteOaks on October 31, 2010, 07:19:00 AM

Title: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: WhiteOaks on October 31, 2010, 07:19:00 AM
I'm on my 4th tour in Iraq and after thinking about all the hunting I have missed I decided to treat myself to a nice hunt when I return so here's the question. I've only hunted in the south. Killed quite a few southern deer and a few pigs. Almost pulled a shot at a nice bear 3 years ago in N GA but no shot. I've always dreamed of hunting elk, caribou, bear. I aint made out of money but I want to go on a guided hunt somewhere for something different. I'm interested in either a Caribou, elk, bear or big mid west whitetail.
For all the guys that use guides, where would you go? What would you hunt and what would be your guide recommendations?
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: nybowman on October 31, 2010, 07:51:00 AM
Montana horseback elk hunt.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: zipper bowss on October 31, 2010, 08:45:00 AM
I think I would head to MN., where I could hunt bear and big deer all in the same day.We like to go to the north west part of MN.If you would like some contact info. for the folks we hunt with just shoot me a pm.If you would like to see some video of where and what we hunt you can go to my website and click hunting video's.Several of those animals were taken in MN.
Bill
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Bud B. on October 31, 2010, 09:29:00 AM
My advice is to get in touch with some military folks at Fort Richardson or Fort Wainwright in AK. I'm sure your vet service could get you far. I think Fort Rich has an archery club.

There is a road that goes east off the main road that goes north from Eagle River to Fairbanks. It's just south of Denali Nat'l Park. The road used to be called Petersville Rd. You can drive waaaaay back into the wilderness and the road turns into a 4x4 trail. (At least it used to.) From there you can go out during Sept moose season and have at it. Thousands of acres waiting to be trekked. No guide is needed but it is adviseable to go with someone. Grizzly are there. Ptarmigan are everywhere.

I'm sure some active duty person could help out. I was stationed at Elmendorf from 85-88. I miss it sooo much. Wilderness everywhere which is in exact contrast to the S/E. You have to try to find wilderness down here.

If the Grizzlies don't get you the mosquitos will. HAA!

Have fun and thanks for your service!
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Bud B. on October 31, 2010, 09:32:00 AM
Oh. Almost forgot....If I remember right there's no closed season on black bear either. You better have a Griz tag to get one of those though. Non-residents must have a guide for griz. But it's been 22 years since I've been there.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: PowDuck on October 31, 2010, 09:33:00 AM
First of all:
  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!!     :clapper:

Secondly, I've never hunted with a guide so have no advice there. We've always done a self guided elk hunt in Colorado. With 3 or 4 guys it ended up costing about $1000 each for fuel, license, food, and a couple nights in a hotel + a steak dinner on the way home.

Good luck finding the perfect hunt for you. Stay safe.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: mscampbell75 on October 31, 2010, 09:44:00 AM
With anit-depressants!!!!  :laughing:  

Thank you for your service!  It is greatly appricitated and I pray for your safe return home!

But to your question, Elk hunt without a doubt.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: onewhohasfun on October 31, 2010, 09:51:00 AM
Western mt. elk hunt is hard to beat. A major back injury, coupled with spinal fusion surgery has me on the sidelines so far this year. So I feel your frustration. If you plan on mt. hunting, do it while you are young and strong. Good Luck.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Bill Carlsen on October 31, 2010, 09:52:00 AM
www.hunterspointguideservice.com... (http://www.hunterspointguideservice.com...a)  a sponsor  here.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: capt eddie on October 31, 2010, 09:58:00 AM
I have been to Burntwood Lake Lodge in Manitoba.  It is a fly in Bear hunt and fishing.  I took the family last year.  Everyone had a great time. Check them out.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: woodchucker on October 31, 2010, 10:35:00 AM
Actualy, I wouldn't really do any special "hunting".....

What I would do is go on as many "special" hunts as I could!!!!! With the freedom to come and go as I please,It would be easy to get together with all of my friends and hunt when they were able to. Many times over the years our schedules just don't "click" and the years pass so quickly!!!!!

THANK YOU For Serving!!!!! You've earned a special hunt and more!!!!!
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Airborne on October 31, 2010, 10:59:00 AM
I would probably do Colorado elk in the rut--being in the service you are probably in shape and would have more success than a regular hunter--also DIY is more rewarding and doing all the research of where to go is half of the fun!
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Mojostick on October 31, 2010, 11:37:00 AM
Are you single? If so, I'd consider a 2 legged doe hunt after coming back from Iraq! LOL

Something like a week in a chair blind overlooking the pool tiki bars of Cancun would be a start. Nearly every rack will make you happy. LOL

If married or spoken for, you can get a whale of a first class guided midwest whitetail hunt for less than doing the other options, if guided.

If money is no issue, a mountain goat trip is hard to beat. I've done it with a rifle, but my dream is to do it again with a trad bow.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: WhiteOaks on October 31, 2010, 01:00:00 PM
I'm married so I've already got the 2 legged doe waiting by my scrape line. Its a good thing she's patient.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: joe ashton on October 31, 2010, 01:03:00 PM
walters wilderness camp in sask canada for spring bears...  3 of us saw 46 bears and all had shooting opportunities.  Really fun.  Bow hunting only and the group I was with was trad only.  The camp was originated by Roger Rothhar (you know Snuffer broadheads)

Joe
PS  Thanks for your service I appreciate it)
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: captaincaveman on October 31, 2010, 01:08:00 PM
I've always wanted to do griz or moose...but the very first hunt would have to be rabbit with my dad and son
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Ray Hammond on October 31, 2010, 01:28:00 PM
how about Bear Quest with Tom Phillips.

He may not have a slot left....but if you want to go on a low cost trip that will be remembered forever- that's the trip I'd recommend.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: fatman on October 31, 2010, 01:39:00 PM
I would second Ray's reccomendation on Bear Quest.  I'm going back for my second trip in 2011.  Even if there are no current openings, there is normally some last minute shuffling on this trip...      :thumbsup:

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=086308#000000

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=074601

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=058834;p=1

  :campfire:
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: RAU on October 31, 2010, 04:48:00 PM
The absolute top on my list is an Alaskan wilderness dropcamp caribou hunt when my sons old enough. I just hope he wants to go with me when he is. Second would be semi guided horseback elk. Think hard cause you sure deserve it!!
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: HATCHCHASER on October 31, 2010, 06:14:00 PM
Moose hunt.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Chris Surtees on October 31, 2010, 06:20:00 PM
How about Sika deer in Maryland? Check out Muddy Marsh outfitters...quality hunt that will not break the bank and is pretty close to home.

Lots of other good ideas above also.

There is also the Trad Gang Solana hunt...it is filled this year but would be a great hunt for 2011.

Also have the Texas Sweat and Pig Gig which many Trad Gangers attented.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: bentpole on October 31, 2010, 07:00:00 PM
Wow lets see, New Mexico for Elk. Colorado in  September for Muley's and Elk. Maybe Milk River Montana for Whitetails. Hec, Iowa, Illinois, or Ohio for big Whitetails. Thank you for your service! Come home safe!
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: GPW on October 31, 2010, 07:15:00 PM
Any hunt with my brother, kids, grand kids or friends.  Thank you for your military service!
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Bjorn on October 31, 2010, 08:07:00 PM
Moose hunt in Maine with the guide who Biggie used-Landreau was his last name. He's da bomb!   :campfire:
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Shawn Leonard on October 31, 2010, 09:10:00 PM
Big mid-west whitetails!! Nothing like a big buck in my opinion!! Shawn
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: NY Yankee on October 31, 2010, 10:53:00 PM
For a southern boy, I'd say a nice north woods black bear hunt would be just the thing, the guides tend the baits and stands. All ya gotta do is get there with your Thermacell and your bow and shoot a big one.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: David Yukon on October 31, 2010, 11:37:00 PM
No afiliation other than they are from my neck of the wood... Check these out, they are one of the best Canadian outfiter, they have one of the best spot in the Yukon!! Huge mountain caribou and moose... Just thought I would let you know!!  http://www.deulingstoneoutfitters.com/index.html
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: WhiteOaks on November 01, 2010, 01:23:00 AM
Thanks for the tips guys.
Keep'em coming.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: WhiteOaks on November 03, 2010, 03:57:00 AM
Since Spring Bear will be the first available season after I return I'm leaning toward a Spring Bear Hunt. Keep the suggestions coming.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Whip on November 03, 2010, 05:41:00 AM
As can be already seen, we all have our own dreams of what makes the best trip ever.  Would need to know a little more about what you consider special in a trip.  Do you like to sit in a stand or spot and stalk?  Nice accomodations, or are you good with a small tent in the middle of nowhere?  Physically demanding hunt, or one in which you can relax and enjoy yourself?  What is more attractive to you, mountains or deep forest?  

There are so many options for fantastic hunts, it would be hard to pick one for someone else.  That being said, if someone told me that I had only one more hunt to take the rest of my life, for me it would be a toss up between an Alaskan caribou hunt or elk in New Mexico.

Thanks for your service - you deserve the best trip you can imagine!
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: WhiteOaks on November 03, 2010, 06:10:00 AM
Whip, All good Questions. In the south most of my hunts have been in a stand. I've stalked a few hogs. I guess to answer your question the best is that I don't know what I don't know. I'm just open to just about any type of hunting and wanted to see what everyone would recommend.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: lpcjon2 on November 03, 2010, 07:01:00 AM
Quote
Originally posted by nybowman:
Montana horseback elk hunt.
I agree and maybe Colorado.after that Alaska
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: chopx2 on November 03, 2010, 09:09:00 AM
For late summer fall you could do a newfoundland combo woodland caribou and moose hunt. Not the biggest moose, but plentiful from what I hear and you get the option of caribou too.

Well if it were my treat that's what I'd do...lol

Thanks for serving.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Living_waters on November 03, 2010, 10:22:00 AM
You might check this out, I used to work with 2 of the guides. Owner is a retired Fighter pilot and commander of the top gun program, a super guy. Never had the funds to go but if I do this will be where I go.  www.loneconeoutfitters.com (http://www.loneconeoutfitters.com)
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: Living_waters on November 03, 2010, 10:40:00 AM
Forgot to add he has discounts for returning vets.
Title: Re: If you couldn't Hunt for a year How would you treat yourself?
Post by: WhiteOaks on November 03, 2010, 12:40:00 PM
Thanks. I'll certainly check these sites out.