Lol, I dont know Curt. Too much going on lately to not try to focus on a career though.

Make the move brother!

I appreciate NY for what it is, but I've hunted enough in other parts of this great country to know there is better places out there, MUCH!.....go for it    

You have to do whats best for you and your family.

I have considered a move to AZ myself but more in the Flagstaff or at least north Phoenix area so I can get north.  The bowhunters I know in AZ are out-of-state hunters. They just can't get tags frequent enough in their home state to count on.  Its not bowhunting but AZ has some of the best quail and dove hunting in the country.

So what part of W. Texas are talking about????

QuoteOriginally posted by snag:
NM is a draw for elk with no preference pts. offered. I have heard some residents haven't elk hunted in their own state for years...not a plus in my book!

Thats the problem with our states today. A man buys a license in his home state and can't hunt? WOW!!! A resident should never have to draw for a tag in his home state. There are other ways to control populations.

QuoteOriginally posted by NorthernCaliforniaHunter:
California has plenty of opportunity, but primarily in the Northern half. We also have all the beauty, sorry SoCal-ers. Plenty of work, mild winters, warn summers.

I guess you don't get down here much  

There is also The Davey Crockett National Forest farther east in Crockett Tx.

I havent' hunted National Forest land in awhile now but think in some parts now you need a permit. Besides you can only hunt in Archery season and be some what safe but still you don't know who you are hunting with. So best bet is get on a lease.

With CA the tax bite will put a hurt on you same as NY. With NM you are close enough to do trips to Co, AZ and TX. There are some websites that can compare the different places to live and the difference in the cost of living will really surprise you. As a CPA I can tell you it usually works out better to make less and live in an area with a low cost of living rather than making more and living in a high cost of living state since the tax rates are getting more progressive these days and will only get worse.

QuoteOriginally posted by beachbowhunter:
 

QuoteOriginally posted by NorthernCaliforniaHunter:
California has plenty of opportunity, but primarily in the Northern half. We also have all the beauty, sorry SoCal-ers. Plenty of work, mild winters, warn summers.

I guess you don't get down here much    [/b]

Nope, you're right, I don't. Except during fire season when I worked for CalFire. I guess all that smoke doesn't help one's impressions... but neither does I-5, Bakersfield or L.A. traffic. A successful hunt would likely change my mind though. Perhaps some day I'll have a reason to go south of Monterey. When I do I'll be looking some Tradgangers up for some stumpin'.

Jamie,

I have a clue as to why you are moving and what job you may be looking at.  Good luck and I hope to visit.

My little experience with the southwest doesnt include hunting however, I took a 100 mile backpacking trip in NW NM. The mountains and deserts are beautiful. We encountered a lot of big game species. If I'm correct in your career move, You may be alittle further from that region than necessary to hunt it on a regular basis.

Good luck brother, I hope you keep us posted on your journey.

Walleye fishing is still on the table. Just let me know  

I lived in quite a few spots around the country. Texas is tough to beat.  In terms of leases, you can get on a decent lease here for pretty cheap if you don't care about killing a huge buck.  You can hunt hogs year round, Hunt way into January (extened doe season) and get turkeys in the Spring.  Plus you get to live in Texas!!

I would chose Texas personally. Arizona has a lot of public land. Over the counter deer tags, but the success rate is relatively low for archery. Great elk hunting if you can get drawn. Very good javelina hunting and I get drawn every year and there are ussually leftover tags in some units. Bass fishing can be pretty good and there is good trout fishing up north.

Have lived in AZ for 25 years and have enjoyed the hunting and fishing but Co. has more opertunitys. The fishing was good here untill a few years ago when mercury started messing up the lakes.