JeffRaines
Member
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2016
- Messages
- 33
So, story time. I apologize in advance for the length, but you'll understand at the end.
I grew up in south Alabama around Mobile. The only person in my immediate family that hunted was my grandpa. I have fond memories of sitting around the kitchen table when I was 4-5 years old watching him clean his guns. Although he wanted to take me out, my mother and grandmother weren't having any of that. My family wasn't the best off financially. We never had to worry about food and such, but the luxuries were definitely a rarity. Also while at my grandparents I remember reading books and seeing pictures of trout and fly fishermen and thinking that looked awesome... always wanted to go but where are you gonna catch trout in Alabama with pricy fly fishing gear? Probably no where even if I had it! I wanted to live in a place with those pretty mountains and streams full of fish.
As I got older my interests changed as they often do. When I was 15 I found myself talking with my girlfriend at the time about where I wanted to settle down. I remembered being young at that time and I knew I wanted to go west. But where? This was back when google images was a new thing - so I started typing in states and places. Soon enough, Montana came up and I said wow. That's where I want to be! That relationship went the way most all high school relationships do - but the dream didn't die.
My early twenties found me my wife now and moving around a good bit experiencing life. We've finally made our way west which is awesome. We're in Washington now, and while this area is beautiful and awesome, a lot of other people feel the same way. People are coming in by droves and while I'm only 29, the thought of living in a slower area sounds so nice.
I've been joking with my wife about moving to Idaho/Montana, and up until recently she hasn't been too sold on the idea. She's warming up quickly though. While it will still be a few years before any decisions are made, I would like to hear from some people who live or have lived in the area how the hunting actually is. I know that it's romanticized on every website and video you see but what's the reality of it? I'd mainly be targeting deer, elk, bear, pronghorn and small game. If you wouldn't mind letting me know the good and bad of each, that would be awesome!
As for current residents - don't worry. I'm not coming to try and change your state into something it's not. I want it just the way it is if we end up moving! The reason for the long story is the inevitable folks that will say "you shouldn't move to a place just because the hunting is good". I've wanted this for awhile.
Thanks for reading.
I grew up in south Alabama around Mobile. The only person in my immediate family that hunted was my grandpa. I have fond memories of sitting around the kitchen table when I was 4-5 years old watching him clean his guns. Although he wanted to take me out, my mother and grandmother weren't having any of that. My family wasn't the best off financially. We never had to worry about food and such, but the luxuries were definitely a rarity. Also while at my grandparents I remember reading books and seeing pictures of trout and fly fishermen and thinking that looked awesome... always wanted to go but where are you gonna catch trout in Alabama with pricy fly fishing gear? Probably no where even if I had it! I wanted to live in a place with those pretty mountains and streams full of fish.
As I got older my interests changed as they often do. When I was 15 I found myself talking with my girlfriend at the time about where I wanted to settle down. I remembered being young at that time and I knew I wanted to go west. But where? This was back when google images was a new thing - so I started typing in states and places. Soon enough, Montana came up and I said wow. That's where I want to be! That relationship went the way most all high school relationships do - but the dream didn't die.
My early twenties found me my wife now and moving around a good bit experiencing life. We've finally made our way west which is awesome. We're in Washington now, and while this area is beautiful and awesome, a lot of other people feel the same way. People are coming in by droves and while I'm only 29, the thought of living in a slower area sounds so nice.
I've been joking with my wife about moving to Idaho/Montana, and up until recently she hasn't been too sold on the idea. She's warming up quickly though. While it will still be a few years before any decisions are made, I would like to hear from some people who live or have lived in the area how the hunting actually is. I know that it's romanticized on every website and video you see but what's the reality of it? I'd mainly be targeting deer, elk, bear, pronghorn and small game. If you wouldn't mind letting me know the good and bad of each, that would be awesome!
As for current residents - don't worry. I'm not coming to try and change your state into something it's not. I want it just the way it is if we end up moving! The reason for the long story is the inevitable folks that will say "you shouldn't move to a place just because the hunting is good". I've wanted this for awhile.
Thanks for reading.