sumpnz
Member
Although I've only been hunting for a short time (forth year now for putting in, been out twice, successful once) I'm starting get rather frustrated with the big-game hunting situation here in AZ. For rifle deer, as an example, there's usually ~35K tags, and 100k+ applicants. Average success rate for deer hunting is all of 20%. Statistically that means the average rifle deer hunter only actually kills a deer every 15 years. Now, I could get into archery and get over the counter deer tags, but I'm not that good at stalking yet and with a full time job and two little kids time is not a commodity I have a surplus of.
So, I want to find a way to get out and have a reasonable chance of success each year by going to another state that actually has a sufficient number of deer, elk, antelope, etc such that obtaining tags and having the opportunity to see enough examples that I can hone my hunting craft is actually feasible. Issues standing in my way are, of course, time, money, and having someone that lives in and/or regularly hunts that area to help get me access (if the land is private or only accessible through private land) and to enjoy the experience with.
Since time and money are constraints, I'd need to be able to drive to that area within 1 day. I figure from Phoenix 1200 miles is the absolute outer limit, preferably under 1000 miles. I figure that would include perhaps as far as the western portions LA, AR, MO most of NB, WY and portions of ID, SE OR, CA plus all of NV, CO, UT, NM and TX and maybe a corner of SD and the southern edge of MT.
And, licenses/tags cannot be outrageously priced for a non-resident hunter. As an example, resident elk tags in AZ are going up to $121.50 next year and deer tags are going up to $42.25 and general hunting licenses are going up to $32.25. So, if I got drawn for both deer and elk next year it would cost me $196. I would consider non-res fees that are ~2-2.5x that for that same license + deer and elk tag to be within reason, and the lower the better of course. I did take a quick look at Wyoming's G&F website and their fees, at least for "reduced-price" (i.e. antlerless) tags were quite reasonable. Elk tags $252, deer and antelope tags $41 and it appeared to me that a seperate license was not required - total $333 for two antlerless deer, and one antlerless elk. Casper at least is under 1000 miles from my home (988.62 according to Mapquest). Since I don't particularly care about antlers (for deer or elk) those would be the tags I'd probably target.
Anyway, does anybody here live/hunt within that range that would be willing to help a (barely) under 30 year old guy gain the experience to become a better hunter? Any info would be appreciated. I know dakotasin and Smoke Rizen posted a willingness to help in SD and CO respectively so any info from those gentlemen and any others would certainly be appreciated.
Even if its not too late to get tags this year my job won't give me the time to take vacation during hunting season. Big tests starting in early October and carrying through into Nov with lots of data analysis and test reports to write by year end. Next year may be possible depending on what the job and other family demands there are on my time. But, I figure identifying a place to go and establishing a relationship with someone there to hunt with is a process that needs to start now.
Thanks is advance.
So, I want to find a way to get out and have a reasonable chance of success each year by going to another state that actually has a sufficient number of deer, elk, antelope, etc such that obtaining tags and having the opportunity to see enough examples that I can hone my hunting craft is actually feasible. Issues standing in my way are, of course, time, money, and having someone that lives in and/or regularly hunts that area to help get me access (if the land is private or only accessible through private land) and to enjoy the experience with.
Since time and money are constraints, I'd need to be able to drive to that area within 1 day. I figure from Phoenix 1200 miles is the absolute outer limit, preferably under 1000 miles. I figure that would include perhaps as far as the western portions LA, AR, MO most of NB, WY and portions of ID, SE OR, CA plus all of NV, CO, UT, NM and TX and maybe a corner of SD and the southern edge of MT.
And, licenses/tags cannot be outrageously priced for a non-resident hunter. As an example, resident elk tags in AZ are going up to $121.50 next year and deer tags are going up to $42.25 and general hunting licenses are going up to $32.25. So, if I got drawn for both deer and elk next year it would cost me $196. I would consider non-res fees that are ~2-2.5x that for that same license + deer and elk tag to be within reason, and the lower the better of course. I did take a quick look at Wyoming's G&F website and their fees, at least for "reduced-price" (i.e. antlerless) tags were quite reasonable. Elk tags $252, deer and antelope tags $41 and it appeared to me that a seperate license was not required - total $333 for two antlerless deer, and one antlerless elk. Casper at least is under 1000 miles from my home (988.62 according to Mapquest). Since I don't particularly care about antlers (for deer or elk) those would be the tags I'd probably target.
Anyway, does anybody here live/hunt within that range that would be willing to help a (barely) under 30 year old guy gain the experience to become a better hunter? Any info would be appreciated. I know dakotasin and Smoke Rizen posted a willingness to help in SD and CO respectively so any info from those gentlemen and any others would certainly be appreciated.
Even if its not too late to get tags this year my job won't give me the time to take vacation during hunting season. Big tests starting in early October and carrying through into Nov with lots of data analysis and test reports to write by year end. Next year may be possible depending on what the job and other family demands there are on my time. But, I figure identifying a place to go and establishing a relationship with someone there to hunt with is a process that needs to start now.
Thanks is advance.
