Looking for an Idea?

Jdan9 · Apr 28, 2006

I have been taking my son, who just turned 16 out west deer hunting for the past 4 years the same way my dad took me, Last year we went to a ranch in Eastern Montana, not a trophy hunt, just a great experience and it was very affordable, I thought we were set again this year with landowner sponsorship, I know I only have a couple of more years to take him, then he is off to college and who knows when we might be able to go again. To our surprise we were unsuccessful in the draw, We tried to get on the alternate license list but our lowest number is 283. Any ideas or suggestions on where we can go or what we can do without breaking the bank, We love hunting the west, sitting in a treestand here in overcrowded Illinois just does not compare to the experience of hiking and glassing for mule deer.

jd

Bambistew · Apr 28, 2006

ID is would be a good option. There are probably OTC tags still available, and lots of public land to hunt.

Outdoordan · Apr 28, 2006

What kind of hunting do you do? Rifle, Bow. Idaho has a mentored Junior tag and license system, whereby if you buy a regular non-resident hunting license and elk/deer tags, he can get the same at a VERY low price. Check out the ID F&G website.

ismith · Apr 28, 2006

You could try your luck at drawing an antelope tag. Did the ranch you hunted on last year have lopers on it? If you archery hunt you could buy a series 900 archery antelope permit. Season starts on August 15 and it is good almost statewide. You could also buy a couple Mule deer doe tags.
ismith

nk · Apr 28, 2006

Its pretty cowdedbut there's always the Kaibab archery hunt in AZ. One of the best. Or any OTC archery rut hunt in az (Dec. -Jan.)
nk

Jdan9 · Apr 28, 2006

Thanks for the suggestions, I wish he had more experience with a bow, so I think we need to stay with a rifle> I've never hunted Idaho and am not sure were to start in that state.

jd

liv4hunt · Apr 28, 2006

Look into a Northern Utah deer tag, there's plenty still available. It's not the best tag in the country, but there is still plenty of good deer to be had. Spend the first weekend of the hunt looking at different country and hunting, and then get serious starting Monday (when the weekend warriors leave),hit it hard and it will eventualy pay off!! Just a thought.

Work to hunt!! Live to hunt!! And the rest spent keeping the wife happy!!

Outdoordan · Apr 29, 2006

There is alot of public land in Idaho. You can get over the counter tags in the Sawtooths, and if you hike on some of the trail systems in the area, you should find a couple of bucks and maybe a bull. The elk tags in the sawtooths are over the counter as well. But, you have got to hike hard and try to find areas that horseback riders can't get to. In any case, the sawtooths are one of the most beautiful mountain ranges around, the fishing is good, and it easy to find a camp site.

NVbkblstr · Apr 29, 2006

How about just a wildlife vacation, kinda like a photo safari? Ely, Nevada would be a great spot. Cheap hotels or free camping on BLM land and plenty of easily accesible wildlife by truck or foot and some good fishing. Shoot'em with a camera instead of a rifle. Lots of neat areas to hike to and to explore. The only major costs would be gas and food.
Its also a good way to scout for the future. Whenever I don't draw, I always take a week vacation anyways and look for new spots for the next year, usually under the pretense of chuckar hunting.