A
ART338WM
Guest
I have started a new career in a new field recently. It is a good high paying job with excellent benafits, but has one serious draw back. I get VARY little vacation time. Only 1 week a year for the first three years, but what is worse, I have no way of ensuring what week I can have for vacation, and I doubt I will be able to take 2 or more weeks of vacation in a row even if I have it coming.
Now for my real problem.
I have 14 BPs for both UT and AZ, and I STRONGLY as can be stated feel one week or even ten days is absolutely not enough time for a elk hunt, especially when it is a 100% DIY solo hunt and buy time I get to the unit I will be lucky if I have seven full days to hunt. And given my age and draw odds and rules for AZ and UT, I will likely only get to hunt these two states once in my life time.
So I am left with one of two choices: Choice#1- wait untill I get enough time to be able to take 10 or more days of vacation which will take about 8 years of service to do this, but I will be 55 by then and 55 is kinda old to be doing a 100% DIY unguided solo elk hunt to 100% unfamilure country.
Choice #2-go on a fully guided elk hunt, which I am rather oposed to as I am in all modisty a better than average (although not great) elk hunter. I have been on four elk hunts and have killed three bulls, and the only reasion I did not kill a bull on one of my hunts was I simply chose not to kill a small bull. I had chances to kill over 1/2 dozen leagle bulls, but chose to go home with out a bull, and this includes having a beautifull 5x5 under 100yrds from me standing broad side on the morning of the last day of my hunt. And we all know how hard it can be to find a outfitter worth the money, I am reminded of far to many utter horror stories about outfitters that were no good.
So do I just accept my situation, find a top shelf outfitter pay the $4-5grand, and commit my heart and sole into the hunt, or take my chances that the stars will all align and I can get the time off durring my hunt of choice and go it alone. Keep in mind I will most likely never get to hunt these states again.
Thanks for all thoughtfull insite and input.
Artur.
Now for my real problem.
I have 14 BPs for both UT and AZ, and I STRONGLY as can be stated feel one week or even ten days is absolutely not enough time for a elk hunt, especially when it is a 100% DIY solo hunt and buy time I get to the unit I will be lucky if I have seven full days to hunt. And given my age and draw odds and rules for AZ and UT, I will likely only get to hunt these two states once in my life time.
So I am left with one of two choices: Choice#1- wait untill I get enough time to be able to take 10 or more days of vacation which will take about 8 years of service to do this, but I will be 55 by then and 55 is kinda old to be doing a 100% DIY unguided solo elk hunt to 100% unfamilure country.
Choice #2-go on a fully guided elk hunt, which I am rather oposed to as I am in all modisty a better than average (although not great) elk hunter. I have been on four elk hunts and have killed three bulls, and the only reasion I did not kill a bull on one of my hunts was I simply chose not to kill a small bull. I had chances to kill over 1/2 dozen leagle bulls, but chose to go home with out a bull, and this includes having a beautifull 5x5 under 100yrds from me standing broad side on the morning of the last day of my hunt. And we all know how hard it can be to find a outfitter worth the money, I am reminded of far to many utter horror stories about outfitters that were no good.
So do I just accept my situation, find a top shelf outfitter pay the $4-5grand, and commit my heart and sole into the hunt, or take my chances that the stars will all align and I can get the time off durring my hunt of choice and go it alone. Keep in mind I will most likely never get to hunt these states again.
Thanks for all thoughtfull insite and input.
Artur.