If you do a lot of hunting out of state, the info is invaluable.
How much is your vacation time worth? Opportunity cost.
How much does it cost you to travel 500-2000 miles to go hunting.
Having additional information is not going to guarantee that you have a good hunt, but, I watch every year guys waste $ on BS outfitters, regret hunts, etc.
It does not give you all the info you need, but, without it there is a huge void that is hard to fill.
If you hunt the same units every year or occasionally go out of state for a meat hunt, or antelope hunt, or just into going and setting up a camp and partying for a week it would be a waste of money, otherwise, it very well could be the best $100 or $200 you spend every year. Bob, I have gotten some good advice in the last few years.
Good example is I had 12 CO mt. goat points. My youngest son is in High School and is not only by best hunting buddy, but, now can carry more than me (he is not carrying an extra 60lbs of fat like I am).
My priorities were.
I wanted a DIY hunt me and my son could do.
I needed to draw while he was still home to help me.
Did not want to deal with horses.
I needed to get the hunt done in a long weekend so my son did not miss to much school.
These were things that a guy that was only familiar with a couple of units could not help me with. I have seen it over and over again. A guy talks himself into a hunt that does not fit what he is looking for. I used to do it all the time. I would make those long 16 hour drives home pissed at myself.
I talked to one of the guys there and they made a couple of recomendations that would fit my needs. They got me a list of previous tag holders and then it was up to me. We drew the tag. Made the trip. Humped that mountain several times and I knocked down a billy goat and my son was there to help me.
Here is a picture of my son being my packmule.
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Margaret Thatcher: "The trouble with Socialism is, sooner or later you run out of other people's money."
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything he doesn't own." - Unknown