bz_711
WKR
- Joined
- May 7, 2012
- Messages
- 678
Really think about this point and break it all down. For example, it takes me an hour to drive to the airport.
Arrive 1.5 hours before the flight. Shortest flight I can find is 5 hours to Bozeman, and I have to go by the airlines schedule. If I wasn't bound by that I might have been able to leave the night before the flight.
Now add another hour to get my bags and rent a car. Next, how far too drive from there top the hunt area? You could easily kill an entire day by flying if everything goes perfectly. And it often doesn't go perfectly. Flight delays, lost baggage, etc. really throw a wrench intro the best laid plans. On the back end it is very likely you'll need to quit early to return the rental car and get a motel room the night before your flight home.
I've flown on a number of hunts to places I can't easily drive to, but I hate it. If there is any choice at all I'll drive every time, especially if DIY. To me, a 20 hour drive is almost a break even time wise. And I much prefer to be on my own schedule. Guided or with someone to help you on the other end is not such a problem.
100% agree. We are only 15-16 hours from elk camp, and I wouldn't even consider flying even if it was free. I'm too much of a control freak...I daydream about elk hunt all year - no way I'm leaving anything to chance (especially when I usually only have 5 full days to hunt). I like having all the extra "emergency" items in my own car, and really like have big cooler full of ice at all times (archery elk seasons are too hot not to have ice ready).
And then ultimately I'm a penny pincher, so driving is more economical every time (especially if you have meat to haul), but even if you're driving 40 hours round trip you might be talking $500 in gas. Less money spent on one hunt can go towards the next hunt
Again - just my opinion, I'm sure flying is easier and more stress free for others. Personally I love long road trips, gives me plenty of time to de-stress and go over plans again. And as others have said, things don't always go as planned on the hunt and having a return flight booked could be an issue as well (you might want to go home early if tag out, or might need extra day if tag out at last minute and realize you have 200lbs of meat to pack out still)...just need to factor all those things in as well if flying.
If you end up with a partner, I think you'd be happier driving...Best of luck no matter what!