How to hunt every year

[Kjenkins011]

Currently live out east. Would love to start heading out west annually to hunt. I’m hoping to get some advice on best way to get out every year. I’m open to all species and states. Should I stick to one state? Rotate through them while I accumulate points? Specifically looking for antelope, mule deer, and elk but also open to bear and anything else to get me into the mountains. Thanks for the help!

 

[elkyinzer]

Don't have kids

 

[Goodtimekiller]

The kids statement is true, it helps. Find otc units to hunt every year and get experience and start building points in good, reasonably drawable states. When you get drawn you will be much better prepared. Or make lots of money and hire a guide every year.


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[MallardSX2]

Learn the art of pulling out and make lots of money and buy landowner tags.

 

[rayporter]

there was a time i would just say to pick an area and learn it.

but in these trying times a lot has changed. your area may just be so over run that you have to move.

 

[Kjenkins011]

The kids statement is true, it helps. Find otc units to hunt every year and get experience and start building points in good, reasonably drawable states. When you get drawn you will be much better prepared. Or make lots of money and hire a guide every year.


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Any particular states for otc opportunities?

 

[cnelk]

You can elk hunt multiple states out west every year if you just give up on the ‘horn porn’.

So many opportunities to hunt cow elk it’s just crazy.

 

[Goodtimekiller]

Any particular states for otc opportunities?

I hunt colorado, lots of people but lots of elk too, you have to figure out the areas people wont go and those areas are loaded with elk. Idaho too but this year they sold out of otc in an hour i think, i hunted there and saw bulls every day. I think you can count on getting drawn for montana every other year, havent hunted there in a while.


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[NateK]

I am able to do this by building points in two states that I can get to in 24 hours and between elk, deer, and antelope pull a modest 3-5 point tag for each in successive years. Don't be afraid of cow/doe tags if you just want to have fun. I pretty much ignore states like Idaho and Nevada due to the extra time I would have to drive but don't be afraid to drive an extra 4 hours or spend a little more on a tag if the hunting will be significantly better.

 

[texjitter]

OTC black bear in Montana this past Spring was a great experience (long ways from where I live in TX)

 

[WCB]

Pick up a bow and an MZ...a few more options that way. Be ok shooting cows and does (not my thing). I just play the short point game right now. I have no less than 3 out of state tags a year for various species and don't invest heavily in the point game.

It can be done. Just look at any state that interests you and rummage through their department of wildlife website. I am very lucky to have a bunch of PTO/time off available to me through work so I can take 4-5 week long hunts easy, plus any long weekend type hunts for closer tags. If you are just looking at 1 trip a year as a baseline there is zero reason you can't do that just with OTC tags like CO elk or various states for bears.

 

[Dos Perros]

I apply for multiple species in 5 states (not including my home state) but have only hunted 3 of them. Considering that, and that I have several friends that do similar, I should be going on a decent hunt of a variety of flavors most every year.

 

[gonhunting247]

If you can afford it, put in for 4 or 5 states, every species your interested in. In a few years you will have more opportunity than time if you use some states as opportunity type hunts. This is what I have done and it seems like I'm continually trying not to draw more hunts than I have leave time for! I typically hunt 2-3 hunts out of state plus everything in my home state. I do end up spending quite a bit of cash for my income range, to play the game in so many states, but it's worth it to get to do what I love

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

It's all in the eye of the tagholder. What do YOU want out of hunts. Trophy quality, and high quality hunts? You either need a lot of money, or time put in.
Do you just want adventure, and a chance to bring home meat?
Then it's far more doable. You can hunt every year easily, but it'll take more work and lower standards.

I'm at a point in life where I choose to be hunting no matter what, but I also am starting to want higher quality hunts if I'm going to have to travel far for them.
I'm lucky enough to live in the mountains though. It's not a big jump for me to elk hunt.

If it's what you want to do you'll always find a way.

You can elk hunt multiple states out west every year if you just give up on the ‘horn porn’.

So many opportunities to hunt cow elk it’s just crazy.

Speaking facts again, buddy.
This should be said about all sorts of hunting too. For sheep ewes allow the same adventure with less pressure of the curl.

 

[Jaker_cc]

If you make hunting a priority then you can absolutely make a hunt a year happen. This year I’ve got 3.

 

[Kjenkins011]

If you make hunting a priority then you can absolutely make a hunt a year happen. This year I’ve got 3.

It’s not so much making hunting priority. I hunt plenty where I live. It’s the ability to get out and hunt nonresident tags in western states every year

 

[Poser]

Don't have kids

I’ll 1 up this. Don’t yet married either.

 

[Marble]

Currently live out east. Would love to start heading out west annually to hunt. I’m hoping to get some advice on best way to get out every year. I’m open to all species and states. Should I stick to one state? Rotate through them while I accumulate points? Specifically looking for antelope, mule deer, and elk but also open to bear and anything else to get me into the mountains. Thanks for the help!

In order for this to happen, you need a few things:

Time
Money
Blessing from wife

Time is something only you can make. Sometimes it is controlled by work or life.

Money...when I first started I had a budget of $2000 for my elk hunting trip to CO. I would put $200 in an account separate from other funds in order to ensure I had enough. Additionally, I put other money in there for a vacation with me and the wife. As life has gone on, Money isn't an issue anymore.

My wife fully supports my hobby. She is well taken care of, has what she needs and enjoy the meat.

Pick an OTC state for whatever er you can get, and go. There is not always a next time.

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[Marble]

And don't listen to the naysayers and negative Nancy's about no kids. I've got 4.

If you think you can or you can't, you're right. Remember that.

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[Rich M]

Go out west every year is very vague. My first inclination was that if you don't know what you want to go after and where, you want to talk and are hoping to figure something out.

It takes a lot of vacation time.

It takes a few years to draw a halfway decent tag and every year the points necessary change.

It's easy to piss away a lot of money on hunting.

Figure out what you milestones are and why. Then get to it.