Once in a lifetime "adventure hunt"

[Jpsmith1]

To each their own.

But if I can’t bring back something memorable from the hunt (besides memories) then I’m not going.

Africa is reasonable until you factor in taxidermy. And you can’t bring meat back.

For me, I would do a horseback moose/caribou combo in BC.

I have even looked into cull hunt opportunities in Africa.

I can't stress enough how little "trophies" matter. A nice head to hang would be sweet, but the photos, the stories and the experience is truly what I'm after.

Maybe it's from a long string of unsuccessful hunting and a life where this deer is my singular "trophy" not "one of" but my only trophy that I've come to find my trophy elsewhere.

 

[Mike D Texas]

I fell for the “Africa is cheap” moniker. I had a budget in mind and didn’t seriously look into it until this year. Went to DSC and Atlanta and spoke with several outfitters.

Narrowed it down to 2-3 and started crunching numbers.

My wife will join me on this hunt as an “observer” so 2 plane tickets, observer fees, etc…

When I put all the numbers together, flights, hunt, tips, taxidermy, shipping, stateside broker…it will be over $30k.

I just can’t wrap my head around spending that much on a hunt yet.

I can afford to pay for it cash, but………


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[hereinaz]

Yo, if this isn't a joke, we need to talk.

I got the gear. Like, I can be ready to rock in maybe half an hour, just gotta pick my load out based on weather and maybe reconfigure my pack to tote it all.

Arizona was definitely a state on the list of places to explore because y'all have some interesting opportunities based on how your tags work. At least that's what I understand from some pods I've listened to. Thanks Randy Newberg.

2025 might be screwed for me because we have a kid getting hitched.

Serious.

PM your phone number. Let’s get 2026 in the plan. Elk and antelope deadline is coming up. Get a point for elk at least. IMO

 

[gonhunting247]

I get what you're saying, but let me relate a short story from last spring to maybe help put into perspective why "on my own" might not be the best option.

I had been wanting to hit up a big chunk of public about an hour away, so I went and did a shed hunt. Hiked a few miles, found a couple sheds. But here's where the problem lies.

I pulled into the parking lot. No cell signal. Not a problem. So I fired a text off figuring the phone would send it when it found a signal. Never did. Couple hours later, I'm back at the truck. Realize the message didn't send. So I scooted to a spot where I did get signal, and my phone didn't stop for like 5 minutes. Message after message on all the different platforms. My wife was losing her shit because she hadn't heard from me.

I called and talked her down off the ledge and she still broke down when I got home and she saw me. So a solo trip a days drive or more from home is going to be a potential problem. We are working on some strategies for her to cope and for me to communicate and I'm trying to wean her off of the need for 'instant hubby' but its a long process.

In talking further about it, she has a point. She knows that, once my boots are on the ground, there's not much that can stop me from getting back to the truck. It's the drive there that worries her, and the longer the drive, the more worry..

Ya that will be something you'll need to work out with her. I hunt solo a lot and we have a good understanding that sometimes there's not much way to communicate. That said there are tons of hunts that you can do out west with plenty of opportunity to touch base. Just do a little research first. That's part of the adventure

 

[waspocrew]

From your post, it sounds like Africa is what you’re looking for. Do it!

 

[Corymhoward]

I’d love to hunt Africa

 

[7mm-08]

I get what you're saying, but let me relate a short story from last spring to maybe help put into perspective why "on my own" might not be the best option.

I had been wanting to hit up a big chunk of public about an hour away, so I went and did a shed hunt. Hiked a few miles, found a couple sheds. But here's where the problem lies.

I pulled into the parking lot. No cell signal. Not a problem. So I fired a text off figuring the phone would send it when it found a signal. Never did. Couple hours later, I'm back at the truck. Realize the message didn't send. So I scooted to a spot where I did get signal, and my phone didn't stop for like 5 minutes. Message after message on all the different platforms. My wife was losing her shit because she hadn't heard from me.

I called and talked her down off the ledge and she still broke down when I got home and she saw me. So a solo trip a days drive or more from home is going to be a potential problem. We are working on some strategies for her to cope and for me to communicate and I'm trying to wean her off of the need for 'instant hubby' but its a long process.

In talking further about it, she has a point. She knows that, once my boots are on the ground, there's not much that can stop me from getting back to the truck. It's the drive there that worries her, and the longer the drive, the more worry..

Instant can be solved with a sat phone and less instant can be solved with an inreach. Subscription services are expensive, but what's it worth to keep that stress out of your family?

 

[Jpsmith1]

Instant can be solved with a sat phone and less instant can be solved with an inreach. Subscription services are expensive, but what's it worth to keep that stress out of your family?

I did have that question about those I was planning to ask. How fast are the inreach devices.

Knowing that they're "less than instant" is helpful as I've never used one. We talking seconds, minutes or hours for a message?

We played around with the Satellite texting on my wife's IPhone and I was hoping to see more progress on the ability to use a cell on the Satellite network. I've planned to rent one for times when I was heading to areas where I know signal is poor.

 

[7mm-08]

I would say that there are not hundreds but thousands (if not tens of thousands) of folks on this site who have inReach devices. I have used one for more than ten years with excellent results. There are some variables involved (tree cover, satellite positions, etc.) but on average, I'd say my wife receives messages from me within five minutes and responses back are generally on that order as well. Not perfect (like a sat phone is with a call and answer situation) but the device purchase prices are reasonable and the subscription plans are fairly economical.

 

[ddd-shooter]

I would say that there are not hundreds but thousands (if not tens of thousands) of folks on this site who have inReach devices. I have used one for more than ten years with excellent results. There are some variables involved (tree cover, satellite positions, etc.) but on average, I'd say my wife receives messages from me within five minutes and responses back are generally on that order as well. Not perfect (like a sat phone is with a call and answer situation) but the device purchase prices are reasonable and the subscription plans are fairly economical.

This is the answer for your communication problem. Inreach for now, maybe in a few years all phones will have satellite capability.

I say go every year to somewhere new. Why have 1 adventure for 10, 20, 30k when you can have ten or fifteen for nearly the same price? I can go west for less than 3k. That’s a lot of trips.
When I plan myself a “big adventure,” I’d like for it to be a moose trip. But I’m not waiting for a day that might not come, I’m going to hunt as much as possible until then

 

[Traveler]

I get what you're saying, but let me relate a short story from last spring to maybe help put into perspective why "on my own" might not be the best option.

I had been wanting to hit up a big chunk of public about an hour away, so I went and did a shed hunt. Hiked a few miles, found a couple sheds. But here's where the problem lies.

I pulled into the parking lot. No cell signal. Not a problem. So I fired a text off figuring the phone would send it when it found a signal. Never did. Couple hours later, I'm back at the truck. Realize the message didn't send. So I scooted to a spot where I did get signal, and my phone didn't stop for like 5 minutes. Message after message on all the different platforms. My wife was losing her shit because she hadn't heard from me.

I called and talked her down off the ledge and she still broke down when I got home and she saw me. So a solo trip a days drive or more from home is going to be a potential problem. We are working on some strategies for her to cope and for me to communicate and I'm trying to wean her off of the need for 'instant hubby' but its a long process.

In talking further about it, she has a point. She knows that, once my boots are on the ground, there's not much that can stop me from getting back to the truck. It's the drive there that worries her, and the longer the drive, the more worry..

You’re really contemplating a trip to Africa after this story?

 

[Jpsmith1]

You’re really contemplating a trip to Africa after this story?

Absolutely. Tacking an inreach on to the cost of that trip is nothing.

 

[timekiller13]

I get what you're saying, but let me relate a short story from last spring to maybe help put into perspective why "on my own" might not be the best option.

I had been wanting to hit up a big chunk of public about an hour away, so I went and did a shed hunt. Hiked a few miles, found a couple sheds. But here's where the problem lies.

I pulled into the parking lot. No cell signal. Not a problem. So I fired a text off figuring the phone would send it when it found a signal. Never did. Couple hours later, I'm back at the truck. Realize the message didn't send. So I scooted to a spot where I did get signal, and my phone didn't stop for like 5 minutes. Message after message on all the different platforms. My wife was losing her shit because she hadn't heard from me.

I called and talked her down off the ledge and she still broke down when I got home and she saw me. So a solo trip a days drive or more from home is going to be a potential problem. We are working on some strategies for her to cope and for me to communicate and I'm trying to wean her off of the need for 'instant hubby' but its a long process.

In talking further about it, she has a point. She knows that, once my boots are on the ground, there's not much that can stop me from getting back to the truck. It's the drive there that worries her, and the longer the drive, the more worry..

I get that. My wife worries more about me driving solo long distances than she does about me being in the woods alone.

If you have a new iPhone it has satellite messaging capabilities. My hunting lease, although not far from home (about 2 hours) has very spotty service. Now with the satellite messaging capabilities, I know I can always contact someone or emergency services even if I don’t have cell service.

Best thing to do is the designate times to contact each other. And let your spouse know that where you will be going may have poor cell service. I always tell my wife “if you haven’t hear from me by X time, then send help.” It’s part of respect in a relationship. If I say I will contact her by a certain time, then I make the effort to do that. But, I’m also realistic with her. She knows she may not hear from me for 12-16 hours. I also send my wife dropped pins on maps to let her know where I am. Drop pins for her on where I park and at various spots I am hunting. Also, if you have Life360, she can see where you are (if you have service) or at least see where you were the last time you had service. Some people may find all this to be extreme or needy. But when you are married and have children, it’s part of your adult responsibility to try and stay safe and stay in touch.

 

[Jpsmith1]

I get that. My wife worries more about me driving solo long distances than she does about me being in the woods alone.

If you have a new iPhone it has satellite messaging capabilities. My hunting lease, although not far from home (about 2 hours) has very spotty service. Now with the satellite messaging capabilities, I know I can always contact someone or emergency services even if I don’t have cell service.

Best thing to do is the designate times to contact each other. And let your spouse know that where you will be going may have poor cell service. I always tell my wife “if you haven’t hear from me by X time, then send help.” It’s part of respect in a relationship. If I say I will contact her by a certain time, then I make the effort to do that. But, I’m also realistic with her. She knows she may not hear from me for 12-16 hours. I also send my wife dropped pins on maps to let her know where I am. Drop pins for her on where I park and at various spots I am hunting. Also, if you have Life360, she can see where you are (if you have service) or at least see where you were the last time you had service. Some people may find all this to be extreme or needy. But when you are married and have children, it’s part of your adult responsibility to try and stay safe and stay in touch.

This is good stuff and we have had conversations about it and are working on some strategies.

I'm the odd duck in the house using an Android. When I went to SC, I shared my position with Google maps and she was able to check it when she wanted. I had signal the whole way down and was able to respond easily.

In the incident I mentioned, I knew and told her it would be spotty I dropped into a valley and signal died. I left the truck moving uphill and figured it would send.

Moving forward, if I plan something like that, and I have some plans in my pocket, I'll just rent an inreach or buy one used. I never want to see that again.

 

[Rich M]

I went on a truck camp muley hunt for my 50th. Got a nice one thanks to a nice fellow at a ga station helping us out.

Cant win if you dont play. Have a great trip! Just figure it out and go.

 

[Sevens]

I would vote Africa, but go somewhere like Mozambique or Zambia to get the true Africa experience.

 

[Holski]

Vote for Africa. I am going in July this year for a wedding anyway and figure I most likely wont be there again so should do some hunting while there. I was surprised at the prices not saying that they are cheap but for 8 animals, taxidermy (on some), shipping, and the lodge/food/drink included will put me in around $12K. now when you add flights that are $5k for 2 its not as cheap but I'm not counting that since I was going to be there regardless. Again its a OIL type thing, so as others said go hunt lots of animals and see even more species or hunt an Elk with a guide in the west where you may not even see one.

 

[npm352]

Africa

 

[Jpsmith1]

If going once and done I would see if your wife/family wants to join you. I want to do africa someday with my wife, she is a non-hunter but it seems that most non-hunters that go on safari are still well accommodated and enjoy their time

if it's something that you have always dreamed of elk hunting, hire a guide and then try some DIY trips down the road

We have talked about this.

With my very limited experience on hunts like this, what is there for non-hunters to DO on trips like that? Is she going to be stuck in camp all day and bored? Because that isn't exactly fair to her.

She's not a spa and pamper type lady, so stuff like that isn't up her alley.

 

[Jpsmith1]

OP-- don't forget what happened to your grandfather. There is no promise in tomorrow... I suggest you go when you can! Do Alaska first- it'll be more physically demanding. Africa isn't going to require so much work for you, so go there second.

Good luck and have fun!

My grandfather, my father, my great-grandfather. In some respects even me and I'm still on this side of the grass.

Yeah... it weighs on my mind. A lot.