Hunting USA / Canada

[Big Si]

Hi all i am thinking of taking a swim over the pond next year on my first ever hunting trip i would like to go after ether deer or boar looking at north America or Canada can anyone help point me in the right direction in turms of what i need to do to be ablel to hunt in your country, as it is iligal over here in the uk. also anyone i can talk to about hunting partys or can you go out on your own anywhere you like?  any help would be most appriciated.

[Izzy]

Drop RobTattoo a line hes been there,done that.The animals you want can be found all over the US with the boar only slightly less available.I havent hunted with Curtis Keller yet,notice I said yet but I bet he could put you into your animals.

[Big Si]

Thnks for the info Israel do you have any contact info or TG member number.

[robtattoo]

Wotcha Si. Hunting in the US is as easy for us as it is for residents mate. You'll need to get in touch with an outfitter. Unless you know somebody who owns private land & is willing to give you permission to hunt it, it's really not feasible for us foreigners to arrange an entire hunt alone. Different States have different laws regarding hunting on public property & that's a minefield in itself.
The best thing I can suggest is to get in touch with one of the outfitters in the Sponsor's Ads & sort everything through them. I hunted, this year, with Curtis (7th Age Bowhunting) & had a whale of a time! Don't expect to have a guide trailing you everywhere, telling you what to do. From my own experience I was given a detailed outline of where I could hunt, where the game was being seen & then left to my own devices! Be aware that you'll need to purchase a hunting licence and, again, this is different in every State. Some are available 'over the counter' in sporting goods stores, some are postal only application & some are a lottery-type draw that you need to enter months in advance.
I would strongly suggest that you figure out where abouts you want to go. If you're after hogs (boar) try Texas/South Carolina/Georgia & the southern States. For Deer (you'll need to wait until season opens, sometime in October) again Texas is good as, I'm told, are Illinois, Ohio & the Central Eastern States (Ohio, Michigan etc) Once you've sorted out where to go, try & find a reputable outfitter in that particular State (Asking here would be your best bet!) Your outfitter will be able to tell you about licence requirements/fees etc. Then it's just a case of booking a flight & getting there!

If you need any more help, the guys here are GREAT for giving up information. If you've any questions about getting your gear to the US or deling with folks in the US, drop me a PM & I'll help out werever I can.

Good luck & good hunting mate!

[BUFF]

If your thinking Texas, I will help you hunt for a place.

[Big Si]

Thanks robert for all the info and will defently let you know what happens by the way i notice that you are a knife maker send me some info would love to se and poss buy some of your work.
Thanks for the offer as well Buff Texas sounds cool as well.

[robtattoo]

No Worries Si. All my knives get advertised here in the Sponsors Classifieds. I'm fairly new to doing it fulltime so don't have a website set up yet. Most of my knives are hand-forged from recycled carbon steels, usually left in a forged finish & designed to be used, rather than looked at! I can pretty much make up whatever you like!
I can heartily recommend Texas! In the week I was there (South West, up in the mountains) I saw more game than I have in 18 years of hunting & stalking in the UK!

[whitebuffalo]

SI,, Michigan would be as easy to buy a licence over the counter and go hunting,,I have public land and private land,,The rules for public and mainly just common sense,, can't garantee anything but a good time,, There will be a deer camp this fall check this link out buddy,,
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=044623
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=044805

Love to have you at camp.JB

[Seeking Trad Deer]

May I humbly suggest Canada for bear and moose, Ohio and Illinois for deer, Florida for hogs, and Texas for everything except bear and moose.  This is just a starter organizer.  Others are much more experienced than I.  May want to make sure your guide is familar with stickbow hunters as is Curtis Kellar and others.

[Big Si]

thanks for the help guys and for the links jason hopfully will be able to sort something out Q. when is hunting season ? or can you hunt all year round.

[Steertalker]

Big Si,

I don't know what your money situation is or how much time you are willing to take, but personally, I would seriously consider booking an elk hunt in the Rocky Mtns.  It can be done very reasonably.  Once you hear your first bull elk bugling, you'll be glad you did it!

[Big Si]

Steertalker thanks for the info i must say the Rocky Mtns does realy appeal to me i have an idea in my head of my first hunting trip to be in beautiful forest landscape Q. can you eat Elk?

[robslifts]

if you dont want your elk meat I know about everybody who would take it from ya

some of the best tastin venison around  

[nanook712]

I think you should look into taking a bow hunting safty course, most states require it. I'm surprised that not more of you UK guys don't hop over here in the fall, a couple of guys should be able to flyover, rent a car, cabin, lic, food, etc. for seven to ten days for under a 1000.00 US, in a lot of the east cost. Archery season shouldn't be too busy, even on public land esp. mid week and a couple of hours away from major cities. If your looking for a once in a lifetime hunt by all means do a guided hunt out west but if you can't swing a big money hunt you might consider what I said. I live an hour south of Rochester NY and within an hours drive of here are thousands of acers of land open to the public with good deer and turkey hunting. Huge trophys I doubt it but as long as your not to picky,you should get a couple of shots.

[Steertalker]

Big Si,

Of course you can eat elk.  I raise show cattle and every year I always save a beef for my family.  This is prime beef, mind you.  In my opinion, elk is better!  As long as it is taken care of properly.  

On the other hand, to me deer meat is not all that special, albeit that primarily makes up the majority of my family's meat consumption(deer, elk and home raised beef).

Hogs(small ones) are also good but I don't see what's so special about hunting them. I darn sure wouldn't spend the money to fly all the way over from England to hunt HOGS!

Again...I don't know what you are able to spend moneywise, timewise and if this is going to be your one and only hunting trip to the U.S.A.  For a little bit more money you could go on a darn fine guided(recommended) elk hunt in the Colorado rockies.  I know....because that is what I do.  Trust me...you won't regret it!  Aaand...I have just the guide for you.  But you better be in shape!!

 
     
     

Brett

[rbbhunt]

Most states will require a hunter safety course dependeing on your age.  Here in Oklahoma, you will just need a non-resident hunting license and deer tag and hunter safety course (if required).  There is a fair amount of public land and deer season basically runs from Oct. 1 thru Jan 15.  Look at  www.wildlifedepartment.com  for regulations.  good hunting and enjoy.

[Big Si]

Hi Brett
Thanks so much for taking the time out to send me this information and the
photos, it looks beautiful countryside and I would love my first hunt to be
in this environment as you can probably gather from my mails I am in the
first stages of planning my hunting trip, would you mind if we kept in
contact about this, i.e. if I have any questions to put them to you?