Going on guided and non guided hunts ?

[lpcjon2]

Ok guys I am wondering after seing all these guys going on hunts that are guided and un guided. My question is what are some good estimates as far as cost for some of these trips in the US of course? And what are some money saving things you guys do to save up for said trips.
Thanks for any help, Tim

[Whip]

Boy, there's a wide range of prices on both options Tim.  Species, state, draw tag versus over the counter, drive verses fly, etc, etc.  Guided obviously much more expensive, but even there will vary widely.  Not all guided hunts are created equal.  Like so many things in life, you often get what you pay (or don't pay) for.

If you have a particular animal in mind or can give a few specifics, you'll get better responses.

Personally, I prefer non-guided.  I can do three or four hunts for the price of one guided trip.  And I can hunt on my own schedule rather than being limited to 5-7 days of a typical guided hunt.

[Whip]

I'll give you a good example of what I mean when I say costs will vary.  You could do a DIY elk hunt in CO for less than $1000.  Or you could buy a landowner tag in NM and spend upwards of $5000 for the tag alone in some units, even on ax DIY hunt.

[lpcjon2]

Whip, I would like to do a deer hunt that would not break my wallet. Maybe midwest,I would drive and I have plenty of my own camping gear and such. My father and friends used to do a Colorado Elk and ram hunt on top of a mountain every year for 10+ years,they hadall the gear and would have horses waiting in the canyon for them. It was all self guided. I have three kids and wanted to take my boys on a cheep self guided hunt.

[Lost Arra]

+1 what Whip said on costs.

 DIY hunts now are going to provide a life-time benefit to your sons. DIY are fun and "successful" regardless of whether you kill something. You get a lot more enjoyment for your $. especially if you are eating tag soup  When you start,  chances are good you won't kill anything but your boys will be gaining invaluable experience so when they get older they will have those tough learning years behind them.

DIY elk hunts in the first couple of years are really a sucker bet. Sure, you might kill something but considering the Colorado success rate for ALL bowhunters is about 12-15%, it's a longshot. But when your boys get older after having the experience with dad,  get ready to spend your money on the camera for their hero shots!  

[Mike Vines]

Just a few of the things I do to save money that allows me to travel and hunt...

Pick up a side job or 2, get some overtime at work, pack a lunch everyday, eat dinner out as few times as possible.  I won an eating contest last month and now receive a free pizza, order of breadsticks and pitcher of pop once a month for a year (now that is the way to save some big coin there).  We actually had that for dinner tonight, plus it makes it real easy on my wife (she does most of the cooking, except the grill)

Buy everything on sale.  Buy good used equipment.  It is still good stuff. Drink more water and less beer, make your own coffee.  Pay off your truck, and keep it.  Turn the heat down at the house to 69* or less, and use a blanket.  Buy store brand groceries when possible.

If flying, use travel websites (Expedia rocks),Don't carry money on you and have 1 credit card that has a low limit. if you do feel the need to buy something then go to a thrift store. Charge your kids .10 for each time they leave the lights on (they will stop within the first 2 days), Wash the dog yourself instead of the $35 every couple months they want. Go out and collect firewood and split it yourself, don't buy it.

Learn to enjoy making things you use by yourself or with your kids (saves money and you get quality time with the kids).  

Mow the lawn yourself, and get rid of the lawn service.  (just can't bring myself to do this one yet)

Want to read something, don't buy it. Either go to the Library (you already paid for it with your taxes) or do what I do and go to Bass Pro grab a magazine, then go sit on a pontoon boat to read it.  

Research everything online as much as you can before you buy it. Either you will decide you really don't need it, or you will find the best deal for it available.

When it comes to living frugal, I feel that I'm the king. Hell, my wife and I invented copper wire fighting over a penny.

After all of that saving, spend it like it going out of style when the time comes, because I have never seen a Hearse with luggage racks.

[Mike Vines]

Sorry double post.

[Whip]

Tim, deer are a great animal for cheap DIY with your kids.  Lots of great options.  I just got back from my first trip to Kansas, and although we didn't do well hunting late season I would love to try it some year before the rifle toters start in on them.  Loads of walk in access private land open to anyone.  
I've not hunted it but have read good things about Ohio, which would be closer for you.  Whatever you decide will be building lifelong memories for you and your kids - it doesn't get any better than that!  And the planning and research process is just all part of the fun.

[YORNOC]

Whew, heres my experience (hard learned).
 If you DONT know the territory and DONT have lots of time on your hands, hire a guide of some sort the first time. Once going there with a person knowledged in the area, getting skilled a bit and doing homework while hunting, you can go back on your own later years and save some dough. I've burnt myself many times trying to self guide by internet info. Nothing takes the place of being there.

[njloco]

, Geez Mike, I already do all those things and still have no $,    , just kidding, we're talking about a DIY elk hunt either this coming season or the following. I want to do a bivy hunt, you know pack in and pack out, I ain't getting any younger, just started to get into shape for this, gotta start sometime might as well be now.
One of my friends want to go on a Sika deer hunt in Virginia, so that's a possibility before the elk hunt, heck I'd do both.

[lpcjon2]

Thanks for the Info, I am gonna start looken at places close to my home state first. Maryland and Delaware,good sitka in Maryland to hunt.

[team fudd]

I save fifty to a hundred dollars a month until I have enough saved to go on a guided hunt somewhere I would not normally have ever got to hunt.  I have had some great experiences and it is well worth the sacrifice. I am fourty four and have been on five out of state or out of country big game hunts, succesful four out of the five.  Do tons of research as it will pay off in the end. Also for the diy guys the eastman hunting journal has a ton of info on diy all over the west.  They are a huge source of info, check them out as well. Good luck to you.

[Owlgrowler]

Have you ever been to the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area/ Worthington State Park? I know there's bucks dying of old age up there- 2 hour uphill hike to get to 'em, and, they're not huge,115" 5 year old is not uncommon,(a buddy of mine did get a 131" with a ML last fall, total freak). Bears.

Early season there's hundreds of acres of corn along the river- lot's o deer.Bears

There's camping along the river and the Appalachian Trail( I think they relax the rules a bit on the AT after Columbus day)

PA has a lot of public land that doesn't see a lot of bowhunters- if you get back in.

[Warchild]

You could hunt in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Cheap ($110.00)non-resident tags and tons of open hunting land. If you don't mind baiting, you can almost garuntee a shot at A Doe at the very least. The U.P. is vast so many bowhunters bait. I have hunted over bait and without, I see many more deer baiting. I use trail cams first to find where the deer are moving the most and set my stands accordingly. I have 3 cameras and set them all out. Usually I have a good stand set the second day. There are many deer per square mile in certain areas of the U.P. (30-34) but there are also many areas (counties) that only contain 14-17 deer per square mile but the buck to doe ratio is only 2 or 3 Does per Buck. The bucks you see in these areas average 31/2 years old. I personally hunt the heavier populated areas of the South Western U.P. If you are interested in a big woods whitetail hunt, pm me and I would be glad to make suggestions via e-mail or telephone, I can get you going in the right direction.

[ron w]

Cyclic Rivers and I did DIY elk hunt last fall. Started out with 5 guys and wound up just the 2 of us. When all was said and done Charlie and I spent just under $1000 a piece. Most costly was gas getting there [North Central Colorado]. Another guy wound have made it even cheaper. We camped and ate pretty simple. Gas was biggest cost and next was the elk tag. But you can go pretty cheap, just do your home work in what ever state your going and plan well!

[German Dog]

Mike Vines gave good info on saving dollars.

I'd add that for me the best and easiest/full proof way to save is a good ol' white envelope. Stick it in the safe or cabinet or where ever where it's out of sight. Get your paycheck and put the bills in it and put it away till next paycheck. Start small and work up to a comfortable amount that you could end up with what you need for a DIY hunt. $1000-1500 will get ya most any DIY hunt in the lower 48.

[champ38]

Great post Mr Vines.