Some of you have said that reading stories like this have planted seeds that are sprouting dreams of a hunt of your own. To me, that is the highest praise I could receive.
If you haven't done an out of State adventure, but have always thought that someday you want to, DO IT!
DO IT NOW!
At 53, I know that I'm lucky to be able to be doing this kind of stuff. Sadly, I know many people my age or older that probably never will. It doesn't get any easier as we get older, so the sooner you can start, the better off you will be.
On the bright side, just down the road from us was a camp of older fellows, including one gentleman that was 70 years old. And he was hitting the hills and getting back in there. So it can be done.
Hunting trips like these don't have to be extremely expensive. For this trip I had two major expenses. The cost of the tag (About $550)
and the cost of fuel. (approx. $800) Sharing a trip with a partner or two would sure sut down the fuel bill. Other than a night in cheap motels on either end of the trip we didn't have any major expenses that we wouldn't have had if we stayed home.
A great trip can be had for $1,000 - 1,500 total cost. Elk, mule deer, whitetail, antelope, bear, hogs, javelina. Squirrel away what you can, and little by little the hunt fund will grow.
If you keep saying to yourself, "Someday...."
Someday might never come.
Set a realistic target. 2009. 2010. Start saving. Do the research. Send emails. Make phone calls.
Dream!!!!!!!
And then make it happen!!!!