RE: How much does gas effect your hobby?
It hasn't affected my decision to hunt yet, but it has affected my decision on vehicle though. I'd love to have a full size truck and would have probably had one by now...........but for now the Suby will have to do. It's kind of hard to give up AWD and 30mpg with gas prices these days.
4 hours each way to my camp ends up costing me roughly $55 right now (have to use 93 octane), but it wouldcost me nearly 2x as much in a full size truck. You can do the math if your traveling 4x a month (during season)........it does add up and does get expensive but I guess it's still cheaper than a lot of other hobbies.
It does affect the time I spend there during the offseason. I'd love to go to my campthis weekend to work on plots and get some firewood cut for the upcoming bonfire/camping season, but just can't justify the $$$ to drive there.