big game hunting
 

Just wondering, which big game animal is cheapest to hunt? If the cheapest is a whitetail, whats the 2nd cheapest?

RE: big game hunting
 

Are you asking as a hunt with an outfitter? Or just the hunt?

If it is outfitted whitetail, it is up there pretty high with hunts now in the $4000 range. The least expensive guided or payed hunt, I would think would be wild hog hunts.

RE: big game hunting
 

Well your question begs a couple of more questions. Do you own a firearm or bow, clothing, boots, etc. If you're just beginning you'll need to acquire some materials. However, hunting can be as inexpensive as a second hand shotgun or rife, a pair of jeans and a positive attitude.

RE: big game hunting
 

I have all the materials needed other than a few small things that may be needed for certain animals or locations. I'm talking with an outfitter, not just the hunt. Didn't think about hogs, I'm guessing you're right about that though. What about only animals considered big game by pope and young though?

RE: big game hunting
 

yeah they're a real nuissance for a lot of people. alot of land owners will let you hunt them for free. some may even pay you(hey it's possible). there definately isn't a lack of them around depending on where you are.

RE: big game hunting
 

I wouldn't really consider white tail as big game. Mulies maybe, but not whitetail. If you can carry it out in one trip, it ain't big game. Bobby

RE: big game hunting
 

I'm not totally positive but I would think a black bear hunt over bait.

There's no actual guiding other than driving you to a location and telling you to go sit in "X" stand and shoot a big bear and I'll be back at dark to get you.

The outfitter on a bear hunt has to work far less than say a wilderness elk hunt or Alaskan moose or carabou hunt.

RE: big game hunting
 

Antelope hunts can be very cheap. From a license and guide fee standpoint, they are one of the cheapest (if not the cheapest). Hit some states like Wyoming and don't even bother with a guide.

RE: big game hunting
 

Toss up between antelope and black bear if your using an outfitter. Doing it yourself, antelope. Those are both recognized by P&Y.

RE: big game hunting
 

If you are planning on next year, and are considering an antelope try Wy. Pm me and I will give you some areas to apply for. There are usually some tags left for this fall but access is some what limited.

RE: big game hunting
 

Ditto there, especially if SW Wyo.

RE: big game hunting
 

I think the cheapest to hunt is what is in your back yard. Mine would be Deer, Bear , Turkeys. to book a hunt Bear or Antelope.

RE: big game hunting
 

Another animal to toss out there for inexpensive (ain't none of them cheap [8D] ) is caribou. Usually two animals an be taken, and for 2-3K.

For me however, there's another aspect, I don't see myself going on a guided hunt for something I can hunt at home, that rules out turkey, deer and moose. I also would rather have an more "interactive" hunt if I am paying alot, I don't want to sit in a tree all the time, so caribou, elk, mule deer and maybe antelope (but stalked) would do. I have gone on two elk hunts guided and LOVED every second of it, there it little to get your heart pumping than having a bull elk screaming at you coming to find you to kick your butt for being there!

RE: big game hunting
 

I did a pronghorn antelope hunt last year. The non-resident tag was about $237; the Wyoming fishing/hunting conservation stamp was $10; the trespass fee was $125 for two days of hunting on a 1280 acre ranch. On this size ranch the pronghorn come onto and go off of the ranch, but there are plenty of animals around so this was not a big issue. Hotel was about $55/night in Gillette, Wyoming (actually only $25/night due to a glitch on their part, but I didn't complain). I drove about 1200 miles to get there with one night in a hotel half way; 1200 miles getting home with another night in a hotel. The whole trip was well less than $1000. My son went with me, and other than an additional tag, conservation stamp, and trespass fee the costs remained fixed. If you can get someone else to go on the hunt with you to share gas and hotel costs you can save some money and make it a fun hunt.

If you are looking for big horns, however, you may need to go with an outfitter/guide. My impression is that the outfitters find out where the big pronghorn bucks are and lease exclusive rights to hunt that ground.

RE: big game hunting
 

i can understand the sense of security of leasing private land for you hunters from out east who come here to wy to shoot an antelope, but i think you should save your money. there are plenty of nice goats (13-15inch) shot on public every year. i live somewhat near gillette, and even though i usually have permission on quite a few local ranches, i almost invariably shoot mine on public.

i think you could do this trip out here for next to nothing. the non res tag, some gas, maybe even a motel, but that should be about it. theres just too much good public land here to have to worry about paying to hunt.

RE: big game hunting
 

Here in Montana the hunts range from(cheapest to highest)
1. Antelope(900-2200)
2.Cat-bear (1000-2400)
3. Deer (1800-2500)
4.Elk (2500-6000)
5.Moose sheep and goat(3500-8000)

This depending on area,guide to hunter Ratio.
If I was looking for my 1st guided hunt antelope would be my choice,just due to number of animals and sucess rate run pretty high.
BBJ

RE: big game hunting
 

www.huntsd.net for cheap Antelope and other species