Once in a life time, need help
 

Every now and then my wife will do something to remind me why I married her. Recently I was reminded just how lucky I am. My buddies and I would always say "If we just put away $5-$10 a week, sooner or laterwe could afford one of those fancy hunting trips". Well I have never been good at saving, but fortunately my wife is and she has apparently been saving for the last ten years or so. To make along story short, I am in a position now to take a hunting trip just about anywhere I want. I was hoping to get some feed back from folks that have been on guided/semi guided trips so once the early spring Hunting shows come to town I will have a better idea of what is available.This will undoubtedly be a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, so I want to make it count. I dont necessarily want to the emphasis to be an the trophy caliber of the animal taken, I am also equally concerned with theoverall experience. Although I would certianly be open to any suggestions here's what I had in mind: Midwest, Canada, or Alaska; Bowhunting; opportunity for more than one species (something other than whitetail)...I am all ears.
Thanks

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

I would go to Alaska and hunt big moose and some costal grizzlies.
Congrats on your hunt options.

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Once in a lifetime?
My dream hunt:

21 days in Alaska. Dall sheep, Alaskan/yukon Moose, and Caribou.

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

You are a lucky guy. Make sure to take your wife. Dreaming of being in your position, I was perusing the web sites for Alaskan Moose and that is what I think you should do (I'd be wary of the coastal bears with a bow!). I don't remember the names of the websites, but many of the operators were now taking reservations for '07 and later. I'd get looking now if I were you.

Congrats,
CE

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

A fly-in Moose/caribou and/or black bear hunt for as long as possible with a little fishing thrown in too. Camp on a remote lake w/access to a boat.

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

I just read an artical in Field and stream about a guy who went hunting in Africa for African Lions and other big cats. With a bow. No 458 Lott or 458 back-up. just a few dogs. He said that even with a perfect hit it takes a Lion or Lepard a full 30 seconds to expire. That could test your nerves a bit.;)

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

If I had the funds available to go on a truely "once in a lifetime" hunt it wouldn't be in the states. Hunting moose or elk or caribou really isn't that unobtainable for the average person if they really want to go. Make yourself put away 20 or 30 bucks a week and you can literally go every five to six years on an Alaskan hunt.

My list of once in a lifetime animals would include.............

Asia for Marco Polo sheep and Ibex.

New Zeland for trophy red stag.

Africa for Gemsbuck, Kudu, Eland, Sable, Zebra, and Cape Buffalo



Marco Polo Sheep




Ibex




.

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Wow, Bigbulls that is a beautiful sheep. Would you say that a hunter could reasonably expect an opportunity at something like that if they hunted hard or is that an exceptional specimen for that species? nicely done. bow or rifle? what country?

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

What hillbilly said. I would do the moose/caribou or moose/sheep.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!!!

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Hillbilly, that isn't me in those pics.:D I sure wish it was though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd be on cloud nine for the rest of my life.

No, I have just been dreaming of hunting those two animals for a long time now.

I just wanted to post those pics so you all could see what they looked like cause most people have never heard of them before.

Here are a few outfitters I have found while dreaming of hunting these magnificient animals.

http://www.deltana.com/central-asia/marco-polo.htm

http://www.marcopolosheep.com/

http://www.bluewaterbiggame.com/hunt_with_us/kyrgyzstan_marco_polo_argali_sheep_hunt_gallery.cf m

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Make sure you take your wife!

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Once in a lifetime? Africa! Tony da Costa .com. All those hunts to Alaska and in North America, you could spend thousands and not even pull the trigger. Some are thousands, like a moose hunt, $8500 and you may not even see a moose. Now Africa, you will see hundreds of animals, get all the shooting you can stand, treated to 4 star meals and lodging. Only way to go. An african hunt is about the same as a guided elk hunt out here, with the exception of airfare.

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Here's an idea I have been working on for the last five years. Three weeks in Montana on the river with Elk, Deer, small game and fishing to boot. With what it is going to cost you for one hunt in Alaska I can go every year for the next five. Sure I may or may not get the perfect animal but good, bad, or ugly I will have done five times to your one. Don't get me wrong I think that if you can you should go, but remember there are no guarentees. Good luck with the sticker shock...


I have spent most all my life hunting and fishing. The rest of the time was wasted.

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

I'd check out Newfoundland's combo hunt for Moose, Bear and Caribou ,I had a friend who did this hunt but without the Bear tag ,2 guy's and in 2 day's they both got a bull Moose and a Caribou each ,they had so much meat they skipped on the Bear. I also like your option's for Alaska as well .I plan on taking the Newfoundland hunt in the next couple of season's myself.

nubo

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Wow, once in a lifetime hunt. Well, if I was rifle hunting it would be for Alaskan moose and Grizzly. I have taken a few moose but those Alaskans are huge and the Grizzly is about as high on the food chain as I care to go. Take your wife with you.

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Bowhunting moose. I have a friend thats a guide over here in B.C. and for $3500 (u.s. funds) it could be possible. It really sucks though as I see those swamp donkies in my own yard from time to time. I just can't seem to get drawn for a tag here and I ain't getting any younger, but I am getting better. ;)

Bobby

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

First decision is what do you want to hunt? Personally, nothing to me beats bugling bull elk!

One suggestion, if you wait until spring for the show, you may end up booking for 1+ years out. Most good outfitters, by Feb (Spingfield MA show) will be full or near full for that fall. The next fall (07 in this case) will be open.

Springfield has some good outfitters for a variety of game animals, lots of caribou and elk and bears. Pick a species and a price range, you mention once in a lifetime, well that can mean anything from a $3000 hunt to really BIG money for things like Dall sheep, mtn Goat, or other "exotic" type of game. Have a price in mind, hit the shows but be open to not hunting til 2007 if you book this winter. You may find openings, but be very wary of a guide who has LOTS of openings for the upcoming fall. Ask how many clients are repeat clients, or even consider a booking agent (I have a friend who hunts through one I can get the name/contact if you wish).

have fun, and if possible and she would enjoy it, bring the wife. Some outfitters have things for them to do if they come.

--Bob

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Did you watch the program with Ralph and Vicki (Archers Choice Television show) bowhunting Moose with Mcmillan River Outfitters?
I get to hunt for moose litterally out my back door, but watching those giant Alaska/Yukon moose come in to the call was unreal. Thats the hunt I would be booking. Have fun, shoot straight!

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

MAHunter, I just went sorta what you are going through but my funds were limited, someone on this site recommended I contact a booking agent which I did they were able to talk to me about my wants expense limitations and all the laws and outfitters (Outfitters that are successful) in planning your hunt the most important is to find the right person or outfitter to go with after you decide on what you want to hunt. I booked through them and feel comfortable with my decision. If you are interested ping me.

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Africa. No doubt about it. Elephant, kudu, lion, leopard, Cape Buffalo...what's not to like about that?

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

honestly..... the price!!!! [&:]

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

MA, I have hunted in Canada twice and between, airfair, permits, guide tips,
have the animalsmounted, .45cents per pound to cut and wrap the meats
and airfare to ship the meats back, over $6000 each time. I quess Africa
will be over $9000 for a one time trip. Maybe more, according to what you
want to hunt.

RE: Once in a life time, need help
 

Full Curl Dahl Sheep,
Best for Bow Hunters is no doubt MacKenzie Mtns, North West Territories
Canada. Take a moose or caribou to boot.