Is this an affordable sport?
 

With the ever rising gas prices, and directly related overall cost of daily living items going up, people spending less money on hobbies/recreation...it had me thinking. In reality, this hobby/sport can be as cheap or as expensive as you make it in reality, but as a whole, don't you think we're lucky to be able to pursue an activity that is still somewhat affordable in today's times?

I got out of offroading due to the overwhelming costs it involved. The closest offroad park is now 2hrs away, my built truck got about 17mpg, you generally came away from a run with at least ONE broken item on your vehicle if you were lucky, a built vehicle requires maitenance, daily park fees in excess of $30, tires in the $800 range that last 1-2years...less if you blow one on the trail, ever-lingering threat of snapping big $$$ parts such as axle shafts, R&Ps, driveshafts, etc. Bowhunting/archery, however, seems to be a much more affordable hobby. Really if you look at the barebones equipment scenario, here's what you need:

Bow (can be 30yrs old, or one day old)
Land to hunt (here can be the more expensive part, but generaly there's public land for most people who don't want to or have the option to own/leas)
Camo (again doesn't need to be head to toe scent blocker, micro-fleece, etc)...heck you technically don't even need the camo
License
Arrows
Gas to drive to your lease/land (ok...here's where your major expense comes in)

Cost of watching the woods come to life on an October morning 20ft up: PRICELESS

Thought I would put a somewhat positive spin on today's somewhat "bad" times. What do you guys think?

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

IMO it is cheaper than the shooting sports. I was a casual shooter and it was expensive. Ammo is expensive and guns are expensive. Affordable is different to everyone, but I would say you could get into archery for cheaper than you could get into other outdoor sports. As long as you are content with basic equipment, I would think it would be completely possible to get completely setup for under $300.

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

I have all I need, No more new bows for awhile.
I am sticking with a BH i can resharpen.
I have all the treestands I need.

I should be good!!

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

I hear you Matt. I got out of my project car for the same reason. I had done everything to the car that could have been done without getting into big dollar items like a built motor and custom tranny. I took a car that put down 130ish whp stock and made almost 380whp with it. In the end, I had more than enough $$$ in that thing to have put a really nice downpayment on a house, and every dollar I put into it depreciated in value. That was really the point where I decided to sell the parts off, get rid of the vehicle, get into my current Subaru, and take up target archery.

Archery and hunting isn't cheap by any means, but at least the property I'm hunting is appreciating in value, and if I'm broke just about any bow will do. ;) I don't even have a hunting bow right now, but I'm not concerned because I know I can grab just about anything for whatever price I can afford at the time and get out there.

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

Yeah the depreciation was another aspect that turned me off. I bought my truck for $6800...then dumped about $3-$4K in it, and sold it four years later for $4800[&:] I didn't mean to insinuate that this is a cheap sport, but relatively speaking, it's pretty low budget. Granted many of us don't do the low budget thing, but if we had to, we could still enjoy it just as much. I'm also fortunate enough to live close to my cabin, and live on my main hunting ground. I can walk out the back door and shoot as much as I want, hunt as much, etc.

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

^ i dont offroad right now, but i am getting a truck that i am making a mud truck in a week or so. so i know what you mean, but my dad is a mechanic;)so it is alot cheaper, plus i can do mostly everything my self. but you are right hunting gear isnt that bad it is just getting to the hunting spot is what it sort of bad. just wondering what kind of truck did you have?

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

It CAN be cheap, but once you get into it...it certainly isn't.

Bowfishing is more expensive than bowhunting for me, gas bill alone for truck, boat, and genny is outrageous.

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

Check the signature...Toyota all the way;) Actually, a 96 Tacoma Ext Cab 2.7 5spd. 2.5" body King Coilovers up front, PC AAL w/Bilstein 5100s out back. 3" RB BL, custom armor all over. CBI offroad winch bumper, custom sliders (I made most of them), custom rear bumper (I made it as well). 33x12.50r15 Trxus M/Ts, regeared to 4.88s, etc. It rocked (excuse the pun) offroad. Didn't do much mudding, but mostly rockcrawling. I did most of the work myself as well, but it still was too costly:(

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

I think once your set up, your set up. Unless you try to keep up with the jones'. Arrows and broadheads might be the only thing needed to be replaced in a few years! This season I can buy a license and gas and go and hunt, probably for few years to come! :)

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

Only until you theadd 3.98 a gallon to get you to the woods.[:@]

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

You forgot the BH's:D[8D] But yes it is more affordable than many other sports...

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

My brother raced stock cars. Thats expensive!

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

I am saving this post:D

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

Good point Matt. The expenses tick me off on all those trips when I go home empty handed, without any close encounters. But, on the other hand, one cool morning slinging an arrow through a good buck puts everything else into perspective. Hopefully, after the election, we will get a break on these fuel prices. Someone has got to do something.
chris

RE: Is this an affordable sport?
 

I think the sport is a bit expensive but you have to put it into perspective. My dad shoots trap almost every day and reloads, but ammo has gone through the roof. His Browning Citoris are over 2k a pop if I remember and he is bringing broken clay home for dinner.
I also look at friends here in Chicago that go clubbing every weekend and are paying 20 bucks to get in and around 6-10 bucks a drink, they spend more in a month than a brand new bow would cost and all they bring home is a mean hangover.
With archery we can reshoot our arrows over and over, a good bow will last years and we can bring home something viable from a hunt to feed our family. Hunting land can be free and stands and gear can last for a very long time. Last but not least we get great excercise hunting and relieve stress, that is priceless for me!