Budgeting for fall.
 

I'm making some changes over the summer due to the ever climbing gas prices. I want to be able to hunt as often as I can so I have to start planning my budget now. I've never had to do this before. My hunting lands were close to home but I've lost that lease.The best new property I have to hunt is a 4 hour drive. I also have 2 places that are within 1/2 an hour but they don't have the same potential.
Some of the things I'll be doing is more side work,(I'm a licensed electrician), and working all the overtime I can. I'll be banking that money specifically for gas to get me to the hunting grounds. One nice thing is I won't have to pay to hunt any of the three places I have this year so the $650 I paid last year can go straight in the gas tank. By October that might be two tanks [:@].
What changes do you have to make to hunt how you want to?

RE: Budgeting for fall.
 

Much the same as you, I am trying to bank all the extra money I can. I quit a 12 year smoking habit that was costing me like 2500 bucks a year or better. I also have been shopping for either a gas saver car or a on road off road bike. If I can let the truck sit most of the summer, except for Fridays to the river with the boat, then I can afford to run it in the Fall. Good luck to everyone out there, I fear it is gonna get way worse before it gets any better.

RE: Budgeting for fall.
 

when I totalled my truck last month I replaced it with a small car. I'm now looking for a beater truck to be used for hunting trips and hauling my tractor. The switch from a truck to a small car is wierd but the switch from 19 MPG to 34 MPG is sweet. This is the first time in my adult life I've been without a truck.

RE: Budgeting for fall.
 

I'm mowing lawns this summer, selling old stuff I don't need anymore, recycling aluminum cans and whatever steel I can find, carpooling, not going places I don't need to go, not spending xtra money I don't need to spend (saving instead of spending).....This fall I won't be driving as far or as often, and when I do go it will be with another person to split the gas bill.

RE: Budgeting for fall.
 

Greg:

If you ever get the chance (on YOUR end)....come to NC and hunt a few days with me. ONLY thing it'll cost you is gas, here.

I know Rob's coming, this year. Matt/PA might be.....and I have another HNI "celeb" (lol;)) making plans to hunt, here, this fall, too. You know you're always welcome, here....just name your dates.

Can't promise you anything other than a place to stay.....great food (thanks, Lisa)....and some good fellowship. The deer may or may not cooperate......but I wouldn't bet against you having a few shot opportunities.

Good luck, this fall.;)

RE: Budgeting for fall.
 

Hopefully get some side work myself (construction). Need to quit smoking would be great. I'm lucky cause I get to drive a work truck home and on the weekends for family time we take the car so I maybe drive my truck 3 times a month now and just during hunting season.

RE: Budgeting for fall.
 

Hell I'm saving a LOT of money on FOOD, right now....lol.

Good idea, though, Greg.....starting a "fund". Good luck with it.

RE: Budgeting for fall.
 

I almost wish I could get that lucky. I would love to be where you are at right now. You have a car, and you arelooking for a truck. Buyers market on those things now. You could get a better than beater truck for a beater price right now. I don't want to sell my truck cause I will get beat up on the price. So I am looking for a car or the just gonna haul off and buy a bike. Its been awhile since I have been on two wheels, but to save 100 plus dollars in the couse of 300 miles is easy math.

RE: Budgeting for fall.
 

Oh, the other big thing this year is I got permission to hunt a 57 acre piece within walking distance of my house. It's some of the best hunting area that I have seen. I don't want to burn it out, but its always an option. I hate to think my food plot work and scouting at the cabin will be in vain if I can't afford to get up there as much.

RE: Budgeting for fall.
 

Any of you guys that don't know how or just don't for other reasons might want to learn how to process your own deer ,its easy ,cheap and you get the cuts you enjoy most . You'll save time,money and gas plus you'll enjoy the hunt more knowing the quality meat you are providing your families.[:-]