Anyone hunted state side?

Then there is the USAs BATF form No 6 to download, fill in and send off well in advance of travel date showing a proof of possession of a hunting license to enable bringing your guns over to the US (done it a few time now including once a .44 special revolver as we were primitive camping, I live in Germany before you ask!) flights can be pricey with guns, I use Delta and never needed to pay anything on top of the flight ticket but my last trip was 2014.
Absolutely complete that form, and yes Delta are the best, but there has always been some kind of hassle associated with firearms/ammo at Heathrow.
But if I ever hunt in the US again I will borrow a rifle as I have made some great friends over the pond.
Cheers
Richard
 
I’ve heard Alaska is theoretically possible without an outfitter but because of its vastness you effectively need one unless you have access to your own light aircraft, extraction facilities etc. I spoke to a guy who did moose in Canada for money but not crazy money ($3-$4k). Lower 48 is very possible on public land and getting non resident tags. Especially if you’re willing to go a bit of the beaten track. A lot of Americans are 500m from your truck hunters (no offence as I know that’s a crude generalisation). The more glamours animals can have lottery systems though for tags so can be tricky to get. If you’re willing to apply every year and have flexibility with going then you’d be able to do it yourself

Nope, except for a couple species (I think Caribou and Blacktail deer) all non-residents of Alaska must use an outfitter. The cheapest wild sheep hunt would be Alaskan Dall, but that is still probably going to push $15,000, not counting your airfare there and back. Most of the friends that I have that have done DIY Alaskan hunts are military, so they are stationed there and can come in as a resident. Even as a resident, I doubt you could do Dall for less than $5000 - and most of that would be the air transport back and forth.

Actually, the most affordable American sheep would be Rocky Mountain Bighorn. The problem though is drawing a tag. Its not uncommon to hear of people waiting 20-30 years to draw a tag. Once you finally have a tag the success rates are relatively high, but then those same states often have mandatory sit out periods once a tag has been drawn. So, you get lucky, draw a tag in 15, hunt and kill, then sit out for 5-10 before you can re-enter the draw.

For some the cheap alternative is a truly wild Audod (Barbary) sheep hunt in west texas. I think these are around $2500. However, West Texas is not exactly Northern Rocky Mountains majestic.

So, I would again say - narrow down what you want to hunt, then narrow down the states that have that species. An easy an unique hunt would be Pronghorn Antelope. Easy to draw tags (some places like indian reservations just sell the tag and hunt over the counter, but you use an Indian guide) and a species that only exists in one place.
 
Nope, except for a couple species (I think Caribou and Blacktail deer) all non-residents of Alaska must use an outfitter.
Yep you’re right. I was basing my info on speaking to American friends who are non residents but not non resident aliens. Seems they’re able to do a few more species without an outfitter than a foreigner.
 
What did you hunt in Alaska?
Did you have any success?
I have to disagree on one point, it isn't just a young mans hunting ground, I first hunted there when I was 52, last year I was 58 and walked further and higher than on previous hunts, if you prepare well us 'oldies' can do it.
Get busy living or get busy dying is what I go by!
If I had a choice, dragging a red deer up a muddy wet field in Devon, or popping my clogs up a mountain in Montana it would be the latter!
Cheers
Richard
IF you died up a mountain in Montanna, would you have to be butchered on the spot, and carried out in back packs? :-|
 
When I worked in Roswell NM Barbary sheep were a free add on to the deer license as they were seen as an invasive species.
Did my pronghorn with a Contender pistol at 185 paces in .35 Remington cost me $300 in 1993. Taxidermy then was $300 on top, it hangs on the wall (trophy?) at my home.
JFDI (just f;;;king do it) will never regret it.
 
I am heading off to the US in October, black bear and whitetail DIY easing myself in before I go for an elk DIY, I am bowhunting but it’s just the same for rifle, but you would need to do an online hunting course then get over the counter tags or build up points for draw areas, regards Wayne
 
I am heading off to the US in October, black bear and whitetail DIY easing myself in before I go for an elk DIY, I am bowhunting but it’s just the same for rifle, but you would need to do an online hunting course then get over the counter tags or build up points for draw areas, regards Wayne
Best of luck Wayne, I would love to go over again, good on you doing a DIY hunt.
Cheers
Richard
 
Best of luck Wayne, I would love to go over again, good on you doing a DIY hunt.
Cheers
Richard
Can't wait, there are good numbers of bears tags are cheap the whitetails are not big but that's not what it's about for me, made a load of kit to take so I can get into saddle hunting for the deer and the bears are spot and stalk flights where cheap so all in all I have spent less than £500, there will be food and travel expenses but out in the forest the accommodation is free lol, just got to get out there,regards wayne
 
Thanks for all the help and info - it’s probably raised more possibilities and questions to be honest but that’s bound to happen.

Top of the list would be a moose. Doesn’t necessarily have to be Alaska,(obviously prices and the tag issue puts that out) but I just suggested it because it looks stunning.

Elk/mule deer would also be of interest it’s where to start.

Can never make my mind up about black bear, fairly neutral on that!

Cheers for all the info and plenty to look into. Certainly sounds possible!
 
Moose i would think are draw tag from accumulation of points black bear are plentiful but to me only spot and stalking as opposed to sitting under bait, Elk and mule i will try colorado possibly next year if i am successful on the bear if not i will go back and try again, can't wait to head out to try this adventure,regards wayne
 
Moose i would think are draw tag from accumulation of points black bear are plentiful but to me only spot and stalking as opposed to sitting under bait, Elk and mule i will try colorado possibly next year if i am successful on the bear if not i will go back and try again, can't wait to head out to try this adventure,regards wayne
Moose are very difficult to draw.
Are you hunting Wyoming this year?
I have fished/hiked in Colorado, me and the kids loved it, but the altitude got to the wife and made her poorly.
Colorado is much higher than Montana and Wyoming, Idaho is pretty tough terrain.
One thing is guaranteed, you will love it, and keep returning.
Cheers
Richard
 
Canada appears much more reasonable, what would a Dall sheep hunt be, ball park figure?

Agreed, as I already said, each state have their own rules and regs, but sponsors aren't required in the lower 48 are they?

Of course there might be one hurdle, hunter education requirements.

Cheers

Richard


Count on $20,000 ( US ) and up for a Canadian Dall Sheep hunt and you do need a guide . It ain't cheap .

AB
 
Moose are very difficult to draw.
Are you hunting Wyoming this year?
I have fished/hiked in Colorado, me and the kids loved it, but the altitude got to the wife and made her poorly.
Colorado is much higher than Montana and Wyoming, Idaho is pretty tough terrain.
One thing is guaranteed, you will love it, and keep returning.
Cheers
Richard
yes I understand, a guy i know has just set out for moose this year it has taken him 20 years so I hope he manages to get an arrow to one. not Wyoming this year I am headed to Vermont, but will work my way through my list of what I want, I will also start putting in for areas to gain points I have a long list of things to do and I am going to do them< I would rather do DIY and enjoy the experience along the way,regards wayne
 
This all sounds most exciting and I have always wanted to do some hunting in big country. This is good food for thought for the future so thank you for posing and answering the question!

One more question if I may, what do you do with the meat? If near friends family etc I guess good meat always finds a home but I’d be interested to know what others not in that situation do.

Many thanks for an interesting thread!
 
if you are successful you first take it to the fishery's and game warden to check tags and all meat has been carried out, then you can get a form for donating the meat to people or food banks as bavarianbrit said, I will keep some to eat whilst there if successful, bear meat is supposed to be good, where I am going I know there is a restaurant that has organised game nights which I am looking forward to trying new things, bear is supposed to taste real nice and I have organised to try some whilst I am over as well as an Elk steak,regards wayne
 
Vermont, supposed to be very pretty there.
I have eaten, given away to friends, and donated to the food banks.
Once the animal is down in Montana you don't have to report it to anyone, you just take the meat away.
Just in case you don't know, Bear meat has to be cooked really well, you don't want worms as Steve Rhinella got from eating under cooked infected bear meat.
I have eaten Elk, Muley, Whitetail and Antelope, the latter was superb.
But last year the back strap off my Elk was to die for.
Cheers
Richard
 
I’ve noticed some of the Alaska outfitters do ‘self guided’ hunts that are about $5k cheaper than using a guide but not sure how this actually works when you can’t bid to do a tag for self guided..

Other option would be to do a reindeer/caribou hunt in Norway. Feels slightly less of an adventure though!
 
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