Hunting Expenses This Fall

[Willie]

I usually travel from Texas to several Rocky Mountain states each fall for elk and mule deer. This year, I just bought preference points due to the price of gasoline and food.

On hunts last fall to Colorado and Montana, I spent $1400 on fuel and food on the road. That's not counting camp food and generator fuel. Dragging my 22' cargo trailer with my Tundra doesn't help.

There's no doubt my expenses would balloon much higher this fall for gas and food. It also seems the F&G keep adding on fees here and there before you can get around to buying your tags. Nonresident
prices are high, but that's the price we pay to hunt that beautiful country.

Hopefully the November elections will begin to bring 2020 fuel prices back and 2024 will stabilize them.

This will be the first time I have not made it to the high country, just wondering how many are not going due to this current cluster.

 

[Aeon]

I'm still going but I am not looking forward to the pain, 36gal there and back to duck camp. 5gal for the generator, 10 - 20 gal for the airboat. Fml

 

[timeout]

Three of us made the decision not to travel to Wyoming this year for our annual DIY public land mule deer hunt. For me personally it's partly the principle of it all. I refuse to be held up for fuel and associated costs for something I don't have to have. Could I afford it? For now, yes. The question is where is this all going to end? It seems as though we are on a fast track to become the next Venezuela. I'm retired and may need all that I have to survive. Since I have my own property and relatives property to hunt, I'm staying home. Thanks Joe.

 

[KMart]

High fuel prices and shortages are the anti's delight. Bambi is safer. Pollution is less. Nature is less disturbed.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I believe fall fuel will be higher, not sure if "standard" elections will take place. The 2022 elections could have "COVID" rules again or be massively altered by emergency order. Really only way democrats can counter national opinion of the president and congress is manipulating the election,again. We may have fallen off the cliff, just don't know how far we will fall.

 

[D Coots]

There will be an anomaly of some sort.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

I live in “high country” and don’t go. Beef is cheaper.

 

[timeout]

I live in “high country” and don’t go. Beef is cheaper.

When all is said and done, beef has always been cheaper. The thing is, that some of us were born "hunter-gatherers". I'm still going to put some on the ground here and turn the venison into delicious brats and burger mix. I'll do it until the day I die or physically cannot drag myself to the woods.

 

[K22]

I'm somewhat fortunate, both clubs I belong to are relatively close by, one is 10 miles round trip the other 20 miles. I ration my shooting but for me, getting out to the ranges is therapeutic so weather permitting, I visit them about 4 times a week.

I hunt locally, private farms, about 50 miles round trip. When the hay is cut, I varmint hunt about 2 days a week.

But at closing at $5 a gallon for gas, it's a financial hit for sure. But since I can't get components, it balances out financially but is not my preferred way to save. 

 

[piute]

Three of us made the decision not to travel to Wyoming this year for our annual DIY public land mule deer hunt. For me personally it's partly the principle of it all. I refuse to be held up for fuel and associated costs for something I don't have to have. Could I afford it? For now, yes. The question is where is this all going to end? It seems as though we are on a fast track to become the next Venezuela. I'm retired and may need all that I have to survive. Since I have my own property and relatives property to hunt, I'm staying home. Thanks Joe.

This was my decision also!

 

[3Ackleys]

Time spent in the mountains is priceless.

 

[Davidheart]

I put in for Wyoming back in February. Now there's a large part of me hoping I'm not drawn on the 16th. My wife is encouraging me to still travel out to hunt if drawn but gas prices are wild and I know the money could be better spent...

 

[JB10]

I just put in for AZ deer but do not expect to be drawn. Last 2 years has been record number of applicants. If I do get drawn im dreading the fuel cost. Also i do a lot of predator hunting in cold months. This last winter stung with prices and now its even higher. Might not make it out much end of this year.

 

[Big_Daddy]

Over $1100 in diesel for my trip from Washington State to North Dakota last week.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Over $1100 in diesel for my trip from Washington State to North Dakota last week.

That may seem like a bargain come Fall!
$4.40 a gallon for regular gas today, last Sunday $3.99

 

[Big_Daddy]

That may seem like a bargain come Fall!
$4.40 a gallon for regular gas today, last Sunday $3.99

Cheapest diesel we had was in Mandan, ND....$4.99 a gallon
The rest of the trip was $5.39 to $5.79 a gallon

 

[Gary in MD]

I’m still driving to Oklahoma this November for an annual trophy deer hunt. I never look forward to the two day drive nor the fuel expenses. But there’s no way that I want to miss a trip that I look forward to for 360 days a year. I guess I could stay home and sit on the couch and day dream about it.
You only live once,
Gary

 

[rayporter]

your time will expire before your money does!!

i know.

go now if you can. i have watched fluctuations in hunter numbers over the years and a down turn in hunter numbers is always good.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Florida to Wyoming.. I'm still going to try to sneak a trip in. I'll come out of retirement and get a part time job when I get back if I have to. I could be dead next year, only the Lord knows.

 

[Gary in MD]

Florida to Wyoming.. I'm still going to try to sneak a trip in. I'll come out of retirement and get a part time job when I get back if I have to. I could be dead next year, only the Lord knows.

Exactly!!!