Over the years I've thought about all the hunting trips I'd like to go on before I die. Caribou was number one for years and surprisingly I was actually able to do that one. The adventure was probably one of the coolest experiences I've ever had.
So here are my top ten hunts I want to do before I die.
10- Iowa Whitetail
When you hear about the top states to hunt whitetails Iowa always comes up. True Ohio are pretty darn good, but if you get access to the right place your chances of killing a true hog are much better. The only down side is the tags are flipp'n expensive, but it's minor compared to the cost of these other hunts. I've got three or four preference points to hunt in Iowa and will probably do this hunt shortly after I return from this overseas tour. I doubt I'll hire an outfitter, but I may lease a property for a week. Public land is also an option, but I kinda like not dealing with other hunters and enjoying the whole experience vise worrying if someone is going to be in my spot. Only time will tell, but this hunt has a very high probably rate of actually happening.
09- New Zealand Red Stag
I'm not sure what it is about the videos of hunting stags in NZ, but something about it just calls to me. The bad thing is the hunts are very expensive. Right now would be a good chance for me to reduce the cost of airfare because I might be able to tie it in with a TAD trip to Australia (we have a few exercises down there). However the over all cost of the hunt is very high so I'm not sure how that would work out. Regardless the chance to chase monster stags in the mountains is a very inviting challenge. The probability of this hunt happening are pretty low, but hey you never know what life brings ya.
08- Alaska Mountain Goat
Here's a hunt that kinda intrigues me. I would probably tie this hunt in with a moose hunt, but I'm not sure if they live in the same type of areas. The bad thing is I think you need a guide to hunt Mtn Goats and if so that alone reduces the chances of this hunt actually happening. The reason being is the cost of the outfitters.
07- Alberta mule deer
This one has always been a dream and will most likely happen. The cost isn't to bad and your chances of killing a really big muley are pretty good. I'd probably do this one with a rifle though. Mainly because I'd like to hunt the same type of terrain that 56(from os.com) did.
06- Alaskan barren ground caribou
This hunt will also probably happen. You don't need a guide and I have a friend who lives in Fairbanks who wants to take me out on this hunt. The cost isn't too bad and I believe the most expensive part is the airfare to AK and your bush flight.
05- Alaskan moose
Another hunt with a high probability of happening. You don't need a guide to hunt moose and the most expensive part is the airfare.
04- Mountain Caribou
I don't know if this one will ever happen because Mtn Caribou hunts are pretty pricey. However if I was ever able to pull it off the adventure would be one I'd surely never forget.
03- Limited draw San Juan Utah elk
This hunt will happen! I've been building preference points since 2007 and by the time I leave here I'll have about half the amount normally needed to draw. I've been told the average point requirement is 10 to 15, but I have a who friend drew a limited draw hunt in Utah with only five points. He was also fortunate enough to kill a 300 inch bull too.
02- Africa
This is another hunt that will happen. The cost to hunt Africa really isn't that bad considering what you get for it. When I was in Europe I really wanted to take advantage of being on that side of the world/timezone, but in the end the money was spent (wisely too) on family adventures. Right now this is probably going to be my USMC retirement gift (to myself). That may happen in three to seven years though. If I stay in longer I'll probably go before I retire. My hit list are Kudu, Zebra, Wildebeast, Impala, and Wart Hog.
01- Alaska Dall Sheep
Anyone who has known me for a while, knows how bad I want to go Dall Sheep hunting. The bad thing is the cost is SUPER expensive. I'll most likely have to retire from the Marine Corps and start a second career making what I do now before I could afford the expense of this hunt. At $16,000 to $20,000 (yes this is a very real estimate) it's hard to justify the expense when I have a daughter to put through college, mortgage payments, and other bills to deal with. However, who knows, maybe one day things will work out and the good lord will bless me with the opportunity to chase such a majestic animal though the AK mountains.
So here are my top ten hunts I want to do before I die.
10- Iowa Whitetail
When you hear about the top states to hunt whitetails Iowa always comes up. True Ohio are pretty darn good, but if you get access to the right place your chances of killing a true hog are much better. The only down side is the tags are flipp'n expensive, but it's minor compared to the cost of these other hunts. I've got three or four preference points to hunt in Iowa and will probably do this hunt shortly after I return from this overseas tour. I doubt I'll hire an outfitter, but I may lease a property for a week. Public land is also an option, but I kinda like not dealing with other hunters and enjoying the whole experience vise worrying if someone is going to be in my spot. Only time will tell, but this hunt has a very high probably rate of actually happening.
09- New Zealand Red Stag
I'm not sure what it is about the videos of hunting stags in NZ, but something about it just calls to me. The bad thing is the hunts are very expensive. Right now would be a good chance for me to reduce the cost of airfare because I might be able to tie it in with a TAD trip to Australia (we have a few exercises down there). However the over all cost of the hunt is very high so I'm not sure how that would work out. Regardless the chance to chase monster stags in the mountains is a very inviting challenge. The probability of this hunt happening are pretty low, but hey you never know what life brings ya.
08- Alaska Mountain Goat
Here's a hunt that kinda intrigues me. I would probably tie this hunt in with a moose hunt, but I'm not sure if they live in the same type of areas. The bad thing is I think you need a guide to hunt Mtn Goats and if so that alone reduces the chances of this hunt actually happening. The reason being is the cost of the outfitters.
07- Alberta mule deer
This one has always been a dream and will most likely happen. The cost isn't to bad and your chances of killing a really big muley are pretty good. I'd probably do this one with a rifle though. Mainly because I'd like to hunt the same type of terrain that 56(from os.com) did.
06- Alaskan barren ground caribou
This hunt will also probably happen. You don't need a guide and I have a friend who lives in Fairbanks who wants to take me out on this hunt. The cost isn't too bad and I believe the most expensive part is the airfare to AK and your bush flight.
05- Alaskan moose
Another hunt with a high probability of happening. You don't need a guide to hunt moose and the most expensive part is the airfare.
04- Mountain Caribou
I don't know if this one will ever happen because Mtn Caribou hunts are pretty pricey. However if I was ever able to pull it off the adventure would be one I'd surely never forget.
03- Limited draw San Juan Utah elk
This hunt will happen! I've been building preference points since 2007 and by the time I leave here I'll have about half the amount normally needed to draw. I've been told the average point requirement is 10 to 15, but I have a who friend drew a limited draw hunt in Utah with only five points. He was also fortunate enough to kill a 300 inch bull too.
02- Africa
This is another hunt that will happen. The cost to hunt Africa really isn't that bad considering what you get for it. When I was in Europe I really wanted to take advantage of being on that side of the world/timezone, but in the end the money was spent (wisely too) on family adventures. Right now this is probably going to be my USMC retirement gift (to myself). That may happen in three to seven years though. If I stay in longer I'll probably go before I retire. My hit list are Kudu, Zebra, Wildebeast, Impala, and Wart Hog.
01- Alaska Dall Sheep
Anyone who has known me for a while, knows how bad I want to go Dall Sheep hunting. The bad thing is the cost is SUPER expensive. I'll most likely have to retire from the Marine Corps and start a second career making what I do now before I could afford the expense of this hunt. At $16,000 to $20,000 (yes this is a very real estimate) it's hard to justify the expense when I have a daughter to put through college, mortgage payments, and other bills to deal with. However, who knows, maybe one day things will work out and the good lord will bless me with the opportunity to chase such a majestic animal though the AK mountains.
