Author Topic: Where would you move to for the ideal hunting? (Read 3728 times)

Skunk · « **Reply #30 on:** July 21, 2009, 12:56:43 PM »

Montana.

jandbn · « **Reply #31 on:** July 21, 2009, 01:37:30 PM »

My family and I want to go back home to Alaska, just can't afford to go at this point in time. We left in 99 and regret leaving!! All sorts of hunting and fishing. Ya gotta like a little bit of cold and lack of light in the winter. But come spring, summer, and fall, there is no where better, especially June, July, and August.

Scibaer · « **Reply #32 on:** July 21, 2009, 01:43:37 PM »

just about anywhere ...

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #33 on:** July 31, 2009, 11:49:43 AM »

I'm here. Central North Dakota

Ducks, geese, cranes, swans, grouse, pheasant, huns,crows, fox ,coyote, raccoon,beaver, whitetail, mule deer, pronghorn and a remote chance for elk moose or bighorn. Montana, Minnesota, South Dakota and Canada and the game they hold are all within a couple hundred miles.

AtlLaw · « **Reply #34 on:** July 31, 2009, 01:38:58 PM »

not to mention snow, ice, freezing rain (in the summer) sub-zero temperatures, etc., etc....

dukkillr · « **Reply #35 on:** July 31, 2009, 02:08:55 PM »

I've been to Washington, Oregon, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta. None of them had the mosquitos I saw in the Fargo area.

rex6666 · « **Reply #36 on:** August 03, 2009, 09:05:00 AM »

Why would anyone in the U.S. that claims to be a hunter worry about
a mosquito, like they had none at home.
I thought this started as a place to move to, not a place not to move to
Alaska would be nice.

dukkillr · « **Reply #37 on:** August 03, 2009, 09:14:41 AM »

I've hunted ND, and I enjoyed it. Wide open country... lots of puddle jumping and upland activity. Colder than crap and windy... The topic was, "where would you move for the ideal hunting?" Seems to me any discussion about outdoor activities in a given area would qualify. Doesn't seem like everything has to be positive. For instance, if someone argued that you should move to Arizona for the elk it would important for someone to point out that you would only draw a quality tag every 15 years or so... If someone mentioned Kansas for the antelope and elk I would note that it currently takes more than 15 years for a resident rifle antelope tag and more than that for an elk tag of any kind... It may not be positive but it certainly belongs in the discussion.

I don't like mosquitoes, just like I don't like poison ivy... but I deal with it. If all else is even I'd avoid them both. I would imagine all other users not currently trying to pick a fight would agree...

Since you didn't say anything to Atlaw about mentioning the bad weather I can assume you're only trying to pick a fight with me... You obviously could have said, "Why would anyone in the US that claims to be a hunter worry about cold weather..." But you didn't. Hmm...

You can do better.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #38 on:** August 03, 2009, 10:23:44 AM »

Quote from: thxmrgarand on March 10, 2009, 08:04:38 AM

I think everyone should give Alaska a look if they are thinking of relocation. Arguably Alaska is the most gun-friendly state. There is more public land here than in all other states combined (128 million acres of state land, over 50% of all US Dept. of Interior land, two largest national forests, etc.) There is no state income tax and no state sales tax. The town I live in happens to have a sales tax however. I live in a house assessed at about $200,000 and the property taxes are about $2,000. In-state H&F licenses are free for anyone 60 years of age and older. In most game units a $25 brown bear tag is required but so far as I can recall all other tags - deer, elk, caribou, goat, sheep, bison, muskox, black bear, wolf, etc. are free for residents. On the coast (more coastline than all other states combined), anyone can efficiently fill their freezer with salmon. Like anywhere there is no shortage of aspects here to make anyone unhappy, and I think Alaska has more people coming and going proportionately than any other state (so many people evidently find good reasons to leave) but especially right now when federal government control and intervention seems to be growing at a rate not seen except during the Civil War and during WWII, Alaska appears to be a good vantage point from which to watch all the fun. And Alaska could always use more people who like to shoot guns and hunt and fish. We are so uncrowded that I have never seen anyone wearing bright colors hunting, and when I meet someone hunting or fishing it is rare enough (except on the local duck flats) that I always stop and talk with them. Yes, Alaska suits me quite well.

You made that sound pretty good! Now, why don't you tell them how much it cost to hunt all over the state? Explain that there are VERY few roads, and the animals are spread out, and i do mean spread out... That any place easy to get to, someone is already there. That the places you can walk to, someone is already there, probably with horses.

I hunted all over Alaska for 25 years, and i can get to more animals more cheaply here in the mid west than i ever could there. You can easily spend 6 or 700 bucks (or a LOT more) just getting to a hunting spot. That means spending big $ every time you want to go hunting for a specific animal... These days, there are drawings for some tags, and size limits on what you can shoot too...

Here's a pict. of what happens when the coast is opened to salmon netting in a place a person can drive to. My buddy sent it to me a couple weeks ago, as he still lives there...

Here's the note he sent with it,

Another pristine Alaskan wilderness experience! People dip netting red salmon at the mouth of the Kenai River last weekend…..
They ran out of permits, they had only printed 30,000. Had to print 15,000 more. Each permit is good for 25 salmon for the head of the household plus 10 more salmon for each additional member of the family.

Anyway, there's nothing wrong with moving to Alaska, just know what it's REALLY like, and it "isn't" like what you read on line 99.9% of the time...

BTW, last time i checked, it cost $500.00 for a "resident" muskox tag...

DM

teddy12b · « **Reply #39 on:** August 03, 2009, 10:24:49 AM »

Quote from: dukkillr on August 03, 2009, 09:14:41 AM

I've hunted ND, and I enjoyed it. Wide open country... lots of puddle jumping and upland activity. Colder than crap and windy... The topic was, "where would you move for the ideal hunting?" Seems to me any discussion about outdoor activities in a given area would qualify. Doesn't seem like everything has to be positive. For instance, if someone argued that you should move to Arizona for the elk it would important for someone to point out that you would only draw a quality tag every 15 years or so... If someone mentioned Kansas for the antelope and elk I would note that it currently takes more than 15 years for a resident rifle antelope tag and more than that for an elk tag of any kind... It may not be positive but it certainly belongs in the discussion.

I don't like mosquitoes, just like I don't like poison ivy... but I deal with it. If all else is even I'd avoid them both. I would imagine all other users not currently trying to pick a fight would agree...

+1. When I started this I wanted to take all the factors into consideration. Poison Ivy, Mosquitos, Poisonous Snakes, Tag Availability, Frigid Cold, and whatever else are all a part of hunting and what can make one place ideal or the least ideal depending on the hunter.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #40 on:** August 03, 2009, 05:21:35 PM »

Never ever I repeat never come to Texas to hunt. There's mosquitos here that can eat a man, and the poison ivy, there's some here that will just swallow you up and spit out the brass and lead. then when you get to the Central hill country and out west the rattle snakes will just attack you. if they dont get you the ticks will give you lime disease in a heart beat. Not only that but there is no water for months and the drought kills more animals than hunters do every year! then just when you think you'll survive the hunting season an aligator will chase you outa your duck blind and a cougar will bite you right on the ass when you bend over to pull a cactus needle outa the boney part of your ankle! Why heck, i've seen and heard of fellas that disappear just going to the range to sight in their rifles, never heard from again. Occasionally their family will get a post card from Kansas from some woman that is wondering where her "old man" is?

Bottom line..... unless you have no self respect i'd stay the hell outa Texas, it jsut aint safe her.....uhhhh there!

AtlLaw · « **Reply #41 on:** August 03, 2009, 05:26:09 PM »

Quote from: dukkillr on August 03, 2009, 09:14:41 AM

Since you didn't say anything to Atlaw ...

Aw, Rex just knows I like to be abused... $:-\$ After all I've been married almost 40 years!

Anyway, he also knows the only way to abuse me is to ignore me.

mauser98us · « **Reply #42 on:** August 03, 2009, 05:48:45 PM »

Arizona in the old days when you could get a tag easily. We have Elk whitetail.mulies.and coues deer. Javelina, bears two types of Turkeys.three types of Quail.bobcat coatimundi.foxes.badgers,coons,two types of Doves,chukars,grouse pheasant,moutain lion and a host of other stuff Wish I could turn the clock back thirty years before all the foreigners invaded.

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #43 on:** August 04, 2009, 08:24:37 AM »

Quote

not to mention snow, ice, freezing rain (in the summer) sub-zero temperatures, etc., etc....

True....But it's a "dry" cold. LOL Better than hunting in 100 degrees. You can always dress warmer but necked is as far as you can go to cool down.

Quote

None of them had the mosquitos I saw in the Fargo area.

Ooops... Forgot to include them in my list of "game".

Cabin4 · « **Reply #44 on:** August 05, 2009, 05:08:52 AM »

we are planning our escape from Cal now. Looks like we will end up in Idaho or Montana for sure. We are activly searching for a place now. With home prices depressd as they are , its a great time to buy now. We will sell our home here in the next year or two and then pack up and go, never looking back.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #45 on:** August 05, 2009, 10:32:48 AM »

Cabin 4,
where is Northern CA are you?
Teddy,
Having been in Mt a few times hunting I would look around the helena or great falls area.
I was near great falls, small town called Cascade and we had a great time hunting birds, deer (both white tail and mule deer) and elk.
The people are nice and are willing to talk to you about hunting and are very helpful in pointing out where they shot elk or saw deer.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #46 on:** August 07, 2009, 04:44:38 AM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on August 05, 2009, 10:32:48 AM

Cabin 4,
where is Northern CA are you?
Teddy,
Having been in Mt a few times hunting I would look around the helena or great falls area.
I was near great falls, small town called Cascade and we had a great time hunting birds, deer (both white tail and mule deer) and elk.
The people are nice and are willing to talk to you about hunting and are very helpful in pointing out where they shot elk or saw deer.

I'm just south of San Jose.Are you out here?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #47 on:** August 07, 2009, 05:02:27 AM »

Moved from Temecula to Pacifica a year ago.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #48 on:** August 08, 2009, 03:55:07 PM »

Quote from: mcwoodduck on August 07, 2009, 05:02:27 AM

Moved from Temecula to Pacifica a year ago.

I've been through there one or twice.

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #49 on:** August 09, 2009, 03:16:44 AM »

I will make this a rather lengthy reply and I may ruffle a few feathers but I know people here have a strong character and will politely agree or disagree with me.

I base my evaluations on my personal observations,experiences and meeting with people all over the nation. In the past I worked as a public school teacher and would take off for most of the summer west of the Mississippi River to see America, for a lack of a better term. I have been in every state of the Union with the exception of Oregon and Hawaii.

The Southern States offer a large amount of game and some variety. You have whitetailed deer, wild turkey and feral boar. You have long seasons and fewer firearms related ordinances to deal with. The negative that I have seen after hunting there is the access to land issue. You see here in New England it is still very common to be able to hunt private land that is unposted or hunt with permission without having to pay for the privlege. I have permission from three landowners in Connecticut to hunt deer and turkey with bow,rifle and muzzleloader. In addition, small game and varmints if I want. The only thing I pay for is the cost of my license, gas to drive to them and a few presents around Christmas time. Leasing is very popular in the South and Texas. For the most part it is not done in the Northeast. If I took AtlLaw with me on a hunt in Massachusetts, for example and forgive me for using your handle, you may be subconciously bugged a bit at the fact that we would be on land that you never met the landowner and allows people to trespass without any sort of fee or written permission. That is the way it is here. I know having hunted Florida that all private land requires some sort of transaction to be hunted unless you are very close friends or related in some way. I have hunted the South but it was during the Christmas or Winter vacation week. The weather was nice but I know for a fact having been in Texas during July and August it is hotter than Hades and I don't do heat well. As someone said, you can dress up for the cold but it would get pretty uncomfortable to hunt naked.

One ofthe things that IO noticed out West is that you have a lot of open spaces but again you run into the posted and leased land issue. Here in the northeast you don't have to worry so much about trespassing for a couple of reasons. One is that if you do accidentally trespass a verbal warning is the most you will get if you comply and leave. If you still trespass you can be arrested and pay a fine. I believe in Massachusetts it is fifty dollars. Also, if land is posted it must be done so clearly with signs every fifty feet with the name and address of the landowner. So it is much harder to make an honest mistake in the brushy woods by accidentally crossinig a line. Many Western states place the onus of knowing on the hunter. I know we can argue that but it is one less thing to worry about.

Here in New England wewith the exception or some special hunts such as moose the licenses are over the counter in most cases. Most states in the northeast for antler less tags for deer require some sort of drawing but as an example the state of New Hampshire has what are called antler less days. Depending on the zone you can hunt either animal but then it becomes bucks only. When you buy your Massachusetts license you get two buck tags automatically. You can apply for a turkey permit for five dollars again no lottery and get two gobblers in the spring. Another five for an antler less permit. Depending on the zone you can have 100% chance of getting your antler less permit. Dad and I got our antler less permits for our hunting zone so we’re all set. Where I hunt Connecticut I can legally take eight deer. Four of either sex with the bow, two with the rifle and two with the muzzleloader. Also I can take three gobblers in the spring . Many western hunters dropped their jaw when I told them that on some of my trips. I heard them tell of not getting drawn for a simple buck tag in a particular zone. I spoke with one man who owned a SD motel and he and his friends hunted Montana because it was easier to get a deer license as a non resident than as a resident of his home state.

I will admit that I love the western vistas such as the Badlands in ND and the varmint hunting. We do not have quality varmint hunting for a lack of a better term. Small game is poor as the habitat needed is very fragmented. Deer and turkey are doing exceptionally well but other game such as rabbit, ruffed grouse are way down in numbers. Just the awful truth of it. I kind of joked to myself as I could not take time off during the deer and elk season that prairie dogs are my antelope and rock chucks are my elk. I had a lot of fun sneaking up on prairie dogs with my TC Contender and a 22 WRM barrel. I believe that practice helped me with getting my first handgun moose.

I liked the post on the gentleman who moved to Canada. It does sound like a paradise but I could not abide by the gun laws. In September I will be going to the Western part of Massachusetts to hunt black bear. I will be using bear urine as an attractant and see what I can do for three days. I will be hunting with a Ruger Redhawk in 44 magnum. I know I could not legally do that in Canada and that would rub me the wrong way. I know many think of Massachusetts as being akin to Communist China regarding gun laws but they are less stringent than that of Canada. I don’t mean this as an insult to our Canadian brethren but it is an observation. When I checked my trail cameras in Mass and Connecticut I carried without a second thought. Not a problem for me but I know it would be near impossible to do in Canada. I have heard that you can get a permit if you are an outfitter, guide or prospector but I suspect that even those special situations are near impossible. I love to handgun hunt and do it whenever I hunt out of state. I was blessed with two opportunities in NH for moose and taken two moose with my Contender. Can’t do that in many places around the globe. When I walk in the woods I like to carry something most often a Ruger SS in 22 WRM as my main woods bumming gun. Can’t do than in many other nations. That is all I will say as Canada does offer some tremendous beauty and open spaces. I hope one day to do a winter caribou hunt in Labrador or Quebec but it will have to be with a long arm of some type.

So those are my observations.I will gladly accept any criticism.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #50 on:** August 09, 2009, 09:56:21 AM »

Your post was too long..............

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #51 on:** August 09, 2009, 10:52:00 AM »

BIGBORE, I find the hunting in Mass. area interesting. Although you are able to buy all of these permits, what is the chance of filling all of these licenses you are able to get?

? I am not being a jerk, I just wanted an idea. My pal lives near Pittsburg, Pa. He can buy unlimited deer permits for Allegeny Co. but as far as I know has not been able to kill a deer there in years.
I agree with you on the small game situation in the east, mainly I have been in Pa.. It sucks. I am not sure what the answer is in your area, but in others I feel there are too many predatory animals many of which are stray house cats. On the handgun issue you are right about Canada. While I like Canada, I have noticed they do not have the freedoms we have here, at least at the present. When our current president is though with America, Canada may be better off in the future than we are. Tresspassing can be a serious issue in the South and in the west, but some of the ranches I hunt are bigger than whole counties in Mass. But your are right, generally access is easier in the east than the west. One thing I have noticed in Pa. is the number of places that are posted with food plots to draw in the deer and turkey. While baiting a small place is illegal, planting ground is legal in Pa. to attract game but baiting is not????Go figure that one out. The areas with the food plots easily draw the deer and turkey off of the game lands that are right next to them. I know I have seen it. In addition Pa. and West Va. seem intent on destroying the few deer herds they have left. It is sad what has happened in those two states.
I have traveled to all of the states except R. I. , Del. and New Jer. I doubt I ever make it to those as I have NO desire to set foot in them. While getting licenses is generally far easier in the east, I would say getting the game for the ones you have is far easier in the west. Sitting all day in a Pa. deer stand, is not really my idea of hunting. Worse yet is sitting in an elevated, heated deer stand. Hunting is moving over the country. Spotting game, making a stalk, sitting for a couple hours during prime time is ok, but not all day as they do in Pa. But that is the way things are done there. Having been in both areas for much hunting, I do prefer the open country of the west to the heavy brush of the east and northeast. Good luck with the fall hunts. They are not far off.

Sept. opens our grouse season, and a limited quota whitetailed deer hunt.

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #52 on:** August 09, 2009, 11:53:32 AM »

The success rates are low for the most part. Last year Dad and I got skunked. The year before I shot four deer and one gobbler. The success rate in Massachusetts runs around 10% while rifle hunting on private land in Connecticut runs close to 30%. So for the most part the chances of connecting are against you.

We have a huge problem with two predators. The coyote and the fisher. The $10 a cup coffee crowd in the greater Boston area was able to get a referendum passed that basically restricted trapping to box traps with certain exceptions. The fisher were brought here to increase bio diversity. Well they have taken their toll on small game. I don't even bother to hunt small game. As a teenager I shot plenty of ruffed grouse. Now the only place I know of with good populations would be in Maine.

I can understand how you feel about hunting out of a stand. The problem you have here is that if you still hunt you have a good chance of pushing game into someone else. I have done it and seen it done. So most of my hunting is a stand of some sorts. I really love to bowhunt here in New England. It is my time to relax.