• Posts
    • Bowhunting Articles
    • Bowhunting News
    • Bowhunting Gear
  • Interviews
    • Straight Shot Blog
  • Videos
  • Deer Pictures By Robert Hoague
  • Cooking Wild Game
    • Cooking With SusieQ
  • Wild Hogs
  • Bowfishing
  • Events
  • Contact
Monday, February 6, 2023
Bowhunting.Net
  • Login
  • Register
  • Bowhunting Articles
  • Interviews
    • Straight Shot Blog
  • Bowhunting Videos
  • Deer
  • Wild Turkey
  • Scouting
  • Bear
  • Cooking Wild Game
    • Cooking With SusieQ
    • Wild Game Cooking
No Result
View All Result
  • Bowhunting Articles
  • Interviews
    • Straight Shot Blog
  • Bowhunting Videos
  • Deer
  • Wild Turkey
  • Scouting
  • Bear
  • Cooking Wild Game
    • Cooking With SusieQ
    • Wild Game Cooking
No Result
View All Result
Bowhunting.Net
No Result
View All Result
Home Bowhunting Posts

Hunt Out West on a Budget

Tracy Breen by Tracy Breen
June 28, 2018
in Bowhunting Posts, Bowhunting Videos
0 0
A A
1

If you live in the Midwest, chances are a western hunt is on your bucket list. The problem is most midwest hunters believe a western hunt is out of their price range. That may be true if you go on a fully guided hunt, but if you are willing to go on a semi-guided or unguided hunt, an elk hunt, mule deer hunt or antelope hunt is probably within your price range. Over the last 18 years, I have hunted all over the West.  I have had the good fortune to interview many well-known western hunters. One thing they all of us have in common is the fact that we have tagged numerous animals without spending a lot of money.

PUT IN FOR LIMITED DRAW HUNTS

Some of my fondest memories are from hunts that took place deep in the backcountry when I drew a tag in a limited draw unit. Many states including Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and others have draw systems in place. The drawing process intimidates many eastern hunters, but learning how to play the drawing game can greatly increase your odds of success. Cody Nelson from the Outdoorsmans, a Western optics and hunting gear store based in Phoenix, Arizona says putting in for limited draw hunts is one of the ways an average person without deep pockets can find success. “There are many big bulls and bucks in limited draw units out here,” said Nelson. “I recently killed a nice bull elk on a limited draw hunt. Many hunters believe killing a mature bull is only going to happen if a person spends a lot of money. That is not the case. Some of the best tags require a person to apply for years before they draw, but a good tag is worth the wait.”

 

OVER THE COUNTER TAGS

Hunting in an-over-the-counter unit where you can walk into a Walmart and buy a tag is also an option. There are more hunters in over-the-counter units, so bucks and bulls are often harder to find near the road. This will require you to put plenty of miles between you and the road but if you are willing to work hard, you can fill a tag in over the counter units. The experience alone is worth the effort if you have never hunted out west.

TRESPASS HUNTS

I have killed elk, mule deer and antelope with my bow and I can tell you if money was limited and I really wanted to fill a tag, I would hunt antelope. The success rate on antelope is fairly high especially if you do a trespass fee hunt. This is a hunt where a landowner charges you to hunt on their land. They don’t babysit you, they don’t hunt with you, or take care of anything. They often show you where to hunt and that is it. The HuntWise app comes in handy because you can find the landowner boundaries quickly so you know exactly where you can hunt. A few years ago, I tagged a Pope & Young antelope in Colorado and hunted with Trujillo Creek Outfitters. This trespass hunt didn’t cost much money and I tagged out on opening day. Paying to hunt on private land is worth it.

KNOCK ON DOORS

I have also killed game out west by knocking on doors. I once killed a small mule deer buck that I saw feeding in an apple orchard. The land owner gave me permission to hunt and after a few days of hunting, I succeeded. I had less than $1,000 in that hunt.

RESEARCH

The key to success if you want to go on an unguided hunt is doing a lot of research on the areas you plan to hunt and being in shape for the hunt. We Midwestern hunters don’t hike mountains often, so getting in shape before you are hunting at 8,000 feet is necessary. If you are going on a backcountry hunt, check out the Atlas Trainer from the Outdoorsmans. This pack frame allows you to attach Olympic weight plates to the frame so you can quickly and easily can train with weight on your back without throwing sand bags into your pack. This system is quick and easy to use. Learn more at https://outdoorsmans.com/collections/weight-carrier/products/weight-frame-system.

By thinking outside the box and doing your research, you can check a Western hunt off your bucket list without breaking the bank. I wrote a book on the subject titled, “Big Game On a Budget.” Check it out at www.tracybreen.com.

Visit Tracy : Tracy Breen

For more on bowhunting.net please visit: Tracy Breen

Tags: bowhunt the west . bowhunt elkbowhuntingbowhunting.netDrop-Tine ReportTracy Breen
Previous Post

One Step Closer to the Slam: Part II

Next Post

8X Binoculars: The Best Option For Hunting Deer

Next Post

8X Binoculars: The Best Option For Hunting Deer

Gear Review: Elite Archery's 2018 'Ritual' Compound Bow

HSUS Attack On Alaska Hunting A Sham

Shore Lunch = Bear Hunt

Comments 1

  1. Pingback: Hunt Out West on a Budget – FreaknHunting.com

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Sydnie Wells 2023: The Search For Bullwinkle
  • Gladiator Meets Tim Wells
  • Tex-Mex Venison With Meatballs
  • The Great American Outdoor Show- Your Hunt or Fish Starts Here
  • Is it Too Far? Think Before You Release That Arrow
  • Wild Turkey Cajun Pasta
  • Bowhunting Articles
  • Interviews
  • Bowhunting Videos
  • Deer
  • Wild Turkey
  • Scouting
  • Bear
  • Cooking Wild Game

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

No Result
View All Result
  • Bowhunting Articles
  • Bowhunting Videos
  • Deer
  • Bowhunting Gear
  • Western Bowhunting
    • Elk
  • Wild Turkey
  • Cooking Wild Game
  • Wild Turkey Bowhunters Blog
  • Straight Shot Blog
  • Register
  • Activate
  • The Original Bowhunting Website & Blog. Online Since 1996.
  • Robert Hoague Field Notes, Photos & Blog

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00