Hunting in the USA

[C.W. Richter]

Son is likely going to accept a dental job on the outskirts of Anchorage when he graduates this summer (for the very same reasons!)

*I'm just in-charge of gunsmithing, handloading, procuring equipment, dialing-in, etc.and hoping that he calls me (as a family member also not requiring a guide) when he finally heads out! We'll probably get out for black bear (and eating the AK bounty) after he moves in...

 

[Firebird]

We were looking at a caribou trip in Alaska when the realization struck that we could do 3-4 animals in africa for the same price!

Don’t go to Texas for African species, hunt the animals you can’t get anywhere else-nilgai, blackbuck, axis, or the extremely common pigs or cull whitetail.

 

[Buffalo1]

You may hunt an African species in the USA, but you will not experience Africa.

As ZZ Top once said, "They come in two classes, shades and cheap sun glasses!"

 

[Hunt anything]

I’ve hunted all over the US and Canada and paid for a guided big game hunt once. The 13 year old dall ram on my wall cost $120 in fuel for the super cub. No need to spend big bucks to have great hunts in NA.

Am I wrong that a nonresident can’t hunt sheep, goat or the big bears in Alaska unless you have a permanent resident family member that can take you or hire a guide?

 

[Ryan]

Am I wrong that a nonresident can’t hunt sheep, goat or the big bears in Alaska unless you have a permanent resident family member that can take you or hire a guide?

You are not wrong. That is the requirements for non-resident. And unless you know a pilot really well and they're feeling gracious you're paying a lot more than that now for an air taxi as a resident. My ram cost me $1K/person for transportation eleven years ago and they required two of us to go for safety, so $2K.

 

[Safari Dave]

Am I wrong that a nonresident can’t hunt sheep, goat or the big bears in Alaska unless you have a permanent resident family member that can take you or hire a guide?

That is the case in many parts of the Western U.S. If the area has been designated as a "Wilderness Area" by the U.S. Forest Service, you can not hunt there without a licensed guide, or a resident family member.

I guide fishing trips in the Eastern US, and we can NOT guide clients into designated "wilderness areas" because no commercial enterprises are allowed in "Wilderness areas".

Who knows!!!

Political f**kery seems to be rule all over the world.

 

[CoElkHunter]

That is the case in many parts of the Western U.S. If the area has been designated as a "Wilderness Area" by the U.S. Forest Service, you can not hunt there without a licensed guide, or a resident family member.

I guide fishing trips in the Eastern US, and we can NOT guide clients into designated "wilderness areas" because no commercial enterprises are allowed in "Wilderness areas".

Who knows!!!

Political f**kery seems to be rule all over the world.

I always wondered HOW Wyoming can require a guide for non residents in their better elk hunting units on NATIONAL FOREST land? Seems we all pay taxes for the acquisition and maintenance of those lands? I know Colorado doesn't require a guide and I don't believe Montana or Idaho do either.

 

[JimP]

That is the case in many parts of the Western U.S. If the area has been designated as a "Wilderness Area" by the U.S. Forest Service, you can not hunt there without a licensed guide, or a resident family member.

I guide fishing trips in the Eastern US, and we can NOT guide clients into designated "wilderness areas" because no commercial enterprises are allowed in "Wilderness areas".

Who knows!!!

Political f**kery seems to be rule all over the world.

That is only for Wyoming all the rest of the western states you can hunt the wilderness areas without a guide.

I'm not totally sure on Alaska

 

[Safari Dave]

To successfully hunt the western US, you either need lots of money or lots of time.

If you have the ability to designate 2 months into researching, traveling, scouting, etc., it can be done (elk, mule deer, antelope) on public land without spending $10K or more.

If you don't have the time, then you almost have to hire an outfitter. In my experience, American outfitters do not have nearly the experience with client services as African safari companies.

U.S. hunts will, usually, be more physically demanding and require better marksmanship than African hunts.

The accommodations and food will not be to the level of African safari companies.


I have enjoyed US outfitted hunts, but, (IME), the outfitter expects the hunter to be much more experienced than the average African safari company does their clients.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I have had similar experiences as @WAB in living up here. I have had friends with planes fly me for the cost of gas. I've shot a bunch of caribou that didn't cost much to shoot.

 

[C.W. Richter]

You can, without too much trouble, hunt elk, mule deer, antelope (and small black bear) etc. out west (even buy B. Sheep tags over the counter for archery in some places.) I got a decent 5x6 elk and saw many, many nice muleys, whitetails, and antelope on a public land hunt, and returned. You could even fly or drive out to scout prior to the hunt. Many ranches have a public hunting program (but you must walk in,) but there is much great public access land situated adjacent to private big ag. If you don't wish to pay $5K, $10K, $15K+, put in $1K worth of your time for the savings! You can do a budget or cull hunt in Africa for <$5K featuring several (or many) animals!

Let me add to that! I believe black bear in AK (some very large like here!!!) is open year 'round! They had N. of 100,000 last count...You either have to have a close family member there, a guide, or simply tag along with someone you know, just for the experience. Pulling the trigger is <1% of the effort expended, and, that's when the real work begins (sans any "expensive" guide with planes, UTVs, Argos, horses/ponies/mules, bills to pay on the homestead between hunts. 'Stuff like that (in USD.) I'd bet some retired people moved there for a short time simply to establish residency, and then do the AK slam over several years! (in AK you must live there for a Calendar Year-1/1 - 12/31 to become a Resident.) Palin wasn't stupid.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I have had similar experiences as @WAB in living up here. I have had friends with planes fly me for the cost of gas. I've shot a bunch of caribou that didn't cost much to shoot.

I know many commercial fishermen that are more than happy to help out (they don't want anything, except for you to share some meat! they're sick of seafood. LOL) And us lowly hunters, having to live on nothing but crab, shrimp, shellfish, fresh fish in trade-it's truly a crime!

 

[Safari Dave]

I have a good friend who has a cabin within 5 miles of a "wilderness area" in Wyoming. I am familiar with the area and I know I can hunt it effectively, but, in order to hunt it, I must hire an outfitter.

My friend could easily watch over me as I hunt. (Heck, I could be in constant with him via cell phone while he watches TV in his cabin!)

But to hunt an elk, I would have to pay an outfitter $7,000 plus the almost $2,000 that would be required to get a tag.

 

[Robmill70]

I myself would LOVE to pay the labor (and commodity-foods, etc.) rates of that enjoyed in Africa (where on avg. one of our $ is worth 10.) Many get paid $5/day or even month. Go to Africa. It's what this website (and it's members) are promoting! I would love to have a maid, cook, mechanic, landscaper, tracker and gunbearer around my place for $300/mo. Biden & Co. have driven up the price of animals in TX!

I got it, we live in an age where McDonald's workers get $20 an hour, but some of the prices for just the trophy fee are.....WOW! But hey, free market, if people are willing to pay, more power to them I guess. I'll have to stick to going to Africa to hunt....darn lol

 

[CoElkHunter]

I have a good friend who has a cabin within 5 miles of a "wilderness area" in Wyoming. I am familiar with the area and I know I can hunt it effectively, but, in order to hunt it, I must hire an outfitter.

My friend could easily watch over me as I hunt. (Heck, I could be in constant with him via cell phone while he watches TV in his cabin!)

But to hunt an elk, I would have to pay an outfitter $7,000 plus the almost $2,000 that would be required to get a tag.

That's BS on the part of Wyoming. The Wyoming Outfitters Association has that state's better elk hunting areas locked up for non residents on PUBLIC LAND.

 

[C.W. Richter]

I got it, we live in an age where McDonald's workers get $20 an hour, but some of the prices for just the trophy fee are.....WOW! But hey, free market, if people are willing to pay, more power to them I guess. I'll have to stick to going to Africa to hunt....darn lol

A 300 Ac ranch in primo exotic hunting land TX (hill country) costs $1M-$3M. Not factoring in any other improvements or bills (and they are myriad!!!), go ahead and compute the mortgage payment on that (and tell us what jerks the owners are for charging such high fees.) LOL Check out the price for game stock on these ranches too! (they didn't fall out of the live oak trees.) The best way to not have to worry about any of this too much, is to learn skills and put them to work in your very own business. Strive to not be the Employee, but the Employer! Go to TX, Africa and anywhere else your heart desires! Life is short. Both TX and Africa are Wonderful.

 

[Ryan]

Let me add to that! I believe black bear in AK (some very large like here!!!) is open year 'round! They had N. of 100,000 last count...You either have to have a close family member there, a guide, or simply tag along with someone you know, just for the experience. Pulling the trigger is ponies/mules, bills to pay on the homestead between hunts. 'Stuff like that (in USD.) I'd bet some retired people moved there for a short time simply to establish residency, and then do the AK slam over several years! (in AK you must live there for a Calendar Year-1/1 - 12/31 to become a Resident.) Palin wasn't stupid.

Black bear doesn't require a guide or close next of kin. You can show up on your own and buy the tag over the counter for most of the state. Just grizzly/brown bear, goats and sheep.

 

[C.W. Richter]

You may hunt an African species in the USA, but you will not experience Africa.

As ZZ Top once said, "They come in two classes, shades and cheap sun glasses!"

Rhinestone shades. (eq. to hunting Ethiopia or Tanzania)

 

[C.W. Richter]

Black bear doesn't require a guide or close next of kin. You can show up on your own and buy the tag over the counter for most of the state. Just grizzly/brown bear, goats and sheep.

Even better! ty

 

[WAB]

Am I wrong that a nonresident can’t hunt sheep, goat or the big bears in Alaska unless you have a permanent resident family member that can take you or hire a guide?

You are correct. Muskox as well. That still leaves moose, black bear, caribou, Sitka black tail, elk, wolf…