Most affordable North American species?

[woods1126]

I have organized a yearly hunt in Quebec Canada, for the last 13 years. Over that course of time we have had 122 hunters, and killed 119 bears. The other three gents, 1 missed three times, 1 wounded and the other, I have no explanation. Five day hunt over bait with tags, license 1x1 guide and lodging is $1800. Here are this years big bears

 

[Bsums]

Another great option is an Elk hunt. Its more costly but nearly nothing is as exciting as being right on the heels of a monster bugling bull. As woods pointed out a black bear hunt is also a great option. Although its generally over bait its still a great hunt even though it sounds like you want to do a stalking style hunt. You can also do it with hounds it certain places.

@woods1126 I'd love to get more info about a Quebec black bear hunt at 1,800$

 

[BRICKBURN]

................
I've just been looking at Whitetail deer on the web... They certainly have my attention with a unique shape to their antlers.

I know what you mean.

Some days the rookies are lucky...

Some days they attack the truck.... literally. First double we ever pulled off at the same time.

...and then some days god just smiles on you and delivers a monster you have been chasing forever.

 

[woods1126]

Brick, that last typical 12, is what dreams are made of! Mine anyway.

Bsums, pm sent.

Kevin

 

[enysse]

Whitetail deer, black bear, elk in the mountains, and pronghorns. Iconic hunting any of those species.

 

[lcq]

I know what you mean.

Some days the rookies are lucky...
View attachment 43690 View attachment 43692 View attachment 43694 View attachment 43693


Some days they attack the truck.... literally. First double we ever pulled off at the same time.

View attachment 43695


...and then some days god just smiles on you and delivers a monster you have been chasing forever.
View attachment 43691

western deer are huge. Here in the Ozarks of Ontario the locals run them with dogs and they never get too big.

 

[johnnyblues]

I agree with BillC. If it's most likely your one and only hunt in our country and you want a chance at a really good antelope go to New Mexico. They hands down have the best trophy quality. And you will see hundreds in several days of hunting. I shot this one some years ago in New Mexico.

 

[UKHunter]

Thank you for all the information - keep it coming!

Hunting with a guide is going to be too expensive, as does hunting Pronghorn by the looks of it.

I have no issues paying for my tags, etc So it looks like a 'host' hunt is the way to go. Whitetail are 'calling' to me, so to speak.

As for trophy class, I'm not too bothered about trying to shoot the biggest buck out there. If I can to come across one then great, but I would be happy just to shoot a good representative of the species.

 

[gizmo]

Here is just a couple of Texas deer from my place that I have on my phone

 

[UKHunter]

View attachment 43728 View attachment 43729 View attachment 43730 View attachment 43731 Here is just a couple of Texas deer from my place that I have on my phone

Very cool deer! I will be in contact when I get round to the planning stage.

Are whitetail naturally found in Texas? It might be a silly question but I like to hunt species in the areas they occur naturally.

 

[gizmo]

Yes sir, I have both whitetail and mule deer. Both are native. Texas boasts the largest deer herd in the United States. Rio grand and eastern turkeys, boar, bison, and several others are all native to Texas. Think hunting paradise!

 

[Bsums]

Whitetail is a great choice. You mentioned swapping a muntjac hunt, I bet you could find someone on here with property with good whitetail deer hunting who'd be interested. If they aren't an outfitter it has to be considered two friends hunting at each others properties and can't be considered an exchange for services/business and no money can be exchanged otherwise I believe you can get in trouble.

 

[wesheltonj]

A Pronghorn Hunt in Wyoming will be the cheapest. They are priced out by either 1x1 or 2x1 hunts. I have priced them out and Wyoming is cheaper then Texas. The craziness of South Texas Whitetail pricing (trophy fees) has not taken hold there yet. I understand Montana will have some good pricing too, along with reasonable Elk and Mule Deer. New Mexico will have some competitive pricing. You can still pick up a reasonably priced Elk hunt in New Mexico. I am going this year will be hunting Unit 4, $4200 a Bull for me and a Cow for my daughter. I hunt in South Texas and if I was not a landowner I would not be able to afford to hunt every year.

On the DIY, you can buy a non-resident license and try your luck at getting on Public Lands hunts. In Texas, you have to draw for the public lands hunts. Good luck.

 

[Waterguy631]

You can do a do it your self hunt for pronghorns get a hold of the chamber of commerce in some of the towns. I did this when I took my boy's out to hunt. they will send you a list of farmer around them that allow hunting on their land. It cost me 50.00 a person for us to hunt the farmers land we hunted. The three of us got our pronghorns it was a great time with my boy's just rented a hotel room in town and eat at the local dinner. I think the total hunt for us was under 1000.00 for the three of us and that included gas for the drive out. We stopped and toured the badlands and mount Rushmore on our way out too.

 

[Hank2211]

Cheap hunt and lots of fun? Coyotes. Can't beat 'em. Plus it isn't over when you shoot the first one!

 

[Diamondhitch]

My vote is pronghorn or black bear. Both are a great value $$$ wise and both boast 100% success (bear can be even higher since 2 tags are issued in many places). Most other hunts are less than 100% success, including whitetail, and therefore are riskier for the visiting hunter. Having said that, most will go home with common game like Whitetail or Mule deer on most hunts, not all but most.

 

[enysse]

I think mule deer hunting is divine, it's just not a cheap hunt for the most part. You can hunt them in a lot of places with a landowner tag.

 

[Bsums]

I think mule deer hunting is divine, it's just not a cheap hunt for the most part. You can hunt them in a lot of places with a landowner tag.

I second that, although the price isn't too much worse than a guided whitetail hunting.

 

[UKHunter]

My vote is pronghorn or black bear. Both are a great value $$$ wise and both boast 100% success (bear can be even higher since 2 tags are issued in many places). Most other hunts are less than 100% success, including whitetail, and therefore are riskier for the visiting hunter. Having said that, most will go home with common game like Whitetail or Mule deer on most hunts, not all but most.

My issue with a bear hunt is that I dont really see the sport in waiting over a bait for a bear to come in.

I guess my vision for this hunt would be in the wilderness, no one in sight and fair chase hunting.

 

[BRICKBURN]

View attachment 43728 View attachment 43729 View attachment 43730 View attachment 43731 Here is just a couple of Texas deer from my place that I have on my phone

Nice deer. Feed lots of free range?