Scrolling through social media and seeing the cost of North American outfitted hunts these days can be downright discouraging. The cost of most hunts has skyrocketed, many to a point where they are out of reach for many average hunters. Sheep hunts have seen the greatest increase with some Stone sheep hunts now fetching over $100,000. But even a whitetail hunt in Alberta with a top outfitter will set you back over $10,000. So, what about the hunter that has a wanderlust and wants to experience new species and new areas? Are there any options available? The good news is yes and there’s a few creative ways to make your dollar go further.
As Horatio Alger said, “go west young man.” It seems most hunters from eastern and central parts of North America want to experience a western hunt, at least once in their lives, and the west does not disappoint with some great bargain hunts. Let’s take a look at a few.
Wyoming Antelope
A severe winter kill in parts of the state in 2023 and the number of nonresident tags being cut back, has led to a price increase in Wyoming for antelope hunts but it’s still one of the best bargains out there for what is an exotic species to most. Hunts can be found for $2,500 – $3,500 and success rates are typically above 90 percent. These are typically two-to three-day hunts and food, lodging and a guide are included in the price. While I’m usually not a fan of 2×1 hunts (two hunters with one guide), in this case it helps save some money and really doesn’t decrease your odds of success. Look to the east/central part of the state for your best value. Don’t expect to take a giant buck but you should be able to set your sights on a nice mature one in the 13-14-inch range. For more information https://wyoga.org/
Colorado Elk
The prices for Colorado elk hunts are all over the map and the caution of buyer beware applies here, but you can get into some fairly high success hunts for $2,500 – $5,000. Some are semi guided meaning the guide will show you where to hunt and others don’t include food and lodging, so be sure to read the fine print. Those hunts that require you to draw a tag are typically less expensive as well. If antlers aren’t a high priority for you, then you can get in on some late-season cow hunts with good success rates for under a thousand dollars.
If you are an experienced elk hunter, the semi guided hunts are a good option and a real money saver but if you have little or no elk hunting experience, the extra cost of a guide is well worth it. Don’t expect to kill a monster bull on these bargain hunts but taking a nice five- or six-point bull isn’t out of the question. Success rates can run as low as 10% with some outfits but is well above 50% with others. That’s the first question I would ask when booking and then call some previous hunters. I’d say if you stick in the $4,000 – $5,000 range for a fully outfitted hunt, you’ll have a good opportunity of taking a bull. For more information https://www.coloradooutfitters.org/
Montana Mule Deer
The cost for mule deer hunts is definitely relative to inches of antler and if you are looking for high scoring bucks, you’ll pay handsomely for it. But, if you just want to experience chasing mule deer with the opportunity at taking a 4×4 buck, eastern Montana offers some pretty good value. A fully outfitted, 2×1 hunt will set you back $3,500 – $5,000 and success rates are very high. This is a great hunt to do in combination with an antelope as the upgrade is typically only $1,000 – $1,500. This is classic spot and stalk, prairie mule deer hunting and it’s not uncommon to see a dozen or more bucks a day, especially during the rut. For more information https://www.montanaoutfitters.org/
Playing the Odds
If you really want to hunt the west on a budget and have an opportunity at a world-class animal, then you need to get in on the draws in states like Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Nevada. Keeping track of all the draw dates and what units to apply in can be overwhelming and that’s why we utilize the services of United States Outfitters to handle all of our draws and if we are successful, they have top guides in all of the states to guide you. On an Arizona elk hunt we did a few years back, one of the hunters took a 417-inch bull elk. To hunt elk of this caliber on a landowner’s tag, you’d be looking in excess of $25,000 but if you are lucky enough to draw the tag, you can do the hunt for under $6,000. These are often very long-odds draws but we put in for several species in each of the four states and typically draw a tag every five or so years. These states also offer draws for sheep and are likely the average man’s only opportunity to hunt one. For more information https://www.huntuso.com/
If the west isn’t of interest to you, or you just want to get away for a little winter sun, then both Texas and Florida offer some great outfitted hunts at very affordable prices. While much of the hunting in Texas is high fenced, there are plenty of free-range opportunities as well. And, many of the high-fenced ranches are so massive that the fence plays little role in the hunt.
Texas Exotics
Nilgai, a large antelope native to India, have found their way into the southeast corner of the state and can be hunted free range on a number of ranches. I’d rate this as one of the most challenging exotics to hunt in Texas and the meat is the best I’ve tasted. Spot and stalk hunting in the thick mesquite is the way to do it and these big blue bulls are known for their ability to soak up lead. Most ranches will have large caliber rifles for hire. Free range bull nilgai hunts range from $3,500 to $5,000 but can be done cheaper if you look after your own meals and lodging. Cow nilgai hunts can be done for about 2/3 of that price.
Free-range axis deer hunting in the Hill Country of Texas is becoming all the rage and prices are rising accordingly but you can still do a fully outfitted hunt for these deer for around $5,000 for a trophy buck and about half that for a management buck. The bulk of bucks are hard antlered from May through October and velvet hunts are conducted February through April although you will see hard antlered bucks at all times of the year. The beautiful spotted deer make a stunning mount, and the meat is right up there with nilgai. Axis deer, or chital as they are called in southern hemisphere, are originally from India but have been roaming Texas for nearly a century.
Blackbuck antelope, another species native to India, have been found on high fenced ranches in Texas since the early 1930s but as with most Texas exotics, escapees over the decades have established free-range populations. These are one of the coolest animals you will ever see and like our native pronghorn antelope, they have incredible eyesight and are a real challenge to hunt. As they are an exotic, the season is open year ‘round. There are several outfitters in the Hill Country region of the state offering free-range hunts for them and prices range from $3,00o to $4,000.
While not exotic, Texas does offer some great free-range whitetail hunting as well. Texas deer are relatively small in stature compared to their northern cousins and the ones outside the high fences typically don’t grow to the huge sizes of those more closely managed but this is still a fun hunt for a decent price. With quality outfitter, success rates are near 100% and you can expect a buck in the 120-150 Boone and Crocket class. Compared to northern hunts, these are a bargain, with prices averaging $3,000 – $5,000. You typically see a lot of deer on these hunts and often have the opportunity to shoot predators and hogs too. Free-range whitetail hunting in Texas is one of the best values in deer hunting today. For more information on hunting in Texas https://tpwd.texas.gov/
Florida Fun in the Sun
While Florida is not often thought of as a hunting destination, there are some great opportunities here at very affordable prices. For me, gator and hog hunting tops that list. This is an easy combination hunt to do over the course of a couple days and still leaves plenty of time to hit Disney World with the family. Alligator hunts start at around $800 and go up to $3,500 for trophy gators. You can do a hog/alligator combo for around $1,500. I’ve done these hunts a couple times with Matt Cates at Triple M Outfitters and it’s always a blast and something truly unique. For more information https://triplemoutfittersunlimited.com/
Black Bears in Maine
I’d use black bear hunting just as an excuse to visit Maine and sample the local cuisine, but there are some real bargains to be found here for bear hunts. If doing a baited black bear hunt is something on your wish list, fully outfitted hunts out of well-appointed lodges can be done here for $2,000 -$3000 and success rates are high. There are less expensive options for semi-guided hunts out of more spartan accommodations but for the extra few dollars, I’d recommend the fully guided, lodge hunt. For more information http://www.maineguides.org/
10 Tips For Making Your Money go Farther.
- Get on cancellation lists with outfitters you are interested in hunting with. If you have the flexibility to go last minute, it’s possible to save 25-50 percent on a cancellation hunt.
- Watch the auctions. Most non-profit hunting groups hold auctions each year to raise money and hunts often sell for considerably less than retail. Typically you don’t have to be at the event but rather, you can bid on-line. This is a great place to watch for auction hunts https://www.onlinehuntingauctions.com/
- Hunt with some buddies. Outfitters typically offer discounts for groups hunting together at the same time.
- Consider self-guided options. While success rates will definitely go down, if you are an experienced hunter and this is an option in the state you are hunting, it can save you some cash.
- Consider 2×1 hunts. Two hunters with one guide can save you some money and on species with high success rates, it’s often a good option but it does reduce your odds by 50%.
- Stay in a hotel and prepare your own meals. While not always an option, in many cases opting out of the full lodge experience and making your own arrangements for meals and accommodations can save you money too.
- Drive to your hunt. Driving to your hunt, especially with some buddies, saves on airfare, extra baggage, and trophy and meat shipping.
- Enjoy the experience. You get the same experience hunting mule deer in an area where they average 140 inches versus one where they average 180 inches at about half the cost. Hunting trophy areas costs more.
- Spend a little more for a high percentage hunt. Often bargain hunts come with low success rates and you may end up going back two or three times to be successful rather than spending a bit more the first time to be successful.
- Be realistic. Sure, we’d all love to hunt Dall sheep one day but if it’d not in the budget, stop dreaming and be realistic about what you can afford and go experience it.
