The HUNTER / OUTDOORS MAN lifestyle...

[MrFiveDime]

I'm brand new to the hunting world, so I've been watching a lot of TV and scouring the Internet on guns, hunting equipment, outdoor accessories, etc. I just don't get how so many people have the time, but more importantly the amount of money it must take to live the outdoors man lifestyle. I'd appreciate anyone sharing their personal story on how they started and how they make a living being able to do what they love for living.

As I watch TV like the Outdoors and Sportsman channels, I wonder how is it possible? The ATV's cost $10,000+, hunting rifles & bows can easily break you for $1,000+...where does the time and money come from? Is it family money, passed down so these often young men and women don't have to work for a living, or are they payed well enough by sponsors that it's their source of income. I would love to spend a week at a time out hunting, but there is absolutely no way I could afford it. I live in California, which is one of the most expensive states to live in, and I know the majority of big game hunting, bird hunting, fishing, etc. is done outside of my state, but even though the cost of living in those states is much cheaper, where does everyone work and get paid enough to support this expensive hobby/lifestyle? I see some of these people own 200 acres and such, that blows my mind! Anyways, I was hoping some of you might be able to shed some light on the subject for me and for others who might also be wondering the same...thanks in advance and best of luck to all the outdoors mean and women this season!

[Mitch]

There's cheaper ways.

I used to patrol the San Gorgonio Wilderness for the US Forest Service, doing overnight trail patrols over the weekends. The last weekend patrol was during the deer season opener in October. We would meet hunters on the trail. Some of them packed in with horses (no motor vehicles in the Wilderness Area), but others walked in like us, seven miles or more, with just a backpack and a rifle. Whatever they shot they carried (or dragged) back out.

That's manly mountain man stuff, and you will never see it on the Outdoor Channel. Always sort of admired those guys.

[nimroder]

Don't judge by watching the corporately sponsored TV programs. Most of those folks couldn't afford what they're using either without the sponsors.

Check list for hunting:
Hunting license
Gun
Bullets
Water

Adjust accordingly for the little add ons relative to what game you are hunting (ie drag rope, knife, duck call, game vest)

You'll add gear and equipment as your passion becomes an obsession. Along the way, you'll get to know other hunters and landowners and next thing you know you have exclusive rights to a 40k acre Ranch. (Out of state of course).

Give it time and enjoy the journey.

[Sutcliffe]

You can spend as much(or as little) as you want

Hunting doesn't take much. The irresistible urge to buy shines toys is an age old problem.

[Friesland]

Mitch, "We would meet hunters on the trail. Some of them packed in with horses (no motor vehicles in the Wilderness Area), but others walked in like us, seven miles or more, with just a backpack and a rifle. Whatever they shot they carried (or dragged) back out."

Could this be considered "hunting from the road"? Big F**king problem!

[IVC]

Hunting doesn't take much. The irresistible urge to buy shines toys is an age old problem.

Ain't that the truth and not just in hunting, but in almost all fun activities these days...

[MJB]

You upgrade one item at a time and quite watching TV & YouTube for hunting info. Neither source is very good most of the time.

Depending on what game animal the basics
Boots
Binos
Backpack
Gun
Water/water filter
Food

Of course their's more than just that but this will get you out there but the hardest part of hunting is knowing the game inside and out like a field biologist would and knowing the area inside and out.

Concentrate on the animals you want to hunt learn everything you can on them then buy the gear you need for them and the area they live in. Books are the best source along with some dfw classes on different game animals. Then just get out there and put the book knowledge to work in the real world.

[Mitch]

Mitch, "We would meet hunters on the trail. Some of them packed in with horses (no motor vehicles in the Wilderness Area), but others walked in like us, seven miles or more, with just a backpack and a rifle. Whatever they shot they carried (or dragged) back out."

Could this be considered "hunting from the road"? Big F**king problem!

It's the opposite. I asked them why they went to such trouble, walking seven miles from the nearest road, to hunt. They said it was too dangerous down by the highway, where all the knuckleheads were hunting. And indeed, at night after dark we could hear rifle fire down near the trailheads.

[MrFiveDime]

I understand that the "perfect hunting gear and scenarios" on TV are far from reality, but just makes one wonder... I don't know too many outdoors men. I'm from the Bay Area, city and suburb life. I didn't grow up on a ranch or in the country, but I love the outdoors. My brother in law (who's also from the Bay) started hunting a few years back and recently purchased 5 acres near Yosemite, hes right on the Stanislaus National Forrest). I also have an older cousin who has been hunting since probably the 70's/80's. Other then them, I really don't know anyone to guide me. I am lucky enough to have been offered some help from a fellow CG'er who lives near me and I plan on taking him up on his offers. I am really appreciative of all the info and advise I have been getting on this forum and can't wait to get my rifle scoped up and get my hunting license. Keep the suggestions and stories coming, much appreciated!

[Mitch]

I learned most of my outdoorsy skills in the Boy Scouts. I don't hunt, but I will go out for a week or more.

[ElvenSoul]

It's the opposite. I asked them why they went to such trouble, walking seven miles from the nearest road, to hunt. They said it was too dangerous down by the highway, where all the knuckleheads were hunting. And indeed, at night after dark we could hear rifle fire down near the trailheads.

Liars! They are there to catch the big one! Soon as the close to the road hunters opened up on the young bucks being driven foward by the older bucks. The older bucks are running back into the cover. They come out to the road to eat grass sam as a meadow. 3 to 7 miles in he is relaxing and slowing down. He is hungry looking for water and grass.

[Divernhunter]

MJB---Do not forget ammo

You can start by getting all the latest and greatest items of which you will find you do not need all of them.
Or you can do as many of us have done and start small with the basics and add as you see fit and can afford. After you have decided you like the sport(because you may not) and you hunt awhile you will have a better idea of what you need/want/would like to have. Then you can let your finances decide what and when you buy or upgrade your stuff.

Using myself as an example: I started with one rifle, one pistol and one shotgun.
I did not have hunting boots but a pair of work boots or a pair of Viet Nam jungle boots that were a pain when it was 2 foot of snow. I was young and gun-ho about hunting so I went anyway.
I had a cheap bright yellow back-pack and did not own any camo. I killed game on a regular basis.
I had a Mustang to hunt from and put deer in the trunk. Then a 2WD pick-up. Then a 4WD pick-up. Then a set of aggressive tire for hunting season and wood cutting only.
I started reloading to save money..............Ya Right
I added other firearms and camp gear. I bought more ice chests and upgraded them.
I bought and upgraded binos over the years. I continued to by and upgrade rangefinder and other equipment a bit at a time over the years.
All of this was helped by getting better paying jobs since I had a family to support just like many others.
I added more firearms and reloading equipment/supplies.
Bought and sold a motorhome. Now I have a travel trailer..........at my age I like some comfort plus need a CPAP machine to sleep at night.

Started hunting only in Ca and only deer with a rifle/pistol. Then hunted Nev(and had to upgrade my BP rifle) for deer with a friend who moved there. Then ran into a friend at a class reunion who lived in Wy and started hunting for pronghorns there. Then decided to take a once in a lifetime trip to Africa. So I cashed in a 401 and sold some C&R firearms I had extras of and we went in 2013 for the once in a lifetime trip ............Right...........Now decided to cash in my other 401 and go again in 2017

I was raised on a ranch and always loved to hunt. It is something that has just gradually gotten bigger over the years.

Now I am at a point where people look and say you sure have a lot of guns/reloading and hunting stuff. But it did not happen overnite.

[lewdogg21]

I'm brand new to the hunting world, so I've been watching a lot of TV and scouring the Internet on guns, hunting equipment, outdoor accessories, etc. I just don't get how so many people have the time, but more importantly the amount of money it must take to live the outdoors man lifestyle. I'd appreciate anyone sharing their personal story on how they started and how they make a living being able to do what they love for living.

As I watch TV like the Outdoors and Sportsman channels, I wonder how is it possible? The ATV's cost $10,000+, hunting rifles & bows can easily break you for $1,000+...where does the time and money come from? Is it family money, passed down so these often young men and women don't have to work for a living, or are they payed well enough by sponsors that it's their source of income. I would love to spend a week at a time out hunting, but there is absolutely no way I could afford it. I live in California, which is one of the most expensive states to live in, and I know the majority of big game hunting, bird hunting, fishing, etc. is done outside of my state, but even though the cost of living in those states is much cheaper, where does everyone work and get paid enough to support this expensive hobby/lifestyle? I see some of these people own 200 acres and such, that blows my mind! Anyways, I was hoping some of you might be able to shed some light on the subject for me and for others who might also be wondering the same...thanks in advance and best of luck to all the outdoors mean and women this season!

Those tv shows are not realistic unless you are wealthy. Go with your BIL. Hopefully the calgunner knows what he/she is doing.


As mentioned above the total basics are...

Hunting license
Gun
Bullets
Water

[NapalmCheese]

If the question is "How do I go about living a life like one of the TV hunting show personalities where I go on expensive guided hunts all the time?" then the answer is:
Be a generally decent looking actor/actress that can at least feign interest in hunting and who currently has enough time or money to routinely audition for TV shows.

If the question is "How do I spend more time hunting?" then the answer is:
prioritize hunting above other things you do/enjoy/spend money and time on.

I like hunting and I work for a living. I can hunt most weekends for at least a half a day because I don't live too far from the marsh and over the years have put some effort into bettering my own supplies and knowledge as well as finding good people to hunt/share stuff with. These people help me out, I try to help them out as much as I can. Suffice to say, there will never be a "Duck Dynasty San Jose Edition" starring me as the fat not-so-bearded dude trying to balance a life of work and play. I make a fair amount of vacation time in a year, I spend most of it on hunting instead of on other things. Lucky me, my wife likes to hunt too.

I'm brand new to the hunting world, so I've been watching a lot of TV and scouring the Internet on guns, hunting equipment, outdoor accessories, etc. I just don't get how so many people have the time, but more importantly the amount of money it must take to live the outdoors man lifestyle. I'd appreciate anyone sharing their personal story on how they started and how they make a living being able to do what they love for living.

As I watch TV like the Outdoors and Sportsman channels, I wonder how is it possible? The ATV's cost $10,000+, hunting rifles & bows can easily break you for $1,000+...where does the time and money come from? Is it family money, passed down so these often young men and women don't have to work for a living, or are they payed well enough by sponsors that it's their source of income. I would love to spend a week at a time out hunting, but there is absolutely no way I could afford it. I live in California, which is one of the most expensive states to live in, and I know the majority of big game hunting, bird hunting, fishing, etc. is done outside of my state, but even though the cost of living in those states is much cheaper, where does everyone work and get paid enough to support this expensive hobby/lifestyle? I see some of these people own 200 acres and such, that blows my mind! Anyways, I was hoping some of you might be able to shed some light on the subject for me and for others who might also be wondering the same...thanks in advance and best of luck to all the outdoors mean and women this season!

[ElvenSoul]

Freebie Game Cart

Tried something very similar to this and it worked pretty good

http://www.instructables.com/id/Emergency-Duct-Tape-Field-Stretcher/

Here is another

https://www.intherabbithole.com/homemade-stretchers/

There is this method

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/big-buck-zone/2012/11/are-you-man-enough-haul-out-full-deer-your-back

And this

http://www.outdoorhub.com/how-to/2015/06/12/how-to-get-your-deer-out-of-the-woods-with-ease/