Out of state hunting

[Hunter87]

So trying to plan an out of state hunt, I was wondering what expirences you guys can share. I'm hoping to find an over the counter tag option but I know that makes the public land more likely to be hit hard. All I know for sure is that no matter what big game we are hunting, we want to hunt upland as well. thanks guys, hope this well of knowledge is as deep as I think it is.

[taperxz]

You need to visit the different states F&G sites to figure out what you want and what and how they offer it. Normally when you go out of state you hunt your big game and leave the little upland stuff alone. JMHO.

[zinfull]

You may also need a NRA safety course number.

jerry

[ScottB]

Lots of people do both - an lots get in some fishing too. Depends on how hard you have to work to meet your primary objective and how much time you have. First thing you need to do is decide what you want to hunt most and whatb your resources are and what your experience level is. Are looking for a guided hunt or are you comfortable with DIY. If you aren't proficient in your own back yard, everything going to be that much harder out of state. If you don't have any points then you need to get an over the counter tag, a landowner tag or see if the outfitter can provide a tag as part of the package. For OTC, find out what states generally have them, for which species/units/time of year. CO,WY and MT are good bets, NM changed their rules so its not very good for the DIY out of stater anymore. Plan on cow/doe tags whereever - they are the most available OTC and cheapest landowner. You want horn porn without a bunch of pref. points, it will cost you.

Until you figure out the main purpose of your hunt and how much time and money you can throw at it, its premature to think about filling up any downtime with side issues. Personally, when I am hunting hard; morning (starting way pre-dawn) and afternoon (ending well after dark), I usually use the down time to sleep and eat. Any birds or fishing comes afterward, but I usually want to head home as soon as I have my deer/elk.

Mainly you need to Prioritize Decide and Focus. Otherwise you will end up spending a lot of time, effort and money on an armed hiking trip. The way you phrased your question is way too open ended. Other people can't decide what you want or know what is reasonably whithin your capabilities. You might sign up for the huntin' fool newsletter and get the big game mags from the various state F&G departments - mainly they are outfitter ads, but that's how you find 'em. If you use an outfitter, check their licensing, record with the state, references and google them. There's good ones and bad ones but if all you know is what they tell you, you can't tell.

[razr]

If hunting public land make sure you get your GPS updated to avoid issues with landowners and outfitters.

[lewdogg21]

Also before you fall in love with a state know the pricing for tags and licenses. Example: Montana does a deer/elk combo but its $912 (includes fishing and upland). Some are cheaper and some gouge you.

Expect to sorta find your way in an area the first year, then go back the 2nd and know it better, and then year 3 you can be dialed in. Going out of state can be great but you gotta do your homework.

[1911ShooterPhil]

I'm former military with an active military & V.A. identification card. I went out of state and hunted on military posts in GA, SC, & NC. Lots of military bases (specifically Army and Marine bases) allow hunting because they are situated near or around national forests and almost all of them have Game Wardens on reservation. As far as I know though, the only way to access those hunting areas is with a military ID card or going with someone who has a military ID card (to allow you entry onto the post). You still need to purchase an out-of-state hunting license and game tags (which you can do on base or at a Walmart nearby), but a base hunting permit is cheap and year round. Your CA Hunter's Safety Course card will work. In GA, SC, & NC, at least for boar hunting, you get a booklet of tags if you're boar hunting, and the booklet contains ten tags for the price you'd pay for one out here in CA. Last time I went out there was 2010, so things may have changed some. If you got a relative or hunting buddy that's in the military, that is an option you may want to look into. You can also look up specific military posts and look up their "Post Recreation" website.

A lot of the posts in the South have bird hunting as well (pheasant, quail, turkey) if that's your game. This is an inexpensive option to look into. Good luck.

--1911ShooterPhil