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Self-guided archery hunts |
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Often we have unguided or semiguided archery hunts on private land for whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, turkey and other animals. We also can line up unguided hunts in Alaska for moose and caribou. The hunts in the West are often changing. We have lost many ranches available to do-it-yourself hunters to outfitters. Sometimes the landowners themselves decide to start outfitting because they can make more money per hunter. And occasionally we'll have a landowner call with openings for do-it-yourselfers on a ranch that is normally open only to guided hunters. Your best bet is to call us and give details on the type of hunt you want. We need to know the size of your group, your realistic expectations on trophy size, and the price range you would consider. We will let you know what is open right now, and we can notify when an opportunity that seems to match your requirements becomes available. Do-it-yourself hunting can save you some money on most animals, but that's not usually the case if you want to hunt private land for a really big mule deer. Properties that offer a good chance of taking a 170-plus buck are almost always available to guided hunters only, and even then they are typically pricey. If you plan to hold out for a 170 or 180-plus buck, you probably should consider buying a voucher in Colorado, Nevada or Utah, but these are not cheap in the better units. Unguided big game hunts are not for everybody. Though they're often less expensive than fully guided trips, there are disadvantages.
For example, only guided hunters are allowed on the majority of top-quality hunting leases and Indian reservations. Sometimes it's worth the extra money for a guided trip just to be able to hunt the best areas. Some hunts are difficult or impossible to pull off without the equipment and resources that an outfitter or guide can offer. Just to reach the best portions of many ranches, you'll need an ATV, a 4WD truck or horses. Outfitters often have access to several different properties, and so if game seems to be scarce on one lease, they can often move guided hunters to another lease. By contrast, a self-guided hunter typically is limited to one lease or one area. That limits success if unusual weather or another factor has caused animals to move. We advise most caribou hunters to pay the extra money for a guided hunt simply because you'll be more mobile. In Quebec guided hunters typically take boats each day to different hunting areas, while self-guided hunters must walk from camp. In Alaska guided hunters often have a plane at their disposal, so if the herds aren't nearby, the guide can locate them by air and move though you must wait till the next day to hunt. We have one semiguided hunt in Alaska that offers a pretty good success rate, but the guided hunters in the same camp have four-wheelers that enable them to range up to 20 miles up or down a dry riverbed, and so they always do better than the semiguided hunters, who must walk from camp. If the caribou herds move well away from camp, self-guided hunters have a tough time scoring. Still, sometimes a self-guided hunt is a good idea, especially if you are in good physical condition, have the necessary equipment, and have a high degree of hunting skill. If you're new at hunting a particular species or a particular type of habitat, usually it's wise to book a guided hunt the first couple of times. Once you feel confident in hunting that animal or that area, you can often do just fine on your own. Mature mule deer and mature bull elk are much more difficult to hunt than most hunters realize. Rifle seasons usually take place outside the rut, meaning trophy-size deer and elk typically stay in heavy cover except at night. At the right are links to articles that every self-guided hunter should read. If you're convinced a self-guided hunt is what you want, please call us. Keep in mind that you must hire a guide to hunt grizzlies, goats or sheep in Alaska, any big game animal in western Canada, or in wilderness areas in Wyoming. |
Price shopping can be risky, yet bargain-priced hunts are often excellent. |
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