Gas prices affecting your hunting plans?

[Oak]

Idaho B&T asked me to post this poll.

As for me, I don't expect gas prices to have a large affect on my plans, unless we see a large spike in prices between now and then ($6+).

 

[ELKCHSR]

Thats about where I sit...

I know my neighbors that hunt, have curtailed the amount they will be doing for spring bear and again the places they go for elk and deer will be closer than their usual haunts

I know this doesn't have much bearing on Idaho...

 

[lilbiggun]

I went through one town that I drive through alot with on my excursions and it was $4.60/gal for the cheap stuff. it does make a difference but I will cut cost elsewhere to make up for it.

 

[schmalts]

Just think about those poor Texan's who road hunt all day

 

[mtmiller]

Fewer, but longer duration trips.

 

[DRAFTSTUD]

As for me it has already put off one of my buddies from coming on the trip from NW Louisiana to our area in Colorado. I would like to do the same Hunt as last year, bringing my horses pulled by a Ford F-250 Diesel. I get decent mileage running without a trailer, but hook up that Gooseneck and it drops to around 12 mpg @75 mph. That means I will need to budget for 187.50 Gallons of Diesel based on 2250 miles round trip. 187.50 @ $5.00 = $937.50, 187.50 @ $6.00 = $1125.00. I usually like at least three people, but this year it will be just myself and an Uncle. Even @ $6.00 a gallon I can come in on a Saturday and make the money needed for that trip. But, It has played mind games with those I hunt with. John

 

[IdahoBugler]

I pretty much didn't bait bear this year because of the gas prices. 2 trips a week to load up the baits would add up in a hurry. I will definitely still be going hunting but like miller said not as many trips with longer durations. I have some long trips ahead that I will be driving by myself so no splitting the gas. I hope to hell the gas prices don't go much higher.

 

[mtmiller]

I have some long trips ahead that I will be driving by myself so no splitting the gas.

Maybe it would be easier if I just rode with you and split the bill instead of my usual incognito, trailing you to your honey holes.

 

[A-con]

My Hunting plans will be the same, but the trip budget will be tighter.
2,300 round trip, 19 MPG, looks like about $500 for gas. No stopping at the Mustang Ranch on the way through Reno.

 

[GatoMan]

I'm riding a scooter now as my commuter back and forth to my farm, 80 mpg vs. 16mpg in my pickup, I figure I will save close to 400 a month based on the miles I put on and gas at 3.80, but with oil closing 4 bucks higher yesterday, Its gonna be 4 bucks real quick!

 

[noharleyyet]

Won't affect my Colorado plans but might mean fewer trips to the deer spots here. Hopefully, we get a break or stabilization after summer...but who knows.

 

[Big Fin]

Given how many guys say they are not going to hunt as much this year, I guess it affects me indirectly, as there will be fewer competitors in the hills this year.

It will affect me from the stanpoint of consolidating trips, but not in hunting less.

Example. I planned to hunt IA for whitetails in December. I have enough points to know I am going to draw. Since I was gonna be in the 'hood, I decided to burn my KS points, and will pick up and OTC Missouri whitetail tag while I am there. Fifteen days, three deer. So, I guess you could say it is affecting me. Thank God for farmer friends.

 

[TBinKodiak]

The $4.30 a gallon for regular unleaded wouldn't matter much to me. It's the $4.10 for heating fuel that's killing everyone here (no natural gas). My 6 week bill from April to mid May was $849 or about $141 a week. The thermostat is set on 65 and our house is only 1700 sq feet.

 

[T Bone]

Idaho deer and elk won't be affected. Deer won't get cut back. Antelope archery and birds will be cut back some.

Most of the areas i can hunt without the need of my pickup. Can use the car at half the price.

 

[jabber]

It isn't going to change my plans, but just have to adjust the budget. I plan on being in Colorado the first week of Nov. for OTC elk, then I will be leaving the trailer and the majority of my gear either at a friends house there, or renting a storage building, Will go home, work for a week, then my son and I will be going to Utah the third week of Nov. for the youth hunt he drew. Will pick my trailer and gear up going through Colorado. Figured out it was cheaper to leave the trailer there, even if I have to pay rent, than dragging it 2400 extra miles.

So it looks like in Nov. I will be putting on around 5500 miles @ avg of 14 mpg's is about 393 gals @ $5 is OUCH|oo|oo|oo, well you get the picture.

Just made plane reservations for my son and I to fly into Utah over Labor Day weekend and do some scouting. He is getting excited.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

It will only change which vehicle I drive. For the prairie dog hunt, I will drive my wife's Honda mini-van. I will still have to drive the F-350 4x4 for my deer hunts, just because of all the gear I usually end up bringing, including the big ice chest for all the venison. Plus that huge rack isn't going to fit in the Honda......

 

[MarvB]

Making me rethink the vehicle of choice...right now its a Suburban or crew-cab one ton...I might have to get one of those little comuter type things to get me to the trailheads after dishing out $4.749 last night

 

[TheTone]

I plan to hunt as much this year as I possibly can, regardless of fuel prices. A guy has to have his priorities.

 

[justdada]

I will still go to the same places, but will make fewer trips...
Maybe a couple long hunts rather than lots of weekends. We'll see how stir crazy I get come September.

 

[IdahoBugler]

Maybe it would be easier if I just rode with you and split the bill instead of my usual incognito, trailing you to your honey holes.

You are welcome anytime. Especially to Arizona and New Mexico. I could use a good spotter.