How do you make Time off work with Out of State OYO hunts?

[2rocky]

It seems lately that I am feeling more and more "crunched" when it comes to planning out of state adventures. It takes 4 days traveling (2 to and 2 from) the hunt jumping off point, a day into camp and a day out. That is 6 non hunting days getting burnt for a backcountry trip before even hunting.

What do you folks do to minimize your travel and maximize hunting days?

 

[Bambistew]

fly... Rent a car and be hunting the same day most times.

 

[Lawnboy]

If I knew how to take time off and just let work go I'd be sitting shotgun with Fin more times than I'd like to admit Pretty soon he's gonna quit asking me to tag along.

It's tough especially if you run your own business. It's a lot of time just getting there and back that's for sure.

 

[Summitthunting]

My last trip to Bozeman cost over $700 in gas alone, flying and car rental sound good.

 

[2rocky]

Bambi I think you are probably correct in that assertion. I need to send my Dad and uncle ahead with the horses and camp and roll in like a guided client...;-D.


That might save me a couple of days. but I probably couldn't pull that year after year. I'd better save that for the year I draw 3 good tags...

 

[Spitz]

If you fly and rent a car, what do you do with the meat? Especially for something the size of an elk.

 

[awapiti]

I buy an ice cooler at the hunt destination and check it in as luggage on the flight back. Some of the out of state hunts I have been on, I just end up donating the meat to family and friends if I am flying. They are usually kind enough to save a portion of the meat and we have a few meals of it on a return hunting trip.

 

[DavidKeenan]

LB. My busisness is a little different than yours. As you have to do your work till early fall. Mine being in the trucking business , is different with times. My busy time is now thru June and more into fall. I choose to work extra hard to be able to take that time off that is one advantage of being in this business . I know guys that are employees are mire limited as how much time and when they can take it.

For me having my own busisness has a lot more advantages than working for the other guy. Time and money. Granted some businesses require more attention such as mowing fins grass and getting leftovers. Hehehe.

Dang had to correct some of it. Typing with my toes again. Damn iPhone.

 

[Jwill]

If you fly and rent a car, what do you do with the meat? Especially for something the size of an elk.

Having hunting buddies that like to drive is helpful

 

[WapitiBob]

I don't hunt a place that takes 2 days to get to and another day to pack in.
My best spot is 1/4 mile from the hwy and I would bet I see more bulls per acre, each day, than most.

 

[DRAFTSTUD]

Just tell the office manager you will be gone for 9 days and make sure the Draftsmen have enough work to keep them busy.............what's the big deal? John

 

[nvhunter2]

Where are you driving from-to that takes you 2 days to get there? I can drive from NV to CO or north ID in less than 10 hrs. Find a buddy to drive with and do it round the clock. Fly then rent a car, most rental places have SUVs or pickups, if you fly you can have your meat frozen, packed with dry ice and shipped overnight home, or at least a portion of it if you dont want to ship all of it. Heck if your hunting close to NV then i will take the meat off your hands free of charge

 

[noharleyyet]

I'm thinking about joining a union during Octobers only...or getting a civil service job and hunting 3 months in the fall.


...or both.

 

[BuzzH]

Good thinking...

 

[d-bone20917]

Me and a few other guys are heading to CO from northern NY for an elk hunt next year (2013). It is a good 30 hours one way driving. So as the original post stated, with a day on each end to set up and break down camp it is a good chunk of time. I plan on burning 2 of my 3 weeks vacation for the trip. Some of the guys that can't get away for as long will be flying out. But I'm counting down the days because I can't wait.

 

[dustinf]

I try to work as much December to August as possible. Then, take off September, October, and November.

It means sacrificing some material things, but I've hunted 40-50 days the past three years.

 

[DBear]

I live in NC and have driven twice to Grand Mesa CO for a OYA hunt. Now that I have a baby, no way I can be gone for 14 days. I am going this year by flying and renting a car. Plane flight to denver $250. 4wd truck rental 300 for a week (great deal I found)....hunting by the first evening is priceless. Here is the rub....you need to fly Southwest as they don't charge for the first bag and only $50 bucks per 50lbs on every bag after up to like 10 or soething. Debone the elk and find a processor ahead of time that will do it quick. I think this trip is only going to cost the extra amt to ship the meat back with me if I get and saves me numerous days of travel time plus fatigue. If I shoot a trophy, I will have it mounted out there and have to ship it. Anything else will be just an antler mount and I will ship the antlers separate.....I will let you know how this works out in September. This will be a bow hunt and a cow is not out of the question either......I wished I lived closer as it is addicting to hear bulls screaming

 

[Bambistew]

If you fly and rent a car, what do you do with the meat? Especially for something the size of an elk.

Pre-planning. Means you have a time when you must stop hunting or you can't make the plane...

I have access to a freezer, so I'll cut wrap steaks, and bag burger meat in ziplok bags to grind when I get home. I'll pack it in cardboard and take it on the plane with me. You must chose your airline wisely though... Some charge an ass and an arm for extra baggage, some don't. Some charge 2x for over 50lbs per box, some don't. They're all cheaper than UPS or FedEx over night (which is $3-5/lb). I'm sure with a little planning you can find a butcher with freezer space that could freeze it up for you, or even one that will expedite it for you, but it won't be cheap... I save at least a day at the end of a hunt to take care of this...

I wouldn't recommend having anything mounted in a state you don't live in... Trust me. Worthless taxidermists abound everywhere, and trying to get trophies back from one when you live in a different state is nearly impossible.

Learn how to flesh and salt a hide, or at least cape so you can freeze it. Bring it back with you and find a way to get you rack home. Shipping a full elk mount won't be cheap.

Everyone has their own way of doing things, this is what's worked for me in the past. Unless its a HUGE bull you'll be looking at 160-180lbs of meat. Ironically of all the elk I've cut and killed the two biggest came from Colorado, tipping in at around 240lbs cut/wrap. The typical "CO bull" is much smaller...

Horses are nice, but more trouble than their worth, and you end up bringing more crap than you need. I can do a 10 day trip with 60lbs of gear to include a rifle and all hunting gear. Get a backpack and a gym membership.

I'm thinking about joining a union during Octobers only...or getting a civil service job and hunting 3 months in the fall.


...or both.

There are other ways as well, maybe not 3 months, but I'll take 6-7 weeks, that seems to be about all the hunting I can handle anyway. The way things are shaping up right now, its looking like I'll be in the hills a fair bit again this fall.

 

[schmalts]

Fly and rent. It gets expensive to ship back the meat but that is a good problem to have right?

 

[idelkhntr]

Move closer to where you hunt. Just kidding, but a thought. I was very fortunate to land a great job in Idaho where I can hunt after work, days off and weekends. That a side, see if you can add a couple sick days to your trip. Make sure you ask the boss first.