Is the price of gas hindering your out-of-state or in-state hunt plans?

[JF35]

It kinda effected us we are going about half as far as we usually go. We kinda kissed and made up with Oregon. So we cut our travel down to about a 5.5 hour drive. 3 of us will be piling in one pickup and we split the cost of all expenses. That's what we always do sometimes we have more than one rig but the riders in each rig take turns filling the fuel tank.

 

[shumhow]

I drew tags for both Colorado (Sept 9-18 Muzzy) and Montana (general elk/deer combo - late Oct-Nov), and I live in Michigan. Wasn't expecting to draw Colorado and told myself if I draw both, I'm going to see if I can find somewhere to stay out there between trips where I can work remotely. I'm single, so don't need anyone's permission, haha.

I found a place to stay in Montana for about $900 for a month, so I'm going to do that and work remotely from there. Not sure it's going to be any cheaper, but I can at least enjoy the west for a longer period of time. Was planning to just small game hunt/fish/scout in between, but realized I can archery hunt on my general Montana tag, so now I can walk around with a bow in my hand while scouting (just bought the $10 bow and arrow tag). My bro is joining me for the Montana hunt during rifle season, so I'll stick it out whether I tag out during bow season or not.

This trip might end up costing me, but as Big Fin says "your gonna run outa health b4 you run out of money"

 

[Huntin' Fool]

Will hunt as many days as necessary during our 24 day bull elk season - May cut other hunts. Will keep me chasing the local chukar, huns, quail more.

 

[jdf]

Big negative... luckily for me my wife and I elk hunts every year are our top priorities for each year.. doesn't change

 

[Wallydeuce]

It isn't going to effect my scouting and hunting plans but it has effected our trips to our cabin 165 miles away. Quick weekend trips aren't happening now. When we go now, we are staying longer. My last trip was 11 days and I'd still be up there in the cool air if our pool guy wasn't such a flake.

 

[HUNTNNW]

I have 4 elk tags and instead of hunting MT and driving way over I am going to concentrate on spots closer to me. Gas will not effect my 9 day trip to ID for elk or my 10 day hunt in UT

 

[Aerosith]

Personally as a college student, I have been using an app called upside. They have cash back incentives per gallon, and I get cheaper gas through this app than I would going to costco. Something like 16-30 cents saved a gallon

 

[Laelkhunter]

I voted "nothing stops my Elk Hunting". I am not looking forward to the expense, I usually burn about 125 gallons (I make the same trip every year, and keep records). Total fuel bill usually around $325 (approx $2.50 a gal last year). This year, in October with gas prices at least double that, I still plan on going. Trip usually costs me around $10,000 (all inclusive including trip to Casino to make donations). I'm not going to let another $400 in fuel stop me from going.
I have been using my Capital One card for most daily purchases, and I accrue points. Gift cards, including fuel cards can be purchased with the points. So far, I have $200 worth of fuel cards in the safe. By October, I should have another $100 worth, so that will bring my out of pocket fuel expense down to about what it was last year. I'M GOING ELK HUNTING !!!

edited to add: Wife travels with me, but does not hunt. Treated similar to a Family vacay, so she supports the spending of the $$ to do something we both enjoy. If we didn't go hunting to Chama, we would still be traveling around home, but obviously not as much.

 

[88man]

Its speculation but I bet the higher fuel prices in the tank will add $1500 to this years hunting trips to WY and NM

So this just came up in conversation yesterday and my best good faith estimate is we will burn 630 to 650 gallons between the two trips over 5ish maybe 6 weeks of hunting and vacation.

 

[GDP]

The cost of gas/diesel is probably one of the lowest expenses I have for hunting!

 

[LCH]

I have a Durango (about 22 mpg interstate) and a Cherokee (about 25 mpg interstate) I'll take on my trips this year. So even with gas prices doubled, I'll still spend a similar amount on fuel as a guy who drove a Tundra or similar last year or the year before.

I'm still not happy about it though...

 

[schmalts]

I am definitely making some plan changes. My Colorado hunt I was going to pull a camper for a November hunt but I may freeze my ass off in a tent instead to save probably 500 in gas. I can drive my Honda Civic out there at 36MPG instead of 11MPG pulling a trailer with a truck. I have a hunting partner that is only driving 2 hours so I can get truck rides into 2 tracks with him and even bunk in his camper if need be. Arizona late elk tag is a toss up, with the drought year and amount of points I used I might use point guard for the first time, I can probably draw that tag next year if I wanted

 

[Ben Lamb]

I spent a night in Missoula at a Comfort Inn in May. It was $270 and some change. 2 Nights at the Yogo in Lewistown was the same.

I'm looking at a shotgun that's $2K out the door, and will need another $1K in stockwork.

There's a Benelli SBEIII with my name on it somewhere as well.

Then there's shell procurement & dog stuff.

Gas is important, but it's not the death knell to my enjoyment. That SBEIII may have to wait until next year. If you're only hunting for recreation, then multiple tags across multiple states was an expensive choice you made in order to have fun. Cost of fun always goes up. Cost of the suck never seems too.

 

[8andcounting]

I have a Durango (about 22 mpg interstate) and a Cherokee (about 25 mpg interstate) I'll take on my trips this year. So even with gas prices doubled, I'll still spend a similar amount on fuel as a guy who drove a Tundra or similar last year or the year before.

I'm still not happy about it though...

You’ll still spend double what you did last year….. what does it matter what someone with a different vehicle spend ? Lol . If you drive a ford festiva and get 40 mpg and spent $150 last year and your doing the same trip it’ll be double or more ….

 

[LCH]

You’ll still spend double what you did last year….. what does it matter what someone with a different vehicle spend ? Lol . If you drive a ford festiva and get 40 mpg and spent $150 last year and your doing the same trip it’ll be double or more ….

I've done the Fiesta thing before, rented. I also have a truck that gets about 12 MPG, I will not be driving that one.

Point is, it still sucks but a more efficient ride lessens the pain, and I can skate by a little cheaper than most of the other rigs I see heading west on the highways each fall.

 

[BirdManMike]

Yes. Probably staying local most weekends to fly birds, comparatively-crappy as it may be, rather than driving east every other weekend or so.

Driving 2 hours to the further trailheads in the Beartooths is already having an effect on my fishing and hiking. Its become an $80 day which feels unjustifiable somehow, even tho its only $30 more than the same day last year. Going to be staying relatively local this summer for my hiking, hiking closer trailheads.

 

[Elmacho]

At 17 MPG, thats 59 gallons per 1000 miles......for every $1 increase in fuel, its $59/1000 miles.....not so bad, but does suck

Its the $30K in groceries etc that will now cost ANOTHER $5-7000 that REALLY SUCKS!

 

[8andcounting]

I've done the Fiesta thing before, rented. I also have a truck that gets about 12 MPG, I will not be driving that one.

Point is, it still sucks but a more efficient ride lessens the pain, and I can skate by a little cheaper than most of the other rigs I see heading west on the highways each fall.

I know I was just poking a little fun . I’m going to drive the same pickup as usual . Going to eat and drink the same stuff . I’ll cut in many other areas of life if I need to but hunting and fishing will not be the areas . Ever .

 

[Ben Lamb]

Yes. Probably staying local most weekends to fly birds, comparatively-crappy as it may be, rather than driving east every other weekend or so.

Driving 2 hours to the further trailheads in the Beartooths is already having an effect on my fishing and hiking. Its become an $80 day which feels unjustifiable somehow, even tho its only $30 more than the same day last year. Going to be staying relatively local this summer for my hiking, hiking closer trailheads.

Bet you feel stupid now for not getting some of those Lord of the Rings Eagles where you can fly around on their backs.

 

[elkhnter]

The price has made me reconsider cellular game cameras. The cost for me to run back and forth to the farm will definitely offset the cost of the cam and plan.