out of the ordinary

[skimerhorn]

Ok so I live in va, and about all we've got is deer, bear and waterfowl for the most part. I'm looking for something different to try but don't have any good idea's that are somewhat close. We do have sika deer on the coast, so that is an option. I'm planning a hunt out west in a couple years, is rather save up for one big trip than a couple small ones. Does anyone haveanu ideas? Don't het me wrong I love hunting whitetail, but would just love to mix it up and try something new.

 

[shoots-straight]

You have coyotes? Great animal to hunt.

 

[Carrion Carrier]

....

 

[Muskeez]

others?

Hogs in your area? or south of you?
From what I have learned so far, an Eastern Wyoming antelope hunt is a good place to start for new guys like us that have mostly just hunted whitetails and other small game. It can be done relatively cheap, and without a ton of new gear expenses.
If these aren't options, try hunting whitetails with a different weapon. I took up handgun hunting for deer in Iowa. That really helped add a new thrill and challenge to my hunting season.

 

[SFC B]

How much $$$, what kind of terrain, how much work, what kind of critters trip your trigger?

 

[skimerhorn]

We do have hogs to the south, I just like oddball things. For example I put in for a swan tag. Maybe a alligator or javelina, not real sure just like the stuff you don't see very much. I know it sounds weird but that kind of stuff is neat to me.

 

[Whiskey3]

Bowfishing for snakeheads seams to be pretty popular on the potomac river. I have been trying to get into it myself. They are an invasive species so there is no limit and I have heard they are pretty good eating too.

 

[IsThisHeaven?]

You didn't mention turkey hunting. That is a lot of fun. I'm going to try hunting coyotes this winter after deer season for something different. The problem is when you get out of your home state or area, that's when it gets expensive, or at least expensive for me. Good luck.

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

I have been working getting a big tom bobcat here in MN. Not sure if you have them in VA, but this is proving to be a challenge.

 

[deer_shooter]

I think a lope hunt in Wyoming is about as much fun as you can have and is really affordable. Pick up a couple doe tags and go hunt. If you can get a couple guys to throw in, you could do it for ~$400 each. Another ~$270 for buck.

 

[skimerhorn]

I got a bobcat a couple years ago. Spring turkey hunting is really fun.

 

[spook12]

All same specie hunts are not the same. Turkey in Va. are much different than turkey in say Kansas.
Same with waterfowl,I've hunted fields and timber,would someday like to hunt saltwater.
Maybe look at hunting the same critters but in different locals.

 

[skimerhorn]

That would be ok. I was just kinda hoping there was something that was odd, that would catch your eye if it was on the wall. Kinda hard to explain, I still love hunting anything I can, was just looking for something new close to home.

 

[spook12]

Zip down to Fl. and get yourself a big old gator.That fills the bill on,odd and eye catching!

 

[LopeHunter]

+1 on Pronghorn antelope in WY.

Bring a family member or couple of friend on the drive. You can still put in for a Pronghorn bonus point in WY for 2013 and next year you can draw a nice hunt for a representative buck with 2 points (your 2013 point and the point as apply in 2014).

Any of us can help you with your application next spring so you will draw a tag. Leftover buck tags and doe tags happen each year in case your application is not successful...but it will be.

The drive to the West is a very nice drive if break it into 3 days and take a different route to WY than you take headed home so you see about 3/4 of the U.S. topography types. Corn farm country, rolling hills with wheat, oil country, desolate bad lands, sage flats, tall mountains, etc. Take a camera and some video. Camp under the stars in a tent on public land (huge swaths of public land in the West) or in a nearby motel.

The benefit of driving is you can bring more gear and then head home the same day you finish. No need to worry about the meat since will have a cooler with ice.

As for the pronghorn, is the best looking shoulder mount in North America. Euro mounts look fantastic, too.

But be careful, hunting out West can be addicting to folks that have roots back East or the Midwest.

 

[skimerhorn]

Anyone ever been on a good alligator hunt? Is that a diy, do you need a guide with tags?

 

[noharleyyet]

But be careful, hunting out West can be addicting to folks that have roots back East or the Midwest.

...and Baja Oklahoma.

Skimer, sounds to me like you have an ample selection where you are. Add a western state species and call it good.

 

[Monteman11]

I went on an Alligator hunt to Florida a few years back. It was guided, but the guy charged a flat rate, not a trophy fee based on length as we hunted public land on his tags. All I needed was a $52.00 agent license. It was a lot of fun and I got a big 8. Pretty anti-climatic to be honest. We rode around all night in air boats and went after alot of gators with no luck, saw hundreds of little ones, and towards the end of the night we pulled into a hole to wait on another boat and bang, an alligator climb onto the marsh grass 15 yards away out of nowhere. I got my bow ready and and we pulled a little closer. When we got to about 8 yards, and with the alligator not even moving an inch, I let it fly. Expecting an explosion of water and grass when I hit him, I grabbed for the rope as he walked about 5 yards and disappeared into the grass. I was still expecting a fight but it wasn't meant to be. We pulled the airboat in close to him and he barely moved. I bang-sticked him and it was over. Everything up until the shot was fun, but after the fact it wasn't anything like you see on swamp people. Heck, I have had better fights from bluegill. It was neat flying around in an airboat and running into spider webs and my wife had fun riding up top laughing at me along the way as I pulled giant Banana spiders off of my body.

 

[kansasdad]

I. It was neat flying around in an airboat and running into spider webs and my wife had fun riding up top laughing at me along the way as I pulled giant Banana spiders off of my body.

Sounded like fun until I read this last sentence. Spiders = no fun for me.

 

[1_pointer]

I went on an Alligator hunt to Florida a few years back. It was guided, but the guy charged a flat rate, not a trophy fee based on length as we hunted public land on his tags. All I needed was a $52.00 agent license. It was a lot of fun and I got a big 8. Pretty anti-climatic to be honest. We rode around all night in air boats and went after alot of gators with no luck, saw hundreds of little ones, and towards the end of the night we pulled into a hole to wait on another boat and bang, an alligator climb onto the marsh grass 15 yards away out of nowhere. I got my bow ready and and we pulled a little closer. When we got to about 8 yards, and with the alligator not even moving an inch, I let it fly. Expecting an explosion of water and grass when I hit him, I grabbed for the rope as he walked about 5 yards and disappeared into the grass. I was still expecting a fight but it wasn't meant to be. We pulled the airboat in close to him and he barely moved. I bang-sticked him and it was over. Everything up until the shot was fun, but after the fact it wasn't anything like you see on swamp people. Heck, I have had better fights from bluegill. It was neat flying around in an airboat and running into spider webs and my wife had fun riding up top laughing at me along the way as I pulled giant Banana spiders off of my body.

Sounds like a blast! Wife has informed me that we'll be taking the boys to Disney in 2 years. I asked permission to take them on a 'gator hunt with me as I think my 'hero' status would go up exponentially. I think it sounds like quite the time. Do you mind sharing who you went with?

PS- Note that she informs me what we will be doing and I get to ask for permission...