8 Affordable Hunting Trips for the Budget-Minded Hunter
Many people think that you need big-time money to go on a big game hunting trip. While money can certainly buy you some exciting hunting experiences, you don’t need to break the bank in order to have a great time hunting. Check out our list of affordable hunting trips so that you can find how to have a great time hunting on a budget!
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Hunt Elk in Idaho
Idaho may not be the first state that many hunters think of when they think of elk habitats, but there are plenty of good bulls that call Idaho home. Plus, the state provides over-the-counter tags at a first-come, first-serve basis, meaning that anyone has the opportunity to score an elk tag.
In order to find land to hunt elk in Idaho, you want to search in grasses and agriculture fields. There’s a plethora of natural forests, state forests (which are public), and private lands that are a part of the Access Yes! Program. If you have a GPS and a general bearing of your surroundings, you should be able to track down a bull, stalk him and get your chance at a kill.
Why It Made the List
The main reason that Idaho elk hunting made the list is the fact that you can primitively camp in most national forests at no cost. This saves you a good amount of money on lodging, meaning you can save most of your money on the tag, license, and permit (around $600 total), food, fuel, and more.
Price: Less than $1,500
Hunt Whitetail Deer in Kansas
Many hunters have heard the lore of the giant whitetail deer that roam in Kansas — and the stories are true. The entire state is littered with trophy deer, and although the price of a tag is pretty expensive (near $450), the rest of the trip is incredibly affordable, which makes it a great option for anyone looking for one of the best hunting trips on a budget.
Why It Made the List
The state of Kansas is broken up into four different regions for deer hunting, and the tags are all available through a drawing process. Once you get your tag, there are plenty of options for how you hunt. Depending on your budget, you can cut costs by camping in a tent or an RV, or if you have a little bit of wiggle room, you can stay in hunting lodges or motels. Do your research and find a method that works best for you to get a cheap hunting trip put together!
Price: $500 – $1,000
Hunt Antelope in Wyoming
Have you always wanted to try out hunting antelope in the United States? Wyoming provides you with plenty of opportunities to hunt down some speed goats without breaking the bank.
Wyoming is filled with state land and walk-in areas that you can hunt in. However, you’ll want to accumulate some preference points before you try for a tag since the tags can go pretty quickly. If you aren’t able to get a tag, there are leftover tags available, which will have less public land and less trophy potential, but still a good amount of antelope.
Why It Made the List
Wyoming is filled with different opportunities for you to hunt antelope at an affordable rate. You can find lodging at a campground for less than $25 per night, and if you prepare correctly (pack food ahead of time) and cut corners, you should be able to tag an antelope for a great price.
Price: $1,000 – $1,250
Hunt Turkey in Nebraska
When it comes to getting a lot of game for your dollar, it’s hard to beat a turkey hunt in Nebraska. In the spring, you are allowed up to three birds per season, and a single turkey permit costs a little over $100. Plus, with modern-day technology and smartphones, you can purchase extra permits on your phone, meaning that you can hypothetically get all three turkeys in the same day for less than $350.
Why It Made the List
If you’re looking for a cheap bow hunt, you’re not going to find many hunts that are more budget-friendly than a Nebraska turkey hunt. Once you’ve got your permits and your bow, the rest of the expenses are minimal. Most turkey hunting can be done on public land, and the state of Nebraska is relatively cheap in terms of lodging. As long as you don’t have to travel too far to get there, it’s an incredibly affordable trip to take.
Price: Less than $500
Moose in Alaska
Many people would assume that any moose hunt would cost well over $3,000 — and when you mention that it’s in Alaska, you would think that it would cost $5,000+. While a tag and license do cost close to $1,000, if you’re willing to put a little bit of work in and walk for a ways, you can swing an entire moose hunt for closer to $2,000, which is a pretty cheap big game hunt.
Why It Made the List
Obviously, one of the most expensive parts of this hunt will be getting to Alaska. But, once you make it there, you’ll have to put some work in. Lace-up your boots and be prepared to stalk some moose — especially if you are looking for a bigger one.
Price: Around $2,000
South Dakota Mule Deer
Not only is there an abundance of mule deer in South Dakota, but there’s also an abundance in public land, and with reliable populations and relatively light hunting pressure, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get a mule deer without breaking the bank.
Why It Made the List
A deer license in South Dakota costs just south of $300, but once that’s been paid, you can be generally flexible with the rest of your expenses depending on how comfortable you want to be in your hunt. If you’re hunting near the national forests, you can find lodging for around $60/night. Take some time to do some planning and figure out when and where you want to go for your hunt.
Price: $1,400 – $1,600
Come Visit our HeadquartersHogs in Texas
Texas is a state unlike any other, so it’s only right that they have a hunting experience that’s completely unique. Not only can you hunt feral hogs in Texas, but you can do so at any time of the year and without a bag limit. Just purchase Item 157 (their “non-resident 5-day special hunting license) for a little less than $50 and you can hunt throughout the week!
Why It Made the List
There are some public hunting lands that you can utilize, but for the price, your best bet is to work through an outfitter and get put in a position to succeed. With such a low overhead cost and the affordable price of a license, spend the extra money on a good outfitter and make it the most productive week possible!
Price: $500 – $1000
Black Bear in Idaho
A bear hunt may seem to be the pinnacle of pricey, but it doesn’t have to be! If you’re looking to hunt black bears in the Rocky Mountains, you can do so for a reasonable rate in Idaho from late spring to early summer.
Why It Made the List
If you want to keep the hunt under $2,000, you’ll have to go without a guide. Thankfully, there are plenty of tags available over the counter in Idaho, and some places even allow you to take two bears. Take to the national forest land and prepare to do some spotting and stalking for a while, but if you are patient, you should get the opportunity to find a nice bear.
Price: $1,500 – $2,000
Make Sure You’re Fully Equipped for Your Big Hunt
Does one of these inexpensive hunting trips have you packing your bags and looking at dates? If so, you’ll want to make sure that you’re fully equipped for your big hunt! Have you considered hunting with a suppressor for these hunts? Contact the team at Silencer Central today and browse our selection of silencers and suppressors!
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