Sabrinavonbach
Tracker
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 666
|
|
Like many of you, for years I hunted in Texas with the lease system and got increasingly frustrated by it. Personally, I haven't found a landowner I've liked and ALL of them eventually breached lease contracts with escalating lease costs and more and more rules. After the last time, I decided to instead of sue the low life, just to stop hunting in Texas altogether and limit my time in the US. I added up all the costs and came to the realization that I was much better off hunting overseas. If you add up the costs for the price of a decent Hill Country lease with only the opportunity of taking a mediocre trophy, you can easily buy package hunts in South Africa or Namibia, take 4 to 5 certified trophies hunting for a week for the same or less cost. Some very good packages even include airfare. Why anyone would pay the ridiculous prices for South Texas is just beyond me. Deer hunters are essentially being sold a very expensive set of less than optimal goods in Texas. I say it's time to do something else, especially with increasing gas prices. What say you?
|
cbump
THF Trophy Hunter
Reged: 12/02/06
Posts: 6075
Loc: Weatherford
|
|
I don't know what kind of deer leases you can afford but I have looked at Africa hunts and most would be over 10K easy with travel and everything. Plus you have to transport your trophys back and then pay for 4 to 5 animals to get mounted.
--------------------
|
Crazyhorse
THF Celebrity
Reged: 11/05/04
Posts: 15976
Loc: Azle, Texas
|
|
Seems like lots of folks that go on such trips don't really take into mind all those incidentals, just like the operations that do the hunts in those places don't list all those incidentals involved in getting to the hunt area, and getting the trophies home.
There are some reasonable hunts out there, but except for the fact that a person just wants to go someplace like that for the experince, a person could do some really great trophy quality deer and elk hunts for the price of a safari, and in most cases not have to worry about traveling thru parts of the world where folks may want to kill you just cause your an American. JMO.
--------------------
Being Mentally Absent is not a Bad thing. Charter Member THF-OFC .
www.shoestringsafaris.com
|
dgilbert
THF Trophy Hunter
Reged: 09/04/04
Posts: 5795
Loc: Weatherford, Tx.
|
|
Why the moderator alert? 
--------------------
|
Crazyhorse
THF Celebrity
Reged: 11/05/04
Posts: 15976
Loc: Azle, Texas
|
|
Possibly because a thread that was started in the past week or so concerning a similar subject, the commercialazation of hunting in Texas and high fence hunting was locked, and I was just notifying the Moderators about a similar such situation.
Didn't realize that using the Notify Moderator feature was something that would be discussed on the open forum when someone used it.
--------------------
Being Mentally Absent is not a Bad thing. Charter Member THF-OFC .
www.shoestringsafaris.com
|
Curtis
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 02/26/05
Posts: 2424
Loc: Gonzales, Texas
|
|
Hunting overseas may work for the hunter that wants the trophy and the experience. But the guy that just wants to get the meat and cares less about horn will still have to hunt in the US on public land.
--------------------
Double Arrow Bow Hunting
www.doublearrowbowhunting.com
Bow & Rifle hunters welcome!
Axis - Blackbuck - Fallow - Red Deer - Whitetail
Life is always better when hunting!
|
dgilbert
THF Trophy Hunter
Reged: 09/04/04
Posts: 5795
Loc: Weatherford, Tx.
|
|
Quote:
Didn't realize that using the Notify Moderator feature was something that would be discussed on the open forum when someone used it.
I guess I slept through that in Moderator 101, but you have been wearing it out lately.
--------------------
|
Sabrinavonbach
Tracker
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 666
|
|
There are very good trips for less than 7K with airfare included. Incidentals are a good point but even after tips and taxidermy (which can be done in Africa) much cheaper, it will still set you back less than 10K. Besides taxidermy is not free here. If you stop and figure out the total cost of a Texas deer lease with a reasonable chance at a trophy you'll be paying a lot more than 10K. Just gas is likely to cost you 2K a year. After the lease fee, lets say 2500 for a better than average Hill Country lease, feed, plots and electricity, another 1.5K. Then you have food, booze, insurance, and other intangibles. If you're looking at South Texas, then you're paying an arm and leg for what? Food for thought.
|
Sabrinavonbach
Tracker
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 666
|
|
I don't know what you're talking about regarding incidentals. Good booking agents provide with with EVERTHING for figuring out the total package of the deal. I just got back from Namibia and no one wanted to kill me the whole time I was there. They just wanted me to come back. The taxidermy guality there is superb and far cheaper than here in the US.
|
Sabrinavonbach
Tracker
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 666
|
|
You said
Hunting overseas may work for the hunter that wants the trophy and the experience. But the guy that just wants to get the meat and cares less about horn will still have to hunt in the US on public land.
Figure out the cost of that meat per pound and tell me how it compares to the supermarket.
|
helomech
Extreme Tracker
Reged: 11/14/07
Posts: 4938
Loc: Latexo, tx
|
|
Quote:
You said
Hunting overseas may work for the hunter that wants the trophy and the experience. But the guy that just wants to get the meat and cares less about horn will still have to hunt in the US on public land.
Figure out the cost of that meat per pound and tell me how it compares to the supermarket.
I don't buy meat from the supermarket, and I am saving myself money every month.
|
Sabrinavonbach
Tracker
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 666
|
|
You said
I don't buy meat from the supermarket, and I am saving myself money every month.
If you're getting that meat from a Texas deer lease do tell me how you're saving one red cent? I don't mean any disrespect but figure out the total cost against something like buying half or whole steer and putting it a freezer.
|
helomech
Extreme Tracker
Reged: 11/14/07
Posts: 4938
Loc: Latexo, tx
|
|
Quote:
You said
I don't buy meat from the supermarket, and I am saving myself money every month.
If you're getting that meat from a Texas deer lease do tell me how you're saving one red cent? I don't mean any disrespect but figure out the total cost against something like buying half or whole steer and putting it a freezer.
Never said I was on a lease, I hunt my little property. In the last 2 years we have taken 18 hogs, and 7 deer. Plenty for my freezer, and my only added expense is corn.
I still don't see how someone with a lease is spending 10k a year, unless they are on some high dollar lease. I know plenty people paying less than 1500, and get to hunt as much as they want. Not trying to bust on you, I am sure you have a great hunting experience. Wish you the best.
|
Sabrinavonbach
Tracker
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 666
|
|
And I'm not trying to bust on you. My concern and I really mean my concern is the high cost of deer leases and how it's going to end hunting as we know it. If you want just to hunt deer then fine, a lot of people are going to pay less. The landowners will pack them into one hunter per 20 to 50 acres which is no good for the game and unsafe for the hunters. Rule one is if you want reasonable trophies then you have to have land with trophys on them. For South Texas that means ONE hunter per 500 acres and that's pretty hard and fast. Unless hunters unite about the rapidly rising costs then the days of the average guy hunting are going to be pretty much over, at least in places like Texas.
|
Curtis
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 02/26/05
Posts: 2424
Loc: Gonzales, Texas
|
|
Quote:
You said
Hunting overseas may work for the hunter that wants the trophy and the experience. But the guy that just wants to get the meat and cares less about horn will still have to hunt in the US on public land.
Figure out the cost of that meat per pound and tell me how it compares to the supermarket.
Cost wise its priceless compared to the store bought meat. See, I hunted for that meat. And I know where it came from and I know its better for me than the store bought beef or pork that has been sitting wrapped in plastic filled with carbon dioxide to make it look fresh while its sitting in the meat counter.
--------------------
Double Arrow Bow Hunting
www.doublearrowbowhunting.com
Bow & Rifle hunters welcome!
Axis - Blackbuck - Fallow - Red Deer - Whitetail
Life is always better when hunting!
|
Crazyhorse
THF Celebrity
Reged: 11/05/04
Posts: 15976
Loc: Azle, Texas
|
|
I did not mean to take your topic off on a tangent.
I have hunted in Canada twice and I hunt out of Texas whenever I get the chance due to the costs.
I have talked to a couple of outfitters in Namibia about a hunt, and really would enjoy doing one, as I would enjoy doing a hunt for Cape Buffalo.
My hold up, and the one my wife has, is that yes, I will have memories for the rest of my life and some beautiful horns to look at, but 3 to 5 months down the road, when setting out in my back yard, I would be grilling beef instead of Kudu.
You are right that hunting in Texas, in fact all of the U.s. is getting beyond many peoples means and for a while trips to Africa and Canada in some cases are cheaper than trophy hunts here in Texas or the states.
Sorry for detracting from your post and Welcome to the THF.
--------------------
Being Mentally Absent is not a Bad thing. Charter Member THF-OFC .
www.shoestringsafaris.com
|
Sabrinavonbach
Tracker
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 666
|
|
You said
Cost wise its priceless compared to the store bought meat. See, I hunted for that meat. And I know where it came from and I know its better for me than the store bought beef or pork that has been sitting wrapped in plastic filled with carbon dioxide to make it look fresh while its sitting in the meat counter.
Ever hear of trichinosis? It's often found in wild game and very often in pork aka feral hogs. That's just the beginning of what you can get from wild game in the states. If you're pushing the safety factor you really might think again. If the meat is important to you because you hunted it fine, but is it really more safe? Very debateable. BTW I've looked at your web site. Your trophy fee for Zebra is 3500. In Namibia it's 750. With the left over money I already have the airfare there. Again, food for thought.
|
Sabrinavonbach
Tracker
Reged: 07/15/08
Posts: 666
|
|
I have talked to a couple of outfitters in Namibia about a hunt, and really would enjoy doing one, as I would enjoy doing a hunt for Cape Buffalo.
My hold up, and the one my wife has, is that yes, I will have memories for the rest of my life and some beautiful horns to look at, but 3 to 5 months down the road, when setting out in my back yard, I would be grilling beef instead of Kudu.
You'll never the difference with beef, besides they will cook your kill there for you. I've had of all things ostrich egg omelets with warthog and giraffe lasagna.
As far as plains game hunting it's really dirt cheap and you can make it cheaper if you want to. Cancellation hunts are a great bargain if you can get away quickly meaning a few weeks notice. Packages are another option. Airfare is another way you can get gouged and if you play it smart by booking the trips in halfs, say one half to Germany( use any air miles you have) and then taking the national carriers, either Air Namibia or SAA to Africa, you can save big time dollars. The fact is that the South Africans and Namibians love Americans. I don't hunt in Texas just to make a statement and that is I have other alternatives. Dangerous game is, however, a different proposition and gets expensive. The best current bargains are out of Mozambique. Zimbabwe is just too dangerous currently.
|
Curtis
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 02/26/05
Posts: 2424
Loc: Gonzales, Texas
|
|
Yes I have heard of it. Its found in meat eating animals most often. Feral hogs carry it. However its very easy to cure and prevent. Preparation is the key.
I feel its healthier to eat wild game. From the studies I have read they show less cholesterol and less fat. So that is about 90% of the meat that we eat here in our home. It's been that way since I was growing up and before we had our hunting operation.
Glad you looked at my website. I do have those hunts available. I don't get much a thrill out of it because to me its like hunting a horse. Everything else I have hunted taste very good. I have seen them in Africa and still felt the same impression. Looks like a horse to me and I just don't care to shoot or hunt one. Kudu is very good too and is very, very expensive here. For the clients that I have to do it here in Texas, they simply don't have the time to get away for a week or more and hunt overseas. You probably do, but not everyone one does.
Kudu is very good too and is very, very expensive here. About $12,000 or so if I remember correctly. Kudu here in the US are not very easy to raise. They die very easily in the cold that Texas can get. A lot of the African game that are here in Texas are that way here. It's not as suitable climate and native Africa and that is a big part of the reason why they cost so much here in Texas. There are some places here that have large herds but its rare.
The hunts may be cheaper in other places but for me I enjoy the meat to much to go somewhere else and not bring it back with me.
--------------------
Double Arrow Bow Hunting
www.doublearrowbowhunting.com
Bow & Rifle hunters welcome!
Axis - Blackbuck - Fallow - Red Deer - Whitetail
Life is always better when hunting!
|
Crazyhorse
THF Celebrity
Reged: 11/05/04
Posts: 15976
Loc: Azle, Texas
|
|
You missed my point, yes, I know that they will cook game for me While I Am There.
It is the when I get home and 3 to 6 months after the hunt that I look at.
On my trips to Canada I was able to bring home either all or most of the meat from the animals I shot and my family and I were able to enjoy it for a while and we were able to share the meat with our friends and relatives.
They are not going to let me quarter up a Kudu and Gemsbok and fly them home to Texas, let alone a Cape Buffalo.
I would enjoy a hunt over there, but I can have just as much fun plus bring home the meat here at a fraction of the cost.
Is it the same as hunting in Africa, No, not by any stretch of the imagination.
Will it be just as much of a hunt and mean something special to me, I believe it will.
--------------------
Being Mentally Absent is not a Bad thing. Charter Member THF-OFC .
www.shoestringsafaris.com
|
OFBHWG
Pro Tracker
Reged: 09/14/04
Posts: 1449
Loc: McKINNEY, TEXAS
|
|
I SAY DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YA WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YA. IF YOU DONT LIKE TEXAS LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--------------------
IT AIN'T ABOUT TAXES YOU DUMMIES IT ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY SPEND!!!!
|
OFBHWG
Pro Tracker
Reged: 09/14/04
Posts: 1449
Loc: McKINNEY, TEXAS
|
|
Quote:
And I'm not trying to bust on you. My concern and I really mean my concern is the high cost of deer leases and how it's going to end hunting as we know it. If you want just to hunt deer then fine, a lot of people are going to pay less. The landowners will pack them into one hunter per 20 to 50 acres which is no good for the game and unsafe for the hunters. Rule one is if you want reasonable trophies then you have to have land with trophys on them. For South Texas that means ONE hunter per 500 acres and that's pretty hard and fast. Unless hunters unite about the rapidly rising costs then the days of the average guy hunting are going to be pretty much over, at least in places like Texas.
CRAZYHORSE DONT YOU HAVE A TRADEMARK ON THIS STATEMENT! LMRBFAO
--------------------
IT AIN'T ABOUT TAXES YOU DUMMIES IT ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY SPEND!!!!
|
cbump
THF Trophy Hunter
Reged: 12/02/06
Posts: 6075
Loc: Weatherford
|
|
hahahaha
--------------------
|
jgiles
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 04/19/07
Posts: 2540
Loc: Grapevine
|
|
Quote:
I SAY DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YA WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YA. IF YOU DONT LIKE TEXAS LEAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And good luck shipping all that meat back to the US Second most land owners I've met are pretty easy to get along with, unless you break their rules, Like leaving gates open and ruts all in their pasture, or shooting every thing in sight, trash everything. You know the guys... like the ones that think just because they lease the property they own it and can do as or what they please...
Edited by jgiles (07/16/08 07:23 PM)
|
Curtis
Veteran Tracker
Reged: 02/26/05
Posts: 2424
Loc: Gonzales, Texas
|
|
Can't you get meat hunts for hogs in Texas for a lot less than a trip to Africa? Maybe even a trophy hog hunt at that? I dont know...I dont sell hog hunts and I am not up to date on the exact cost of it, but I know I remember seeing hog hunts less than $500.
--------------------
Double Arrow Bow Hunting
www.doublearrowbowhunting.com
Bow & Rifle hunters welcome!
Axis - Blackbuck - Fallow - Red Deer - Whitetail
Life is always better when hunting!
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
