Hunters love a challenge, and many of us get to the point of wanting to take it to the "next level" by looking for hunting opportunities outside of the normal tags we can get our hands on every fall. We hunters are dreamers, and many of us have a "Bucket List" chock-full of exciting hunts we hope to head out on one day that will have us exploring new places or perhaps even new countries. Hunts like that can leave special memories etched in our minds forever. Here are some things to think about when planning your "dream hunt."
START SMALL
Whatever your ultimate goal may be, start out small by planning a cheap hunt, just to give yourself a little taste of what's out there. Believe me, there are hunts that are less expensive than you may think; you just have to do a little research. Of course, there are always the hunts that are priced so high it seems there is no limit. Look for something simple to start out with, then think bigger.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Pick one of the hunts on your list and check out different outfitters. For the more expensive ones that you will need to book a few years out, talk about options such as lay-away hunts where you can give an outfitter a little money each year, so it doesn’t hit you all at once. Check into auctions, where you can sometimes luck into a wicked deal. Also, if you can sneak away on short notice, don’t overlook cancellation hunts, which can arise last minute at greatly reduced prices.
SET YOUR SIGHTS
If you’re anything like me, you have lofty goals that might be tough to achieve, but it doesn’t hurt to dream big. The SUPER SLAM (North American 29) is getting harder and harder to pursue these days. The SUPER TEN of North American Big Game is more achievable, although you will still likely need to do a few hunts with an outfitter, depending on where you live. The SUPER TEN milestone is attained by harvesting and registering one deer, moose, elk, caribou, antelope, sheep, goat, bison/muskox, bear and cougar. Although the SUPER TEN is still an extremely hard feat, I became the first hunter in Saskatchewan to accomplish it. Believe me, that quest will take you on some amazing hunts and places along the journey. If you challenge yourself and start small, big things can happen if you have desire and focus.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
Many hunters talk about going on their dream hunt year after year, yet they never follow through. They put it off, always seeming to find an excuse; whether it's the stretch on the finances, not being in good enough shape, or maybe a little because of fear. You only live once, so don’t fall victim to that way of thinking. There is so much out there to see and do. Preparation is the key to handling the pressure that lies ahead. Build confidence with your shooting, prepare yourself physically and mentally to get in the best shape of your life, get confident with your weapons, put aside a 'hunting fund,' and never give up or quit trying until you accomplish your goals.
NEVER QUIT DREAMING
I started small by planning, waiting to find a deal, and taking advantage of opportunities when they came up. I chipped away and somehow managed to finish my SUPER TEN.
Be prepared, once you've had a little taste of adventure, you'll be yearning for more! My quests have now fueled me to pursue my CAPRA WORLD SLAM, the pinnacle of mountain hunting, which consists of 12 of the world's goats.
I love mountain hunting because it pushes me to do as much as possible while my body still allows me to. Sheep hunting is incredibly tough, both physically and mentally, but where you see sheep on a mountain, look higher and near the top of the peaks, you will find the goats.
We are only on this earth for a short time, so challenge yourself and make it happen. Quit procrastinating and make some memories. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Article by Jeff Schlachter
