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Posted by B_M on Jan 17 2006
Although I totally agree with those who say you can't exactly quantify what a hunt is worth (mental health, enjoyment, meat, etc.), if you really want to put a number on it I find that it varies greatly. Perhaps some of you have a "regular" hunt that you do every year, but mine tend to vary widely in cost. My three hunts this year were a 14C sheep hunt, a Haul Road caribou hunt, and a 14A Moose hunt.
The sheep hunt was very inexpensive. It cost a half tank of gas and the cost of a few bullets. I don't figure food into the equation because I would be eating if I were at home. Actually, the food I eat at home is usally more expensive, so I'm probably saving money on food. As far as camping gear, I would be backpacking anyways, so I don't include that either. Lost wages isn't a factor on any of these three hunts either, as I had a long vacation period. I figure my only costs for the sheep meat was the half tank of gas, the permit application fees, and a hunting license. Oh, and I had about half of it ground into hamburger, so I guess that cost about $75.
The caribou hunt was certainly more expensive. My share of the gas turned out to be about $125, and we used my vehicle so there's certainly some wear and tear (though nothing broken and no flat tires). I was unsuccessful, but was given about a half caribou between my two hunting partners. I got it made into hot dogs and sausage at a cost of $150. I figure all of this caribou meat turned out to be approx. $4.00 per pound, but I had one of the most enjoyable weeks I can remember. Also, it's certainly a lot healthier and tastier.
My moose was perhaps the best deal I've ever gotten on meat. I used about a half tank of gas, spent a day and half in the field, and came home with a spike (about 300 pounds of meat?). I borrowed an ATV and put about 10 dollars worth of gas in it, and used one bullet. I payed for two pizzas to coax three friends into helping me butcher it once I got home that evening, and payed about $150 to get about half of it processed. The rest of it just cost me the price of butcher paper and a few ziplock bags. This meat I figure cost me less than $1 per pound.
Yeah, I know there are some more hidden costs. Firearms and bows cost a lot, but I use them for many, many years. My outdoors gear...again, I would be using this anyways on hikes and climbs. I think I'm in agreement with everyone else here when I say that it's very worth it, regardless of the actual monetary cost.
-Brian
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