The Accurate Reloading Forums
Are you changing your hunt preferences this year ?
27 January 2009, 01:24
tendramsAre you changing your hunt preferences this year ?
Sorry if this is too personal.....but.....I am really curious how folks here have altered their behaviour given the current economic crisis. Me....I've cut my hunting budget by 50%.How have you altered your hunting budget this year?decrease hunting budget by 10%decrease hunting budget by 25%decrease hunting budget by 50%decrease hunting budget by 75%Had planned to hunt but cancelled
27 January 2009, 01:32
MacD37I'd say that answers some questions people had on this subject!
....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982
Hands of Old Elmer Keith
27 January 2009, 01:49
tendramsOf course, the missing replies are "I hadn't initially planned to hunt this year" and "I am not changing my budget...gonna hunt as much or more than last year". If people would be kind enough to post those replies, it would help gather a more complete set of responses.
Thanks.
27 January 2009, 01:59
McCrayI guess I can't play...
I really haven't changed my budget, per se, at all.
I haven't booked anything yet, but plan to in the next month or so.
"There always seems to be a big market for making the clear, complex."
27 January 2009, 02:11
Oday450You need at least two more choices - no change and increased. I've booked a buff hunt which will result in an increase. Others may be in the same or similar situation.
"Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult."
27 January 2009, 02:25
tendramsThe problem is that there are only so many responses allowed by the AR software....so if people could add in their post "increased hunt budget", "hadn't planned to hunt", or "unchanged" that would be great.
27 January 2009, 02:37
Use Enough GunI had planned another African hunt, but did not book. Part of the problem is that I already have three sets of trophy animals from the last three safaris to get taxidermied and I have a daughter getting married in a couple of months(expensive). The other half of the equation was a Mexican Desert Mule Deer Hunt that I completed at the first of this month. So, for me, I will be waiting until 2010, unless some "can't pass up deal" suddenly reveals itself. But I'm not holding my breath.
27 January 2009, 02:48
David CulpepperMark me down as one that has not changed my hunting budget. I am planning a plains game hunt in late October. I just can't reduce the activities that keep me sane in this insane world.
Good Hunting,
27 January 2009, 02:54
Brooks CarmichaelI had a hunt planned to S.Africa but cancelled. Now looking at something closer to home that I can do myself. Maybe a antelope hunt or deer hunt in one of the western states.
Brooks
27 January 2009, 03:04
JTEXI have to say increased. Booked first Buffalo hunt in Zim for August.
27 January 2009, 03:19
larryshoresI never have a budget for hunting. If things appeal to me, I go. If they don't appeal to me I don't. As such some years I spend a hell of a lot more than others.
The only thing I am considering cutting this year is one of my deer leases with a cost of $9,000 plus feeders. I went 2 days last year and the leaseholders son just got caught shooting deer at night. May have damaged it for a while.
27 January 2009, 05:26
RopesMy wife and I are booking a hunt for 2010 in Namibia which would be an increase in spending. 09 will see us in Montana if I can draw a tag.
John
27 January 2009, 08:32
BlankProbably have to say increased some. I'm scheduled for DG in Africa this year, but only several domestic hunts next year.
I have lots of points in several states which may come through in the next year or so. Plus the wife has mandated a "romantic" vacation with no hunting or fishing for my 60th B-Day.
27 January 2009, 16:26
KenscoI don't hunt in the odd numbered years so no change for me in 2009. In 2010 I was waffling between leopard in Zimbabwe and moose in Alaska. My wife mentioned leopard being cute, and had a sad look on her face when I mentioned my interest in them; that probably means I'm hunting moose in 2010. I think in 2012 I'm going to keep my mouth shut and go hunting l_____d.
27 January 2009, 17:18
jro45Buying ammo I have cut buying about 25%. To make up the difference I got a job
did not vote in poll, as we have increased our trip length and added my first dg (Leopard )
onto the hunt. We have been saving for this trip
for 2 years and figured why not extend the trip to 3 weeks ( no added travel exp) then our ph got a leopard tag and basiclly twisted my arm to take the tag. ( he didnt work to hard) So our total costs have doubled but you only live once , plus if things get bad Iam sure Obama will bail me out LOL!
Africa Bug " Embrace the bite , live for adventure "
EJ Carter 2011
27 January 2009, 17:36
David HulmeThese poll results are already startling
27 January 2009, 17:53
muygrandeI will be going to Zim in May/June and didn't go last year so I will be among those with increased budget in 2009. It would be even higher if all my ammo stores shelves were not EMPTY!
27 January 2009, 17:58
tendramsKeep it coming gentlemen! In a week or so, we will tally up all the numbers including the "no change" and "increased my budget" responses.
27 January 2009, 18:22
SaeedNo change.
We are going back to the Moyowosi where we hunted last year with our friends the Vincents.
27 January 2009, 22:57
Use Enough GunSaeed: I received the 2008 Tanzania Game Tracker Safaris Annual SCOPE publication and noted your pictures and those of Walter, Dwight, and Nelson in the publication. Very nice! The picture of your croc is especially good. I also met Leoni at the SCI convention. She's as beautiful in real life as in your pictures! I missed meeting Alan, but he was there too.
28 January 2009, 14:29
tendramsGreat response so far....keep it coming!
29 January 2009, 07:18
big_bwanaUnfortunately, I cancelled a Tanzaniza safari with TGT (same outfit that Saeed went with in '08 and is going again in '09). I've hunted with them twice before, but with my investment portfolio down 40%, it just doesn't seem "responsible" to spend six figure $ on a safari when I'm not sure where "the bottom" of this recession will end up. Maybe I'll live long enough to see a rebound and can go again, but not now...
29 January 2009, 07:24
Mike_Dettorrewell if you had planned your survey beter you wouldn't have these problems...Dumas
MikeLegistine actu quod scripsi?
Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.
What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
29 January 2009, 08:52
Karamojo BillI am spending
a LOT MORE $$$$ this year on hunting than I ever have. This is my first trip to Africa in August...been a dream of mine for 40 years! I'll be taking 7 species.
Karamojo Bill
At then end of my time here, I want to come skidding through the Pearly Gates & hear God say, "Whoa Boy, that was a hell of a ride!"
29 January 2009, 10:04
FrostbitIn the process of booking two hunts for 2010 and since I have only done self guided "low buck" hunts in the past with the most expensive being a Brown Bear for about $700 total including air taxi, I suppose I have increased my hunting budget about 3000% if that counts.
29 January 2009, 10:56
tendramsYou just keep thinkin' Mike, that's what you're good at.
