Ive got a couple days booked for Texas hogs in February; but Im still looking for something cool later in the year. I go the the Harrisburg Outdoor Show every year just to talk to the Outfitters; Im just not sure what I want to hunt next. I wanna stay in N America, and Id like to keep the HUNT (NOT including extras and travel) to $5K or so, so I know that rules out a lot of the big stuff.

Im open to suggestions.

Black bear hunt with hounds in NM in August? That should meet your budget.

This is a difficult question to answer because a lot depends on what YOU want to do. Are you looking for a trophy or meat? What sort of scenery do you want to look over? You mention talking to outfitters so I assume you're looking for a guided hunt.

$5k gives you some good options.

Antelope is one option. You can go on a good guided antelope hunt for under $2K. Food and lodging are often included. A high-end trophy speedgoat hunt is in the $3K range. It's not a big animal but they're a lot of fun to hunt and success rates are high.

You can find a good bear hunt in your price range.

If you're not hung up on antlers, consider a cow elk hunt. A guided cow elk hunt can be done for under $2k. You get to see some beautiful country and bring back some of the best wild meat there is. Success rates are nearly 100%.

$5k is a bit light for a good guided bull elk hunt. It can be done but you've got to be careful and know what you're getting for the $$. Unless you're an experienced elk hunter, forget about the cheaper "drop camp" hunts.

You might find a moose hunt in your price range but, "buyer beware." It can be hard to draw a tag and your chance of succes can be spotty at best.

Keep an eye on the total cost of the hunt. Be realistic about the extra costs such as travel, meat processing taxidermy and tips.

I know you say that North America but for 5k you can kill 7 plains game animals in RSA

Of course travel and shipping push that closer to 9k

If I had 5k to burn on a hunt, I'd probably do it on a hunt for auodad in west Texas or bear/lion behind dogs somewhere in the west.

You can do Desert Mule Deer, Aoudad, or Antelope here in NM for that $.

I am doing an 3 day aoudad and 2 day hog hunt with mulie mike this fall for something like 3500. Certainly antelope. Could combo it with mulie but probably will not be a 170 class mulie. Some elk hunts can be done for that. Bison for sure. Most good mule deer hunts in canada will be more.