OK folks, I got a question for you. I’ve grown up around hunting, and I’ve done a little rabbit and squirrel hunting just for fun and deep-fried country goodness.
I’ve also dressed a LOT of deer (in my teenage years) thanks to a neighbor we had that helped keep his buddies corn and soy field depopulated. We’d dress the deer for him and split the meat 50/50.
Those days are long gone and people don’t part with their deer meat around here (nor should they lol).
So even though I’d rather fish, if I’m looking for fun, I’m considering buying a good stout rifle (like maybe a 30/30) and doing some deer and hog hunting.
I’m ONLY interested in table fare, I can’t eat the antlers.
Can you guys opine… is it reasonable to think I can come out on the up-side of the expense of hunting? In other words, if I’m just looking for table fare, will I spend much more cash on the hunting equipment/license/gas etc. than I would just buying some chuck roast?
I already have the right paint job for it, my old truck has a custom camo paint job (I am an industrial paint specialist).
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
Several factors will make it not cost effective. Number 1 time. It will take a big investment of time, so it’s up to you on if that is an expense or just fun. Number 2, where you hunt. The National Forest doesn’t cost but if you join a club, forget it making sense dollar wise. Number 3 if you have to buy a rifle, scope and ammo it could take years to make that back. Lastley if you take the deer to a processor that costs on every deer you harvest. I gladly pay the processor and consider it a bargain as I couldn’t/wouldn’t do it myself.
Like most outdoor hobbies (fishing, shimping, gigging) you better do it because you love it. No matter what I tell my wife, they all get expensive.
starting hunting is a fairly large investment when first starting out, but is WELL worth it in the long run. as for hunting meat vs buying it i see it just like fishing. dont get me wrong im not knocking local business esp sellsfish by any means but im sure all of us fisherman have much more enjoyment and memories made out on the water(in your case teaching issac to fish and nearly hooking me multiple times) than buying a piece of fish in a store. if a 30/30 is what you want by all means get it, but if i were to buy one gun for hunting it would be a shotgun combo simply due to versatility and lower cost than a decent rifle. most of the places i hunted i couldnt see but 75 yards and a slug will reach that no problem and take down a deer or pig in is tracks. if you get invited on a dog hunt or later decide to go after small game, waterfowl, turkey, … you will also have the shot barrel where as 30/30 you wouldnt. with all the gun control political garbage going on shotgun ammo has also been by far the most reliable to find and not too awful expensive either. a climber stand and red dot scope for said shotgun are also great but not required. for camo i just use ether camo jeans and under armor shirt or fleece jacket and pants depending on how hot it is. no need for heavy insulated boots in the charleston area, but waterproof and keeping your feet dry is a life saver. for scent control ive never had trouble with a 50 cent box of baking soda to wash my clothes in. just make sure you also have a good hunting knife ad you should be set at least for a start. hope that helps and any ?s you know how to get ahold of me.
There is no way it can be justified from a $ point of view. If you do not love being in the woods, go buy a turkey. One box of shells is about $30-40 to sight gun in. The gun will be a couple of hundred min. A decent scope will be another couple of hundred. Add Gas to and from hunting ground. Camo clothing/ scent eliminators/ scent attractants/ corn/ tree stand or climber. Then add the value of your time. If you make $20/hr and hunt 100 hours to harvest a total of 200# of venison.
You will be able to buy Kobe beef for less.
Now, if you are like most of us on this site, we consider all that a bargain for the value we receive.
Hunting, fishing, and poker are my sports. Work when necessary.
The upside to any hunting/fishing trip is the pleasure of enjoying nature.
Red fish, IMO in today’s world you will never come out cheaper hunting for the table when you can bargain shop and buy a whole pork loin @ $1.29 a pound or find a whole beef sirloin for $2.40 and N.Y strips for $4.89. Dad and I came to the agreement this year to quit butchering our own as you can’t raise them for the price you can find in the stores if you have some patience and then bulk buy.
If you had total access to great hunting land and processed yourself then you may come out. To your statement “you can’t eat Antlers”, I agree with you 100% I’ll take nanny meat to a buck any day. Only bucks I’ve been shooting are scrags to get them out the gene pool and off the crops.
Honestly I can’t think of one hunter that does it strictly for table fair any more. Heck I can’t even think of anyone fishing strictly for table fair. My last off-shore trip was with 5 people, between gas, bait, food, and drink our split was $130 4 ways. (we usually cover the boat owners take, tends to lead to more invites:wink:). We brought home 1 Wahoo, and 9 Dolphin. If I was to go to SellsFish’s store and spend $520 bucks no doubt we could have come home with a lot more fish!
The upside to any hunting/fishing trip is the pleasure of enjoying nature.
Red fish, IMO in today’s world you will never come out cheaper hunting for the table when you can bargain shop and buy a whole pork loin @ $1.29 a pound or find a whole beef sirloin for $2.40 and N.Y strips for $4.89. Dad and I came to the agreement this year to quit butchering our own as you can’t raise them for the price you can find in the stores if you have some patience and then bulk buy.
If you had total access to great hunting land and processed yourself then you may come out. To your statement “you can’t eat Antlers”, I agree with you 100% I’ll take nanny meat to a buck any day. Only bucks I’ve been shooting are scrags to get them out the gene pool and off the crops.
Honestly I can’t think of one hunter that does it strictly for table fair any more. Heck I can’t even think of anyone fishing strictly for table fair. My last off-shore trip was with 5 people, between gas, bait, food, and drink our split was $130 4 ways. (we usually cover the boat owners take, tends to lead to more invites:wink:). We brought home 1 Wahoo, and 9 Dolphin. If I was to go to SellsFish’s store and spend $520 bucks no doubt we could have come home with a lot more fish!
yes its public land but theres nothing wrong with francis marion that doesnt cost an arm and a leg in club dues. i killed a solid 7 point, screwed up a crack at a decent 6, and saw plenty other fair sized deer and a hog i didnt have a shot at. i can also pm you the service i booked my hog hunt with if you arent opposed to chasing unlimited wild hogs with a knife. i also recommend buying a meat grinder and process yourself if possible. of all the deer and 2 hogs ive killed ive never taken anything to a processor and use maybe $10 in packaging per animal (more for a 300lb sow that i shared with you lol). to each their own but for me id rather take a few hours to clean whatever and not pay $100+ for what i consider a social event after i call a couple friends over and bribe them with a pack of venison. heck ive even gotten a couple vegetarians to clean deer before and one of the rather flamboyant individuals back in nuke school said he wanted to learn how to clean a deer or boar for whatever reason…needless to say his face upon seeing the ugly face of a wild hog was HIGHLY entertaining!
I didn’t see any bad advice/comments above, so, all the above X2!!
One thing I would add, I hunt because I love it, not because it is cheaper than buying beef. Beef is good, but taking game from the wild doesn’t put meat on your table that has been pumped full of steroids, hormones and countles other chemicals that farm raised meat is subjected too.
I spend a lot of money hunting, fill my freezer and give some away. Sure, I could change my tactics and spend a lot less, but like I said, I love it!!
If it is meat you are after, I would be willing to give you a deer a little later into the season. Once my freezer is full, I start the giving process. Message me if you are interested.
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
Thanks everyone, y’all really showed up with some good advice. I kinda predicted this.
If I’m going to spend time out in nature for the pleasure/fun, it’s going to be ON THE WATER lol… so maybe duck hunting! I do have a 12g and 20g shotgun, although the 12g is a solid antique, I really won’t be shooting it.
I will be casually on the lookout for a 30/30, if I find a good deal on one like the Remington suggested by ONN.
Thanks everyone!!!
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
a 20 gauge slug is def plenty for deer and hog if youre comfortable shooting the 20 gauge (working condition) all ya need is a slug barrel ($100-200) to match it to get you out in the woods right now rather than an entire new gun…although new guns are always a nice addition
Slug or 30/30, I would need to spend some time on my aim, it’s been a LONG time since I pulled a trigger. The 20g is only about 13 years old and only shot maybe 20 times, so it’s in pristine shape.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
Slug or 30/30, I would need to spend some time on my aim, it’s been a LONG time since I pulled a trigger. The 20g is only about 13 years old and only shot maybe 20 times, so it’s in pristine shape.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
Modern slugs out of a rifled slug barrel are some pretty impressive things. Would actually be as accurate as a 30/30 with a lot more knock down. after a 100 yards both are going to drop significantly.
For what it would cost you for the 30/30 ohionavynuke is on the money with a secondary barrel for your 20 guage.
There are slugs made for smooth bore shotguns. I have some remington slugs for my 20 gauge. At fifty yard you should easily be on target without a scope. It would take practice to do well beyond that and as previously mentioned 100 yards may be about the max.
in all seriousness if you are even somewhat thinking on a $ to pound ratio FORGET DUCK HUNTING. Deer hunting can be very rewarding for a long time. the best day on the water duckin will net u one meal. that being said it is a ton of fun
in all seriousness if you are even somewhat thinking on a $ to pound ratio FORGET DUCK HUNTING. Deer hunting can be very rewarding for a long time. the best day on the water duckin will net u one meal. that being said it is a ton of fun
