paycut for elk

[vandeman17]

I was sitting in my ground blind this weekend waiting for a spike to come in and it go me thinking....


I am pretty sure I would take a decrease in pay to move to Montana or Idaho so that I could hunt big bulls EVERY year. Anybody else feel the same as me? 

[BENCHLEG]

my buddy did it 10yrs ago, and he does not regret it a-bit.

[vandeman17]

my buddy did it 10yrs ago, and he does not regret it a-bit.

I am pretty sure I wouldn't regret it either. I am actually job hunting in Montana as we speak to see what I can find!

[losdaddy7]

   Absolutely!  With the cost of living so much less, the pay cut might not be so bad.

[deerslyr]

Since I moved to MT I really cant imagine living in washington anymore. People are more friendly for the most part, weathers better (I like hot summers and cold snowy winters anyways) hardly any traffic and of course the hunting is fantastic.

[BENCHLEG]

deerslyr you r living the dream. keep it up i love it in mt

[biggamehunter]

Utah is pretty good also. Just moved over here in May Lots of game running around. Got some real nice bucks right here next to the plant. Ill try and post some pics of the big boy. The company i work for built a plant over here and i got transfered. I lucked out and didnt have to look for jobs. Plus my wife is from Idaho, So weve got the hookups if i decide to hunt out of state. good luck on your job search

[SniperDanWA]

I have close friends near Livingston and they say the area is filled with Californians.  They said it is ruining the area.  We've thought about Missoula area, but hard to find work.  We homeschool, so that isn't a problem.  Best of luck to anyone who can make it work.

[deerslyr]

deerslyr you r living the dream. keep it up i love it in mt

Im tryin man! Its been great so far havnt yet connected on any animals but ive gotten close a few times.

Bozeman has alot of californians but it still isnt as bad as washington IMO. The economy in Billings hasnt really even taken a hit and jobs arnt hard to find depending on the field your in. All of the oil they have found in eastern MT and the dakotas gets shipped to one of the 3 refinery's in the billings areas so that keeps alot of people employed as well

[SniperDanWA]

Doesn't Ted Turner own a lot of land around Bozeman?

I drove through in June and kept dreaming that I was home.  I'd be lying to say I'm not a bit jealous.

[C-Money]

I would like to live in Oregon. Wish the family farm was busy enough to support me and mine as well as the uncle. Not gonna happen any time soon, maybe he will retire some day. I can get land owner tags, and it would be great to be done with the non resident fees!

[SniperDanWA]

Why not take what you would lose by moving there, and just buy an out of state tag?  I'm in Spokane and it is just as far to drive to Montana as it is for me to drive to Naches where I hunt elk?

Crossed my mind many times.

[JimmyHoffa]

I have close friends near Livingston and they say the area is filled with Californians.  They said it is ruining the area.

Seems to be happening to many other states too.  They seem to be attracted to places with good skiing.  Think about places that in the past you never would've guessed would have such a percentage of those tending towards being liberal---Sun Valley, ID...Jackson Hole, WY...Park City, UT.  Also, areas with colleges/universities.  I would think you could still find some areas in Montana that are still quite conservative and won't interfere with a traditional lifestyle.   

[whacker1]

Why not take what you would lose by moving there, and just buy an out of state tag?  I'm in Spokane and it is just as far to drive to Montana as it is for me to drive to Naches where I hunt elk?

That is what I did last year. 

[jeepasaurusrex]

Seems to be happening to many other states too.  They seem to be attracted to places with good skiing.  Think about places that in the past you never would've guessed would have such a percentage of those tending towards being liberal---Sun Valley, ID...Jackson Hole, WY...Park City, UT.  Also, areas with colleges/universities.  I would think you could still find some areas in Montana that are still quite conservative and won't interfere with a traditional lifestyle.

I was just in Park City a couple weeks ago. It had been a few years since I had been there and even that short time I noticed a huge difference. The people are rude. The food is WAY over priced. For some reason, the wife wanted to shop at the outlet mall there..

[deerslyr]

I have close friends near Livingston and they say the area is filled with Californians.  They said it is ruining the area.

  I would think you could still find some areas in Montana that are still quite conservative and won't interfere with a traditional lifestyle.

Ive been all of the state since Ive been here and it seems to me that the *censored*s and californians are all in the minority still no matter where you go 

[LittleJohn]

I MOVED TO MONTANA!! Been a Wet-sider my whole life, 3 months into montana life and its great, Endless opportunities-is a good way to discribe the hunting. Can't wait to learn the country. I was at the local taxi yester, man they have some animals. Met a guy and his family, he was dropping off his 320" bull, he, his wife, and 3 teenage boys, all got thier bulls and bucks last year. He was trying to give me some of his elk meat.

[pianoman9701]

I've been trying to figure out how to quit my job and hunt more. MT would be a great place to do that.

[bobcat]

I have close friends near Livingston and they say the area is filled with Californians.  They said it is ruining the area

 
I think in the near future, they will still be saying the same thing, but replace "Californians" with "Washingtonians". Along with many other places in Montana and Idaho.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I want to move over there so bad, but the only direction my wife wants to go is west of the cascades.  So I guess I need to find a new wife or a great paying job where she has no choice but to follow ; ) 

[Griz231]

Born and raised in Montana, moved to Wash back in 97'.  best thing I ever did as far as a job goes.  but worst thing i did as far as hunting goes.
I took it for granted when i lived out there.  My dad guided for 25 years, so i had my fair share of awesome hunting.  Washington can be a major bummer sometimes.
Montana is great place if you can find work.  I would love to go back now so my kids can experience the same things I did.  All I need is email to work, so I guess i can go just about anywhere.  Just have to convince the wife to go.

[vandeman17]

great discussion so far guys! The nice thing for me is that a) I don't own a house or have kids so I am not tied down and b) I don't make tons of money at my current job so its not like I would be missing out on alot. I have actually been looking here in Wenatchee where I live now, in Spokane and all over Montana. Its nice to have options. 

[GoldTip]

Born and raised in Montana, moved to Wash back in 97'.  best thing I ever did as far as a job goes.  but worst thing i did as far as hunting goes.
I took it for granted when i lived out there.  My dad guided for 25 years, so i had my fair share of awesome hunting.  Washington can be a major bummer sometimes.
Montana is great place if you can find work.  I would love to go back now so my kids can experience the same things I did.  All I need is email to work, so I guess i can go just about anywhere.  Just have to convince the wife to go.

I have virtually the same story, my Dad was also an outfitter.  I moved here in '93.  What most people aren't saying is that yes, there are jobs in Montana, but they pay far less than here.  And unless your looking into moving to places like Malta, Glendive, or Miles City, whoever it was that said cost of living was low in Montana is out of their minds.  I buy non-resident tags to hunt back home, make way more money here in Spokane and have far more vacation than I would ever get in Montana.  Yes, the hunting is not nearly as good here as back home, but you can't eat the scenery.  Montana is the promised land for sure, and I love my home state like no other.  But it is not easy to live and thrive there.

[elkfuler]

Go for it if you can. No matter how many Calis might have transplanted to MTor WY or ?? it would still be better than the Peoples Republic of Washington.  I'm too far along in this job to think of that kind of move but I certainly need to start hunting elsewhere.  Last Friday I called in a BIG 6x7 to 33.5 yards, broadside. Ranged him, held my bow on him, drooled and just watched.  "True spikes only" was the trophy I needed to find.

[deerslyr]

I MOVED TO MONTANA!! Been a Wet-sider my whole life, 3 months into montana life and its great, Endless opportunities-is a good way to discribe the hunting. Can't wait to learn the country. I was at the local taxi yester, man they have some animals. Met a guy and his family, he was dropping off his 320" bull, he, his wife, and 3 teenage boys, all got thier bulls and bucks last year. He was trying to give me some of his elk meat.

I had a game warden actually take me to a spot that is my new elk honey hole  where are you located Little John?

[Little Fish]

Good discussion. I think the ideal solution for me would be to stay here then spend a month or so each fall hunting in another state whether its Idaho, Oregon, Montana.....
Washington has a great variety of things to do. We may not have the best hunting or fishing or boating or diving or skiing, but we are above average for just about any outdoor activity you can think of.

[golfguy0912]

personally never thought of it till I read this post. Did some research to the states I would consider moving to, and it was a little shocking. I am guessing that the cost of living would be cheaper (at least I hope it would), because taking a pay cut of about 25k a year to hunt elk might be a little tough to convince the wife to do.

[RadSav]

The squaw and I have been researching this same thing.  Montana looks to be a poor decision for us due to moving the whole business, but Idaho and Wyoming are looking promising.  We both love the rainy wet side of Washington and really do not much care for tempertures that exceed 75 degrees.  But, we are running out of new places to go and get away from all the stupid yahoos in Washington hunting grounds.  Getting too old to keep packing way back into the back country to loose them.  Plus, the business has been keeping at least one of us close to the shop at all times.

I've been hunting more and more in Canada and it is fantastic even if I have to put up with underqualified guides most times.  Problem with that has been the squaw always looses out and stays behind to run the shop.  She's a damn good slave, but I see a revolt coming in my future if it continues.  Taking her on an antelope hunt in 2012 to Wyoming.  If she likes it there who knows..we might be packing our bags.

[AKBowman]

It's true the Elk hunting is better in surrounding states but WA us still pretty special. 3 species of deer and two species of elk to chase makes a unique opportunity. Definitely a different lifestyle in MT though. One of the biggest advantages might be the length of season

[AKBowman]

Meant to finish that thought, a longer season there allows you to hunt multiple weekends and not have to take a week off work. Fewer hunters allows you not to have to go to such extremes to get away from people making the weekend hunts possible.

[vandeman17]

I recently moved from the wet side to the dry side and enjoy it much more. I like everything about it except that I still have to deal with the rubbish of the wdfw rules. It is really crappy that it is a pipe dream to actually be able to hunt branch antlered rocky mtn elk every year in washington state. 

[DoubleJ]

I'm still thinking about going further east/south.  North Carolina/Georgia/Tennessee, etc.  Something about paying around $50 and getting 10 deer tags keeps calling to me.

[DoubleJ]

I recently moved from the wet side to the dry side and enjoy it much more. I like everything about it except that I still have to deal with the rubbish of the wdfw rules. It is really crappy that it is a pipe dream to actually be able to hunt branch antlered rocky mtn elk every year in washington state. 

Washington saves those for the indians 

[Griz231]

Born and raised in Montana, moved to Wash back in 97'.  best thing I ever did as far as a job goes.  but worst thing i did as far as hunting goes.
I took it for granted when i lived out there.  My dad guided for 25 years, so i had my fair share of awesome hunting.  Washington can be a major bummer sometimes.
Montana is great place if you can find work.  I would love to go back now so my kids can experience the same things I did.  All I need is email to work, so I guess i can go just about anywhere.  Just have to convince the wife to go.

We are considering the Spokane Pullman area. It's close to Idaho and Mt which would make for easier trips.

Don't go to Malta. Went to grade school there. No opportunity there. Sh$t hole.



I have virtually the same story, my Dad was also an outfitter.  I moved here in '93.  What most people aren't saying is that yes, there are jobs in Montana, but they pay far less than here.  And unless your looking into moving to places like Malta, Glendive, or Miles City, whoever it was that said cost of living was low in Montana is out of their minds.  I buy non-resident tags to hunt back home, make way more money here in Spokane and have far more vacation than I would ever get in Montana.  Yes, the hunting is not nearly as good here as back home, but you can't eat the scenery.  Montana is the promised land for sure, and I love my home state like no other.  But it is not easy to live and thrive there.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

This is awesome information. Planning my move NOW!!!!!

[royalbull]

the quicker all of you guys move there the better my odds will be here

[DOUBLELUNG]

Lived in Wyoming for 11 years, now have 11 years in WA.  If you are a die-hard family of hunters and trout fishermen, don't mind the cold, and can easily accept a 25-35% reduction in pay, it may be just the thing for you.  I will offer a few thoughts:
 
 

• If it is Rocky Mountain scenic, and you aren't wealthy, the financial stress of making ends meet may not be worth it.  We moved away from financial distress.
• If your spouse/s.o. isn't content with satellite TV, country bars, and outdoor opportunities, it might not be right for you both.
• If you have kids, the quality of education is quite a bit lower than by WA standards.
• If you have health issues, the quality of health care is significantly lower, and in most rural areas no specialist within 150 miles will participate in your health insurance group coverage - you pay the difference.
• Electric bills will induce sticker shock - it was not uncommon for winter monthly electric to run $250-300
• Fresh, ripe, quality produce is a rare and precious commodity.  My wife, a Wyoming native, thought she didn't like fruit - until we moved here.
• I have had more quality hunting as a nonresident hunter in Wyoming, than as a resident when I lived there.
• On a bright note, incredible hunting and trout fishing, and you can easily and inexpensively put up a year's supply of meat.

 
 

[brokehunter]

I was born and raised in the Portland area, but have lived the last 20 or so years in SW Washington. Except for a short stint near Coeur D' Alene, Idaho. Wow what a change! Loved the warm summers, and true, the winters are colder, but loved the nearby hunting! Some great areas up there. But like so many others, I couldn't find work so I moved back! I sure do miss it there. Was up there a few years ago, and was blown away at how much the population has sky-rocketed! And the cost of living! I've also hunted both Oregon and Washington, and I view both states as about 1 and the same. Hunting is much harder these days here, and with all the hippies and weirdos moving here, it just makes it harder. Montana or Idaho would be the way to go for me as well. Unfortunately no jobs. Although that's just about true anywhere these days.

[Harstine Hunter]

"It's true the Elk hunting is better in surrounding states but WA us still pretty special. 3 species of deer and two species of elk to chase makes a unique opportunity. Definitely a different lifestyle in MT though. One of the biggest advantages might be the length of season"

Wouldn't it be great to be able to get three deer tags and two elk tags? Shoot one of each species! Dreaming, I'm only dreaming!

[starr]

IN A HEARTBEAT!! I am a montana native, joined the air force after 6 years finally came back to the northwest and got to start hunting again. Every year i go and drop my $90 for my tags i remember the great "a" & "b" tags in montana, and this summer went to yellow stone and  in the hr drive from my families house saw about 7 big horn, and elk more than i could count, the only thing stoppin me from movin back is my wife is a texas native and hates the cold. I hate the amount of snow, so we are in agreement after the military it is further south for us. Texas is to damn hot for thisnorthener though so for middle ground we are thinking missouri, it is just hard to think about giving up the great hunting ops in montana.

[whtelk]

I would like to live in Oregon. Wish the family farm was busy enough to support me and mine as well as the uncle. Not gonna happen any time soon, maybe he will retire some day. I can get land owner tags, and it would be great to be done with the non resident fees!

And here I was thinking I would rather live in Washington....too many Californians here for me.