paycut for elk

[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.