Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: jager on July 11, 2011, 04:00:06 PM

Title: What's it worth to you?
Post by: jager on July 11, 2011, 04:00:06 PM: I'd like some opinions on this question....

I'll try to make this short but sweet.

My job is on a contract basis. I usually only work for a couple months or so at a time.... a month or two off then back to work....

This usually works out great, I get plenty of time to do what I want, although the last couple years It's been cutting into (eliminating) my archery elk season and some of my deer hunting.

This year I was drawn for the combo deer/elk in Montana AND I was also drawn for what some may call one of, if not the best elk tags in this state.

After the WA drawing I was ready to eat the $1000 for the Montana tags in order to scout and hunt elk.
Bummer... yea a little... but, to me this is an OIL tag and I am super excited for this hunt.

Well, Im about 98% sure that I could be hired right now for a job that would start at the end of this week and last into the first week of October. This would leave me with two weeks to scout in October during the muzzleloader season. Not very much time to look over the country, talk to landowners and find my bull :)

I still have outstanding applications in Montana as well as the super tags and raffle tags here....slim chance ...but ya never know.

Not taking this job would put a huge dent in my income for this year! I'll make it, but a huge dent none the less.

I'm single and have no family to provide for, so luckily (or unluckily) I don't have to figure that into the equation.

So.... Would you take a big hit in the wallet to do something you have always wanted to do? OR.... Make some money and take a chance that your dream may not work out the way you would hope?
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: h20hunter on July 11, 2011, 04:05:15 PM: Well, no wife kids.......maybe have a little $$$ in the bank still....time to start living cheap and chase that dream. What good is dreaming if when you get a chance to chase it you sit on your butt? Go kill a monster I say.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: gasman on July 11, 2011, 04:08:11 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on July 11, 2011, 04:05:15 PM
Well, no wife kids.......maybe have a little $$$ in the bank still....time to start living cheap and chase that dream. What good is dreaming if when you get a chance to chase it you sit on your butt? Go kill a monster I say.

:yeah:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Caseyd on July 11, 2011, 04:10:20 PM: Depends on how big of a hit we are talking about in my opinion.

Gotta remember that everything you do know also effects things for several years :twocents:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: MtnMuley on July 11, 2011, 04:12:15 PM: I'd take the job, no doubt. Two weeks proir to scout are the two best weeks in my opinion. Plenty of time after that in MT to kill a bull and a nice buck. Late archery here with your multi tag, and it could shape up into a great year for you. :twocents:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 11, 2011, 04:38:03 PM: If you work on a "contract" basis, it sounds like you work for yourself. Do what you want.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Vees on July 11, 2011, 05:00:54 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on July 11, 2011, 04:12:15 PM
I'd take the job, no doubt. Two weeks proir to scout are the two best weeks in my opinion. Plenty of time after that in MT to kill a bull and a nice buck. Late archery here with your multi tag, and it could shape up into a great year for you. :twocents:

:yeah:

Two solid weeks of scouting ain't bad! If you take the job, treat yourself to some new gear and enjoy the season without the stress of being short on $$.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Biggerhammer on July 11, 2011, 05:12:46 PM: Quote from: MtnMuley on July 11, 2011, 04:12:15 PM
I'd take the job, no doubt. Two weeks proir to scout are the two best weeks in my opinion. Plenty of time after that in MT to kill a bull and a nice buck. Late archery here with your multi tag, and it could shape up into a great year for you. :twocents:

Agreed... :tup:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on July 11, 2011, 05:15:03 PM: What tag is it ? and if I was single I would be going hunting !! :twocents:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: jager on July 11, 2011, 05:19:07 PM: I appreciate the opinions...keep em coming... :bash:

....Dayton
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: jackelope on July 11, 2011, 05:21:06 PM: Take the job...2 solid weeks to scout is a lot of time IMO.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Kain on July 11, 2011, 05:31:34 PM: Anyone you can rely on to help you with scouting? Two weeks is a lot of time especially if a hunting partner has done some preliminary scouting for you.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: jager on July 11, 2011, 05:55:11 PM: Unfortunately I'm flying solo on this hunt.
I've talked to a few guys from this site who seem really nice and I'm sure would give me some "tips" but I'd hate to show up and expect anything...
Two weeks is a lot of time.....I really need to secure private property permission...and archery will have already concluded and muzzleloader season will be underway.
I'll only have 5 days to hunt before general spike season opens and then the elk could be anywhere. So realistically or unrealistically In my mind I've got 5 days of "peaceful" hunting. No offense to the spike hunters :hello:
Like I said this may be my only chance for a (insert high score here) bull!
I just don't want to blow it!
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on July 11, 2011, 05:56:10 PM: There is no question. Go huntin!!!! Life is way to short!!
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: bobcat on July 11, 2011, 05:58:00 PM: I would take the job. It's simple- you need money to hunt.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: bigpaw 77 on July 11, 2011, 06:00:37 PM: I would go huntin, you have the rest of your life to work.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: furbearer365 on July 11, 2011, 06:17:14 PM: I would say hunt for sure: If, the work was going to carry into the whole season. Two weeks to scout with a tag like that, more than enough time. take the work then hunt your a$$ off. You get the best of both worlds. When you work do you get days off or is it seven days a week? If you get weekends off, shoot over for a couple of two day excursions and then kill a monster.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: piledup on July 11, 2011, 06:22:15 PM: Dayton tag :yike: That's like an OIL tag. I'd go hunting. :twocents:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: 3nails on July 11, 2011, 06:25:34 PM: Quote from: bigpaw 77 on July 11, 2011, 06:00:37 PM
I would go huntin, you have the rest of your life to work.
Exactly. You could still get a partial refund on your MT. tags to help. Give that Dayton tag everything you got. You will regret it later if you don't.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: jager on July 11, 2011, 07:27:24 PM: :chuckle:
Every reply I'm saying yea exactly....That is, until the next reply.

I'm a couple of hours from the unit right now, If I take the job, I'm in Seattle and 4.5 hours to the unit....no time for a day trip!
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: rtspring on July 11, 2011, 07:35:30 PM: Go kill a monster bull and make the money when you have the time.

I love being single, :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL: :IBCOOL:

good luck on your hunt man

RTSPRING
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: luvtohnt on July 11, 2011, 07:53:32 PM: I would go to work, and then spend th entire two weeks prior to the season scouting. You said you were single so you could be in the hills every day of that 2 weeks. 2 weeks prior is a better option then once a week for the rest of the summer because you are scrimping. Not to mention if you have one patterned and tag out the first couple of days you will have the money in the bank to head to Montana, and like someone said before late archery here in WA. Thats my :twocents:

Brandon
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: akirkland on July 11, 2011, 08:01:00 PM: HUNT HUNT HUNT :tup:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: oneezreiter on July 11, 2011, 08:06:28 PM: Take the job, two weeks is plenty of time. better than a lot of people get anymore.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: 6x6in6 on July 11, 2011, 08:48:11 PM: I've quit jobs when I was told no I couldn't use my vacation time when there was work that my employer said needed to be done. I had earned my vacation time. I gave 4-6 months notice with an OK. 1 week to 1 month out they changed their mind. Well guess what, the work still got done without me and I harvested bulls in three different states three different years. Heck, they still had to pay me for my vacation time when I quit. This was also when construction work was simple to be had too and had another job within 7-10 days. Would I quit my job today given the current state of the industry? Not likely.
Yeah, not the same but here's the similarities.
Your single and if you can figure out a way to make ends meet, go for it!!! Watch everything you do, eat, little not so important drives somewhere, cut the little bit of frills out of what you would normally do over the next 45-60 days and you will be surprised how much $ you save to help carry you over in what you say as an I can make ends meet time. I was careful and I made it.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: mazama on July 11, 2011, 09:04:37 PM: The older i get the less money means to me if i can't enjoy life,and that means hunting,i would be very depressed if i missed an opurtinity for a good hunt.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on July 11, 2011, 09:12:50 PM: Taking a huge hit, on the income, is relative... I mean, if you're making six figures with the limited work you do, then I think you should be able to afford to pass on the job this go round.

But, as was said, right up to the hunt, a couple weeks of scouting right before is going to be your best scouting anyway. You're not telling us that you're going to work 7 days a week until season starts.. right. no chance of some weekend trips?

-Steve
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: h2ofowlr on July 11, 2011, 09:14:51 PM: I would take the job and hope it finishes up early or talk to the crew and give them the last day you can work the job. Always nice to have a little padding incase things go south.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: whacker1 on July 11, 2011, 09:16:58 PM: It sounds like you have the opportunity to work now. scout, hunt in late octoberfor you modern dayton bull tag, and then go to Montana following your time in the Dayton unit. Unless I missed something, it sounds like a hell of a fall.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: dreamunelk on July 11, 2011, 09:45:47 PM: Like you I have no wife and kids. Worked since I was 12 years old and paid my own way through college twice. Been able to see things and do things the most will never see. However, along the way I passed up many dream opportunities figuring I would get the chance later in life. At forty years of age I was partially disabled. Those dreams are no longer an option. I have learned the meaning of money can not by happiness.

Do what makes you happy! You will always have the memory and that will be priceless!
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: jager on July 11, 2011, 10:11:20 PM: If I made six figures I wouldn't have this dilemma :chuckle:
I will say... if I don't take the job, it will cost me about a 1/3 of the cost of the last governor tag.
That's painful to some degree for most folks, except the ones that buy the governor tags :dunno:

And no, I've never paid that much for a hunt!

12-14 hour days 5-6 day work weeks......

Lately, I'm kinda all about the life's too short philosophy.

We'll see...I'm going to decide on Tuesday....
Keep the opinions coming....I do appreciate them!
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: bobcat on July 11, 2011, 10:23:10 PM: I would take the job, skip the Montana hunt if necessary, and put as much time into the Dayton hunt as possible. If you can scout for two weeks just prior to the hunt, that is more than enough time, and that is the very best time to do your scouting. Heck, if you have to, hire an outfitter.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 11, 2011, 10:25:07 PM: Job for sure, you have to work to play.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: bucklucky on July 11, 2011, 10:29:43 PM: If you plan on mounting the bull Id take the job and quit in september and live in the dayton for a month and a half before your hunt starts, thats what I would do, oh and Id take a vacation from Dayton and make a quick run to Montana just for a break :chuckle: Oh shoot, I forgot to mention, there are no elk in the blues :chuckle:

Do what you feel is best , you know that feeling that is in your gut trying to tell you to do the right thing that your probably ignoring :chuckle:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: nwhunter on July 11, 2011, 10:36:28 PM: I sure enjoy my time off alot more in the woods hunting when I know I have some money in the bank! A couple weeks to scout before your hunt should be enough I would think. Take a bonzai trip over and set some cameras up and let them scout for you. I'd take the job and you can get that same Montana tag next year almost guaranteed. Your right about that Dayton tag being a OIL so if time is an issue get your 80% back from Montana and do your Dayton tag right. Good luck. nwhunter
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Caseyd on July 12, 2011, 12:55:39 AM: Which ever choice you make, get to Dayton and lock down some land...as in NOW! It's either that or you'll have to wait until September after harvest,which happens to be during the second busiest time....seeding!

Harvest is running a couple weeks behind due to the cooler spring ;)
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: NWBREW on July 12, 2011, 02:05:17 AM: Quote from: MtnMuley on July 11, 2011, 04:12:15 PM
I'd take the job, no doubt. Two weeks proir to scout are the two best weeks in my opinion. Plenty of time after that in MT to kill a bull and a nice buck. Late archery here with your multi tag, and it could shape up into a great year for you. :twocents:

That's a tough one. All I know is when I get to old to hunt like I did when I was younger I won't be saying....."you know..I wish I would have worked more". That's all the advise I have. Good luck with your choice.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Fullabull on July 12, 2011, 03:18:26 AM: Two weeks to scout just before season is a long time!!! And as others have said, "the most important time"!

What would you do if you did not take the job?

Fulla
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: RadSav on July 12, 2011, 04:51:02 AM: For $5,000.00 and a few cases of beer you could get a whole bus load of Mexicans to scout for you and take pictures. You make your money then spend the two weeks double checking the information from your scouters. It's a Win/Win! :IBCOOL:

All kidding aside I'd have to ask myself if "Not" taking the job would effect future jobs. Would hate to pass up one job just to scout early and find out it means two future jobs are also lost. That would be a hit you could not recover from in this economy.

If it is just one job with no future risk - I'd probably be banging my head against the computer with the same uneasy feeling I hear from you. Pray about it. Then make the choice that leads to the least regret and never look back.

Good luck with the hunt and your decision.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: runamuk on July 12, 2011, 05:25:02 AM: Do what leaves you without regrets.... that Dayton tag is pretty special and if there are guys over there that have offered up help take it they are good guys to offer.

Once you get married you will compromise a whole lot of things so have fun now and do what you want to do...
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: dreamingbig on July 12, 2011, 05:47:27 AM: I would take the job. You will have plenty of time to scout in the two weeks prior. Also you can make some bonzai 24 hour trips over there to get some scouting in! You didn't say you were working 7 days a week, man up! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Woodchuck on July 12, 2011, 06:45:05 AM: Let me put this as gently as I can.....if you don't put all you can into your Wa tag I will beat you over the head with a big effing stick until you are within an inch of your life, then......hit you two more times. Seriously if you can take the hit and be okay. HUNT. Besides Top Ramen is pretty good for a month, you can make all sorts of gourmet meals with it. ;)
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: predator guy on July 12, 2011, 07:12:22 AM: You said it would put a "dent" in your wallet, not break you to the point of standing on a corner begging for money. Like me, you are single (no wife, no kids, no problems) GO AND HUNT YOUR ASS OFF! Life is too short.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: BIGMIKE on July 12, 2011, 07:21:45 AM: Take the job, scout, hunt, kill the biggest bull go home and take off to Montana and repeat.... :)
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: jager on July 12, 2011, 02:48:53 PM: Well, you all were pretty evenly balanced on this.....
I really appreciate all the opinions....Really! They all made perfect sense to me...

With that being said and much :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

I'm gonna HUNT
....I dont want to get hit with a big stick! :chuckle:

I need the money, as we all do......and, I need to hunt as well.
I'm going to go down tomorrow and start after it.

I'll start putting up pics and keep you all posted.
Thanks again!

Oh yea...can I borrow five bucks? :hello:
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: bucklucky on July 12, 2011, 03:03:24 PM: Right on, good decision !!!!!
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Grazer on July 12, 2011, 04:23:36 PM: A good-hard 5 days of hunting should be ample time to kill the bull that you are after, if this is as good of a draw as you are making it out to be. Good luck with your decision and your hunt.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Woodchuck on July 12, 2011, 04:37:51 PM: Good choice, Ihad the stick all picked out. ;)
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: uncoolperson on July 12, 2011, 05:27:49 PM: If I was single
got a draw for something I considered OIL
made decent enough money contract
and could pull up stakes and roll (lease [when's it up?], own?)... what kind of obligations do you have that you can't walk away from?

I'd grab a tent, a few hundred packets of mountain house, and live in the woods for a month or two.

heck, if I had zero obligations I'd do that every year regardless of tag.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: jackmaster on July 13, 2011, 06:59:38 AM: I WOULD DO BOTH, you will work it out, but at gas prices you need the extra cash and you will still have plenty of time to whack a good bull.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: MtnMuley on July 13, 2011, 03:20:01 PM: The bar is raised and the expectations couldn't be higher. :)
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: Wtrfowlr62 on July 14, 2011, 12:08:12 AM: that is tough. i mean money is huge to me but a trip like you got going on is once in a life time to. i would say both, you should have plenty of time to scout and hunt with the way you described it. but at the same time if you choose one or the other youll always have the "what if" factor.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: dreamingbig on July 14, 2011, 12:59:26 PM: What did you decide? It is Thursday.
Title: Re: What's it worth to you?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on July 14, 2011, 01:11:02 PM: Don't know if anyone's mentioned this but if you're super worried about your MT tags you can turn them in for any reason and get back I think 80% of the total cost.