Hunting doesn’t have to be expensive, even if you are hunting big game, like deer. Everything that you invest into your hunting trips will be returned in the fresh, organic meat that you bring home. An average deer is about 50 pounds of fresh meat. Multiply that with the price of organic meat in your area and you will see the gain. Your gain will be bigger if you spend less on the hunt itself. Here are the tips how to do it.
Arms
Modern and high-tech rifles are expensive. Their price can reach up to $700. You can save a lot of money by purchasing used rifles. Make sure they are well kept and fully operational. Also, you should not pay tons of money on the ammo. The most expensive bullets and the average quality ones are hard to tell apart when you shoot. So, if you want to hunt you will be just fine with a used rifle and average quality bullets.
Shelter
Think about the safety and solid construction, but remember that DIY shelters and box blinds can work just as well as the ones you buy. It is easy to find blueprints online and make your own shelter for hunting. If this is not an option, try to join with other hunters and rent a shelter together for the season. This can dramatically cut down your costs.
Fees
As a general rule of thumb, hunting fees in your own state will be lower than the hunting fees that you have to pay at a different state. So, if you want to hunt on a budget, make sure that you hunt in your own woods. Big game fees are not overly expensive if you hunt it in your area of residence. It is essential that you ask around and check the necessary licenses for hunting to avoid legal fees later on.
Transportation
Whenever necessary, simply don’t use it. Drive only to a certain point and walk from there. It will be healthier for you, it will save gas and it will save money. If you have to drive, be reasonable with your choices and rent only what is necessary for you to get from the point A to the point B.
Food
Planning ahead can save you a lot of money. Think about how much food you need and equip yourself with homemade snacks, frozen meals and canned meals. You will be able to survive on that food
Equipment
You need to have some pieces of equipment because of the law. Besides those, you need to set your priorities straight. It is better to invest in good trail cameras than to spend that money on hunting clothes. You don’t need camouflage clothes for hunting. You just need good boots. A pair of used binoculars will do the trick, just as well as brand new ones.
With a little bit of DIY and a lot of used items in your hunting bag, you will be able to cut down the costs of your hobby significantly. Put it all on paper and compare your costs with the price of the game you will bring home. If you are reasonable with your costs, your hobby may turn out to be lucrative rather than expensive.
