Whether you are hunting local or hunt down south, up north or out west, now is a great time to go on the Web and do that research. I am! Request brochures only from places that peak your interest. If you are like me and on a budget, it is important to add all the costs of the hunt.

As an example:

Air and Ground Transport, Gas, Hotel

License Fees

Outfitter cost

Butcher and Freeze

Cost to get meat home

Trophy Fees & Tips

Extra Items to purchase for the hunt like specialty camo or a rain suit.

Taxidermy – estimate taxidermy cost.

Total expected

Ask yourself, do I have the right weapon for this hunt?

A 12 gauge on the prairie is good for birds but not for long range big game.

A 30-30 Winchester is not ideal for Pronghorn or Mule Deer. A .270 Winchester, 308 Win,30-06 Springfield, 243 Win, 6mm or 7mm Rem is ideal.

A 50 lb pull bow is marginal for elk. Great for deer.

Be sure to check references so that you know what to expect from your outfitter.

My Firearms/archery list for big game:

Deer – 6mm and up. If I had to choose? .270 or .308 best. 40lb bow minimum best at 55 lb and above

Black Bear – 6mm and up. If I had to choose? .308/30-06 min 40lb bow minimum. Best at 55 lb and above.

Moose – .270 and up. If I had to choose? 338 or .375 best. 60 lb for bow

Elk  – .270 and up. If I had to choose? 338 or 375. 60 lb minimum

Brown Bear –  300 Win and up. If I had to choose? 338 or 375. 70lb minimum.

Africa? –  .270 and up for plains game. If I had to choose? 375 with a backup on dangerous game. With Bow, 60 lb pull minimum on all but dangerous game.

Bowhunting – I am an advocate for fixed blade broad-heads only.

Rifle hunting – I own three rifle calibers, a .22 LR, a .243 Winchester and .375 Ruger. The .243 and .375 are hand loaded by me and span all game on the planet from varmints to Cape Buffalo. Remember to use state of the art recoil pads on all rifles. Pads like Simms SVL and Pachmayr Decelerator are a must as they reduce recoil nearly 50% thus decreasing your sensitivity to felt recoil and make a better shot.

If I could not hand load I would own calibers that are purchased regularly over the counter such as a .22 LR, .270 Win, and .300 Win Mag, and a .375 H&H for all game on the planet with state of the art recoil pads which cut felt recoil in half. © 2014