Planning an Out-of-State Hunt: Determining Deadlines/Goals

“Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance”

If you're like us, expanding your hunting horizons with different opportunities is one of the great adventures we all as hunters can enjoy. Whether it's chasing elk in the western mountains or setting up on a buck in the midwest, there are plenty of opportunities to explore. For hunters who have never planned an OOS, the entire process can be intimidating. We're here to tell you, it's easier than you think! ⠀

Application deadlines, budget planning, gear consideration, and land research are just some of the few things you'll need to consider when planning your OOS hunt. ⠀

ref: Matt Read

The great thing is its only February, which gives you an ample amount of time to start sectioning this into achievable ⠀

  • Determine when to your hunt will be, and LOCK IT DOWN this month! This will help move the needle in the right direction.⠀

  • After determining the expenses of your trip you might find you don't have enough money to cover everything. February is the perfect time to start saving that extra $50 -$100 a month to help cover the costs.⠀

***(Ex. From FEB-SEPT if you save $50-$100/month you'll have an extra $400-$800 which should cover a large portion of the trip)⠀

  • February is also a great time to start scouting. Start looking for ideal terrain and camp locations because it never hurts to have multiple options. Find 2-3 base camp locations because that little piece of heaven you found on an aerial map might be completely awful or heavily pressured. Which is why having options is so critical. ⠀

  • This month is also perfect to start analyzing your gear list.

    • Do you have what you'll need?

    • What will the climate be when we are hunting?

    • Do I need to purchase additional items?

Not all gear lists are the same. While they might include some of the more basic items (flashlight, meals items, sleeping system, etc.) your not going to be taking cold weather gear on an early fall trip. Look at past temperature averages for the geographical location of where you plan to hunt and pack gear accordingly.


Out Of State HuntsJared Gortsema