Every year, hunters travel all over the world in search of different species to pursue. Typically, those travels bring along a lot of research, planning, and preparation. Research these days seems to begin in magazines, on the internet, or within one of the many pieces of mapping software that are available. Research may also stem from word of mouth or even your own or a close friend’s past experiences. Hunters need to not only focus on the specific areas that are going to live up to their expectations but also be sure their contacts, consultants, outfitters, and/or state agencies are up to the task.
Once your research has resulted in a realistic and attainable goal based on the area’s potential to provide the trophy you seek, availability of a tag, and ability of your team, it’s time to start planning and preparing for the upcoming adventure. The planning and preparation processes need to happen simultaneously. Planning might vary greatly based on hunt details. Your hunt might be guided and provide lodging, meals, and showers, or it could be self-guided. Regardless, the planning exists in both. When I talk about preparation, it usually involves sweat. Texas summers are hot, and I am always burning my winter holiday fluff off when it’s 100 degrees outside.
Preparation, like planning, can also vary greatly based on your upcoming adventure, but you must prepare. It is your job to be able to perform and make things count when it’s time.
Let us delve a little deeper into goals. Goals are what you expect to accomplish out of your hunt. There are multiple ways to approach setting goals. Regardless of your goal, as they are way too personal and vary greatly from hunter to hunter, your research has to provide you with a realistic and attainable outcome. Does the area you are considering have the trophy quality you require if a trophy is what you are after? Does it have the number of animals and tags available for you to possibly be successful and return every year? Don’t set unrealistic goals for yourself. It’s a waste of money, resources, and most importantly, time. Once you come to terms with what you want out of a particular hunt, it’s time to face your internal demons. What do I mean by demons? They are things that will break down your internal strength. As your strength erodes, so do your goals. Time is one of the toughest demons for me to face. I am at a point in my hunting career that my goals and expectations are very high. I am always chasing the biggest trophy we know of or can find.
Another difficult demon is a number two or three animal presenting an opportunity. I faced this in Nevada this past fall. I was by myself, late morning. We were still trying to piece together all of our target bulls. We had a brief glimpse of the bull I knew in my heart was number one. I was back at the side-by-side and figured I would work on my cow calling a bit. Of course, a bull screamed at me one ridge over. I grabbed my bow, dropped through a small canyon up to the flat on the other side, and set up. Yep, I called in a giant bull.
He was screaming his head off to 30 yards, broadside. I went from videoing to trying to kill three different times. I called him back twice. Ultimately, I let him walk. I truly believe I am the only hunter in the world who would do that. Time was ticking, and I passed the probable number two bull in our unit but also possible number one as we did not have our puzzle completely figured out.
Money invested could be another demon. Some guys feel the need to be successful because of the money they have spent. I let that go sometime back as to stay true to my goals I have to be willing to go home empty-handed. We are all at different points in our hunting careers, and that makes all our circumstances different. Be honest with yourself and set realistic, attainable goals that advance you as a hunter and outdoorsman. Remain committed to your goals.
Another irrefutable fact is you have to “fish where the fish are.” You cannot expect to harvest a 400" bull or a 200" buck in an over-the-counter unit most times. There are very few secrets out there anymore. In holding true to your predetermined goals, only target states and the units within them that can provide what you seek. If you are truly a trophy hunter looking at the best units, you cannot expect that tag very often. Most of the best units for any species are literally once-in-a-lifetime.
Another very important consideration is what is the state doing in regards to their wildlife. How are they managing their herds? What about disease? When looking at a state, these are very important factors to consider. Before we can be committed to a species-related goal, that state agency must also be committed to all of their wildlife and us as hunters. If they are not, I would not even consider that state as a destination. Once you have found some areas that can provide you with what you seek, try to build on those areas throughout your hunting career. Don’t jump all over the country looking for lightning strikes. Put in hard research-based work that will make the best use of your time once your boots hit the ground. Remain committed to the location.
Teamwork seems to be a buzzword in anything successful in our world today. We all rely on a certain amount of networking. It could be simple friendly phone conversations or in person meetings flying around the country. Regardless, we cannot overlook the power of a team. If you’re a serious trophy hunter, you need to have a team that has proven themselves time and time again. Whoever is on your team, make sure they are capable and committed to you and your goals! It will take some time to get this team all put together throughout the states you intend to hunt, but your research load will drop exponentially once this is done.
My team consists of many hunting friends throughout social media, a quality hunt consultant, and a reputable, “capable for me” outfitter. Someone once told me, “Be someone’s number one.” Nevada has been a go-to state for me for many years, and there are many great outfitters there. They have big animals and a lot of opportunities. I was fortunate to team up with Jake Rosevear when he first started Pine Peak Outfitters. I am a very difficult client. I am an archer, I am picky, I am bull-headed, I am anal, I have very high expectations and big goals. Jake is prepared and knows what to expect. He is up for the task. Out of respect for all of Jake’s hard work in the past, I show up prepared and in good shape, ready to hunt. No matter what the species, I try to hunt Nevada every year to continue to build our relationship and aspire to be Jake’s number one client.
Jake, his sub guides, and I are an excellent team. Jake is responsible for my largest elk to date and my largest mule deer. He is also responsible for some of my most memorable days in the field. I Have been a member of Huntin’ Fool since January 2001. I was an archer in high school, only hunting Texas whitetails. I always dreamed of hunting the mountains, but I never had the opportunity. I got out of archery for about 10 years and then came back with a passion. I drew a tag with Huntin’ Fool’s help and went to Wyoming self-guided archery elk. I harvested a 387" bull on public land by myself. Shortly after that, I stumbled onto some stories about Randy Ulmer. I told Garth Carter I had never killed a mule deer and wanted to do what Randy was doing. Garth was very helpful, and I could hear the excitement in his voice when he got me the best archery mule deer tag in Colorado. These are the people I want on my team. I am still a proud member of Huntin’ Fool today. Remain committed to the team.
We were able to harvest the number one bull we knew of. I went to full draw at 10 yards and shot him at three feet as he passed beside the bush I was behind on my knees. Stay committed to your goals, favorite locations, and species, and most of all, the team. At all costs, keep your demons beat back by any means necessary.
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