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Old May 14, 2000, 10:46 AM   #1
Glamdring
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I am looking at moving west in a few years [I live in MN now]. I am wondering what state(s) offers the best opportunity for a resident to draw a tag for Mt. Sheep and/or Goat?

And what are the conditions like for other big game (Elk, Mule Deer, etc) in that state?

Here in the Midwest White tail are basically it for big game. Though we are all but over run with them (most years I have to work at not getting a deer or three with my car).
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Old May 14, 2000, 11:06 AM   #2
Schmit
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Alaska

Dall Sheep - Buy a licence/tag!

Other Hunts - Bear (Griz or Black), Moose, Caribu, Black Tail Deer - Buy a licence/tag.

Fish - Salmon, Halibut, Salmon, Snapper, Salmon - buy a licence/tag.



[This message has been edited by Schmit (edited May 14, 2000).]
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Old May 14, 2000, 11:47 AM   #3
Glamdring
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I would like to move to Alaska But I will have to stay in the lower 48 for a while.

No lottery in Alaska at all yet for residents? What about for bears (Brownies that is) in Alaska?

I only have two passions for hunting. Dangerous game--which for me is BIG bears, African lions, and tigers (which I don't think one can hunt anymore)--and Mt game (ie Sheep or Goats).

I would welcome any comments from Alaskan residents or people who have hunted/fished Alaska.

Pehaps if I start wanting it bad enough I might find the money that would allow me to move there in less than 20 years.
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Old May 14, 2000, 06:31 PM   #4
Jay Baker
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GlamDring, Schmit is correct, if you want to hunt sheep/goats a lot! Idaho has a permit system for residents on Rocky Mtn. Sheep, Calif. Bighorns, and Rocky Mtn. Goats. But it is a once-per-lifetime ticket, same as moose. So, if a resident of Idaho, you could only hunt, at the most, four times for those species. On the other hand, Idaho is fantastic for black bear, elk, mule and whitetail deer... and other game.

We also have grizzlies, but woe to the person who kills one. Protected species in these parts. Same with wolves.
Best of luck. J.B.
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Old May 14, 2000, 11:08 PM   #5
rbbrew
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You'll find plenty of BIG bears in Alaska, though Schmit can tell you more about the regulations than I can.

The fishing is great there, too. I went back in '94 during the silver run up the Russian River. You could literally walk across the river on the backs of the salmon, and there were some large rainbow trout gorging themselves on the eggs and flesh chunks of the salmon as they spawned and died. If I'm not mistaken, the minimum size limit for the rainbows was 25" that year. Makes the 16" I caught two weeks ago look like a minnow.

Trouble is, I think Anchorage only has about 4 hours of sunlight at the winter solstice. I lived in Minnesota also (1973-87) and the eight-hour sun days drove me nuts some years.
Catch some walleye for me--wasn't the opener this weekend?
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Old May 15, 2000, 12:20 PM   #6
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Well I have lived in MN my whole life...I think Anchorage is often warmer than MN during the winter

Though we don't get bears downtown in most towns.

So what is second choice after Alaska?
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Old May 16, 2000, 01:31 AM   #7
Jay Baker
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Glamdring, as I said, Idaho. Aside from great hunting, you can easily get a CCW, or in most places, you can carry OPENLY if you want. This a Second Article friendly state. J.B.
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Old May 16, 2000, 02:30 AM   #8
Glamdring
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jay Baker:
Glamdring, as I said, Idaho. Aside from great hunting, you can easily get a CCW, or in most places, you can carry OPENLY if you want. This a Second Article friendly state. J.B.[/quote]

Alaska 1st by a wide margin? And everything after Idaho is a distant 3rd?

A 2nd amendment friendly state...that is part of the reason I want to move out of the Socialist Republic of MN.

Go ahead twist my arm With enough encouragement I might just throw the "essentials" in my car and drive towards the setting sun
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Old May 16, 2000, 11:55 AM   #9
Oleg Volk
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Are in in Mpls/St.P metro in MN (where CHLs are not common) or in the "greater" Minnesota where deer hunters berate you for owning "assault pistols"?
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Old May 16, 2000, 04:49 PM   #10
JohnDog
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Glamdring,

Colorado has a permit system for sheep and mountain goats, and is open to both residents and non-residents. Basically, you have to apply for three years before you are entered into the drawing. You can hunt either Rocky Mtn Bighorns (a fair amount of permits), or desert bighorns( very few permits). As for mountainous, I've seen goats at almost fourteen thousand feet.

For other game, we've gots lots of elk, mulie and whitetailed deer, antelopes and turkeys. Lots of waterfowl, upland game birds and pheasants on the eastern plains (and in neighboring Nebraska and Kansas). Numerous varmints (coyotes, prarie dogs, etc.) to plink at if you are so inclined. Good fishing for both cold and warm water species, although not in the Alaska league.

As for 2nd amendment friendly, CHLs are at the discretion of the local county sheriff. Some counties issue to all qualified applicants like where I live in El Paso county (Colorado Springs). Some don't issue at all - like in Denver. We do have open carry, and state law lets us carry a gun in our car if we are "traveling", except in Denver of course. And we do have a lot of job opportunities, especially if you are into high tech.

Here is a link to the Division of Wildlife - they have all their game brouchures on-line. http://www.dnr.state.co.us/wildlife/

Have Fun - JohnDog
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Old May 16, 2000, 04:52 PM   #11
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Errps - Forgot black bear and mountain lions!!

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Old May 16, 2000, 05:39 PM   #12
Coinneach
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JohnDog - you're a WorldCommie?!
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Old May 16, 2000, 08:32 PM   #13
Al Thompson
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Coinneach:
JohnDog - you're a WorldCommie?! [/quote]

(clearing throat noise) Ahem. Commie? I think me and DC have the same feelings toward (Vis a Vie) squirrels/commies,,,,

Giz

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Old May 16, 2000, 09:15 PM   #14
Schmit
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Glamdring;

Sorry, haven't checked this topic in a few days. I'm sure since I've been up there a few things have change IRT hunting. But probably not much.

For full info go to Alaska Fish & Game

If, after reading what they have, doesn't convince you... nothing will.

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Old May 17, 2000, 01:02 AM   #15
Coinneach
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Sorry, Giz, didn't mean to spike yer pacemaker.

When JohnDog mentioned El Paso County, I checked his profile. Looks like he and I both slave away for Da Man at Worldcom (formerly MCI).
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Old May 17, 2000, 04:34 AM   #16
Glamdring
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Oleg Volk:
Are in in Mpls/St.P metro in MN (where CHLs are not common) or in the "greater" Minnesota where deer hunters berate you for owning "assault pistols"?[/quote]

Me? I live in in the south eastern part of the Socialist Republic of MN

I avoid "hunters" though I do hang out with several gun nuts. Though they do tend to make fun of my plastic guns though

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Old May 17, 2000, 11:49 AM   #17
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Coinneach,

LOL!!! Actually, as of 2/1, I works for ED's compuders (EDS). Bernie Ebbers (Worldcom Ceo) out-sourced me and my 'services' to them as of that date!! I sit in the same cubey as before (with primo views of Pikes Peak) and do the same job (hack computer software). Check just comes from a differnet place!

Support JohnDog - Make a Long Distance call via WorldCarp!!
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Old May 17, 2000, 02:02 PM   #18
Coinneach
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Jeez, must be nice... I get primo views of Garden of the Gods Road and the new Intel plant. When I leave my cave, that is.

I'll never understand Worldcom's personnel policies. My co-BOFH just got converted, while elsewhere on the project, employees got axed and contractors hired in their place. Whiskey Tango Foxtroxt, over.

ANYway, BOT, if Glamdring is looking for sheep, CO isn't the place unless you're connected.
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Old May 17, 2000, 06:43 PM   #19
Glamdring
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Coinneach:

ANYway, BOT, if Glamdring is looking for sheep, CO isn't the place unless you're connected.
[/quote]

So is it Alaska or bust?
I don't think I could afford to move to Alaska for 15 to 20 years!!

I am hoping to get out west in 5 to 8 years.

Can someone give me the pro's and con's for Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, etc.
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Old May 18, 2000, 05:37 AM   #20
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Sheep hunting in AK is great, Its a lot of work and you need to be in shape but its still allot of fun. I can't say how it compares to anywhere else as this is the my home state and have no reason to move. Moose are easy to get if you know where to look . As for bears, you can bait for black bears after taking a class(on how to bait bears) from Fish and Game. I've never had a desire to hunt for grizzly's so I can't comment on hunting them but I have cross trails with them when I'm out moose hunting, so the are around. If you want something more specific or want info on fishing email me and I will do what I can to answer them.

Clinth
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Old May 19, 2000, 10:24 PM   #21
Jay Baker
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Glamdring, what do you need to know about Idaho?? What kind of work do you do? Do you have a family ? (Schools, etc.) Hunting regs? Need some questions and maybe I can get you some answers.

J.B.
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Old May 19, 2000, 11:36 PM   #22
Glamdring
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Jay B: At this point I don't have a family, I hope to by the time I move. I plan to be semi retired and job won't be dependant on location (that is the plan anyway). Looking to buy a hobby farm/small ranch and spend 20 to 30 hours per week hunting/trapping/beekeeping and subsistance agriculture.

I prefer a rural life. Basically I am sick of "cities" and don't want to start a family in one.

I plan to homeschool kids if & when so local schools are not a real concern. It would be nice if there was a junior college in the general area...I might teach a little. I have a BA in Anthropology and am considering getting a MA in Statistics or Military History.

I can usually find something I would like to do that community ed wants to offer (at least here in MN) for classes.

Hunting: I want to hunt various Mt Sheep/goats for the fun/challenge. Other than that I would be hunting for meat and not trophys.
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Old May 20, 2000, 12:29 AM   #23
REDMISTMD
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I live here in Utah, we've got 2 types of sheep and RM goat.It is a once in a lifetime hunt and draw only.If you are planning on a hunt in 5-8 years you can put in now but not really draw,you can buy a preference point on your draw.If you do this when you are ready to draw you will already have several points aquired.You can do this for every species you want to hunt , at least thats how I understand it.So if you start now you could have enough points to get a good possibility to draw on the hunt you want. From what I understand every time you dont draw you also get a point. It takes about 3-5 years to draw on the type of permit you'll want.The places to hunt are not real remote either.My good buddy and his dad have both gotten goat permits in the last couple of years and 1 sheep and they filled all their tags. Hope this info helps.
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Old May 20, 2000, 09:34 AM   #24
Glamdring
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Thanks REDMISTMD I was not aware of that aspect of the draw.

I haven't picked a state yet. But I am suspecting that I can't go to wrong with any of the ones I am considering.

I would like to hear more. Once I have a better idea of which 1 or 2 states to consider I may email some of you.

Thanks.

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Old May 20, 2000, 12:51 PM   #25
Keith Rogan
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Alaska - you can hunt brown bear/grizzly and sheep with an over the counter tag in many places.
If you go down to Southeast Alaska, black bear are as common as racoons in Ohio.
Brown Bear - Kodiak/AK peninsula
Grizzly - Brooks Range
Dall Sheep - Brooks range
Deer hunting - Kodiak.
Caribou - Mulchatna
Moose - Western Brooks Range
Elk - Kodiak again
Goats - Southeast or Kodiak
Coyotes - Kenai
Wolves - anywhere

Did I forget anything?

The best hunting in Alaska is expensive though. There are no roads to speak of and you'll find that if you can drive there, you will find competition. Spend the money for a fly-in and you can get hunting that rivals anything on earth.
The best combination fly-in hunt is probably Southwest Alaska. Without a drawing, you can hunt Moose, Caribou, Grizzly, Black Bears, Wolves in the same area. Pretty hard to go wrong!
Alaska probably also has some of the best duck hunting in North America as well as ptarmigan, grouse, rabbits, etc.




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