What's your personal challenge?

[go_deep]

Beyond just I want to kill an elk, or kill an animal X big what are some unique challenges you've set for yourself?

I'd like to take an elk with a shotgun slug.
I'd also like to take an antelope with stick and string.

 

[JimP]

My bucket list is getting emptier and emptier.

I have taken elk with a bow, pistol, and a rifle. Same with mule deer. I have taken antelope with a bow and rifle but not a pistol yet.

I still want a grizzly but the cost of them is out of the world right now, that along with a Yukon moose.

It is too bad that I was born handsome instead of rich.

 

[memtb]

For myself, most of my bucket list will not be fulfilled, most are a younger mans sport! Hunt Alaska, Africa, take very good representative specimens of most NA big game, and several more big game animals with my handgun, run the Baja 1000 on a motorcycle, race competitively in motocross, get in a few more good years racing oval track stock cars, hike the Appalachian Trail end to end......and the list goes on! memtb

 

[ScottR]

Oh boy, here we go...

200 inch Wyoming buck, the holy grail type of buck!
South America free range Red Stag.
Moose from Canada, fly in type of trip.
Colorado high country buck.
Alberta or Sask mule deer buck.
Sonora free range buck.
One bull of a lifetime.

 

[taskswap]

Getting and staying fit. My hunt buddies are younger and way more athletic than I am. It's an effort for me to keep up with them sometimes. Once on a rest break during a pack out we were joking about getting old and they asked me (they were as exhausted as I was) "is this what getting old feels like?" I said no, imagine this is just Tuesday, then you'll have the idea!

I HATE the gym but I got myself a stair stepper and some free weights and I've been hitting it as much as I can. I'm making progress but boy is it slow.

 

[Slugz]

A big bull with my son and friend Scott at the top of the Sangre De Cristos. He's on the edge of a rock field that leads into a Aspen park mixed with conifer just under the tree line.

 

[kidoggy]

I ,ve always wanted to call in and arrow a bobcat. have got a few coyotes that way but never a bobbie.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I'm with Taskswap! I'm 78 and have been feeling "old" for a few years despite lots of walking and physical activity. Takes lots longer to recover. Body is just wearing out, I have 4 replacement joints.

My challenge is .....never look back, because you all might be catching up! LOL

 

[ColoradoV]

Mine has not changed or it is a 200" net typical buck with a 30" inside spread...

Other than that stalking a mountain lion with only my longbow in the snow. Been at this one for over a decade now and have to say I have not even been close lol..

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Mine is always being fit.
this has always been a struggle for me. I always seem to fall back to my old way of snacking and over eating. I do drink also but rarely go overboard with it. Food is my nemesis and I really have to work hard to eat right.
as of now I’m at my lowest weight is 30 years and I would say I’m almost at my fittest too but not as fit as I was last hunting season.
My goal is to be both.

 

[Hilltop]

I have taken some great animals in my life and have animals that score well into the books in several species. One animal that has eluded me is a really wide mule deer. 30+" inside spread is pretty dang rare these days but I'm still looking. That said, my challenge is to pass on what I know to my boys. It's harder than it might seem with kids busy schedules these days.

 

[Prerylyon]

#1 Raise my 7 children to self sufficient adulthood; be a positive influence in their lives.

...after that, now the selfish stuff

-a successful elk hunt (success=meat in freezer lol)
-fish for arctic char
-fish for dolly varden
-fish for atlantic salmon
-fish for halibut
-raise 1 more upland bird dog & hunt 'em
-waterfowl hunting small venues
-build a bamboo fly rod blank from scratch
-spend time in the AZ desert taking astronomy photos
-start a home vineyard
-sell home grown roasted chiles at the farmer's mkt/my own roadside stand

 

[AKaviator]

I would like to get a fair-chase wolverine. I've encountered a fair number of them but never when I could shoot them. Fascinating animal!

 

[Catahoula12]

Take a decent Colorado mule deer buck and bull elk with my bow to where you envision everything unfolding perfectly.

 

[RICMIC]

I am fortunate with my body type and the ability to maintain my weight within preferred parameters, BUT, this getting old thing can turn us all into sissies. I am still able and willing to do more than anyone that I hunt with, but there is a price to pay when you do. So, my goal is to just keep moving until they decide to throw dirt on me.
For a hunting goal; that BIG mule deer continues to elude me. Towards that hope will be spending the entire deer season in Wyoming H
looking for the buck while eluding grizz.

 

[Rich M]

I only had a few things on my bucket list - antelope, mule deer, fishing in Alaska. Been reasonable and been hunting and fishing for a long time. Never cared about elk or "exotics" such as moose or sheep, mtn goats or such.

Was big on ducks for a while. Shot 18 species of waterfowl on the eastern flyway - except the eiders and scoters and swan - never wanted to shoot those. Finished that up in 2006 or 2007 in VA with Brant.

Done gators - no-one wants to go so I don't go. Swamp lizards are early morning fun.

Done hogs - my best one was too big to lift - shot it with a bow while chasing it barefoot! LOL! Long story.

2017 shot 2 yearling speed goats but want to go back and shoot a buck. Might do a third antelope trip when I retire but will collect as many points as possible for this hunt. Might be my last hunt that's not near home.

2019 shot my muley - been wanting to go since the late 70s - Not bad for a first trip - buck of a lifetime for an eastern DIY hunter. Going back to help buddy get a buck. I want a 3x3 this time.

So, leaves me with AK halibut & salmon, and sight seeing being the primary remaining bucket item. Prices been a little too steep, maybe it'll be more affordable with a dip in the economy? Either way, will probably go within the next decade.

 

[dan maule]

I would have to say Archery Elk. I have done it unsuccessfully and have gotten totally hooked. I love the sound of a bull elk screaming at me one of the best things I have experienced in the outdoors.

 

[mallardsx2]

I would like to kill a bear and a moose with my flintlock one day.

 

[Hilltop]

Hmmm. Think I would pass on that one.

 

[JimP]

Hmmm. Think I would pass on that one.

That picture reminded me of the stories that I have read about how the early settlers of the west would take on a grizzly bear with just single shot rifles and pistols. They would shoot the bear with the rifle and then draw their pistol and shoot. Then once both the rifle and pistol were empty they would draw their knife and get ready for the fight.