has anybody ever

[navaman]

has anybody ever figured the value of venison in comparison to buying store bought meat. last year the big buck i took cost me 1800.00 altogether. and the only thing i know for sure is that the meat from that 230 lb. big boy lasted quite awhile. just wonderering if anybody had run some hard figures.

[Grizzly Adam]

Let's see ... cost of first year's venison for the average hunter:

Four-wheel drive truck (used): $20,000

ATV to go in back of four-wheel drive truck (new): $7,500

Compound bow and accessories: $650

Rifle and scope: $1000

Muzzleloader and scope: $600

Ammo, arrows, and accessories: $250

Knives: $125

Butchering equipment: $150

Seasonings and cures: $75

Freezer paper: $15

Jerky Shooter: $25

Complete camo outfits, all seasons, two patterns: $350

Stands (various sorts): $700

Pop-up blinds: $300

Pack: $100

Stuff to go in pack: $150

Flashlights: $100

Radios: $100

Scents and lures: $100

Decoy: $100

Food plot equipment: $1500

Food plot seed: $100

Food plot amendments and fertilizer: $350

Lease contribution: $350

Club membership: $50

Landowner bribes: $100

Hunting license: $100

Wife bribes: $100

Snack and coffee money: $150

Gas: $500

Hunting magazines: $75

Hunting video rentals: $100

Misc: $500

Attorney's closing fee for second mortgage: $400

Price of your casket and funeral arrangements when wife sits down and figures all this out (or reads this post): $8500

Total: $45,215

Divided by meat from average 175 lb. buck: $45,215 / 100 =

$452.15 per pound

[navaman]

i got to make sure my wife don't see your post Grizz

[pphoenix]

I think i'm spending close to what you're spending Grizz

Actually looking for an Atv right now, looking at a grizzly 700 and they are going for 9 and change

[ninepointer]

This thread must NEVER be shown to our wives!!!!!!!

[Alaspan]

What goes on in the forum, STAYS in the forum.

Too funny! And yet, so true!!!!

[wabi]

I figured out a way to justify the costs - buy an equal amount of jewelry for the wife!
Hunting gear - $45,215 + jewelry $45,215 = $90,430
only $904.30/lb.

[navaman]

i did some of that last year wabi.

[VixChix]

To cut down on the cost of jewelery, convince your wives that you're much better off hunting than NOT hunting.

All that fresh air is good for your mental and physical health.

(I'm sure she'd rather have you sitting in a tree than in a strip club or casino. )

[swiftfox]

Good one VixChix! Grizz if I was your wife I would want at least quadruple that amount plus a new gun or bow and a trip south in the winter to a hot climate.. a new stove..car.. freezer and hot tub I am sure your getting the idea.............

Ps. don't ask me what I spent last year. bought new TC 50 cal so let not go there.

[awshucks]

Let's see ... cost of first year's venison for the average hunter:

Four-wheel drive truck (used): $20,000

ATV to go in back of four-wheel drive truck (new): $7,500

Compound bow and accessories: $650

Rifle and scope: $1000

Muzzleloader and scope: $600

Ammo, arrows, and accessories: $250

Knives: $125

Butchering equipment: $150

Seasonings and cures: $75

Freezer paper: $15

Jerky Shooter: $25

Complete camo outfits, all seasons, two patterns: $350

Stands (various sorts): $700

Pop-up blinds: $300

Pack: $100

Stuff to go in pack: $150

Flashlights: $100

Radios: $100

Scents and lures: $100

Decoy: $100

Food plot equipment: $1500

Food plot seed: $100

Food plot amendments and fertilizer: $350

Lease contribution: $350

Club membership: $50

Landowner bribes: $100

Hunting license: $100

Wife bribes: $100

Snack and coffee money: $150

Gas: $500

Hunting magazines: $75

Hunting video rentals: $100

Misc: $500

Attorney's closing fee for second mortgage: $400

Price of your casket and funeral arrangements when wife sits down and figures all this out (or reads this post): $8500

Total: $45,215

Divided by meat from average 175 lb. buck: $45,215 / 100 =

$452.15 per pound

Watching that bugger pile up in 50 yds or less: Priceless

[Grizzly Adam]

It ain't me, boys! I said that was the cost of the first year's venison for the average hunter!

My own hunting costs have been static for many years now :

Personally, I don't own a 4X4, an ATV, or a radio of any sort ... I don't plant food plots, use scents, lures or decoys, buy new camo until the old wears out, or use stands or blinds. I don't belong to any club or lease any land, I don't travel to hunt, and I've had a lifetime license for 11 years. My guns are long since paid for and I use Forschner knives ($20) for butchering ... all other equipment is ordinary. I don't have to bribe April ... she doesn't mind me hunting. My little brother buys all the hunting videos out there and ships them to me ... like "Huntflix!" I haven't driven one mile to hunt in 5 years ... and I'd be drinking coffee and eating snacks anyway (a man's gotta eat and drink, doesn't he?).

Hunting really is pretty cheap, for me!

I take four to six deer every year, depending on freezer levels.

I do have a subscription to Outdoor Life ... and I bought an electric grinder last year (touch of arthritis in the shoulder) ... but I don't spend much on hunting anymore. Never really did, except initially, when getting the essentials.

When I had to start crossbow hunting, I sold my Mathews bow to my little brother, and just about broke even in getting outfitted again.

The way some guys do it, it is expensive!

Probably more than $452.15 per pound in some cases!