What western state and where to look for moving to

Im getting frustrated with the ever incressing population and decressing places to hunt. I travel 2.5 hrs to work stay there for the week and come home. Im ready to quit my job of 15 years to get closer to home but have found nothing close in benies and pay.

So maybe I should sell out and head west? But there is so much to learn for a 300' above sea leavel flat lander. Also out west is huge. It will be a several year plan but including taking vacations to spend time in diffrent areas but help me narrow down the areas to look please.

How about Minneapolis?

start by checking trapping regs. once you have that lined out look for ways to earn. look at real estate prices. a lot of people used to not driving more than 15-20 miles to get to drs and big stores cant adjust to not having that convenience. so you may want to look at living in a bigger town stead of one with only a gas station/convenience store, bar and a ranch supply.

Usually I'd say NM but it's going downhill fast

Ha, quick on that one rex!,...moved my son away from Mogadishu a year ago. couple days ago,broke into car,stole tools and more, only gone for a
few minutes! It's sad, It's sick and Minneapolis is lost!

I have been wanting to look into taking my boys elk hunt there. They are 9 and 11.

Of the places I've been, Southeast Wyoming would be high on the list. Awesome deer, antelope and elk hunting. Good trapping areas and fishing opportunities. Good people, based on the limited interactions we had with locals. Could be a tough area to make a living, depending on your skills. Might want to bring your own $$$.

Id vote Wyoming as well

Kansas

I would say Wyoming, North or South Dakota. Idaho has too many people moving here especially from the West Coast. Colorado is way too liberal now. New Mexico is being destroyed by liberals plus no trapping on public land, No trapping on public land in Arizona. Utah is becoming too populated for me, starting to show signs of liberalism as well as Montana. The mayors of Belgrade, Helena and Missoula belong to Mike Bloomberg’s Every Town for Gun Safety. Thirty years ago, you would have never have heard of a major politician being anti-gun in Montana. Montana also has a very active anti-trapping group called foot loose. Maybe Nevada but the liberals in Las Vegas are starting to take over the state. Forget Oregon and Washington. The liberal wackos already destroyed these states.

Good advice Danny. If you’re not used to driving 140 mile round trip to the big stores it can and will cause problems with family. I’ve never known any different so no big deal to me. I’ve seen it not work out so well for families that moved here from the big city.

Kansas is a great place to raise a family and great for outdoor loving folks.

The west is full try the south

Most good paying jobs here are about 45.000 a year the best places have no work. You trade being away from people for being broke most cases no benefits it a right to work state. What skills do you have very few professional jobs here

Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada wouldn't be bad either. Lots of public land, good hunting trapping and fishing. Winter gets a little cold, but that's what makes it good. Right now there are lots of jobs, but housing is expensive.

The Achilles Heel of all the western states that meet the ideals of a conservative are their low population making it easy for them to fall victim to immigrants from California, who will ruin it quickly.

If you are a rat trapper try Utah. I think thats where that carter the mink man dude is from. He had more rats in that one stretch of ditch than there is in my county hre in PA. I was amazed at the rats he comes up with out there.

You better bring $$$ if you're looking at buying anything in Idaho or Utah. Real estate prices are through the roof and wages aren't close to keeping up. The liberal invasion is really ruining this place in a hurry. People think with all this public land that hunting pressure should be low. False. Access points are limited and it gets busy in a lot of areas. Cost of living out west is substantially higher than back east. I'm 3 hours from a Walmart or Costco. Hour and a half from any kind of fast food place. Everything is measured in hours, not miles.

Say that a little louder so they hear it. Boise will be the death of Idaho as it once was.

The west is full.

And already ruined.


Try somewhere else.

I've been looking into northern Arkansas, hoping to buy land there in the next few years and then spend winters there during retirement. Tags and land are both cheap.

wow what part of Indiana do you live in?

I have one house on a 2 acers 45 min from Evansville stay there when i work. My farm where i my family lives and i do when not working in 35 min north of Louisville.

My skills are about anything. Union Iron worked 7 years, line clearence tree timed and did some on the side. The last 15 years i have severa jobs in the same plant mostly equipment operator. From 60 ton Over head crains and big loaders to fork lifts from 70k to 6000lb. Also quality controle and shipping.

Alaska has jobs. Mining, fishing, government is short handed. Hunting? Lots of public land and lots of over the counter tags. Relatively few hunts are draw. Fairbanks and Tok areas have good mining jobs, heavy equipment mechs, truck drivers, etc. Hurry up and you can buy my 4 bdrm house in a really good area of Fairbanks!

Copper valley Electric and Golden valley Electric likely need operators for tree trimming power line right of ways.
Warning…..do not even consider Anchorage!

I recently am asking myself the same question.

We sold the company in August and the house in December. Drove through south Dakota, wyoming,, Montana California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Missouri contemplating where to resettle.

I thought the prettiest state was AZ but I worry about too dry/heat. Honestly I thought Oklahoma had the most reasonable balance of weather and reasonable real estate prices for me. You might want to look there too.

We didn't make up our mind. Maybe need to visit the south east.

With the uncertainty in the fur market, I would not move anywhere primarily for trapping.

Actually Martentrapper is right. The mines north of Fairbanks are oftentimes hiring and they are good jobs. Equipment operators should be in demand

My son has worked in N. Dakota making mega bucks and they are so short of help it drives him crazy. Seems like they are hiring anybody and everybody and still run way short. Hard for him to have folks there just for the money and have NO work ethics.

Nebraska is much nicer

Hahaha.

X2 Look for hunting opportunities first and trapping second IMO. ... fishing is kinda important too....

I hear California needs lots of conservatives.

How bout them tornadoes? Hate to worry about them all the time.

What line of work is your son in?

How bout them tornadoes? Hate to worry about them all the time.[/quote]

They are terrible here. Can't get more then a 1/4 mile from a shelter all spring or summer without seriously risking your life. Even seen one couple days after Thanksgiving one year, pulled my trapline for the rest of year to be on the safe side.

Do it. If you don't draw money is refunded.

Look for good ground for a garden. Many western states don't have that.
City folks are pouring into the rural areas everywhere and prices are sky high.

Interior Alaska has awesome gardening opportunities! Pretty good fishing all over.

....california great place

You got that right.

I like Ohio, southern Ohio, even an hour or two south of Akron and it's not hard to get away from people.

Some hilly country in that area, isn’t there?

I dearly love Nebraska, especially the Western half.

Yea, lots of land out west, its a big place. On thing is alot of it is poor country compared to Ind.
I'd look at West Virginia, lots of land available at reasonable prices. And its green there, not brown.

Utah here is nice you got four seasons, no tornados, not much flooding, lots of hunting trapping fishing,
With your back ground in mechanics you could get a job here in the copper mine west of the city in
A heartbeat.

Housing boom going on still, lots of homes for sale in the city still at reasonable prices if you look well
Enough

If you don’t like the city proper Salt Lake , lots of room around the outskirts still close to work but not
Pay what the mine will, but close to it, if you want ground that may cost you more

Its not as bad here as those few make it out to be yet, but most states are feeling a pinch !!

GB is correct. Housing prices have increased quite a bit over the last 3 years with people moving to some of the states mentioned. I have friends in different parts of Wyoming. Basically, every house that goes on the market is sold in a short period of time. For more money than you might believe. People moved in from all over the country.

North Dakota might be an option if you don't mind the COLD. East side of Nebraska is pretty liberal thinking, but people on here tell me it's a good place to live.

And remember, with the Fed getting ready to raise interest rates, mortgage rates will follow.

You all are not kidding about land prices.wow. fly in or 6 hr on snow mobill in Alaska still higher than i can believe i think it will take 10 x the ground in wyoming per cow than it will here but the prices are high for may be axcessable in the wunter with 4x4 and some plowing 5 miles to the county road. Yet the prices are close to what i think it would cost here?

South Dakoata looks to have a ton of jobs with a quick search. The cold would be a hard sale for the wife but maybe a vacation is in order to look around.

South Dakota, Wyoming and Kanas has some of the most beautiful county Ive ever seen. Western Washington is beautiful too...

Good time to move your family with your boys ages. Older they get the harder it gets, JMO!

Western Oklahoma and Panhandle of Texas along the Canadian River is some pretty cool country by my standards

Heard on the news a couple days ago. Average median house price in Boise Idaho $ 535,000.00

Houses in Valentine NE will bring double what the appraised value is. Cash from the city. Nothing last more than a week at the most.
Some real poor farmland in SE Nebraska brought $7200/acre. Unirrigated.

Idaho #1 (not even a contest), #2 Wyoming.

I'd say that too Mark^^^

I loved Wyoming when I hunted elk and mule deer there.

I know we got a crooked governor, but I think rural Northern Michigan is good for me, perhaps farther north than I am now. But snow gets deep, once its below zero, it's all the same to me...

I found northern Michigan alot like northern Maine with the exception that northern Michigan still has most of their cedar deer yards where they have been sadly cut down here in northern Maine.

It takes $$$ to relocate West ...especially if you want to live outside of a Town

My plan is to buy a piece of land and set up a camper or wall tent until I build a camp.

Then you wouldn't need much ground. If your near any Federal or State land.

The Upper peninsula of Michigan is getting up in price.

Too many people from down state come there and pay anything and it drives the prices up.

You could go to the western side and maybe do better.

Exactly

Hmmmm

Land bordering public is good If it's Remote otherwise the public can be a problem

I always get off the beaten path.Did that alot in Virginia.Did alot of hiking getting miles away from any roads.Surprising how even using a boat a person can get away from people also.Alot of people are lazy.

Cold is relevant. The I-90 corridor is warmer in the winter than the northeast quadrant of the state. Some of the secondary "cities" are quite nice of size of communities and even smaller places in the say 3,000 people range (such as Chamberlain) are pretty decent places. Move down by Avon and have Bison88 teach your kids, not a bad deal Just have to get over having trees in sight in much of the rural areas, although there are more trees here now than in 1890. Just saying...

Loot at a map of the USA. Ohio is not a western state. In fact it is east of Indiana. Ohio is full. Too many people are already here. Poor hunting, fishing, and trapping. No land access. Hunting is all leased. Air pollution is choking. Can’t drink the water. Crime is worse than in Chicago. The roads are a series of potholes. The roads are so crowded that no driver’s licenses are being renewed. Utilities are unreliable and unaffordable. A dilapidated shack on a small lot starts at $250,000. Statewide there is high danger of being attacked by feral cats. The best jobs require multiple college degrees and pay $5 per hour with no benefits. All of the inmates have been released from the jails and prisons. Ohio has the highest rate of coronavirus with many people getting multiple variants. Some infected people have died multiple times.

I disagree on the deer hunting Willy, it's pretty dang good. Lol

when your in the west dont say camp unless your camping. you will confuse the locals

Look at colorado, they are banning cat trapping and I believe introducing wolves....the libs are there, Idaho and other states near it will be following that way soon enough...I say Kansas or Oklahoma....maybe even Arkansas.

Western SD and the Black Hills is about at capacity. Has gotten near impossible to draw any big game tags.

Wow, willy I would totally disagree with that statement on every aspect or at least I would never live in the area you are living. I know Ohio isn't west but why not southern states or Appalachian area. Like rm trapper said, we got some big corn fed brutes of a deer but each to their own. The crime rate isn't even close to Chicago.. I'm pretty darn happy where I'm at in Ohio but each to their own. We don't have elk, but we got fantastic steelhead fishing.

When you think about buying a chunk of land and developing it, you're going to be shocked, in most places, exactly how much that is today. I bought 20 acres in Idaho 4 years ago, $99,900, before things started to get silly. No neighbors within 3/4 of a mile. So nice. Ok, $18,500 to put the driveway in. $55,300 to bring power in. Septic system, $10,400. Built a nice shop for $39,900. Just drilled my well in Sept. The waiting list on a drilling rig is right at 2 years out. Because of the pandemic and the shortage of 6 inch steel casing, it went from $22 per foot to $36 per foot in the past 10 months. Ended up 720 feet down. Did end up with 30+ gpm. Cost was $55,500 for the drilling and $12,500 for the pump. $68,000 for a glass of water. I haven't even put in the foundation or the house. Just a little reality check for some of you folks. Oh yea 3.5 years, me and the wife are still living in a 16X24 foot cabin. 3 years without power or running water. Hopefully the new house will be delivered by the middle of May. I can't believe she hasn't left me yet.

I think i would have looked into solar hard before spending 55k on electric. Maybe you did and its not good at your location? I am glad i got my water line project done before thing went up. I had a meter put in i rented a track hoe
and ran 1200' of water line and put in 4 hydrants. Cant say the same about the new septic im waiting on. Its gone up and no telling how much by the time they can get in to put it in. Thing are crazy high except my pay check.

You forgot to mention how much that 20 acres would cost now lol

Oh that was the original plan, 16K. However, you cannot finance a home construction loan off the grid. We couldn't find a bank that would touch it. Also originally planned on building a cordwood house, but could not find an engineer who would do a set of stamped engineered plans.

Yep a little bit more.

We moved from NY 14 years ago, built an underground house, was expensive and hard to find people to work. I have no idea how much to sell this for to be able to build another one. New Mexico is a wonderful place so was New York until the Govt. made it so I couldn't abide all their nonsense. We are too old to move so we'll stay and fight the Commies in Sante Fe!

Seems recently Idaho is the number 1 destination for relocating. Median house costs in Boise and vicinity is now well over half a million bucks; I suspect close to the same around Coeur d'Alene and many other places throughout the state. Most immigrants are Californians, Oregonians, or Washingtonians, along with East Coasters. The land and housing prices are outrageous. More counties turning blue every voting session. I agree, it was once my idea of a shangri-la but I'm afraid that is not the case any more. The number of people has sky-rocketed, but I'm too old to look elsewhere. Please don't come here.

Jack

Northern Indiana is a lot different than Southern Indiana, but land is getting crazy expensive just like everything else. I like Indiana, cheaper to visit other places and I am to old to move and start over.

But but but….its progress…

Sir you must be mistaken. What im hearing is the GOOD ones are moving to the western states and not bringing their blueness with them! Ya right. Ive only seen your state in magazines and on tv and its beautiful. Im sorry outsiders are wrecking it.

You got a bargain on the raw land.

How do you die multiple times?

That was hilarious thanks made my day.

I have been to Ohio precovid and I didn't notice it being this bad. At least I don't live in Ohio.

Some friends of ours retired and moved to WY. I think part of the move for them was they were sick of MN and the people running it.

Idaho is NOT turning Blue, that is a defeatist mentality.

2019 registered voters:
Constitutionalist 3,121
Democrats 108,485
Libertarian 7,967
Republicans 435,095

2020 registered voters:
Constitutionalist 3,277
Democrats 112,411
Libertarian 8416
Republicans 439,906

Definitely Idaho. I know people from Alaska that moved to Idaho because it is so much better.

Jack

Fred, Look a bit farther back than 2019. I started my time in Idaho in 1955. I didn't take the time to sleuth out the data, but if memory serves me correct, back then pretty much all 44 counties were decidedly right-leaning. Now look at Blaine County (Sun Valley), Latah County (University of Idaho), and even Teton County. Won't be long before you see a color shift in Ada, Canyon, Kootenai, and a few others. It's not a defeatist mentality, just my own little reality mentality. I guess I just really don't appreciate change and progress.

Too, Fred, to show my complete ignorance, are there not Independents or Unspecified in Idaho?

I work in Boise every week, the tide has changed in Ada and Canyon counties just in the past 6 or 7 years. Lots of my customers are transplants. That Boise metro area currently holds 40% of all of Idaho's population. Once enough of them move in, so goes Boise, so goes Idaho. It's simple math. CDA is as bad, Twin Falls is getting there, as well as Idaho Falls and Pocatello because Boise real estate priced them out of there. Sun Valley is ground zero for not only liberals, but several prominent anti- trapping organizations.

Yes, but I don't think you are supposed to eat them. That says something I think. PCB's, mercury, etc..

Look at the rate of increase in D vs R

D = 3.7 % increase in one year . R = 0.9 % in one year

https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/l...277-c3110644-b43c-44af-9c06-af0f1ad44c12

From the article:

No, Idaho's population growth is not turning the state's politics more liberal or blue.

Between data on registered voters and election results, the GOP's majority is growing at a much faster rate than the Idaho Democratic Party and Republicans are winning elections by larger margins now than they did years ago.

It is important to note that the Idaho GOP has a closed primary system where only voters registered with the party can vote in their primaries. This does invite independent or liberal voters to register as Republican so they can participate in the GOP primaries.

In Nov. 2013, 38.2% of registered voters identified as Republican, while registered Democrats made up 7.6% of voters.

Almost six years later, Republicans now have 50.8% of total registered voters in Idaho, an increase of 12.6%. The number of registered Democrats this year is now at 12.7%, up by 5.1% from 2013.

The number of registered Republicans in Idaho has grown by over 206,000 in the last six years and there are only about 52,000 more registered Democrats in Idaho.

These changes show that the state's population growth is only leading to an increasingly Republican-leaning Idaho.

When I say defeatist mentality, I'm talking about what I seen while living in WA State. Constantly I heard oh King county rules the state. Yet 3/4 of the Republicans in the (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) state did not vote, because they thought, what is the point, King county dictates what is going to happen for the rest of the state. BS, get off your (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) and vote. I just don't want to see that mentality taking hold in this state. I am hearing it more and more, the state is turning blue all is lost. BS, get out and vote!

[/quote]How do you die multiple times?[/quote]

Dunno but I do know what happens if ya get scared half to death twice..........

Great post Willy. I, like Bernie, thought it was hilarious!

Great video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yt5wBgi0yv0

You can hold whatever opinion you want, but it's extremely easy to see with our own eyes that those "statistics" you keep quoting are nonsense. There's lies, dang lies, and statistics. We're not burying our heads in the sand, but we're also not discounting the HUGE gaps in your numbers that are the independent voters who vote either way. It will not be long before the Treasure Valley controls state politics, that's just a simple fact because of their population base. Biden lost in Ada county by less than 4 points, and got 46.4% of the vote. They already have a liberal mayor in place in Boise. You've got blinders on if you don't see change coming.

Ok, might as well throw in the towel, all is lost. Election results say otherwise, but ok.

Thanks Fred, not quite as shell shocked here in Post Falls now!. Wife and I retired couple years ago, 79 yo now should have retired 15-20 years ago to really enjoy this beautiful state. You can bet I tried to check every nook and cranny while trying to raise family and keep food on the table so it was always slam bang where ever I was but wow have I tried living life to the fullest. Have had cancer since 2005 that sure slows ya down but now it's really went south. Anyway just the wife and I so bought a really nice Artic Fox 25' er that is big enough and put it up on the mountain above P.F. thanks to my kids.
Sure like your numbers Fred..

Sorry Fred. I'm not being scientific or probably objective. Just what I've seen throughout the state over the past 14 years that I've been back here. I generally refrain from arguing politics or religion, as it's not my place to convert anybody. No question, I'm an archaic dinosaur in that I don't do well in hordes of people. It seems to me that I've sure seen a change, and in my opinion, not for the better. Perhaps I need to buy another 'Cub and head back to the bush.

Jack

I totally understand where you are coming from Jack, I just don't think it is as dire as some folks make it out to be. Certainly a LOT different than when you moved here 14 years ago. But then every where is different than what it was 14 years ago.

My sister and brother in law moved out to Montana about 8 years ago. Everyone sort of snubbed them thinkin they where from the left coast. Once they discovered they where from MN everything changed and they got a warm welcome. She said that over the past few years they seen lots of changes and not all for the good. Realestate skyrocketing along with taxes as well as the local attitude made them decide to move back. I always liked MT and considered moving there myself but with the way things are going today think I would make it WY instead. But regardless you can't run away from your problems and at some point better off staying put and making a stand.

The ccockroach infestation is definitely getting worse. I am glad KS doesn't have any mountains. They attract them. Need some DDT.........

Yes Fred, things have changed dramatically just in the past 14 years. However, when I compare to 60 years ago growing up here in Idaho, the change really is apparent. The disrespect for land and wildlife is rampant and very saddening. Two pickup loads of garbage that we annually pick up on the dirt road above our house at the end of the deer/elk season is disappointing. I could go on and on, but won't. We've all seen it. We've nosed around the Intermountain West quite a bit, and you're right, we can't seem to locate any place better than what we have, so we do what we can to take care of it.

Jack

That is really difficult to understand.
I won't even change planes in MN.

It's those dang republicans throwing beer bottles in my fishing hole. I like the democrats, they stay in the city where they belong.

Local 'tudes are decent for me here and in all the towns or counties I've been .

The governors, AG, and others in any state can do much to control what goes on in general, and that's what it has been like here. Like the 70 pro gun bills MSSA has got into Montana Legislature and enacted into law. To quote MSSA's words, " With all respect to Montana's gun-friendly sister states, such as Wyoming, Arizona, Idaho , and Alaska, MSSA'S record of pro gun success is maybe two to four times as extensive as our closest competitor. That makes MSSA the best in the US by a long shot, which also makes MSSA the best at this in the world , since they just don't do this stuff in other countries. "

Good governors do much to stave off the Marxist left influence. All states endure Fed Gov hassles , such as school unions , University influences, nasty Mayors , judges , etc, but determined citizens are learning to push back with vigor more and more.

Even in the larger towns , like Missoula, I have yet to encounter the kinds of troubles common to east and west coast areas. Of course I'm not in the UOM , but the places I've done business in, and even the place I love to go to eat there, is thoroughly PRO gun, hunt and trapping. Seeing how packed that place is almost every day of the week , for years, with very conservative looking and acting people, many open carrying , shows me that even in liberal towns there is a mighty local conservative population that cannot be denied. Liberals wouldn't be able to stand the decor in that place.

The best thing I ever did years ago was move from the east, out west.

There are good places in Idaho , here, and others. Like our Tman Marine, John, says, the best decision he made was moving here.

Idaho and western states still have much to offer in the lifestyle conservatives enjoy and look for. When asked of real estate personnel , local shop owners, even my doc and dentist people about move ins, so far, they all say what is noticed, are far more conservatives moving in from other states, than Democrats. Also, some Dems who are so disgusted that they change to conservative.

You can be sure that the Dems get a decent amount of locals informing them as to what is expected of them , or else go back.

Time will tell .

I love the winter and cold this time around. Close to five feet on the valley floors here . Years ago , in N Idaho, many Californians got tired of the winters there , with lots of clouds , little sun , and long dark nights , a number of them moved away.

Nothing can ever push me away from big mountains .

Just don't let anyone bully you in where you want to go, what state to move into, or what you do with your life. Your happiness and quality of life enjoyed are in your hands. As mentioned earlier, every single state has changed in spans of years. With exception of the truly troubled Democratic dominated big cities in coastal east/western states, there's a lot to be positive about and see the good things , along with keeping a keen eye on the minuses. More pluses than minuses.

Guys - glad I could add a bit of humor.

RM Trapper - you and I have talked deer hunting. We have had some fair experiences. We don’t want the world to know about the basket rack 6 pointers that we shot. It is best to prevent increased interest. This year I had my eye on a really nice trophy forkhorn. Send me a PM.


Buckmink - you don’t understand my report. All the better.

I am delighted to learn that you would not live in the area where I live. See what good writing can accomplish?

So you don’t understand why not to suggest Ohio, southern states, or an Appalachian area. Simple, the guy asked about relocating to western states.
By the way RM Trapper never said in his post “we got some big corn fed brutes of a deer”. Please brush up on reading comprehension and grammar.

Yes, there is fishing for planted steelhead in Ohio - if you like combat fishing near Daniels Park. Somehow quite a different experience from catching a wild steelhead in a wilderness river. Out on Lake Erie, a steelhead can be a pleasant surprise, but they frequently do not survive the experience to be released. I have caught many Ohio steelhead. And cooking one smells like a fire at a chemical factory.

Are you aware that the highest crime rate in all of Akron is in the University of Akron area? 56% higher than the rest of Akron. They should be giving away free criminal justice degrees. If you are quick to suggest others relocate to Ohio, especially southern Ohio, when it becomes crowded will you continue to enjoy what you describe?

My report is based upon living in one of the remaining nicest places in Ohio and I would like to preserve it.

As long as you are a hunter, fishermen, and trapper... I would welcome you to Arizona. Don't believe everything you read... You can trap on public land here... National Forest, BLM, and state trust land is open to cage trapping. Foothold traps are legal on private land only. If your a foothold trapper I would say move to Nevada. Arizona has some great fishing and awesome hunting. Let's see what's on the menu: Elk, Bison, Black bear, Big horn sheep, Pronghorn Antelope, Mountain Lion, Javalina, Mule deer, Whitetail deer, and Cues deer, hmmm... I wonder what other state has three different kinds of deer. Not to mention the small game, doves, ducks, quail, geese, sandhill cranes, and furbearers.

I was wondering around lost in Anchorage a few years back and ran into this guy on a lonely empty street one time. I let this one go. If it would have been Tony Bologna......

"Eric Croft was first elected to the Alaska House in 1996, four years after graduating law school, and was reelected four times, facing generally nominal opposition in his Democratic Anchorage district. He is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and received both the 2003 NRA Defender of Freedom and Gun Rights Legislator of the Year awards. "

Arizonia might be in the plan on my hunting trip this coming fall with stops in Virginia,Kansas,Nebraska, and hopefully Arizonia.Have not been in Arizona since I was 6 years old.Will be hunting mule deer in Arizonia if I make it there.

Only thing about your big game species you didn't talk about is how hard it is to get tags even as a resident. Elk, bison, sheep.... those are all low odds. Elk in some units isn't as bad of a draw, but the good units you can wait years between tags. Desert sheep.... that's a once in a lifetime tag... if you're lucky. I really wish the antis hadn't of gotten your public land trapping taken away. Unfortunately AZ and NM are in the same boat on that one. My neighbor lives in AZ in the winter due to DRs orders. I'll see him again in a couple of months right about time steelhead start running lol.

AZ is bad asssssssddd………

Anything beats dying multiple times.

Yeah Bison and Bighorn sheep are a one time deal. My neighbor gets drawn for a cow elk almost every year. Only foothold traps are banned on public land . You can cage trap public land. Hunting season is all year long here in Arizona... it's gonna be cool side today... Only in the 70's

If you want to deal with it and get “Selected”, a person can use footholds on the Rez also. Talk about mostly untouched numbers !!

Nebraska is pretty hard to beat as much as people hound on us. I've traveled all around the United States and there's definitely something different about Nebraskans. I tend to never suggest moving here to most people as we have had a small influx from Californians mainly in the larger cities. Someone that traps such as yourself it would be a paradise. Outdoor activities pretty much all year around. I can still at this time go out on a trapline or calling coyotes all night and maybe pass 1-2 cars the entire time. People keep to themselves and most farmers are more than willing to allow predator control. As for the tornadoes that were mentioned earlier for the most part Nebraskans go out and look for them if there's a chance for them. You've got more of a chance to get hit by a bus walking across the street then to end up on the wrong end of them.

How much public land do you have there?

Grandpa not as much as other states but it is not hard to access land with a simple knock on the door or phone call. Deer are about the only thing that can take a little work to find quality land. I at one time had a loop of almost 150 miles of ground almost touching to trap when I tried.

That's because you have to change planes in the butthole of the state. Get outside the twin cities and it's an amazing state, conservative with tons of hunting and fishing opportunities. I like it here. Except the weather this time of the year. We have six months of ideal weather and six months of endurance.

Im surprised hardly anyone ever suggests or talks about Iowa on these types of threads. Basically anywhere but the few cities in IA. I grew up in NW IA and still find the pheasant, deer, turkey, coyote and coon populations to be superior to SE SD. Ive lived in southern IA for a bit. No pheasants but the rest right up there, especially the deer. I spsoe its become more commercialized thr last 15-20 years. Real estate in areas still very low and can make a decent living almost anywhere. Any type of teaching or gov job generally pays quite a bit more than its western neighbors. Good political climate. Probably my retirement state.

What about taxes in NE I had a buddy move out there and he cried a lot about the taxes and he was from IL?

I would say our cost of living including taxes is pretty respectable compared to a number of surrounding states. Property taxes can be a bit high depending on a number of factors.

MN is a great state outside of the Twin Cities. We won't set foot in the Twin Cities anymore. We used to go there many times a year for shopping, shows, sporting events, etc. It has gotten almost as dangerous as Chicago. It's controlled by left wing crazies who were never prosecuted for the destruction they caused.

Last place , next to California I would move to, mpls is woke crazy

SD is a good place, Iowa, NE, too

SD would be a great state to live in. They have everything you could want there.

Iowa does have high farmland prices from my limited research.

Shotguns for deer in Iowa.....too many people.

After reading your main concern again, Jack, I realized a clarification I need to make to you...I understand completely your frustration in the trash you find along the road , in hunting season...which transcends any belief system. Though one would think that people who value the land, hunting, owning firearms, etc., would also be very clean conscious on not trashing up the beauty of the land they take time to hunt and camp in .

I remember your other concerns too, and I agree with them.

There are other types of pollution that are just as annoying as the sight of trash on the ground. THAT bothers me just as much when I encounter them, too.

Your point is, I believe, the type of people in a population ...the quality they bring to others, the land, or not. People who hold to the standards that you do, you enjoy. People like this don't litter, are considerate of their nearest neighbor, and do their best to mind their own business , but be there to help out in times of need.

I heartily agree , Jack, and share your sadness with the encounters that are anything but thoughtful.

Yea, but they still vote to ban everything you like to do!

Hate to tell you this. Some of our democrats are rural people. Most of the rural people in Alaska vote democrat. Your democrats would vote to ban things I do, but mine may not. Right now, yet again, the house is run by a democrat/ republican coalition. Some of the urban ones may try. Mostly they try to ban stuff on the road system.

PS I can't wait to move to IDAHO!

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Oregon is a great place to live. Coast and mountains, desert and a temperate western Oregon climate. Luckily we have a bunch of whackos, Portland and Eugene to keep all you suckers out of here! LOL

You left out Salem lol

South Dakota has Governor Kristi Noem.
I wish she was my Governor, or something.

Dang! There sure is a lot of negativity.
How am i supposed to sell my place in Hennepin County with all that bad-mouthing?
In all seriousness, the area is growing like mad, and my property is appreciating at an unbelievable rate. When I say growing like mad, I would compare it to a viral infestation.

Figured you Or guys were fond of Ashland and that crowd. Had to go to Klamath last weekend for a funeral and was surprised at how cheap the costs were compared to Nevada. I know they had some water issues last summer but prices were down because of it.

Spending some time in AZ, I never have run into anybody walking in desert, yet. Amazing how lonely it is if you leave the trail full of atvs.

I was cracking up Yesterday. On one of my Facebook Trapping Pages a guy was asking looking for a contact about moving to eastern SD, because WY had too many jackasses moving in. There is nowhere left to run to fellas, it's the same all over.

I mainly trap pubic BLM land here in Idaho. Just about every stop I make I see some type of trash especially beer cans and empty shell casings. It is disgusting (from another Fred).

From the Eagles Song, "The Last Resort"

They call it paradise
I don't know why
You call someplace paradise,
kiss it goodbye

West Virginia's slogan is almost heaven. I can't say if it's true or not.

I say move to New Jersey. Start a reverse infestation. Turn NJ red. Trenton and Newark are especially lovely this time of year. Once NJ is sorted out go across the bridge to Brooklyn. Get that place sorted out.

All the homosexuals are leaving San Francisco for Denver. Some wonderful opportunity there also.

Here's where I'm going to move.

your a tougher man than me. I don't have the patience to baby sit tourists

We should all pray that cities become habitable again. It is really the only hope left to save the rural areas.