I think that depends on how you define success...
Adios,
Gary

I can remember when actually seeing a deer was a success.

Money has nothing to do with success!!!! Knowledge is how success is achieved.

Lets just look at minimum costs to be able to hunt. Minimum requirements are a gun, ammo and the ability to hit your target by some minimal practice by several trips to the range. minimum is $400 rifle $200 scope $50 rings and $200 ammo plus $125 for range services. $30 for a hunting license and lets say a $45 APH permit for a place to hunt public land here in Texas. $30 for orange hat and vest. That will get you hunting here in Texas at a cost of aprox $1100.

From here knowledge is everything. You can be successful on just $1100 if you have the knowledge. But with no knowledge or experience you will not be successful at all.

Actually, as he has never clarified…I’m thinking he “means” RICH GUYS kill bigger animals, more birds, more fish…than poor guys. We’re off in the weeds on the definition of Success. And how HARD or much we hunt, how smart we are, what are land is like, etc. Simply money equals big trophies.

Which is pretty true.

Why we moved to Wyoming, cheap to hunt almost everything and those that are expensive tags now we have taken- mostly all on public land for free. Bison, moose, bighorn sheep, elk, WT and a few mule deer.
Just had to afford the resident tag fees.

Opportunity is what is needed for success.

There are many many things in life that money provides for those who have it and earned it versus those who do not. It is the way of our world and society like it or not.

Each person has the opportunity in this country to be who they want to be and earn as much money as they want to earn. Treating it as though there is something wrong with making and having money is a bad thing is just silly. My Mom and Dad always told me "we are all a result of our OWN decisions."

You can be on the most expensive lease there is and that does not mean you will see or harvest huge deer - it takes tons of effort and constraint to grow big deer under any circumstances.

And yes ...... deer leases are more expensive than they were some years back - but what isn't???

Not rich vs poor, it’s simply difference in priorities. Most rich guys probably started serious hunting much later as their focus was building wealth first not hunting, yet I have a friend that’s only shy of NA slam via a polar bear. He did it while active duty and never married, he hunts 100 plus days a year, and will probably work util he is dead, he doesn’t care about wealth accumulation.. Different priorities

There are exceptions. But I can take you to a many guys that are rich and have trophy rooms like cabelas and at the other end I can take you to a ton/greater number of common/not wealthy hunters ( who can shoot a gnat at 300 yards and stalk/ hunt like Daniel Boone….and they got… well that deer in their 10x10 bedroom.

I didn't define Success because I feel there are multiple definitions or scenarios that apply to this. If I had to say what success is for me, it would be achieving the best possible outcome for whatever the situation was. Stuff like seeing more game or going after the biggest possible buck are driving factors for me.

Let's say killing a trophy deer is your idea of success. What are the chances of killing let's say a160 inch deer on public land? I'd say very low less than 1%. Now give me $15,000 to spend on it and the chances are 100%.

I've hunted deer leases that there was a 100% chance of taking a buck over 130 every year. And you would see 15-25 bucks almost every hunt. IMO there's not any public land in Texas that comes close to that.

Ive hunted Colorado Public land elk several times. Most trips I didn't even see an elk. You could say I'm just not a good hunter, but my experience is the most common outcome. Did I have a good time? Absolutely! Would it have been better if I shot a 6 x 6 bull? Yes for sure!

I'm not trying to start something with the rich guy or the public hunter. I just thought this would be a good topic to put out there.
Maybe I shouldn't have said all about money. More like heavily influenced.

I don’t think I have anyone in my circle that doesn’t have a decent trophy room and they range from very wealthy, to lower middle class. One thing they all have in common, they prioritize hunting, over other spending and other forms or recreation.

The whole wealthy vs poor is a huge projection IMO.

Had bunches of good hunts on public waters for ducks and geese in eastern Kansas in my younger days. Only cost was our own equipment.

Sorry but this entire thread is stupid - to say if someone is a good or bad hunter is based off of their wealth is BS - a good hunter is a good hunter no matter what their net worth is - I hate threads like this because it makes all hunters look bad IMO -

I think this entire thread is nothing more than a trolling experience for the OP. The whole "show me different" nonsense is what gives it away. (And here I am engaging in the BS.)

This is a useless thread. Just my two cents.

Well duh. That would equate someone's idea of success in life is driving a Lambo. What are your chances of finding a new Lambo in a lot full of Chevys? Slim to None. Your going to have to go to the Lamborghini dealership and bring a lot of money. But someone with that kind of mindset would also believe if they don't have enough money to buy a Lambo, they will never be successful. Yes, stupid thread.

This is possibly. I feel that money provides opportunity which leads to success.

I can get anyone an opportunity for 200 typical at $12.5k on a legit place - anyone. I spend more than that, counting everything, and do not get a 160 every year. 2 in 18 years. Love my spot and would spend more. Going down with 120 bags and building a new pen tomorrow. Klappenbach will help me. Those 2 & 3/4 inch steel corner posts will be fun.

This thread is stupid and maybe I was trolling a little. But I didn't say that ^. I'm ok with people not liking my opinion. I got some pretty interesting responses.

There are low price leases available. There's also public hunting available. Anyone can be successful there. Now, if you define success as a b&c deer, yeah, lots of $ is gonna make that easier to achieve. My biggest deer is 136". I've got several in the 120-130" range. Fill the freezer every year with does and pigs to the point where I haven't bought ground beef in over a decade. Success.

It's not this colt.

tis thinking success, weather it be hunting, fishing, life in general
Tis a personal thing.

Or, just simply it’s constant hard work that provides opportunity.

Nothing wrong with you having an opinion, but you didn't do anyone the courtesy you wanted for yourself. YOU haven't shown where hunting is all about the money.

So, if an inexperienced/wannabe RICH person wants to fill his trophy room with a 500” elk or any other animal he wants on a weekend hunt; that can be done. While a dirt poor, inexperienced/wannabe doesn’t have a snowballs chance in ___, of doing that. Nothing wrong with that, just economics. There always will be have and have nots. Look at Cotton Mesa Ranch, money talks, Elk of a Lifetime is going to cost you $25,000+, 95% success. Billy Bob will never be able to do that.

I should clarify, if you want the B and C Club Elk, it’s $75,000 +. I’ve heard closer to $90.

There is no blanket answer here. Is it about the hunt or the trophy to you? Is putting in the work what you find satisfying or do you want someone else to do the work so you can hit the easy button? Instant gratification can be bought if you are willing to throw enough money at most endeavors. I see you have been a forum member here since 2010. Definitely old enough to know, not much in life is free…