When bowhunters talk about bucket list hunts, the conversation often drifts toward iconic big game species like elk, moose, or sheep. There’s no denying the allure of bugling bulls or moose on the Yukon River, but the reality is that those tags are getting harder to come by every year. Nonresident tag prices continue to climb, point creep makes drawing tougher (if not impossible) and competition for the few tags available is higher than ever. But that doesn’t mean your bucket list has to be unattainable. In fact, it should represent what’s most important to you—big goals, small joys, or anything in between.
Instead of measuring success by drawing tags that are nearly impossible to get, consider rethinking your bowhunting bucket list, or even creating your own “slam.” For me, that’s the Wisconsin Bowhunting Slam. This includes harvesting a whitetail in the fall, a wild turkey in the spring, and cottontail rabbits in the winter — all with archery tackle. It’s challenging, accessible and offers variety throughout the year.
These hunts are available to nearly everyone. You don’t need preference points or hundreds of dollars in out-of-state tags to complete it. You just need creativity, a willingness to explore and maybe a hunting buddy to share the experience with. After all, some of the best hunts aren’t about inches of antler — they’re about the people you share them with (if you haven’t tried stalking rabbits in the snow with your bow, you owe it to yourself to try).
When it comes to building your bowhunting bucket list, think of it in terms of short- and long-term goals. Short-term goals might look like my Wisconsin Slam, which you can accomplish close to home in a single season. Long-term goals could be a western elk or mule deer hunt, something you spend years planning and saving points for.
As I write this, I’m packing for my first elk hunt. At 34 years old, I’ve dreamed about this adventure for a long time. It took research, networking, and a lot of patience with tag applications, but I finally get to chase bugling bulls in the mountains. For me, this trip is the culmination of a long-term bucket list goal, and it’s proof that both types of goals are worth pursuing.
If you’re itching to hunt out of state but don’t have the means to draw a coveted big game tag, there are still plenty of opportunities. Take Arizona, for example. Nonresident bowhunters can buy affordable tags for javelina or jackrabbits. You get to explore the same country where you’d chase elk or mule deer or scout future spots and still enjoy a memorable adventure in a new state — all at a fraction of the cost.
Bucket list bowhunts don’t have to be defined by the toughest tags or the rarest animals. By creating your own slam, you can gamify your hunting seasons, set new challenges and enjoy attainable adventures every year. Start small with local goals, dream big with long-term hunts, and—most importantly—share the journey with people you care about.
