Most Overrated Hunt and Most Underrated Hunt

[Sabre]

I want to preface this by saying; This will probably be inherently controversial, because one person's trash is another's treasure and vice versa. But I'm sure we can give our opinions with the understanding other people might not have the same.

What do you think is the most overrated hunt, and which hunt do you think is the most underrated?

For me:
Most overrated hunt would be Nilgai
Most underrated hunt would be Eland

 

[DLSJR]

Most underrated hunt is probably dry land hippo. There is a huge difference in shooting a hippo in the water versus hunting a big old hippo bull in the forest. There is a high incidence of them charging and even when a bull doesn’t, it’s an adrenaline packed hunt.

I believe most overrated would be ‘put & take’ dangerous game behind high fences. Not my cup of tea. YMMV.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have always considered real hunting to be a roll of the dice. How does one "rate" a roll of the dice? I avoid situations I know don't fit me (e.g. shooting over bait or water holes). So far I haven't been hugely disappointed. My last safari didn't end up with any of the animals on the list but that was okay. Still shot a very nice impala and respectable gemsbuck bull (5th impala and 3rd gemsbuck). Would have been okay if I'd shot nothing. Weather was perfect, scenery was spectacular, and wildflowers were in full bloom.

 

[Betterinthebush]

Most overrated: Whitetail deer hunting. Especially from a tree or blind. I’m sorry, I just can’t get into it, no matter how much I try to.

Most underrated: anything a pack of hounds can jump and run (including whitetail deer). I absolutely love the action and interaction with the dogs, the frustrations and victories, and the look in the eyes of a good working pack waiting to get turned loose. Particularly, if it’s on a cat.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Underrated: Snipe hunting, especially tough since it's at night.

Overrated: Prairie dogs

 

[chashardy]

I agree with Betterinthebush. White tail deer hunting is overrated. Especially after you have hunted spot and stalk game in Africa.
Underrated, probably bushbuck. Hard to find in the area I hunted in Limpopo and hard to get a shot.

 

[Russ16]

Underrated: Snipe hunting, especially tough since it's at night.

Overrated: Prairie dogs

I assume you’re joking but snipe with a pointing dog is actually very underrated. As is rail hunting with dog.

Overrated sitting in a tree stand.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I assume you’re joking but snipe with a pointing dog is actually very underrated. As is rail hunting with dog.

Overrated sitting in a tree stand.

Yes, with a bag and flashlight.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Hard to argue with tracking Eland. But i’m not sure it’s underrated. Most know it’s challenging and rewarding.

Western draw hunts are becoming overrated. Many states and units do not hold the quality or quantity that they did in the past, but still demand ridiculously high points and or landowner vouchers. There are still some gems.

For example, a New mexico unit 15 elk tag. A Gunnison basin Mule Deer. These units require far more points than the quality warrants.

I put U.S. small game and upland bird hunting as under rated. You can travel to the NE or Midwest for cheap Grouse and Woodcock hunting. Rabbit or Hare hunting.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Snipe or Rail hunting using a push boat in South Carolina is a very traditional, classic hunt.

Hunting Marsh Rail Birds on North Carolina's Cape Fear River

Rail hunting was once described as the "Sport of Kings" and enjoyed by the likes of Roosevelt and Ruark. While these odd marsh birds are no longer as popular as they once were, they're still insanely fun to hunt.

www.fieldandstream.com

 

[thriller]

Most overrated: Whitetail deer hunting. Especially from a tree or blind. I’m sorry, I just can’t get into it, no matter how much I try to.

Most underrated: anything a pack of hounds can jump and run (including whitetail deer). I absolutely love the action and interaction with the dogs, the frustrations and victories, and the look in the eyes of a good working pack waiting to get turned loose. Particularly, if it’s on a cat.

Funny I am not much of a dog man but I love stalking whitetail deer. To each their own.


Most underrated in a lot of areas is run and gun turkey hunting.

Most overrated in my opinion is chasing anything with dogs. I like to see animals behaving naturally (as in not chased).

 

[Hogpatrol]

I assume you’re joking but snipe with a pointing dog is actually very underrated. As is rail hunting with dog.

Overrated sitting in a tree stand.

Yes, with a bag and flashlight.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Funny I am not much of a dog man but I love stalking whitetail deer. To each their own.


Most underrated in a lot of areas is run and gun turkey hunting.

Most overrated in my opinion is chasing anything with dogs. I like to see animals behaving naturally (as in not chased).

I'm with you except that I AM "much of a dog man." Do love watching them enjoy themselves but not if they're worrying and terrorizing critters, especially for hours on end. And then shooting animals out of a tree. Not for me. However, upland hunting or waterfowl is a real treat with a good dog. The bird is not being pursued, but maybe momentarily. Actually, a good dog is essential for limiting suffering of wounded birds.

 

[chuckwellington]

Anytime I hear “underrated hunt” my ears perk up. Would love to have a go at dry land hippo one day.

It’s been repeated by many a media personality, but still hunting whitetail and hogs is underrated. Thick brush, close quarters, wily critters, maybe little tracking. What’s not to love?

Snipe (real) don’t get to credit they deserve.

 

[DLSJR]

Yes, with a bag and flashlight.

Apparently Russ16 was never taken on a snipe hunt!

 

[DieJager]

Underrated I do not know to be honest, lack enough experience to give an answer on that.

Overrated for me was my CBL lion hunt. Too much shenanigans and misinformation around it that I did not enjoy. Will not go into much detail but would never do it again. Only a wild lion would be on the table.

Not everything was bad, the tracking part was great as was the conclusion( the face to face with the big cat) and my connection with my PH.

Will come back to this thread in the future if I know an underrated hunt.

 

[375Fox]

For me underrated hunts are free range axis deer in Texas, Sitka blacktail deer in SE Alaska, roe deer (for Americans) in Europe.

It will be unpopular opinion, but I think Cape buffalo are overrated. I’ve never felt addicted to hunting them as some describe. I’ll hunt more if that is what gives me the best full experience from an area, but I don’t think I need to take one to have a successful safari.

 

[Scott CWO]

For me underrated hunts are free range axis deer in Texas, Sitka blacktail deer in SE Alaska, roe deer (for Americans) in Europe.

It will be unpopular opinion, but I think Cape buffalo are overrated. I’ve never felt addicted to hunting them as some describe. I’ll hunt more if that is what gives me the best full experience from an area, but I don’t think I need to take one to have a successful safari.

I’m with you on buffalo. I will hunt them again and have in several places but I would much rather hunt other free range animals like eland, roan, sitatunga, bongo and bushbuck.

The most underrated hunt is beaver. You have to be stealthy in a noisy, wet environment. It’s hard to gain entrance to their homes without making waves. One hard slap of the tail and they spook and may not resurface for a while. Very tricky! If you identify a good one by pre-scouting, you have to get it before your friends and other hunters. Once you get it, other hunters still try to take it. Very challenging “hunt.”

 

[BJH65]

Most overrated: Whitetail deer hunting. Especially from a tree or blind. I’m sorry, I just can’t get into it, no matter how much I try to.

Most underrated: anything a pack of hounds can jump and run (including whitetail deer). I absolutely love the action and interaction with the dogs, the frustrations and victories, and the look in the eyes of a good working pack waiting to get turned loose. Particularly, if it’s on a cat.

I agree if you’re hunting whitetail over a feeder from a tree or ground blind as mentioned. Now if you want to still hunt whitetail, IMO they are more difficult to hunt than 95% of any African game. If you want a whitetail challenge, pickup a bow and still hunt them. It’s a rare hunter who can sneak up on a bedded old wise whitetail buck. I too would love to try whitetail hunting in the southern tradition over hounds.

I agree, hunting with hounds can be underrated. I did a couple of black bear hunts with hounds and they were some of the most lengthy and difficult hunts for me, even comparing with climbing mountains in BC after mountain goats or elk in the Bob Marshall Wilderness probably because of the extremely steep terrain we were hunting those bears in. Also coon hunting with my uncle when I was a youth still an exciting hunt too.

 

[Tex .416]

Most Overrated: elk hunting. Marched up and down mountains for a week in nearly constant sleet. Saw one very young bull. Never again.

Most underrated: taking a young boy out for his first deer hunt. By far the best hunt of my life.