better include gas to get there, food for the trip, meat packer to cure it, cut and wrap and that's to say you even see one to kill, i hunt and hunt alot you factor in all your costs and the meat in the store would be cheaper and a sure thing, hunting isn't a sure thing i hunt because i enjoy it not because i need meat, the meat is just the satisfaction of a successful hunt
That's all fair game, of course. I pay about $55/carcass - but could do it myself if I needed to. Gas is unavoidable. OTOH, most areas do not require that much travel, given the proliferation of deer and feral swine. I travel to any of three locations I use - the furthest is about 85 miles. Of course, Michigan hads a pretty dense population of white-tails, so the fact that I see at least several every time I go out isn't probative of anything.
I'm not saying it's all that cost effective but it could be a viable alternative to someone in the right location.
As for my motive, I do it simply because I enjoy killing.
Actually, it's the thrill I get off on - and it is good meat.