Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Hunting Solo

Hunting solo - it's something I've done often over the years. Mostly for small game and upland birds, but sometimes for deer or even bear. There can be a particular satisfaction with having done the entire hunt alone. Hiking in, glassing, watching, waiting. Finding game. Stalking to within range. Making the shot... Field dressing, quartering or even boning out the animal alone, then hiking back to the waiting truck... Can make for a long and tiring day, but at the end of the day, you know that you did it all. That's a good feeling.

It's been a few years since I took a deer solo. A mule deer doe in 2015 with my 25-06, here in "north central Washington." A mule deer buck in 2017 also with my 25-06 here in Washington.

The doe was pretty simple. I had permission to hunt a ranch. I was in position well before dawn. It was cold, snowy and silent. As the sky brightened, I could see deer feeding not far from me. I waited patiently for a safe shot opportunity. One shot from sitting at easy range and the deal was done. I was able to drive the Jeep right to the deer, so field dressed her and lifted her into the Jeep, then away.

The buck came near last light on public land. I'd hunted hard all day. He wasn't huge, but a mature buck headed towards a nearby wheat field. My rifle was zeroed at 200 yards. I shot him at 212 yards, dropping him instantly. Again the shot was from sitting, no support other than the sling.

Walked down to him, and realized I'd be finishing the job in dark then hiking the mile or so back to the waiting Jeep. Alright then, get busy. It took me a while, I've never been particularly fast at this work. Got the buck quartered up, and de-boned some of it by the light of my headlamp. Full of fresh meat, the heavy pack was warm against my back as I began the long hike back to the Jeep and I was glad that the slope I headed up was neither steep, nor too high. Rifle in one hand, Deer head and antlers in the other, pack on my back, one foot in front of the other, slowly, surely up and over the ridge then downhill to the Jeep. It took me quite a while to cover that mile.

Felt so good to set my pack in the back of the Jeep, unload the rifle and put it away then head for home with a tired smile on my face. I'd done it again in my 60's, and knew I wasn't done doing that sort of thing.



Do some of you hunt alone for deer or other game?

Regards, Guy

I hunt alone but not because I like it. I'm 78 and would like to have someone along, and my wife is very uneasy even though I stopped climbing 3 or 4 years ago. Being too poor to afford the the high lease tabs, I mostly hunt on small parcels owned by relatives or friends and the informal agreement will usually end with the owner's words, ".....but don't bring anyone with you". So I hunt alone; I have my pickup outfitted with a small portable 12 volt winch, a short ramp and several feet of chains and towing straps. I have friends with similar circumstances. I wish things were different.

Beautiful buck, great picture and nice write up.

Well done, congratulations!

Born and raised on a working cattle & horse ranch in Oregon's Big Empty. As a young teenager I would take a small pack string of supplies up into the high meadows and find the sheepherders. 'aint no cell phones back then and the sheepherders didn't use radios. You'd just have to go find 'em.

And just like a trucker, you'd rather not run the backhaul empty, so when in season the goal was to hunt Mulies and bring one back for butchering.

On one hunt by my lonesome my Dad and I had made arrangements that we'd meet at a known spot on a dirt 'road' to pick me up. Just so happened freak weather showed up and down came torrential rains. Fortunately, I was in my woolies so while soaked, I wasn't hurtin'.

Dad shows up with a full change of clothes, and while I'm in my birthday suit drying off and swapping out the wet for the dry he says "damn boy, you're nuthin' but one big puddle of water!"

Just so happens my kid brother was along for the ride and thus my nickname was coined.

Nice story and deer.

I continue to hunt alone, but not because I am anti-sociable. I have good success.

I hunt alone often. Always have.

I also do lots of hunting alone. In the early season I take family out but i do enjoy being able to take full advantage of playing things by ear/sight out there. Not much planning but go hunt hard. I don't like relying/waiting on friends/people to dictate if I go out or not.

That's a great story of how the nickname came about!

Regards, Guy

Excepting some guided hunts in other countries and Hawaii, I believe I can count on one hand the number of animals I have killed and packed out when I wasn’t completely by myself. I think I have had help packing only 2 elk and 1 moose. Usually once or maybe twice a year I have a buddy in camp, but we hunt individually. Generally though I do the entire hunt from start to finish by myself.

I prefer hunting solo, for many, many reasons.

I used to hunt alone and loved it but with health issues I haven't in the last four years.

I deer hunt alone about 75% of the time. Small game and birds alone 95% in more recent years. Almost nobody wants to hunt small game or birds anymore. No trophies/glory/bragging rights to small game so they aren't interested.

Nice buck.

I have done a lot of solo hunts. Now that my kids are able to go, solo don’t happen much. I can say that productivity goes down drastically with another human tow. I am ok with that though at this stage in my life.

Sometimes I do and sometimes not.

Some days I enjoy the solitude and other days I enjoy the group.

Congrats on a nice buck!

Good story and nice buck. I do hunt alone because most who I hunted with no longer hunt or who have moved away. I’m 70 now and disabled. No tree stands anymore. Either in a ground blind or leaning against a tree.

I think I hunt a decent mix, lately with my brothers or other family in the vicinity, sometimes by myself. Sometimes I wanna be in the woods myself and others, I like being in group. Depends on the wind I guess.

Great story, one of my favorite pictures Guy.

Like "beefan" I am 78 and hunted both with partners and solo for many, many years. My family is getting less and less comfortable with me out for multiple day hunts , by myself so they/we try to find me a partner for at least a few days. I still feel comfortable out there, but they prefer me to have company. This year I packed out an elk hind quarter, two front shoulders and a backstrap, so I can still get them out myself. My bull came from 3 miles in and 2,000 elevation. In order to keep peace in the family I carry a "RESCUE" beacon, (sp) and the ONX app on my phone. In addition I share my location with friends, 24 and 7 . My hunting area in Wyoming has very little cell service but in Oregon I have about 70% coverage. This year I believe was my 56 th season.

I hunt alone. Haven’t killed a buck in awhile, so I forgot what a pain in the a$$ dragging him out and getting him in the truck by myself was. lol.

Thanks. That buck was actually taken in 2008 on another solo hunt with the 25-06 and Berger 115 VLD. I was dragging him down to a dirt road for easier packout. Sat down to rest and noticed that the setting and the light were pretty good for a decent photo. A few minutes later I was dragging him again. He was a pretty stout buck. I had a cell phone. Called my oldest son and a friend. They helped me quarter this one up and pack him out.

Guy

When I hunt alone,

I prefer to be by myself'

Ya!

GWB

I hunt alone 98% of the time
About once every other season my wife will go sit in a blind with me for a morning or evening hunt. But she always goes to help when there's an animal down.

Been a long time, wife no longer comfortable with me out alone, hunting or keeping, great story and nice buck

Used to hunt with my brother, but he’s been gone nearly 20 years. My sons are coming up on middle age(!) and live in another state, so yeah, I hunt alone. I too gave up climbing trees this year, and found a nice tripod seat that’s 21” tall, so easy to get on and off. My wife worries too, so I bought a Zoleo tracker and send her Okay messages now and then, and can also send texts if necessary. This season, I dressed the deer I shot and went home to fetch her, and she helped me drag all three out on jet sleds. I can do it myself, but two are definitely better than one and she’s only 57, unlike her creaky old man who’ll soon be 72. I prefer to bring them out intact so the carcasses can go through the rigor and aging process. Had a very successful and enjoyable season this year, and am considering letting the deer hunting go and concentrate on small game, turkeys, and predators. I shot two yesterday. We dragged one last night and the other this morning, 3/4 of a mile, and I’m beat, so it might just be my old tired azz that’s thinking about quitting.

I'm about 5 years behind you Pappy 348. You're a lucky man. My wife likes deer when they're either running around doing deer things and being pretty, or nicely wrapped and frozen. She's okay with them in the kitchen being cooked or on the table being served up as well. But watch me shoot one, or have anything to do with the carcass? No, that's just not her thing. I'm okay with all that. She's a city girl through and through and stayed with me through four overseas deployments and two careers. What a woman! But not a hunter, not in the least.

I must admit to seeking out less adventurous hunts recently, that don't involve climbing danged mountains and such. But I'm still up for a hunt that gets me out walking. I know it will end someday. And that's okay, it will be time.

Pheasants with the dog are my real pleasure. I suspect I'll be able to do that for some time to come.

All the best, Guy 

Well done….

I hunt solo a lot …..but not alone….

I got Dink, Scooter the mules, and a new Draft x Walking horse named Jed plus a foxtrotter named Cheif. It’s the wife’s new horse.

They much prefer archery season….as I usually come up empty.

I also have had my new heeler (Twiglet) find two deer for me after the shot.

A few buddies I know swear by them wheel barrow deals made for carcass retrieval.

I'm 75. 1 of my partners had to hang it up several years ago and the other is 78 and showing signs of age. I might be on my own again in another year, assuming that my health holds up. There are no leases here, though. It's all public land hunting for mulies and elk.

I'm 62 and the vast majority of my hunting has been solo. A couple years ago, my Grandsons started going with me and I see a lot more of that in my future (a good thing).

I am 75. I have hunted alone most of my life. Now I tell my wife general area I will go to. I have packed many deer and elk by myself. I learned when I was young what a good packframe was. I enjoy hunting by myself but now days I don’t do much elk hunting. But still enjoy deer hunting but stay closer to the roads. I will hunt deer as long as I can get out.

I hunt by myself the majority of the time.

I’m 74 and hunt alone. It’s my preference. I hunt either on my property or my neighbors. Wife knows exactly where I am, and she’s helped me drag deer to where I can get to them with the 4 wheeler.

I hunt alone 90% of the time... but I can usually drive to within a stones throw to load a deer or hog. You don't have to be a superhero to do what I do.

HA, I think I say I am quitting elk hunting every year after packing a few out of the hills. About the time I am driving home I have a whole nother trip planned.

You seem to be doing pretty well fetching deer and mostly have time on your side. Once they are down, it's all on your schedule for the most part! Hope you hang with it!

I've been guilty of taking a smaller animal when there's a long hike out ...I like hunting with others but with my weird work schedule I'm almost always solo.

Great story and pic. Congrats on a job well done. I used to always hunt alone. Mostly WT Deer. Now I'm 66 years old. I still hunt alone but not as often. My new joy is hunting with my Grandkids, 8 and 10 years old. They have several deer and pigs to their credit.

I have two more coming up behind them that will start shooting a 22 this year. I can't wait to hunt with them. There is nothing better than seeing a youngsters face when they shoot their first Deer.

The wife is a sweet Chinese gal I met online after we both unexpectedly became single about 11 years ago. She knew nothing about hunting or guns, and had never fished. I taught her to fish and now she’s a red hot Powerbait dipper. We grow, catch, and kill a major part of our groceries.

She posts pics of our harvests; finny, furry, and agricultural on WeChat to the amazement (and envy) of her family and friends in the PRC. They can’t do any of that of course. They worry about the stories they hear about crime and anti-Asian violence here, but she tells them, “That’s okay, we live in a safe place and have guns!”

I enjoy your videos on UR. Seems you’ve found a new calling late in life😜

Most of my hunting has been alone, my preference

Time will tell. No “meat pressure” for a while for sure. I aged and butchered the first one, but the last two are at the processor. I need some down time.

I have hunted alone more than with a company. Turning 80 this past summer. Solo, I killed a cow elk in September and mule deer in late October. I fear it is about to end in the not too distant future though.

I’d say you’re doing damn well!

We ran into a couple of younger hunters yesterday and got to talking. When I told them my age, one of them got kinda wide-eyed and asked how I’d made my living that allowed me to still be active. He must know a lot of broken down old guys! Pretty funny.

I'm 68 and still hunt solo.

My kids have all earned their Hunter Ed certificates and each of them has shot at least one deer, but none of them are particularly interested in any outdoor sports. I had hoped that one of them would end up being my hunting buddy, but that hasn't happened. Two of them have hunted with classmates while at college and seemed to enjoy the social aspect of it, but hunting with Dad isn't very social.

I prefer to hunt fox squirrels these days, as the season is longer, the bag limit is greater, and they are easier to carry out of the woods. I still shoot a few deer each year, but no longer feel any need to punch my buck tags unless the buck carries a rack worthy of making a trip to the taxidermist.

Congratulations cascade on the nice buck. Since the late '90's just about all my hunting has been solo. I love to still hunt the way my Dad taught me but, do occasionally sit for a spell to rest my bones. Have to leave my heavier rifles at home and grab the lighter ones, even though 30 years ago they didn't seem heavy. Gave up climbing trees when I passed the 3/4 century mark and have become very selective in which deer to take. There are a couple I've caught on camera that I'd drop the hammer on but, I'm more inclined to drop the hammer on the coyotes I've pictures of. Anyway, it's all good to be in the woods!

I’m thinking along those same lines. We have grays and fox squirrels. Some of the fox squirrels almost qualify as Big Game. My yard is full of grays, all full of the peanuts, sunflower seeds, and corn I set out every day, and those are off limits course. May or may not shoot the wild ones; I never know until the opportunity arises, but the fox squirrels better watch out.

There are a few days between the close of the buck season and the doe season, so I just might grab my new .22 mg AR and give it a go.

Hunt alone 95% of the time or more. Occasionally get with a small gang and put on deer drives, and while I can't knock it because there were yrs that's the only way I got my deer, it's not my preferred method. Usually the only skill involved is the shot, and sometimes not even that as a deer might run right to you.

I prefer to hunt alone and hunt the wind and try to set up a plan. Doesn't always work out of course, but when it does I get more of sense of accomplishment by myself. Dragging out sucks.

Thanks! Gavin and I are old friends and I enjoy working with him. Did you know that there's a written article to accompany almost all of our videos? Just go to the UR website to read them. Sometimes there's a lot more detail in the articles.

Regards, Guy

Nicely done, Guy!

I’m likely 60/40 partner(s)/solo. Really depends where and when but I enjoy facets to each.

Yes. I enjoy hunting alone. I also enjoy hunting with family and/or friends.

Guy

I hunt alone most of the time. Sometimes I get to go with my buddy, but not often. I pretty much do the same thing whether with him or alone. Sit still and wait for a deer to come into range for a shot.

I usually hunt alone. My Dad aged/health issued out quite a few years ago, and my brother never really got into it.

I do have a hunting partner for deer season, but we're basically just a backup call for each other if a tracking or drag out job turns into a rodeo. We hunt separate properties about 90% of the time.

I almost always hunt alone anymore. Most of my deer hunting down here is on a friend’s place where the few of us who hunt there all have our own stands so if I’m out there, everyone knows where. I hunt WMA’s alone. When I go North I hunt with my brothers and friends on the farm, but that’s all elevated stands, so after a few days of that, I go back to the big woods and hunt alone. They no longer go back and do that, having aged out of it. (I’m the oldest of the group at 75, but in a lot better shape.) I passed on a big 8 or 10 point last day I hunted up there, too far back. I’m going to get a deer cart for next year to take back with my climber, looking forward to it already.

I hunt primarily alone- used to go to a camp that could have one other guy in it or 5-6 others and it was nice, but I prefer hunting big woods and none of my friends seem too interested in it.

One year, I found a piece of public land where I found 3 really good bucks for the area, and the best spot I found was about 2 miles from the parking area- and of course the parking area was the highest point of the property (all uphill dragging). The first day of the season I was in my spot before it got light and by 8AM I had one of the 3 bucks gutted and my deer drag tied on. Started dragging and the first 3/8 of a mile was so steep I couldn’t walk with the deer drag up the hill so I had to pull the deer to my chest, step backwards a step or two and repeat a few thousand times (it seemed at the time, anyway). Finally got to the spot where it wasn’t so steep and was able to walk with the deer drag on, but still uphill. I started worrying about getting the deer into my truck because my arms felt like jello after pulling it. I got to the truck at 3:40 PM, and was never so happy to get to the truck.

Unfortunately though, there wasn’t anyone in the parking area to ask for help loading the deer into the bed of my truck. I looked around and there was nowhere to back the truck up to where I could drag the buck into it, my arms were still jello-ish, and when I grabbed the deer, it was pretty stiff, so I was able to lean it up against the tailgate, and pole vault it into the back. If someone was there to watch, I think they would have gotten a chuckle out of it. I remember sitting in the truck and never feeling more comfortable in my life, cracked a Mountain Dew open that I had in the truck and felt pretty accomplished.


The next year I talked my best friend (25 years older than me, in his defense) into going there with me, sat him in the same spot I killed that buck at. Went out to check on him at 11AM and asked him if he saw anything and he did see some deer- “Why didn’t you shoot one?” I asked him. He said, “You’re crazy if you think I’m shooting one back here!” He still had fun being in the woods and seeing deer, so it was worth it.

This is an interesting topic. I have been hunting deer for 30 years and almost all of it has been done alone. There are frequently friends hunting from the same cabin but I have barely ever actually hunted deer along-side someone else. The more I read about some of the remote big woods hunts, the more I see stories of guys hunting in pairs or threes. This makes sense but it was never part of what we did down where I learned to hunt. A big part of it is probably because most people stand hunt in my area. I suspect a lot of difference in hunting styles are based on the region.

Most of my hunting has been alone, but my Son is my go to partner if he can make it. He go's his way and I mine, its great to have help getting something out of the bush, but it is all in the planning, I don't kill anything just before dark that is going to take all night to get out, if that happens, and it has....I look at options.

For me the big advantage to hunting alone is....I don't have to worry about anyone else ie: getting lost, this has happened to me at least 3 times I can think of where I had to drop everything and go looking for them. The one guy would be dead if I didn't find him.

You never are truly alone in the bush.

IME a magnum roll-up toboggan or one of the JetSleds is much easier than a cart. I’ve used them all, and the big downsides of the carts is their weight, the spoked wheels, and the need to balance the load pretty well. The JetSleds are handy around the yard too. I use mine to move bags of mulch and soil, leaves, and wood/tree trimmings, towed behind my Cub Cadet.

Both are also cheaper than all but the cheapest carts, and trust me, you don’t want the cheap ones!

Thanks for the advice Pappy. I’ve been going back and forth over what to get. I’m using my friend’s cart down here currently, but it’s pretty clear path taking them out. I used a sled up north a few weeks ago and have used them up there before. I may well go with some sort of skidder which would be a lot better off the trails and in areas where logging has taken place.

I prefer it. At 25 I took my first ram, solo, 20 miles from the road, across ridge-tops and game trails. Been hooked ever since.

Taken dozens of caribou and at least 10 moose, hunting solo - usually a lot of back-packing from well "back-in".

Getting old now-not as much "fun", but planning it for moose next year again. Bastids ain't near the road, either!

On the trip from where I’ve been taking my deer this year back to the truck, there are a number of logs of varying sizes to go over, and one 24” or so fallen poplar that you have to go under, or drag up a 3’ slippery bank. The JetSleds went right under, as would a toboggan. One sled weighs 11 pounds, the other 6, and a mag toboggan weighs maybe 4. My fancy cart with independent two-wheel carriages on each side goes IIRC 47, but it was on sale!

I must be pretty antisocial, I don't really even enjoy hunting with people. 2x the noise (and that's only for the ones that know how to be quiet), 2× scent, 2x the movement, 1/2 the speed and 1/2 the success. Much rather be solo (except my dog is usually with me).

I hunt alone much of the time. Now that I am older. I am more cautious about climbing up in deer stands and am more careful. Cleaning a deer by myself. Had to do one last week holding a penlight in my mouth to see after dark. I really need to get a good headlamp. I enjoy hunting by myself. It doesn't have to be a social event for me to enjoy it. But I do enjoy hunting with other people.

I have a cart that the jet sled fits perfectly in/on, lots of options if conditions dictate

I usually hunt alone but prefer that someone I know or my son be elsewhere on the property to help out or retrieve me, if necessary. I can’t recall the last time I sat in a blind or other situation with someone else.

The majority of my hunting is done alone now that I'm retired. Most of my friends don't have as much time to hunt as I do. Or can't afford trips out west.
I'm 66 now and plan to keep going as long as I can.

I enjoy hunting deer with my Dad or my wife or son. It’s mostly sitting and glassing and when we spot a shooter one of us will make a stalk while the other watches. That way it’s fun to watch for the observer and they can also tell what happened when a buck gives the stalker the slip.

For pigs and predators I hunt alone most of the time, though my son does tag along more and more as he’s getting bigger.

I enjoy hunting by myself and probably do so 70 percent of the time. But I do enjoy the time with a partner too.

90% of the time it’s just me 10% with grandsons way better with them but being patient is short they’re ready to go but that’s fine.Every year is better best guys I’ve ever hunted with

Come and go as I wish, have hunted alone for the last 40 years

I prefer hunting alone for big game.

Took a friend bowhunting with me once, he was screaming at me until I asked him, "Have you ever noticed how big a Moose's ears are?"

When bird hunting where stealth isn't mandatory, I prefer to hunt with friends.

I hunt alone probably 95% of the time. The reason is simple - private land - and the owner is adamant that I not bring anyone else. At times I’ll hunt with him or one of his family, but thats kinda rare. They aren’t as interested as I am. They don’t invest time to scout or even practice with their weapon of choice.

If I travel and camp away from home, then I will have a partner or two along. We share the camp, the cost and the work. Its way more fun with good friends and family. Archery elk is much more productive with friends that can help call.

The private land is less than 30 minutes from my front door. I’m able to use my quad to access most of the roadless parts of the ranch to retrieve game.... that’s a biggie with me! I’ll be 71 pretty soon and try really hard not to have to pack game parts very far. If I need to I’ll process the game gutless and get that to the quad on my back.

I prefer to hunt alone, to be perfectly honest about it. I can go where and when I want. I tend to glass a lot and can be very patient. Have coffee, eat or take a quick snooze if that’s what I want to do. I pass up a lot of smaller bucks, because I’m aware of several bigger bucks living there - because I scout and spend a lot of time there. My friends eat tag soup more often than not and think I’m crazy....