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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 712
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 712 |
Trial and error.
Its simple. Some capable, some not.
Ones I hunt most with, we grew up together. Plus a few long time neighbors.
happiness is elbow deep in elk guts. NRA life member
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,891
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,891 |
I think one of the first things is do a real assessment of what drives you as a hunter. Are you a trophy at all costs guy, Are you a gun nut that hunts, are you a hunter that owns a rifle, or are you a social hunter that enjoys seeing the country and sharing with a few buddy's. Once you are clear on why you hunt then you can better id the attributes you want in a partner. It's like golf there are the guys that are competitive as he--, the gamblers , the drinkers that don't give a rip and social golfers. All kinds can have good to terrible golfers but God help you if you get with the wrong group as it can be miserable. Then there are the financial issues as if one of you is willing to leave the wife and kids home w/o a vacation for 10 years while you chase elk but the other guy isn't then you need to know that. Like wise if you run with the big dogs then don't select a guy that can't afford to keep up or vice versa. So start with a good look in the mirror.
Last edited by bangeye; 03/15/12.
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,527
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 17,527 |
I have hunted with several people ONCE. They are either scared of the dark, or unprepared, or loud, or won't get out of the truck, or have to be back in time for a football game.
Hell, i hunted with one guy once that needed some toilet paper. i thought "what kind of idiot doesn't bring tp?" So I had to dig into my pack, find him some tp, and then he used it to loudly blow his nose. Sigh.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,270 Likes: 42
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,270 Likes: 42 |
Yeah, there's a lot of trial and error. Have eliminated a lot of potential hunting partners in one or two trips over the years.
I tend to have several hunting partners, depending on the type of hunting. If I'm hunting big mule deer then it's very limited, but if hunting some other stuff, whether pronghorns or birds, then it's less limited.
Luckily, my wife really likes to hunt, and we really don't care who gets the game. She's also a good hunter and shot.
Her physical capabilities are different than mine, but we have a lot of common ground. Often we've even gone to the same drainage and she'll hunt the creekbottom for whitetails while I hike up higher for mule deer. And I get to pack out her moose for her when she draws Montana tags (I never have).
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653 |
To the OP. How old are you? How long have you been hunting big game? Have you had some success in your hunts?
Answers to these question would be a good start to frame your question.
Wayne
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,082
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,082 |
My hunting buddy is a friend I've known for more 40 years. We've hunted together for a long time and pretty much know how to work together. We work together well and only disagree on one thing....politics. I'm trying to convert him but Democrats are just too damn stubborn.
Start young, hunt hard, and enjoy God's bounty.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,160
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,160 |
Marry a good woman. If she won't go hunting with you, have a son with her. Teach him to hunt. I have a lot of hunting buddies but my son has been my favorite for the past 22 years.
Last edited by Ackleyman; 03/15/12.
.280 AI Fan
"I don't make jokes, I just watch the government and report the facts" Will Rogers
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" Unknown
Trump 2024!
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,973
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,973 |
Marry a good woman. If she won't go hunting with you, have a son with her. Teach him to hunt. I have a lot of hunting buddies but my son has been my favorite for the past 22 years. There you go.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,580 Likes: 23
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,580 Likes: 23 |
Sportsman's clubs are full of guys who are clueless, looking to piggyback off someone elses knowledge and experience, without having done the legwork themselves.
Get yourself prepared, experience success, and guys who know hunting seem to have a way of finding each other. Not many experienced hunters are willing to take on someone looking to be guided.
I met one guy that I hunt with at the gym. Eventually the conversation went to hunting. I've also met a few guys in church that I consider very reliable. It's amazing how the bored guys at social functions, wearing a camo jacket (up here in AK) seem to congregate and talk hunting.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,973
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,973 |
Sportsman's clubs are full of guys who are clueless, looking to piggyback off someone elses knowledge and experience, without having done the legwork themselves.
Get yourself prepared, experience success, and guys who know hunting seem to have a way of finding each other. Not many experienced hunters are willing to take on someone looking to be guided.
I met one guy that I hunt with at the gym. Eventually the conversation went to hunting. I've also met a few guys in church that I consider very reliable. It's amazing how the bored guys at social functions, wearing a camo jacket (up here in AK) seem to congregate and talk hunting. Yeah, nowadays it's rare that someone wants to make the time to mentor someone. Used to be a pretty common thing, but these days and with the self-entitlement syndrome so well entrenched in American society, no one wants to make time for anyone else. And yes, sportsmen's groups are very much like nebulous websites such as this one; whereas there's a lot of inexperience being shown by various personalities who are trying to gather information. Nevertheless, if a person would rather hunt with a partner or partners and doesn't have any who are readily available, internet and advertising media and local sportsmen's groups are good options to start from, as are local outdoor-oriented retail outlets.
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,580 Likes: 23
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,580 Likes: 23 |
I've done a "big" hunt with a guy I met on here. Great hunting partner and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I'd be very careful though about selecting a partner off this site though.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,039 Likes: 10
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,039 Likes: 10 |
Yeah, nowadays it's rare that someone wants to make the time to mentor someone. Used to be a pretty common thing, but these days and with the self-entitlement syndrome so well entrenched in American society, no one wants to make time for anyone else.
I dont think thats true at all...and I dont think thats what Calvin ment either.
Its a sorry SOB that wouldnt help out someone that is brand new to the sport. I've helped out a lot of people over the years, got them set up with equipment, showed them spots, showed them how to take care of their game, etc. etc. etc. A good many then go about developing their own hunting styles, finding their own areas, etc. etc. Thats great, I'll help people like that all day long.
What I grow tired of, is hunting "partners" that have about the same resources as I do...looking for a handout. It gets old when they dont want to research hunting areas, they dont want to scout, they dont want to drive their vehicles, they dont want to use their camping gear, etc. etc. etc.
But, be sure they're right there on opening day with a rifle and a tag...swirl in, blast the game you've scouted in the area you researched, and then swirl home. If you finally grow tired of that and tell them to pound sand, more than likely you'll find their sorry a$$es the next year hunting the spot you showed them...and again be all butt sore because you arent happy they're hunting your spot.
Hell with that, if I'm going to go through all that trouble and all they provide is splitting gas/food money...I'd rather just hunt alone.
I have no problem sharing spots with people I can trust, and I've been overwhelmed with some of the areas that people have shared with me. I never go back without them or at least without first calling and making sure they are OK with it.
I do believe that you're right about the self-entitlement, but I think its more about others thinkig they are entitled to your areas, your equipment, and your knowledge...and then not even showing the common courtesy to keep it to themselves or reciprocate down the road.
It gets old.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 29,974 Likes: 11
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 29,974 Likes: 11 |
As mentioned above, I have three partners that have worked out for over 30 yrs, and I got invited into their camp. We are a serious lot with similar economic status and available time. Each has some specific talent or resource that contribute to camp life (cooking, game handling, horse wrangling, or specialized equipment) to elevate the entire experience.
Things happen when and where stated. If departure time is 05:00, that is when everyone leaves. Not 5 before or 5 after. If one is late, he understands he will drive himself and catch up. When it's a 2 week hunt, we are in camp and/or helping others for 2 weeks even if one tags out the first day. On mega trips we share all expenses.
If one invites another on say a week long fishing trip, we typically share food costs. When I invite someone along, it means I'm going whether they go or not, and there's no reason for them to chip in on transportation etc. We weeded one out, because he was a book keeping freak. He'd offer up an unsolicited cigar or drink, and then want to be compensated at the end of the trip.
We've extended half a dozen invitations over the years (including a couple sons), but none have worked out. Some can't stand being out of touch, and have to call wives or keep up on 49er's games. Others want to be boated or packed out as soon as they tag out, usually costing another party member a day of hunting/fishing time and screwing up menu planning and shared costs. And the absolute worst, have showed up next season on their own with 3 or 4 of their friends. That can bring out hatred on my part.
Typically we can shake out an individual with a one or two day outing, but on the front end it's anyones guess. Folks are not really true to form until one gets them out there. Lastly, hunters only make up about 10% of the population. Probably only 1 or 2% of those would make suitable partners for an extended trip. A forum like this or a local club are likely the best spots to get around a number of like minded individuals. Ones odd are not too great in church, on the links, or at little league.
Last edited by 1minute; 03/16/12.
1Minute
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 808
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 808 |
I was going to say something, but BuzzH took the words right out of my mouth. Amen to what he said.
“I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love, and it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 254
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 254 |
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,152
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,152 |
To play the game, you first gotta have game. - Ike Turner
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,973
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,973 |
Yeah, nowadays it's rare that someone wants to make the time to mentor someone. Used to be a pretty common thing, but these days and with the self-entitlement syndrome so well entrenched in American society, no one wants to make time for anyone else.
I dont think thats true at all...and I dont think thats what Calvin ment either.
Its a sorry SOB that wouldnt help out someone that is brand new to the sport. I've helped out a lot of people over the years, got them set up with equipment, showed them spots, showed them how to take care of their game, etc. etc. etc. A good many then go about developing their own hunting styles, finding their own areas, etc. etc. Thats great, I'll help people like that all day long.
What I grow tired of, is hunting "partners" that have about the same resources as I do...looking for a handout. It gets old when they dont want to research hunting areas, they dont want to scout, they dont want to drive their vehicles, they dont want to use their camping gear, etc. etc. etc.
But, be sure they're right there on opening day with a rifle and a tag...swirl in, blast the game you've scouted in the area you researched, and then swirl home. If you finally grow tired of that and tell them to pound sand, more than likely you'll find their sorry a$$es the next year hunting the spot you showed them...and again be all butt sore because you arent happy they're hunting your spot.
Hell with that, if I'm going to go through all that trouble and all they provide is splitting gas/food money...I'd rather just hunt alone.
I have no problem sharing spots with people I can trust, and I've been overwhelmed with some of the areas that people have shared with me. I never go back without them or at least without first calling and making sure they are OK with it.
I do believe that you're right about the self-entitlement, but I think its more about others thinkig they are entitled to your areas, your equipment, and your knowledge...and then not even showing the common courtesy to keep it to themselves or reciprocate down the road.
It gets old.
Good for you, Buzz.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,295
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,295 |
Your wifes ex husband is never a good choice.
Jayco
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,063 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,063 Likes: 5 |
I hate to say this, but I pretty much hunt by myself, and pretty much always have. I have hunted with all kinds, lazy, inconsiderate, etc. One of my best friends growing up was a good guy to hunt with, but anymore he's to drunk to do anything on his days off, still a good friend though. My biggest gripe is guys that dont stay put on a deer drive and inviting others on a hunt without asking everyone else first.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177 |
Your wifes ex husband is never a good choice.
Jayco But y'all would know some of the same "turf" and could compare notes
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