Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game how do you find a good hunting partner

Trial and error.

Its simple. Some capable, some not.

Ones I hunt most with, we grew up together. Plus a few long time neighbors.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I was going to say something, but BuzzH took the words right out of my mouth. Amen to what he said.

Have a grandson

post on Craigslist

Good for you, Buzz.

Your wifes ex husband is never a good choice.

Jayco

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.

But y'all would know some of the same "turf" and could compare notes