Anyone lose your hunting partner a week before season

[Rsully661]

Have a LE tag leaving for next Thursday and just lost my help. Going alone now and not sure how this will play out calling by myself. What tactics would you employ, is it a serious disadvantage being a caller/shooter?


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[String&stick]

I wouldnt worry much about the calling aspect, I've been the caller/shooter and I've called for a friend while standing withing 5 ft.

Might have to pay a bit more attention to setup without being able to have someone 30-50yds behind you but you can still get it done!

I'd be more dreading the solo pack out if it's warm!

 

[TheGrayRider]

Sorry to hear your dilemma. Did your "help" bail on you for medical reasons or otherwise?

I am extremely careful who I ask to participate and join on long-distance hunts and outdoor activities.

Just hit the mountains, and get out West and hunt. You will do fine.

The GrayRider.

 

[Rsully661]

Sorry to hear your dilemma. Did your "help" bail on you for medical reasons or otherwise?

I am extremely careful who I ask to participate and join on long-distance hunts and outdoor activities.

Just hit the mountains, and get out West and hunt. You will do fine.

The GrayRider.

Was my brother, just having financial concerns and a life gets in the way. Will be going hard. Like mentioned above the meat care is my major concern.


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[beachbunny]

seems to me maybe a close by slider would help you,what the heck.
i was thinking about that this morning when my hunting partner died, looking for new one is harder than dating, good luck out there.

 

[zallen1]

When you are the caller/shooter make sure your setup has the doorway within shooting distance. When the elk hangs up (because he is expecting to see something) you'll want to be ready to shoot.

 

[rayporter]

my partner had a stroke 2 weeks before leaving for Alaska. I had a hard time finding a guy to go on a free hunt.

when Sam passed the following year I left his ashes over a cow carcass. and like beachbunny says good partners are nearly impossible to find. if you find one feel gifted.

 

[5MilesBack]

Calling by myself is the only way I hunt. Unless you have a great caller as a partner, I think it's an advantage to be the caller and shooter.

 

[Rsully661]

Calling by myself is the only way I hunt. Unless you have a great caller as a partner, I think it's an advantage to be the caller and shooter.

That’s very encouraging coming from someone with as much success as yourself, I’ve been very concerned since yesterday and leaving next Thursday.
Do you find certain calling sequences work more effectively or are you just more concerned with wind and set up to be the biggest factor in success?


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[5MilesBack]

Do you find certain calling sequences work more effectively or are you just more concerned with wind and set up to be the biggest factor in success?

With me, it's all about calling strategy and I'm always on the move. Wind is always a given.......gotta keep it right or the jig is up.

 

[LaGriz]

Rsully661,
I can relate to this. In 2009 my hunting partner was called up for Federal Jury Duty 8 days before the hunt. Unlike district court, he had no option to be dismissed or forgiven with out repercussions. As a self-employed contractor he feared they could withhold permits and effect his business in a negative way. To complicate matters, I had nearly amputated a finger tip at work in mid August. We had put a deposit on a cabin back in April and the owner would not refund money at this late date.

I chose to go solo and the ranch manager rented me a smaller cabin for a slightly lower price. I did give my buddy a partial return of his out of pocket expense. Had a good time and saw a bunch of elk and got to learn more about the unit as this was my 3rd trip to the ranch. They had a serious hail storm come thru and ruin a few tents. A group of guys from Arkansas took refuge at my original cabin as there wall tent got shredded during the hail event. Hunting solo is kind of different, but you can do exactly what you want with out compromise. If you have a Garmin In-reach Explorer or similar product you can have some piece of mind should you get in a serious bind. I would just embrace it for what it is and enjoy your self.
LaGriz

 

[307]

Have a LE tag leaving for next Thursday and just lost my help. Going alone now and not sure how this will play out calling by myself. What tactics would you employ, is it a serious disadvantage being a caller/shooter?


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Sort of, yes. My hunting partner is busy with work and life and won't be out at the same time as me. He lives very close to the hunt area so he can go in shorter stretches.

It's not really a problem though. I've killed elk by myself the last 2 years and butchered solo and carried 3/4 out both times, it's doable, if you have time and patience.

Last year he was sitting 50 yards away looking at another little meadow as I was calling. I made the "all clear" call to him and he came over to me asking about where we should go next. I notified him I should probably take care of the bull I just killed first. He didn't know anything was going on at all. He continued hunting while I took care of the bull and I had him all bagged up by the time he came back. I carried a hind and front out the first trip, he took a front. Second trip I grabbed the hind and he took the antlers.

If you have some spare time, Chris Roe's stuff is absolutely fantastic, and all based around a solo hunter rather than the caller/shooter strategy. I've done the elk 101, elknut stuff, and Roe is on another level. Very good information, very well delivered centered around elk behavior and calling.

 

[live2huntelk]

Solo archery Elk tactics.

 

[Whip]

I had a partner along to help with calling and packing when I drew a Utah limited draw tag. 4 days into the hunt he developed medical problems and I had to drive him to an airport so that he could fly home. It threw me for a loop at first. I had gone into it thinking I'd have someone to help and the sudden change to going solo had me thinking I should just cut things short too. But I put that out of my mind and decided to make the best of it. Long story short, I killed the bull of a lifetime. Packing out was a struggle, but I don't think much about that anymore.

One thing I would suggest is to carry plenty of rope and some type of a pulley set up so that you can move an animal while working on it. My bill died in an awkward spot and I had a heck of a time getting him broken down.

 

[Rsully661]

I had a partner along to help with calling and packing when I drew a Utah limited draw tag. 4 days into the hunt he developed medical problems and I had to drive him to an airport so that he could fly home. It threw me for a loop at first. I had gone into it thinking I'd have someone to help and the sudden change to going solo had me thinking I should just cut things short too. But I put that out of my mind and decided to make the best of it. Long story short, I killed the bull of a lifetime. Packing out was a struggle, but I don't think much about that anymore.

One thing I would suggest is to carry plenty of rope and some type of a pulley set up so that you can move an animal while working on it. My bill died in an awkward spot and I had a heck of a time getting him broken down.

The rope idea is great, I would never have thought how I’m gonna roll him or move him if he goes down in thick nasty stuff


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[GPool1842]

Embrace it!!!

Similar situation.. brother not able to go after drawing a Colorado tag with me. Oh well, that life! When I tell people I am going solo for 10 days with a longbow, they feel sorry for me and look at me like I’m stupid. I just can’t help but think that they just don’t even get it.........

 

[rayporter]

rope or lots of cutting may be necessary. or a saw or an axe.

I have had 2 land upside down between logs. one I help with and one was solo. getting off the back straps was a chore solo.

the guy bailed out on me the night before we were to leave.

 

[DEHusker]

Hunting solo is a very effective way to hunt. You don't have to worry about where your partner is, you don't have to negotiate hunting routes, times, etc; also, you don't have to answer to anyone about where you want to hunt, how far you want to go, etc. Any success you have (or mistakes you make) are all on you. The biggest factor in solo hunting is the mental part. Once you get past the...."oh geez, I'm out here all alone...." stuff, you'll develop into a better hunter. Your senses are heightened, your "hunting" instinct is sharpened, and you become the mountain assassin. That is how I think of it. It can be frustrating. It can get lonely. But it is a hell of a lot of fun to find, stalk, call, and kill your own animal. Pack out is a different story solo! LOL.

Do everything you can to make yourself feel safe if you have to. I carry a pistol and it is mostly for peace of mind. I carry an InReach for emergency contact. I carry light so I can move and camp easily. I don't plan to come off the mountain until I run out of food, time, or have killed something. It's that simple. Push yourself to places you never thought you could go. You'll feel like a badass. You'll be more successful with time. I actually look forward to my time alone in the mountains. I really hesitate to hunt with anybody anymore, at least for elk with a bow.

 

[Rsully661]

Damn when it rains it pours. My baby just broke her arm

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[beachbunny]

geez, sorry for that one,hate seeing a hurt kid.