Finding a reliable hunting partner

[Brent49]

Finding " The One" is tough and it gets compounded when you have high expectations and your new to the area. I have found the search to be a lot like what people told me the ladies were like when I moved to Alaska. The ladies of Alaska are a lot like parking spaces, all the good ones are taken and the rest are way the hell out there or handicap! (No offense ladies) I figure take it slow get myself geared up and gain some experience as it comes. I have already met some really helpful people from this forum and around town.

 

[8Crow]

You think Missouri and Colorado are tough? Try finding a local in Los Angeles!!

I can't even imagine. On the other hand, Steven Rinella lives in NYC (it's amazing the things we'll do for a woman) and I just read a thread over in the elk forum from a guy born and raised in Boston who just did his own solo hunt...Montana if I recall...and scored on the last day. There are some hardcore folks out there in the most unlikely places, but how do you find them?

 

[ssliger]

If you can't find one, you have to make one.

 

[8Crow]

Not sure but I think there are a LOT of guys on this site that go solo. I did three days with a buddy last year and then 5 on my own for my very first elk hunt. I'd do it solo again in a heartbeat.

That's impressive, especially for a first hunt. You mention Cam Hanes...he and Mike Mitten (trad bowhunter, wrote a good book called "One With the Wilderness") are the only two that came to mind for me when I thought about extended solo backcountry hunts. I know there are others, I'm sure a lot of the guys that started RS do solo hunts quite a bit.

 

[8Crow]

If you can't find one, you have to make one.

Nice! I'm working on that but my little man is at least 7-8 years shy of his first elk hunt.

 

[dangerousD]

If you can't find one, you have to make one.

That's funny but perfectly fitting! I have four kids. 3 boys. The oldest will hopefully be joining me within the next few years. He's 14 now.

On the other side if that, see above post "women are like parking spaces". It's a catch-22. You can't make babies if all the good spots are taken.

 

[Manosteel]

Finding a hunting partner for the backcountry is crazy hard. I have had 2 great ones, my son who plays elite hockey every fall/winter and then next year is off to university and my buddy who moved to Montana 3 years ago. I can get my son out on scouting trips but that's it... I had it good with my buddy, liked minded and committed, while hunting we could read each other like twin brothers and harvested a lot of trophy animals together. Since then I am 0 for 3 on finding a new hunting partner but things are looking good for next season met a guy on this site who is liked minded and committed.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

They really need a hunting partner dating section on here.

 

[BroodBuster]

After reading the various descriptions of the perfect back country hunting partner I'm pretty sure I'll continue to be hunting solo on my back country forays. I simply don't really meet any of the prerequisites . And honestly I'm cool with that.

 

[Robpr]

If you can't find one, you have to make one.

I'm raising this one for the future

 

[SoCalHunter]

I have come to realize that locals in LA are damn near impossible. Of course, there are exceptions but they usually are connected with someone they know and trust and not likely to allow a new person in.

My wife understands that I only understand hardcore. I am all in or nothing in everything thing I do in life which makes for a pretty good start to hunting elk with a bow and arrow. I also am a gear person and absolutely love the pain of training. I would be really bummed out to find my partner was out of shape.Being fit is, without a doubt, the #1 thing that will help an archery hunter connect. A hunter that can shoot a 2" group at 50m wont mean anything if he or she cant move at 10,000+ without breathing hard.

In the end, I will hunt my ASS off and do my best but if I am eating tag soup it wont bother me one bit. I don't go just to kill an animal and I really doubt most DIY archery hunters do. I just like the backcountry.

Lastly, the place you find people like this is likely DIY sites like Rokslide and others. I have my CO hunt planned for 2015. A late Sept Drop Camp back country Flat Tops Wilderness affair. This will be my first Elk hunt. Began a new training program and working on figuring out how to get to scout in my hunt area in July '15 on a summer pack trip.

I can't even imagine. On the other hand, Steven Rinella lives in NYC (it's amazing the things we'll do for a woman) and I just read a thread over in the elk forum from a guy born and raised in Boston who just did his own solo hunt...Montana if I recall...and scored on the last day. There are some hardcore folks out there in the most unlikely places, but how do you find them?

 

[RCR]

I have a coworker I've hunted with on and off the last couple years, and last year was the probably the last time we hunt an extended trip together. I am not an expert hunter, but I have a lot more experience than he does. We were "unequally yoked" if you will. I really enjoy hunting alone a lot more as I get older (50 this yr) and my success is higher that way. I will probably hunt solo most of this year just because I don't think I'll find a new partner that doesn't need to be trained.

I did have a maturing experience last year with my 10 yr old son during archery elk. My epiphany came when I realized frustration happens when expectations don't meet reality. If you are frustrated with a hunting partner then you likely have different expectations. Answer as many questions as possible and get to know one another as much as possible before committing to an expensive or important hunt.

 

[ofl0926]

I usually hunt with my pops but with both of us in the military, our schedules tend to conflict. Also finding a hunting partner is south Florida is extremely hard. Not many people hunt down here. Also the hunting is south Florida sucks besides hog hunting.

 

[Archerm]

This has always been a tough one for me. The hunting partner that Archery hunted with me out west on and off for 16 years passed away about 7 years ago. I had done solo trips without him and enjoyed them but it is fun when you have another hunter to share the experience. Since then I had put feelers out seeing if anyone wanted to give it a try. The problem is you really have to be devoted to be able to get away for two weeks + which are my normal hunts. Well finally after 6 years of Solo hunts I had someone commit and not back out at the last minute like others had. Even though it was a tough hunt for him he stuck it out. And you really know how a partner will work out when you pack out two Elk on your backs within the first five days of the hunt. He did well and will be hunting with me again next near as he already had a Pronghorn hunt with his son lined up for this year. This year I have another newbie Elk going with me so we will see how that goes. at 53 I am a lot more patient then I used to be!!

 

[realunlucky]

This has always been a tough one for me. The hunting partner that Archery hunted with me out west on and off for 16 years passed away about 7 years ago. I had done solo trips without him and enjoyed them but it is fun when you have another hunter to share the experience. Since then I had put feelers out seeing if anyone wanted to give it a try. The problem is you really have to be devoted to be able to get away for two weeks + which are my normal hunts. Well finally after 6 years of Solo hunts I had someone commit and not back out at the last minute like others had. Even though it was a tough hunt for him he stuck it out. And you really know how a partner will work out when you pack out two Elk on your backs within the first five days of the hunt. He did well and will be hunting with me again next near as he already had a Pronghorn hunt with his son lined up for this year. This year I have another newbie Elk going with me so we will see how that goes. at 53 I am a lot more patient then I used to be!!

Two elk in 5 days I want to hunt with you.

 

[rayporter]

good partners are about as common as gold bars laying in the middle of the sidewalk. if you can stand each other make concessions cause there are few to choose from.

my partner and i had traveled since 65. if i said lets go hunting, he showed up with a rifle and a shotgun-just to make sure he had all the bases covered.

so sad.

 

[Archerm]

Ha !! Yes I have had some really good hunts over the years. Here is a Link on last years public land hunt enjoy. Mark

http://www.rokslide.com/forums/showthread.php?28544-***Recap-2014-Montana-DIY-Archery-Hunt***

Two elk in 5 days I want to hunt with you.

 

[neverquit]

I have 3 guys that I'll hunt with. Years ago I recognize their potential and molded them from the ball of goo they once were.

 

[LaGriz]

This has been a dilemma.
My potential partners often have issues with a limited desire to hunt elk in the 1st place or:
1.) Have trouble with the time away from work and family.
2.) Can't justify the costs
3.) Have a wife that with has issues with 1 & 2
4.) Have a wife that wno't trust them to be that far away for that long
5.) Have a wife that this there is something wrong with a man that wants to hunt elk/mule deer badly enough to
spend the money and time away. (I have been called selfish by a couple for this reason)
6.) Really don't want to follow thru and blame the wife to save face.
7.) Own a deer lease - the time/expense is considered a conflict.

On the other hand:
My limitations and lackings are many.
As BroodBuster put it:
"After reading the various descriptions of the perfect back country hunting partner I'm pretty sure I'll continue to be hunting solo on my back country forays. I simply don't really meet any of the prerequisites."
1.) My calling skills are limited
2.) I'm tougher than I look....but get winded pretty easily. I can and have packed meat...usually someone else's
3.) I don't take poor/dumb shots and consider myself an ethical hunter - I have yet to let an arrow go hunting elk (only rifle and Muzzy kills)
4.) I'm safe with weapons - respect others property - Law abiding - Do expect the same - not much flexibilty on this issue
5.) Honest person - "I pay my way and keep my word" - Don't like being slighted - jipped - mooched - rarely a problem - thank god
6.) Generally chearful - sence of humor - though opinonated - Don't like being corrected when i think I'm right- however, I'm not always right
7.) A fair woodsmen - Can cook -build a camp- blood trail - dress, skin, and butcher -
8.) Can take direction pretty well and appreciate knowledge and skill - don't care for rude, condesceding behavor in the process
9.) Horsemanship -pretty lacking-restricted to 2 guided and 1 semi guided hunts - in 1994, 1996, and 1997-wish to own a mule one day
10.) I'm fairly clean about my self- far from a neat freak- do expect to clean around others - especially with comon food preperations
May need to plan for a solo hunt now and again - to appreciate my partners and the safety and companionship they provide.
LaGriz

 

[Tony Trietch]

I see some folks talking about giving up on finding a partner and just going solo. That thought process is really what got me started on this thread...maybe we could start a poll: Who has hunted the backcountry for more than 3 days on their own? For more than 5 days?

Elk hunting is my thing and it seems like such a large undertaking that most of the success stories you read are written by folks that were sharing a campfire with good folks that were encouraging them every day. The crowd that wants to go it alone for a week seems pretty small.

That is funny. You have not met many real solo hunters.
I scout and hunt solo for weeks on end only coming out to refuel and reload. I do that for upwards of 6 weeks in multiple states. Tags are punched at a high percentage. For some of us, the time for hanging with our buddies is best spent off the mountain.

And to the guy the said something about Cam Hanes hunting solo, do you think that camera floats in the air taping his hunt. Not sure he hunts alone much anymore. I bet he would like to, price of success I suppose.