Finding hunting partners - app input

[1jeds]

First off - feel free to move this post to the appropriate location if it doesn't belong in General. I didn't see a good spot for it other than maybe Mapping Software.

I've had a strong itch to work on a side project to create a site/app that let's someone find other hunting partners based on similar criteria like style of hunting, states, weapon, etc. with the option to indicate if they would be willing to enter their application as a group together.

Not looking to create yet another subscription or nonsense, but since I've moved out West a few years ago I've ended up hunting solo because between working and normal life activities it's hard to find someone like minded to hunt with (outside of the forum). I couldn't book with Renfro's/Papa Bear for a moose hunt because I was solo for example. Tried here but it's difficult to get someone you don't know to commit years in advance.

I also don't want to waste time on a potential solution if there isn't actually a problem. It could just be me, but I believe I've heard similar from other people.

My ask is: do you honestly think there would be value in something like this? The biggest barrier I envision is most of us are pretty closed off to our hunting spots and don't mind being alone. I'm not exactly the most social person but would like to have the option to partner up with some other guys looking to get after it.

If so, what sort of features would you want to see to make it useful?

 

[KurtR]

I thought everyone used grindr for this?

 

[wildernessrimfab]

I thought everyone used grindr for this?

Its called HUNTR, different app entirely- my buddies and I have joked about this concept at length.
We agree that it would be easier to find a new spouse than a solid lifelong backcountry hunting partner.

 

[TheViking]

Man, finding a hunting partner online is risky business.
It's hard enough to find someone solid knowing them in person, let alone what they "claim" to be on a hutning app.

It's kind of like when I used to use dating apps - a girl posts a pic of herself from 5 years prior and 20#s less. I have a feeling this would be similar.

 

[1jeds]

Man, finding a hunting partner online is risky business.
It's hard enough to find someone solid knowing them in person, let alone what they "claim" to be on a hutning app.

It's kind of like when I used to use dating apps - a girl posts a pic of herself from 5 years prior and 20#s less. I have a feeling this would be similar.

Yeah that's my concern. Everyone is willing to hike 10+ miles and pack out an animal until it's days into the hunt.

 

[MuleyFever]

Tried here but it's difficult to get someone you don't know to commit years in advance.

This stood out to me. What makes an app better when it comes to the above?

I know exactly where you are coming from, especially the Renfros comment. I moved a while ago now but could never find anyone to hunt with. At least here you have a lot of post history to review from someone to help make a decision on if you want to hunt with them.

 

[wildernessrimfab]

Everyone is willing to hike 10+ miles and pack out an animal until it's days into the hunt.

Will they laugh at your jokes? Will they get offended when you fart in the tipi?

 

[ELKhunter60]

I think it's a great idea. I've tried to find hunting partners on Rokslide before and didn't have any luck either. I think it's hard to find the right chemistry - so having an ap with a lot of options wouldn't help a person find the right "fit". I care about things like how physically fit they are, how much they talk (I'm not a huge talker), I'm not a huge fan of constant swearing, I don't want to babysit, I don't want a complainer, I want someone that's going to pay their share of the cost. I don't want someone that isn't going to help if something needs to be packed out and I expect to help pack if someone gets one down as well. I don't want someone that will want to pack up and leave if they get one first and don't expect to leave if I harvest first either. I mainly backcountry hunt - so I'd want to find someone that likes that as well. Maybe a page that can show your western points so people can look and see if you both are close to the same and might want to pair up on a hunt? Just things I'd want to see on the app.

 

[wildernessrimfab]

 

[1jeds]

This stood out to me. What makes an app better when it comes to the above?

I know exactly where you are coming from, especially the Renfros comment. I moved a while ago now but could never find anyone to hunt with. At least here you have a lot of post history to review from someone to help make a decision on if you want to hunt with them.

Same thing crossed my mind, and it may not be useful in that scenario. Only thing I can think of is that it wouldn't be a thread that got potentially buried under others over time, with the only audience of Rokslide or posting on multiple forums.

I view it as, let's say I know I want to hunt Alaska in ~5 years, maybe Montana next year, etc. I can indicate that and try to sync up with people over time. Someone else logging in can either filter on their preferred hunts and see if someone else matches up. This is very rough, but the question is a good one.

Will they laugh at your jokes? Will they get offended when you fart in the tipi?

This is the real vetting criteria that needs to happen

 

[RockAndSage]

There's a market gap for sure, and worth considering. The trick would be how to actually reach a big chunk of addressable market, without it seeming like a sketchy ghost town. Building something viable, then partnering with OnX or GoHunt, might be a way to bridge that, especially if you can get them to embed it right in their app.

 

[Jake Larsen]

There is definitely a market gap. Execution on the idea would be very difficult. There would have to be some serious vetting procedures in place for it to work as intended.


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[IdahoBeav]

What do you do when you're back at base camp after a long pack out and you look over at your new partner, and he's lying on the cot and is on his phone right swiping for late season hunts?

 

[intunegp]

I think the biggest problem has already been mentioned.

In any online environment where my satisfaction is dependent on the honesty of the user on the other side, there is huge potential for let down. Whether it was dating apps before I met my wife (not on one of those apps) or online marketplaces, people aren't honest about what they're bringing to the table.

People on Tinder use pictures of the best version of themselves, not the current version. They all describe themselves as the catch of a lifetime. Somebody selling something has the best example for the best deal you've ever seen.

I can see it now...you head out to hunt with a self-described stud of a backcountry hunter who has years of experience, all the gear you could ever imagine, and a burning desire to put meat in the freezer or horns on the wall or both. You show up only to find their gear is lacking and they need to borrow everything, they drink half the night and sleep half the morning, and when they do get up they never make it too far from the camp made up of mostly your gear and supplies.

I'm not saying it couldn't work, I'm just saying I think more often than not one party would be vastly more satisfied with the situation than the other at the end of the hunt.

edit: I think the best example of it working could be the situation you brought up OP...if you need a partner in booking a guided hunt that won't take solo guys. If the expectation and need from the potential partner is that they pay their share and show up, there's less room for them not to fill their role.

 

[wildernessrimfab]

What do you do when you're back at base camp after a long pack out and you look over at your new partner, and he's lying on the cot and is on his phone right swiping for late season hunts?

What if both paired up hunters swipe right on the same 3rd hunter????

 

[MallardSX2]

I see a potential business model here.

"Rent a buddy" for DIY hunts.

Think of how many guys don't want to hire a guide but would just like someone to be with them in case things go sideways. A guy could make several hundred a day to just follow a DIY guy around and keep his mouth shut and help when asked. A guide license required for this? Your not guiding, your just being paid to be there.

A lot of guys don't go by themselves because they cant afford a guide and their wives wont let them hunt along. "Rent a buddy" would be way cheaper than a guide service.

$300-$500 a day to just hang out and keep a guys wife from bitching.

"Rent a buddy" coming to an app near you. lol

 

[1jeds]

There's a market gap for sure, and worth considering. The trick would be how to actually reach a big chunk of addressable market, without it seeming like a sketchy ghost town. Building something viable, then partnering with OnX or GoHunt, might be a way to bridge that, especially if you can get them to embed it right in their app.

100% that crossed my mind. It would need a decent sized user base to be useful to people, and could be a value add for existing products you mentioed

I think the biggest problem has already been mentioned.

In any online environment where my satisfaction is dependent on the honesty of the user on the other side, there is huge potential for let down. Whether it was dating apps before I met my wife (not on one of those apps) or online marketplaces, people aren't honest about what they're bringing to the table.

People on Tinder use pictures of the best version of themselves, not the current version. They all describe themselves as the catch of a lifetime. Somebody selling something has the best example for the best deal you've ever seen.

I can see it now...you head out to hunt with a self-described stud of a backcountry hunter who has years of experience, all the gear you could ever imagine, and a burning desire to put meat in the freezer or horns on the wall or both. You show up only to find their gear is lacking and they need to borrow everything, they drink half the night and sleep half the morning, and when they do get up they never make it too far from the camp made up of mostly your gear and supplies.

I'm not saying it couldn't work, I'm just saying I think more often than not one party would be vastly more satisfied with the situation than the other at the end of the hunt.

edit: I think the best example of it working could be the situation you brought up OP...if you need a partner in booking a guided hunt that won't take solo guys. If the expectation and need from the potential partner is that they pay their share and show up, there's less room for them not to fill their role.

I think the big thing is not to try and be a personality matcher because that would be impossible, but at least get people connected so they can reach out to each other. I assume it will be individual responsibility for people to snuff out any BS

Edit: Maybe some sort of credibility rating for users? Would need to think through how that would work

 

[MuleyFever]

I see a potential business model here.

"Rent a buddy" for DIY hunts.

Think of how many guys don't want to hire a guide but would just like someone to be with them in case things go sideways. A guy could make several hundred a day to just follow a DIY guy around and keep his mouth shut and help when asked. A guide license required for this? Your not guiding, your just being paid to be there.

A lot of guys don't go by themselves because they cant afford a guide and their wives wont let them hunt along. "Rent a buddy" would be way cheaper than a guide service.

$300-$500 a day to just hang out and keep a guys wife from bitching.

"Rent a buddy" coming to an app near you. lol

A real life Ricky Stanicky.

 

[MallardSX2]

A real life Ricky Stanicky.

Exactly. lol

 

[Jimmy]

I see a potential business model here.

"Rent a buddy" for DIY hunts.

Think of how many guys don't want to hire a guide but would just like someone to be with them in case things go sideways. A guy could make several hundred a day to just follow a DIY guy around and keep his mouth shut and help when asked. A guide license required for this? Your not guiding, your just being paid to be there.

A lot of guys don't go by themselves because they cant afford a guide and their wives wont let them hunt along. "Rent a buddy" would be way cheaper than a guide service.

$300-$500 a day to just hang out and keep a guys wife from bitching.

"Rent a buddy" coming to an app near you. lol

^ This. Combined with 'Pack out my stuff' connections. Make a reservation with someone either on foot or with livestock. Elk down, send the message and packer is on his way.

Want to know where all the animals are being killed? Put in 2 years of Rent a Buddy and Packout Guy.

You'll never have to go online and ask "no honey holes, but where are the elk" ever again.