I think, as a standalone feature of finding a hunting buddy, you won't get enough engagement to keep it going. I see that issue in a hunt exchange website, there just isn't alot of matches because there aren't enough people in total.
I think most people's hesitation will be a lack of trust in the information provided. Having an app that is more social media-like, that has an option to be "rated" or "verified" by other users, would help. Similar to classified ratings or fb marketplace ratings. If it were more like a social media app, you could have people vouch for others that they've hunted with. I've met rok guys in the field that I would say, hey, this is a huntin mfer.
I think you would have more luck if it were more of a "sportsman" connection app. If you include fishing, bird hunting, etc, you would have a bigger user group.
I offshore fish with guys that occasionally need more guys on the boat to split gas. Years ago, one of them posted on a forum and ended up linking with guys that we still fish with today, so it is possible.
I think requesting packout help is a reasonable feature, obviously hunters on general tags hunting the same area are less likely to use it, but I've been on hunts where I would have helped out.
The sharetheland website isn't very transparent. Access seekers submit a resume and they supposedly connect you to landowners, but who knows what is going on behind the scenes and how much effort is really made to connect people.
I would make one app that could also do all this:
Swap hunts or experiences(like fishing for a hunt, etc)(like huntexchange)
Connect with landowners to swap work for access (like sharingtheland)
Connect boat owners with individuals to crew fishing trips
must be able to rate or review users
Connect tracking dog owners to hunters (location-based)
have the ability to request packout help or broke-down help(location based)
