How Would You Respond?

[jreyna]

I recently returned from a successful elk hunt with a friend and an acquaintance. All three of us were fortunate to tag out. The acquaintance was a first time big game hunter and was along for the experience and to learn, self-admittedly.

Long story short, the three of us were spread around separate ridges when the elk started to move. The elk moved away from my friend and myself and toward the acquaintance on the opposing ridge. I walky talkied the acquaintance that the elk were moving his way and that I'd pursue at a safe angle not to interrupt his shooting lanes. I pursued the elk and the acquaintance rang out a safe/ethical shot, but thought he missed. The elk were then startled by his shot and they reversed back toward me, giving me a shot, which I took successfully. My elk went down but then after 15 seconds, it stood up with it's front legs only. I put another shot in it, good hit, but it still kept dragging its hind legs. I then hear a shot in the distance, it was the acquaintance, shooting at my elk to put it down (which I did not ask him to do). I was about to put a third shot in it before I heard his shot ring out.

Again, the acquaintance is on his first big game hunt and does a lot of reading and watches a lot of meat eater. He didn't act like what he did was wrong, but more of the ethical thing for him to do. I think he was caught up in the excitement of the moment and didn't think that it was my responsibility to finish off my animal, which I intended to do. All my shots were quality shots, and his shot was from a distance beyond what he said he felt comfortable with beforehand, but felt compelled to put the animal out of its misery (which I was in the process of doing). What he didn't realize was that his shot was hit near the back end, which may have ended up ruining some of my meat (puncturing internals).

I know y'all are picking up on the vibe of how I feel about it, but I'd like to get y'alls opinion.

PS, earlier I mentioned the acquaintance ringing out the first shot and thinking he missed...he thought so because he saw no blood. I encouraged him to go and take a better look...he and my friend found a big elk 40 yards from where it was shot...and it was huge. If I did not encourage the acquaintance to look for his elk, a perfectly beautiful animal would have been wasted.

 

[Bambistew]

He helped clean up your mess and you're upset? I'd have been thrilled for the help.

Quality shots and up on its front end dragging down the hill are not the same in my mind.

 

[OdinIII]

Personally, I’d just take note of what happened when I was hunting with a noob and let it slide. Most new hunters don’t really know that death is quick but often not instant and more shooting usually doesn’t speed up anything.

 

[Bearwhisky]

I dont think I would be mad about it. But, if thats not how you roll, tell him not to do that next time. I definitely wouldnt hold a grudge.


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[TxxAgg]

Seems like what a newbie would do. Just discuss it and move on. If he was a jerk about it then maybe I'd be more upset.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Sounds like there were at least 2 “new” hunters on the mountain and I’m not sure the “acquaintance” was one of them.

 

[Htm84]

You should buy him a beer for cleaning up your mess with your sloppy shooting.

 

[3325]

Since I don’t hunt with friends or acquaintances it’s hard to get my head wrapped around the event. I grew up doing some communal hunting and I’ll stay home before doing it again.

One of the reasons I go these days is to avoid “friends.” I hunt alone or with my wife. If my wife cleans up a bad shot for me it’s all fair.

 

[House21]

Whenever I take a “new” hunter out I never send him off on his own. Tracking animals can be hard enough for a veteran hunter let alone a new one. Plus with adrenaline pumping people do stupid things, be thankful he didn’t go shooting like a mad man at every elk that ran after he thought he missed. As for him shooting your elk, when I hunt with my one friend that I do hunt with if I make a less than perfect shot then I would hope he’s ready to shoot. Just my opinions though

 

[peterk123]

Who was the new hunter? Was the quality shot in the ass? I'm lost regarding the original post, as well as the question.

Can someone hook me up with the dude eating popcorn meme?

 

[Arkangel86]

 

[keystone112]

Unless the shot was unsafe, as in close to me or someone else, I wouldn’t hold a grudge.

 

[ClearCreek]

Since I don’t hunt with friends or acquaintances it’s hard to get my head wrapped around the event. I grew up doing some communal hunting and I’ll stay home before doing it again.

One of the reasons I go these days is to avoid “friends.” I hunt alone or with my wife. If my wife cleans up a bad shot for me it’s all fair.

I have had the same experiences in the past, so now it is just me and my wife.

ClearCreek

 

[mike.adams.467]

Sounds like you hit it in the spine the first shot, which I suspect ruined a fair amount of meat. If the second shot was good, I would think it would have died on the spot. Let it go.

 

[Nosferatu]

You all went home with meat?

Sounds better than my last few years. What's the guys number, I want him to take me hunting!

 

[InkedElkSlayer]

You shoot elk until they’re down. 3 quarters are better than no quarters.

Most states have a law such as:
“The use of two-way electronic communication is prohibited:
(a) while in the act of hunting game animals or wolves to aid in the taking or locating of live animals”

 

[go_deep]

Guess I'd simply say, thank you.

 

[bohntr]

I stopped reading after your use of radios.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Hey man, the newbie took a shot to finish off your nearby elk from long distance. You're lucky he didn't shoot you. Unsafe!!! That shitshow is why I keep a tight leash on neophyte hunters in my group. Also lay down the safety and camp etiquette rules before that first bullet goes in the chamber/magazine. I would give the rookie aquaintance some slack on this circus and use it as a teaching moment. If he takes it the wrong way, drop him from the camp hunting roster next year. Remember the old saying, "Choose your hunting partners carefully".

 

[BRTreedogs]

Unless it was un safe, i think your throwing a tissy for no reason. How do you know who's shot was who any ways.

If your elk had bolted before you got you 3rd shot off you'd be pissed he didn't shoot.