I agree with almost all that's been said but for me it comes down to compatibility on the important stuff and flexibility on everything else. You need compatibility on love for the hunt, hunting style, can-do attitude, willingness to put in the effort it takes and pitch in on all of the parts of the hunt that are more work than play, similar ethic, and so on.
And then flexibility comes into play, and that covers the "leadership" and decision-making aspects too. My favorite hunting partner and I both like to hunt out of a backpack so we have hunting styles that are somewhat similar, but different in many respects too. He hunts with a bow, and I ususally use a muzzleloader. He likes to set up and call (elk) and I prefer to either spot or hear the elk and make a silent stalk. We don't generally like the same foods, and he's just about half my age and could run me into the ground if he wanted to. But we're both flexible enough to get past those minor differences because we're compatible on the important stuff.
As far as either one of us taking the leadership role, that generally doesn't happen, and I don't believe that's critical with two people. On anything important we can always just briefly talk it over and reach a decision, because we trust each other's judgment and can set aside our egos and go with the best decision. And if we disagree, it's on the minor stuff and that's where flexibility comes in. We just agree to disagree and it doesn't matter. We may decide to hunt together (elk hunting) and call for each other, or we may split up and hunt separately for a day or two. It doesn't matter, and no one gets their feelings hurt. We may share a dinner if it's food we both like, or cook our own dinners separately.
We are fortunate enough to hunt a few areas that always contain elk, so we can pack in and set up a base camp. If one of us wants to take it easy and hunt within a mile or two of camp one day (usually me) and the other wants to go a few miles farther in, up above timberline and stay with a bull(s) for a few days, it's not a problem because we're comfortable hunting alone. If one of us is hunting alone and gets his elk, he'll dress it and start packing meat; if he can hook up with the other we'll both pack it out, if not, it's not a problem.
And then flexibility comes into play, and that covers the "leadership" and decision-making aspects too. My favorite hunting partner and I both like to hunt out of a backpack so we have hunting styles that are somewhat similar, but different in many respects too. He hunts with a bow, and I ususally use a muzzleloader. He likes to set up and call (elk) and I prefer to either spot or hear the elk and make a silent stalk. We don't generally like the same foods, and he's just about half my age and could run me into the ground if he wanted to. But we're both flexible enough to get past those minor differences because we're compatible on the important stuff.
As far as either one of us taking the leadership role, that generally doesn't happen, and I don't believe that's critical with two people. On anything important we can always just briefly talk it over and reach a decision, because we trust each other's judgment and can set aside our egos and go with the best decision. And if we disagree, it's on the minor stuff and that's where flexibility comes in. We just agree to disagree and it doesn't matter. We may decide to hunt together (elk hunting) and call for each other, or we may split up and hunt separately for a day or two. It doesn't matter, and no one gets their feelings hurt. We may share a dinner if it's food we both like, or cook our own dinners separately.
We are fortunate enough to hunt a few areas that always contain elk, so we can pack in and set up a base camp. If one of us wants to take it easy and hunt within a mile or two of camp one day (usually me) and the other wants to go a few miles farther in, up above timberline and stay with a bull(s) for a few days, it's not a problem because we're comfortable hunting alone. If one of us is hunting alone and gets his elk, he'll dress it and start packing meat; if he can hook up with the other we'll both pack it out, if not, it's not a problem.
Last edited:
