Hunting with friends that are not hunting

[JH937]

I hunted elk for the first time last year with my brother and a friend. These guys were not hunting, but wanted to tag along for the experience. We did not connect with an elk, but did have some bugling and I believe we were close. One thing that drove me nuts at first was that my brother wore some pants that were just loud. Every time his legs moved or brushed against something I would hear it. We ended up moving him way back and slowing way down to minimize the sound and that worked out. I bought him a set of better pants for Christmas this year. Other than the pants, they were both really good about staying quiet and still when needed. They were also very willing to go the distance and we put in some long days. It was nice to have them around to enjoy the outdoors, and the add safety to the group. I plan to get them both calls to practice with, and may put a go pro on my brothers head to capture more of the trip.
Does anyone have advise for hunting with friends that are not actively hunting? What can I do to utilize them better in the hunt and make the hunt more enjoyable for them?

 

[eamyrick]

A good friend of mine who happens to be a great photographer has been on several of my hunts. He was prior military so is very comfortable in the field. It definetly adds to the safety aspect and I try and be conscious that he also enjoys the trip. A big bonus is that there is no question of who gets to shoot.

 

[timberland]

Do they need a license to assist (call for you)?

 

[jmez]

With three guys we would be going 3 different directions until someone found elk. You can cover 3x the country that way. When someone finds them then go hunt them.

 

[5MilesBack]

My buddy and I started rifle hunting together in 1980 when I was 15. When I switched over to archery he never did. But he always takes a week off of work in September to tag along on my elk hunts. We hike together and camp together but as soon as I get that bugle response.....he knows that he's on his own and I'm off and running after the bull. He generally still follows and adjusts his location based on my calling, but he's basically just waiting for my signal to tell him whether I've shot the bull, passed, or that opportunity is over. We have specific signals to communicate to each other.

Sometimes I'm over a mile away from him and he just heads back to camp where we meet up. But this year he's drawing his ML tag so I'm all in as his caller. And as his caller we will always be fairly close to each other.

 

[2five7]

Always nice to have extra hands around when you get an animal down. Give one of them a video camera and have them document the experience.

 

[JH937]

This will be Idaho. Maybe someone else has a better idea. From what I read in the FAQ on the IDGF website I don't think they need a license. May have to check with Game and Fish on this one.

 

[ElkNut1]

Buddies do not need a hunting license to call for you, they can pack a sidearm here if they wanted too.

I'd all 3 hunt together being an archery elk hunt. Cover ground, Bugle & Cow call (mostly locator bugles) until a bull is located. Move towards him to 100-150 yards & setup. One shooter 2 callers. Callers need to know what they're doing to coax bull in.

ElkNut/Paul

 

[WoolyBugger]

Sounds like you had a better experience with someone just tagging along than I did. The one that was with us forgot TP and also ran out of Iso butane halfway through the second day of 6. Great guy but he was just kind of in the way and not prepared. Some aspects of the trip were better with an extra person like splitting gas and when we would setup and tear down camp

 

[Dos Perros]

The last three years I've archery hunted elk with a buddy (the same one) who doesn't hunt. He's in my hip pocket most of the time, rolls with my backup binos, and it's damn near like he's hunting with me. He just doesn't carry a bow, call, and on stalks he'll stay back a little. He's very alert and thoughtful, in good shape, motivated...a really great hunting partner.

Our first year together we were packing into a spot, 6 crow miles, more like 8 walking, through some rough country. We spent all day getting in there, hunting along the way, only to discover the water source we were counting on was bone dry and we were all out. We packed out a different route, easier/safer walking but further, 12+ miles, and got back to the truck at 3:40 AM. We did over 20 miles that day with full packs. It sucked (but was kinda fun, too). When I called him later that year to talk about the next year I wasn't sure he'd even want to go along. But he told me that one long assed day was his favorite day of the year, and I agreed.

All that to say, I'd rather hunt with a great non-hunter partner than even just a good hunting partner.

 

[lvtuna]

I went solo on the last elk hunt. My dad got sick last minute.

I really enjoy having friends along. The assistance they give with glassing, cooking, camp conversation is great. I tag along on other people hunts to assist as well. Some friends like to hang out in base camp cooking and drinking beer. This is nice when you back pack in miles. Radio back and they are ready to be pack mules when you get a animal down. A tasty meal when you get back to camp.

 

[longspeak74]

I will be taking my cousin with me to Colorado this September. He's a non-hunter but ex military and a big outdoorsman. He tagged along on a bear hunt once before and helps me hang stands and set cameras for Whitetail. Just having an extra set of hands and someone to split costs as well as camp duties really helps out.

 

[Newtosavage]

With three guys we would be going 3 different directions until someone found elk. You can cover 3x the country that way. When someone finds them then go hunt them.

This.

It was nice to have them around to enjoy the outdoors, and the add safety to the group.

Safety from what exactly?

 

[ChrisAU]

I hedged my bets and wound up with 3 good friends that went with me just to go this past October. I found it was a good strategy to get one good and drunk each night so they'd stay at camp the next day and filter water, cut firewood, and cook and have a fire going when we got back in the evening lol. I'll add that if we split up we had no way to communicate, so we never split into less than pairs. If we had split up and someone were to twist and ankle or blow a knee out chances are we would have never found them, or it would have been a long time.

 

[geebee]

Good thread. I took my brother last year who has done some outdoor stuff but not to this degree. I was surprised when he was up every day ready to go. It was ever better to get on a bull and see his face when he saw one for the first time even though we didn't connect. Sometimes I felt like I was "pulling" him all over the place but I was pleasantly surprised when we were packing out that he was already planning on what he wanted change up for next year! I will also admit there were times where he pushed me when things were at their slowest. Win-win. Especially if we would have connected. Never hurts to have someone there to help pack out (so I've been told)! lol

 

[zallen1]

Over the last 5 years I've had multiple people in my group that weren't hunting (wife, son, hunting partners wife and best friend). They all come for the experience and generally its been positive for all involved. An important part is making sure they understand what they are getting into and painting a realistic picture of the highs and lows. I also make sure to provide a list of all the required and recommended gear. My best friend focused on videoing the experience. My wife has called in two out of the 3 elk we have killed. My son has turned out to be a work horse and developed a genuine love for hunting. We are planning his first hunt elk hunt this year and I will be the tag along caller ;-). Having others to enjoy conversation and lift your spirit when things are challenging makes it easier to endure fatigue and unmet expectations.

 

[jfs82]

I'm setting up a small backpack in to set a base camp hunt for deer/bear opener in CA this year, so far I'll be the only one with a gun. Brother, cousin, two best friends. We're all splitting up to scout the day before opener then I'll head out myself day of while the others fish and relax and forage. I'm looking forward to being alone all day, but then not having to at night, and at least having fresh trout for dinner. Help will be nice if Im able to punch a tag too.

 

[cnelk]

I realize this is this the elk forum, but the topic of non-hunter friends extends beyond.

In 2009, I drew a OIL Colorado Bull Moose tag.
I invited some family and friends to participate in this event -
I reserved a Forest Service cabin in the area I drew and invited some family and friends to come from out of state.
We had a grand time, but opening morning of the hunt, I filled my tag, so we fished and hung out for a few days

Definitely invite non-hunting participants when you can, the reward outweighs risk

Me on the left