Looking for a Hunting Group

[Tips n Tails]

I’m looking for a core group (2-4 people) of hunters to join in Idaho, Wyoming, or even Montana that hunt elk and mule deer. Been a solo hunter off and on over the years. Would prefer if the hunters are ranchers or farmers by trade and hunt the back country in the above states. Multiple states is fine; example hunters live in Hoback, Wyoming and hunt Wyoming and Montana or Wyoming and Colorado, etc…

 

[Tips n Tails]

For clarity sake, this would be for future years - long term.

 

[taskswap]

Just a bit of level-set here, while I never say anything is "impossible" you might want to temper your expectations. IMO, "ranchers or farmers by trade" are the least likely group of people to need/want a hunting partner, particularly a random Internet stranger they've never met via from a posting online. These are the very same folks who have (or can probably easily have) horses, which is one of the biggest game-changers for back-country hunting out West IMO both in terms of changing the hunting experience itself (much faster and easier scouting, packouts aren't even a thing anymore) and access (e.g. into Wilderness Areas where horses are the only allowed transportation in the first place).

In my experience, these folks also tend to be very family-oriented when it comes to hunting. At one of the trailheads I hunt there's a family that's been hunting there for literally generations, and they show up with probably 15 people, spouses, dogs, kids, etc. If some cousin or grandfather can't show up one year, it just all averages out. And 90% of them are ranchers.

I think you would do better posting more generally, with fewer requirements, and then taking the best you can get. It'll be a short list already. You should also post more about your own skill and experience, hunting style, capabilities (do you own horses? ATVs?) etc.

On top of all that you're asking for a group. The more people you get in a party, the less you need a newcomer. Just IMO, I think you would be more successful looking for a single partner and then repeating that, building a group yourself. Established groups are more protective of their secret data they've scouted, their methods, meat shares, etc.

All my 2c. Worth what you paid.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Do you have a shooting range near where you live? Is there a shooting club near you? Anybody at work hunters? These are places to start looking for hunting buddies.

 

[Tips n Tails]

I appreciate the feedback @taskswap. I purposely made the post centric to ranchers and farmers for ‘like mindedness’. I grew up on a cattle ranch - still in the family.

Active duty military by trade (17 years). Generally, I hunt solo in the above mentioned states however, the family atmosphere/the established group dynamics is what I am seeking. Military personnel deploy, PCS, etc…therefore, that group setting is a constant turnover.

 

[RancherJohn]

@taskswap hit most of the points I would raise.

What weapon/season do you like to hunt? Where do you live currently? Age and fitness level? Hobbies outside of hunting? Medical skills? Still have any honey holes? Not looking for a spot, but...

Most of my hunting group is what you describe (ranchers, ex-.mil/LEO). It's not an apply to join us kind of thing, but depending on your answers to the above questions maybe we'll talk on the phone later this week. I would say most hunts now are semi-solo, with odd forays truly solo and others with 17 horses and wall tents.

 

[Tips n Tails]

@taskswap hit most of the points I would raise.

What weapon/season do you like to hunt? Where do you live currently? Age and fitness level? Hobbies outside of hunting? Medical skills? Still have any honey holes? Not looking for a spot, but...

Most of my hunting group is what you describe (ranchers, ex-.mil/LEO). It's not an apply to join us kind of thing, but depending on your answers to the above questions maybe we'll talk on the phone later this week. I would say most hunts now are semi-solo, with odd forays truly solo and others with 17 horses and wall tents.

@RancherJohn I prefer rifle season however, I can hunt bow. I don’t own a muzzleloader but it’s on my list of items to buy. Rifle season generally is October in most states.

I currently live in Utah however, I’m looking at buying property in Idaho, Wyoming, or Montana. Residency purposes plus to have a future area to come to.

I’m 36 yrs old. Fitness level is pretty good. I’ve been packing out my own elk and mule deer over the years by myself. Not a greenhorn to the mountains. Im open to anything in terms of hunting. That’s cow elk, bulls, antelope, New Mexico Unit 52 elk, Colorado Gunnison NF, Montana Custer NF elk, etc…I’ve been all over. I’ve been hunting several states consecutively over the last several years therefore, yes, I have honey holes. I run cellular trail cameras in states that it’s legal 365 days a year.

This year I have 2 bull elk tags in Idaho, 1 cow elk in Montana, and 2 cow elk Type 6 in Wyoming. This doesn’t include the deer nor the elk and deer in the state of Utah. A few years back I’ve gained access to a private ranch outside of Laramie for elk. I still maintain comms with the rancher.

I hunt with my older brother (Rokslider also) CMSgt in the Air Force also LEO by trade as time permits (family, retirement, etc…) can hinder hunts.

I own a 32’ travel trailer that I use as base camp and a 20’ cargo trailer I bring occasionally with deep freezers/gennys.

Medical skills is what I’ve been taught in law enforcement. Bare basics. I’m an E7 USAF. Retiring in 2.5 years unless I make Senior. Game plan is to get a federal job and go back to how I was raised (cattle and horse ranch); simple life.

…”hobbies outside of hunting”…maybe the gym? I don’t know really. I’m pretty much a 365 year round hunter starting with Idahos NR Tag Sale in Dec, Wyoming Elk January, New Mexico, etc…I hop around systemically throughout various states accumulating points and hunting. Last year I went to SD for a cow bison hunt, Idaho bull elk and mule deer.

 

[RancherJohn]

Pm inbound.