Solo hunting

[akcabin]

I enjoy solo hunting. 65 years old and a busted up body. We were fortunate enough to be able to stake 20 acres of remote land and built a nice log cabin. I set it up for hunting. Insulated the generator shed and installed an air conditioner to convert it into a walk in cooler. Have a 6, 4 and 3 wheelers out there. Winches on them.
If I am blessed to harvest a moose I believe that I can handle it. I can have spotty cell service and bad internet service. I also don't use any other electronics that show my location.
I can say this. When I watch the float plane leave and look around. It's just me n the world. Wild Alaska. Kinda exillerating.
Yeah my beautiful wife prefers that I have someone else with me. But seems folks my age have quit hunting. I enjoy having company but I also get a sense of adventure by being by myself. And I generally don't carry a sidearm either. Just a rifle. Also depend on a compass, no electronics. I'm kinda ol school. And as stated, hunting moose, wolves, brown and black bears and depending on myself only has a certain aspect about it. But having a nice fully equipped cabin to hang my hat in gives me the advantage I need to feel comfortable with being by myself.
And I enjoy the experience

 

[BBob]

I’ve been solo hunting for so long it’s just a normal thing around here. The old days I left a map and which friend to call for details on where I was in an emergency or if I went missing. Now days there’s the inReach. I send messages with location to my primaries and that covers it.

 

[EdP]

So many of the responses are about the hunter and how the hunter feels prepared or maybe feels their skills are being belittled buy the expressions of concern. However, it's it's not about the hunter, it's about the folks that love the hunter and so they worry. It's just natural and there is not much that can be done about it. Think of it this way. Your wife is going to take a trip to NYC. Wouldn't you be thinking about her safety and wishing she had someone else along to watch her back? About the best we can do is to check in to let them know "all OK here" at the end of each day, and go have a fun and rewarding hunt.

 

[TaperPin]

As a SAR responder, I am called out for hunters every year. Yes, only a very few have been deceased, but hunters are not immune from needing help.

You are absolutely correct - survival skills and decision making are extremely important. I worry more about each generation - there’s less emphasis on the outdoors growing up, fewer opportunities to learn basic skills in moderately difficult situations, then the person goes online and learns how to backpack 10 miles in during difficult freeze thaw periods to extremely rough country and yet sometimes doesn’t have the understanding of how important something as basic as rain gear and the other ten essentials can be.

 

[fngTony]

As a SAR responder, I am called out for hunters every year. Yes, only a very few have been deceased, but hunters are not immune from needing help.

What would you say are the most common reasons for a hunter to call search and rescue?

 

[OKHunter84]

So many of the responses are about the hunter and how the hunter feels prepared or maybe feels their skills are being belittled buy the expressions of concern. However, it's it's not about the hunter, it's about the folks that love the hunter and so they worry. It's just natural and there is not much that can be done about it. Think of it this way. Your wife is going to take a trip to NYC. Wouldn't you be thinking about her safety and wishing she had someone else along to watch her back? About the best we can do is to check in to let them know "all OK here" at the end of each day, and go have a fun and rewarding hunt.

This is a very good point. I would straight up not be cool with my wife doing a solo NYC shopping trip these days.

 

[Northwest Outdoors]

My wife has never been a big fan of when I go solo hunting. I get it, they just care because they love us and don't want anything bad to happen etc. This is my first year with a zoleo but she does appreciate that little reassurance or the ability just to check in

 

[mtnbound]

What would you say are the most common reasons for a hunter to call search and rescue?

Transportation issues are very common and that can be getting stuck in the snow with their primary vehicle and not having the right equipment to self rescue to accidents with SxS, ATV’s, Motorcycles, horses etc.
Not being prepared for sudden weather changes in the backcountry, this is more common for backpack or spike camp hunters. They bring just enough gear/supplies for the hunt but don’t typically have a plan for an extended stay.
Location of injury is related to the form of transportation, but often for foot based hunters its ankle, knee, low back/hip.
Some accidents from sharp objects like knives and broad heads.
Navigation issues do occur especially at night, most everyone is using their phone for GPS and the two common issues that occur is battery failure and they don’t have their battery backup or the phone is damaged for some reason and they do not have a alternate form of navigation.
No useable or working form of artificial light to travel at night effectively because of the “I’m gonna lighten my pack for today’s hunt” syndrome. This gets more common the longer the days in the field a hunter does.
Animal attacks are rare.

 

[bozeman]

I enjoy solo hunting. 65 years old and a busted up body. We were fortunate enough to be able to stake 20 acres of remote land and built a nice log cabin. I set it up for hunting. Insulated the generator shed and installed an air conditioner to convert it into a walk in cooler. Have a 6, 4 and 3 wheelers out there. Winches on them.
If I am blessed to harvest a moose I believe that I can handle it. I can have spotty cell service and bad internet service. I also don't use any other electronics that show my location.
I can say this. When I watch the float plane leave and look around. It's just me n the world. Wild Alaska. Kinda exillerating.
Yeah my beautiful wife prefers that I have someone else with me. But seems folks my age have quit hunting. I enjoy having company but I also get a sense of adventure by being by myself. And I generally don't carry a sidearm either. Just a rifle. Also depend on a compass, no electronics. I'm kinda ol school. And as stated, hunting moose, wolves, brown and black bears and depending on myself only has a certain aspect about it. But having a nice fully equipped cabin to hang my hat in gives me the advantage I need to feel comfortable with being by myself.
And I enjoy the experience View attachment 766713View attachment 766714View attachment 766715View attachment 766716

Beautiful place! Blessed for sure. Spotty cell service and bad internet seems like paradise.

 

[Beendare]

I do it a lot. Now in my 60’s i just spent 8 days backpacked in for elk. Its not much fun getting them processed solo and packing meat.

I use a Zoleo and leverage Audible books

 

[ElkArcher918]

In many ways I prefer solo big game hunting. I focus better, hunt more efficiently, and killl alot more game. Most of my former hunting partners either didn't have the drive or weren't mentally tough enough when the chips were down. Plus putting up with others' schedule and indeciveness drove me crazy. Alot of guys talk the talk but when it comes to overcoming challenges in the field alot of them just fade away.

Surprisingly, most of my family and close friends don't seem too concerned about my solo adventures, as I keep in touch with them regularly through inReach messaging. They kinda of find it entertaining following me as I pursue my mini-adventures throughout the Western states.

 

[AlleghenyMountain]

I lost my hunting partner 10 years ago, not to death. I go by myself now. When I hunt the farm close to town, no problem. But when I go on National Forest I have no cell service one I get about 15 miles away from home. I write down what road I'm on and my wife has instructions to call the sheriff over there if I'm not back by 10 or so. It ain't the Rockies, but it's steep and rugged and I'll be 57 next month. I'll keep doing it until I can't anymore.

 

[jimh406]

I don't think it's stupid to worry about people out in the woods by themselves. Things happen all of the time. There's been a few examples lately when the hunting partner made the difference in surviving.

Nobody is getting any younger. If you want to hunt with someone, spend some effort attending work parties for the sportsman's groups you belong to. Or, join an archery or gun range or maybe a different one if there aren't many people that seem compatible with you.

Or, hunt by yourself with the pluses and minuses that go along with it. Most things are a lot easier with more than one person. I get it though, it takes effort to find a suitable hunting partner.

You can still travel/camp with other people and separate a bit during the day even if your approaches are a bit different. Word to the wise though, don't share too much with people you don't really know. They may bring a crowd back with them to your spot.

 

[Bcleck90]

Where are you headed @OKHunter84?

 

[LoH]

I enjoy solo hunting. 65 years old and a busted up body. We were fortunate enough to be able to stake 20 acres of remote land and built a nice log cabin. I set it up for hunting. Insulated the generator shed and installed an air conditioner to convert it into a walk in cooler. Have a 6, 4 and 3 wheelers out there. Winches on them.
If I am blessed to harvest a moose I believe that I can handle it. I can have spotty cell service and bad internet service. I also don't use any other electronics that show my location.
I can say this. When I watch the float plane leave and look around. It's just me n the world. Wild Alaska. Kinda exillerating.
Yeah my beautiful wife prefers that I have someone else with me. But seems folks my age have quit hunting. I enjoy having company but I also get a sense of adventure by being by myself. And I generally don't carry a sidearm either. Just a rifle. Also depend on a compass, no electronics. I'm kinda ol school. And as stated, hunting moose, wolves, brown and black bears and depending on myself only has a certain aspect about it. But having a nice fully equipped cabin to hang my hat in gives me the advantage I need to feel comfortable with being by myself.
And I enjoy the experience View attachment 766713View attachment 766714View attachment 766715View attachment 766716

Beautiful. Living the dream. I like your style.

 

[akcabin]

I enjoy solo hunting. 65 years old and a busted up body. We were fortunate enough to be able to stake 20 acres of remote land and built a nice log cabin. I set it up for hunting. Insulated the generator shed and installed an air conditioner to convert it into a walk in cooler. Have a 6, 4 and 3 wheelers out there. Winches on them.
If I am blessed to harvest a moose I believe that I can handle it. I can have spotty cell service and bad internet service. I also don't use any other electronics that show my location.
I can say this. When I watch the float plane leave and look around. It's just me n the world. Wild Alaska. Kinda exillerating.
Yeah my beautiful wife prefers that I have someone else with me. But seems folks my age have quit hunting. I enjoy having company but I also get a sense of adventure by being by myself. And I generally don't carry a sidearm either. Just a rifle. Also depend on a compass, no electronics. I'm kinda ol school. And as stated, hunting moose, wolves, brown and black bears and depending on myself only has a certain aspect about it. But having a nice fully equipped cabin to hang my hat in gives me the advantage I need to feel comfortable with being by myself.
And I enjoy the experience View attachment 766713View attachment 766714View attachment 766715View attachment 766716

I did get a couple days in at the cabin a couple weeks ago. My buddy with a little Piper cub on floats flew us out. But I had a bad cold and we we flew home after 2 days. Was great to see the cabin again. We did get a bit of work done on building a walkway from the lake to dry land. To make it easier getting in n out of a plane.
Hoping to get back out n get the walkway finished this fall. And get some bear n wolf hunting in. We are in a special management area because of the large numbers of bear in the area. And can harvest 2 brown and 5 black bears, any sex, without any special permits. I was obvious that a bear has been hanging out around the cabin when I stepped in a huge pile of crazy n slipped. And a well worn path from the cabin out into the bush. A nice blueberry fed black bear would be great. Make up some sausages. And harvesting a wolf would be kinda nice to.
It's great that I can just hang out around the cabin n hunt and be in a good spot.
And just spending time out in the bush in the fall with the smells of the forest around is magical. Go out on the little pond out front and catch all the pike you want for a fresh fish fry while keeping an eye out for the wolves n bears.
Yeah kinda living my dream

 

[Amos Keeto]

From about age 15, even with a camp full of people, I wandered off by myself to hunt solo.
That carried on throughout my adult life. I'm 74 and still hunt alone.
Only recently have I felt any reluctance to hunting solo!
Two prosthetic hips, a prosthetic shoulder and one ankle full of screws.
Kinda messes with my agility and stability.

 

[OKHunter84]

Where are you headed @OKHunter84?

Unit 63 Colorado, 3rd season mule deer

 

[IDMuleyKid]

I started hunting when I still lived in Colorado and I think I shot 3 elk on solo hunts there.

After I moved to Montana I bought a couple of horses that helped me get my hunting camps farther back into the wildernesses, where I successfully solo hunted for a bunch of elk, a Shiras moose, a mountain goat, 2 bighorn rams. Just hunting from my car or pickup I've done a lot of solo hunts with many being successful for deer, antelope, a black bear, and another bighorn ram.
One of my Shiras moose with my golden retriever from a solo hunt that I packed into the wilderness with my horses.

One of my bighorn rams with my golden retriever from another solo horseback hunt.

You have some of the most epic photos I’ve ever seen, it’s crazy to see what kind of hunting opportunities Montana had in those days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mesabi]

I'm about to do a solo hunt out west for the third year in a row. I've hunted out west several times in a few different states over the last ten years. I've hunted whitetail solo in Kansas and Oklahoma most my adult life. The whitetail hunts are usually just day hunts, now that we don't have a cabin in Kansas anymore and not seen as dangerous or risky I guess.

Does anyone else catch grief from your family or friends about doing these hunts alone? I'm only 40 and I'm in good shape and not a new hunter by any means. I always seem to get comments from my wife or Dad like "it makes me nervous" or "I really wish someone was going with you".

I have tire chains, Garmin inreach, the insurance if you have to press SOS and all the usual safety precautions western hunters do. Just curious if anyone else experiences this as well or maybe has an idea how to set people's minds at ease.

I'm about to do a solo hunt out west for the third year in a row. I've hunted out west several times in a few different states over the last ten years. I've hunted whitetail solo in Kansas and Oklahoma most my adult life. The whitetail hunts are usually just day hunts, now that we don't have a cabin in Kansas anymore and not seen as dangerous or risky I guess.

Does anyone else catch grief from your family or friends about doing these hunts alone? I'm only 40 and I'm in good shape and not a new hunter by any means. I always seem to get comments from my wife or Dad like "it makes me nervous" or "I really wish someone was going with you".

I have tire chains, Garmin inreach, the insurance if you have to press SOS and all the usual safety precautions western hunters do. Just curious if anyone else experiences this as well or maybe has an idea how to set people's minds at ease.

I want to get into western hunting, and solo is probably the way for me to start. All I hear is grief- “what if you snap your ankle and a bear gets you” or “have you lost your damn mind”. Really discouraging.