Stories of hunting partners that quit

[Scott7030]

Boy does this hit close to home. This all started the last day that you could apply for Colorado tags. I have a group of friends that has done a lot of hunting together over the years. I texted them all with the plan to apply for elk muzzleloader tags. I reminded them that it was the last day and if they had questions to let me know. One guy was on the fence s I wasn't surprised when he didn't call me. a month goes by and I remind the group that they could try for a tag in the second drawing for an archery tag. low and behold my buddy says he's in and he get an archery tag while 3 of us drew muzzy tags. this was going to be his 1st backpack hunt. So two new guys and two that had done the hunt the year before. We all agreed to be there for the entire muzzy season and return home on Monday to Michigan. First day walking in to set up camp we almost get elk for my archery hunting friend. Muzzy season wasn't for another day yet. everything was going ok until the 4th day we had to go back to the truck to get more food and he stated that he had to be to work on Monday! We were all like that wasn't the plan. another day goes by and he is just sitting around camp soaking up sunshine not even taking his bow with him. He had checked out! He kept asking what the chances were that we would leave on Friday. We all said slim to none unless we tagged out. Mind you we where in elk everyday. About mid week I made the executive decision that we had to get him out. We told him to meet us at the truck by 10 the next morning. We hunted to the road and drove him to the nearest airport to get him home. He said he will never go elk hunting again. To top it off he got to work on Monday and got fired. It was a rough week for him.

 

[Poser]

To top it off he got to work on Monday and got fired. It was a rough week for him.

Oh man. That's classic

 

[Blowdowner]

Boy does this hit close to home. This all started the last day that you could apply for Colorado tags. I have a group of friends that has done a lot of hunting together over the years. I texted them all with the plan to apply for elk muzzleloader tags. I reminded them that it was the last day and if they had questions to let me know. One guy was on the fence s I wasn't surprised when he didn't call me. a month goes by and I remind the group that they could try for a tag in the second drawing for an archery tag. low and behold my buddy says he's in and he get an archery tag while 3 of us drew muzzy tags. this was going to be his 1st backpack hunt. So two new guys and two that had done the hunt the year before. We all agreed to be there for the entire muzzy season and return home on Monday to Michigan. First day walking in to set up camp we almost get elk for my archery hunting friend. Muzzy season wasn't for another day yet. everything was going ok until the 4th day we had to go back to the truck to get more food and he stated that he had to be to work on Monday! We were all like that wasn't the plan. another day goes by and he is just sitting around camp soaking up sunshine not even taking his bow with him. He had checked out! He kept asking what the chances were that we would leave on Friday. We all said slim to none unless we tagged out. Mind you we where in elk everyday. About mid week I made the executive decision that we had to get him out. We told him to meet us at the truck by 10 the next morning. We hunted to the road and drove him to the nearest airport to get him home. He said he will never go elk hunting again. To top it off he got to work on Monday and got fired. It was a rough week for him.

In this case maybe he never had the time off to begin with but he really wanted to go with you guys and then he started to realize how screwed he was. Like if you guys are so cool that he risked his whole career to go, maybe that's not quite as bad as some of these other stories

 

[Scott7030]

yes, at least he didn't just up an leave camp without us knowing. although it may have come to that had we waited much longer.

 

[rogerdoger]

Was out second to last day of elk in Montana, was below zero temps that day. Hiked into a now area and got deep into blow down. While I was working my way through I spotted some cows bedding across the valley. After watching them I wanted to make a go for it, my buddy talked me out of it due to distance and cold. Decided we would get out first thing and work toward them. Next morning I was up had coffee and breakfast cooked, was ready, my buddy said he didn’t feel good and had bad chafing and decided to stay in camper. I went out anyway, pushed a bear right away and put me on edge, never saw the elk. I kept hunting all day freezing my ass off just so my buddy had to sit in camper with nothing to do.

 

[MNGrouser]

Fortunately I have not had the mid-hunt quitter experience. Mine were just semi-expensive lessons learned.

I worked with a guy for a few years until he retired fairly early. Post retirement he starts living what appears to be the dream. Hunt after hunt after hunt. He reaches out to me to see if I want to do a sheep hunt with him in Alaska. He has the outfitter all lined up. We talk prices and I crunch some numbers. I'll have to tighten my belt but think I can make it work. We send off deposits and sign a contract. Our guide is very good about staying in contact and texts us hunting and scouting reports and asks how our other excursions are going. (Local deer, bear, fishing, etc) Just before the second deposit is due, the group text turns semi-political and conservation policy themed. My buddy goes on a rant about how he'd never hunt with someone who held those beliefs or talked down to him the way our guide did. My buddy is officially out. The guide was great about trying to work with me. I just didn't have anyone who met all criteria of 1) disposable income for that type of hunt, 2) physical stamina or 3) I trusted to share a tent for 10 days on a mountain. The cost to convert to a 1 on 1 was beyond what my finances could support. I had to let it go and eat the substantial deposit. I've since learned most of these "dream" hunts he'd been on were more often than not high-fence affairs. Probably didn't vet my buddy as well as I should have but happy I learned the lesson at home rather than on the mountain.

Second example was my brother. We made a pact to continue to get out and hunt with my dad as much as we could as long as he still could. The Old Man just turned 73 this year so his remaining opportunities are limited. A few years back we decide to add northeastern Wyoming pronghorn to the mix. Relatively easy hunt with motel bed sleeping at night. I pitch the idea to my brother who vacillates. I remind him of our pact; this won't even be an option in a couple of years. He says money is too tight. So at the application deadline, with his agreement, I pay for his tag. If that is what it takes to make this happen, I can cover you bro. We all draw for the same unit & time. (Picked specifically so we could all hunt together) The week before the trip my brother announces something has come up at work and he can't make it. I get to eat the cost of the tag he never planned to use. Dad and I both tag out and I have a mount in my livingroom of my pronghorn shoulder mounted with his euro mount next to it. I saved our brass and added that as well. The cash for the tag is gone, but the memory of that hunt with my dad never will be.

 

[wind gypsy]

I've never had a western hunt with more than 1 hunting partner, most in recent years have been alone. I assume these stories are magnitudes more likely when people go on hunts with whole groups. Shot a good bull elk the day after a guy left early but he kind of just met me to hunt together in his home state and we didn't really plan anything.

As for the "harder to find a good hunting partner than a wife" saying, I'll have to strongly disagree there. There are lots of guys I'd be happy to hunt with without concern but women I'd marry (and who'd marry me)? damn near unicorn status.

 

[wind gypsy]

To top it off he got to work on Monday and got fired. It was a rough week for him.

Sounds like he might have had anxiety about his job security while in the mountains?