Was leaving the hunt worth it?

[tntrker]

I am still having a tough time getting past, “and even having to put ear plugs in because I kept laying there listening to

View attachment 450503

$10 got me steak and eggs breakfast at Three Bear Lodge in West Yellowstone MT. It was well worth it!! $20 elk and Buffalo meatloaf for supper!!

 

[Nickofthewoods]

 

[Nickofthewoods]

 

[Nickofthewoods]

 

[Dust Rider]

OP, you have taken the punches well. Did you or kid camp cook have bear guns or spray? Lots of Griz cursing outside of the park.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

 

[tntrker]

OP, you have taken the punches well. Did you or kid camp cook have bear guns or spray? Lots of Griz cursing outside of the park.

We both had bear spray and he also had a 9mm. There is known bear in that area but I never saw any sign what little I was there. I scanning for tracks…

 

[Go West Old Man]

“An egg McMuffin, 1 each and 2 cookies with some granola bars for the “sack lunch”. It didn’t dawn on me that the McMuffin would have been at least 24 hrs old by breakfast time. “This is not the camp or camp provisions I paid for.”

 

[TSAMP]

Everyone saying they'd never go on a guided hunt in this particular thread are as useful as the guys talking about solids when someone asks about a new camo pattern. We get it, you're alphas.

 

[Wyomuleskinner]

I'm going to throw you a bone here. You can take a jar of peanut butter and a spoon and just eat it for days.

 

[roosiebull]

“An egg McMuffin, 1 each and 2 cookies with some granola bars for the “sack lunch”. It didn’t dawn on me that the McMuffin would have been at least 24 hrs old by breakfast time. “This is not the camp or camp provisions I paid for.”
Meanwhile the elk are still bugling all around us. The guide and I was pretty positive about seeing/getting a bull either that morning or evening, but I couldn’t shake off the fact that he just rode 2 hrs in the dark to bring hay for the animals and 3 Ramon noodles and 3 old egg McMuffins for us. If I killed an elk that next morning, I was paying him for 1 pack noodles and an old sandwich and cookies. I was not going to let him think that little of me and get paid. So I demanded to be taken back to my truck in the morning and a full refund. He agreed and it happened. So now I’m driving back to SC LOVING that evening we hunted, all those elk seen, and even having to put ear plugs in because I kept laying there listening to them. Even sitting there for 3 hrs in the moonlight was something special. So there’s the story. All in all I chose to leave and not allow him to spend so little time/thought on me and still get paid, then to proceed from Wed to Sat with little food, 1 other person and have what seemed like my dream hunt as each day would be getting better as temps plummeted in the forecast….I’ll neve look at Ramon noodles the same…I’m confused and satisfied at the same time…

Sounds like you didn’t get the service you signed up for… I personally would have stayed though, chasing elk is worth the loss of all luxuries if it comes down to it, but I have never had money invested in a hunt like that, so my perspective may be a bit off of reality…

I would rather pay for good hunting than good food any day though

 

[Lowg08]

OP has played along well. I appreciate those that share the good, bad and horrible guide experiences. It just further persuaded me that if/when I get to go. I’m DIY.

 

[goathunter]

I think you made the right call. A guy that disorganized could get u killed. And to say you should've done an impromptu DIY with no plan, no experience, well that could get you killed too. I read the part about him saying if you got one stash it in the creek and hope a griz doesn't get it, in West Yellowstone he was being perhaps a little too honest with his client that's probably spot on what would've happened with the warm weather.

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Everyone saying they'd never go on a guided hunt in this particular thread are as useful as the guys talking about solids when someone asks about a new camo pattern. We get it, you're alphas.

View attachment 450539

And our meme game is much much stronger.

Honestly the crap I’d take from my buddies alone would keep me from coming home. I can’t fathom giving this excuse for why I left a Montana elk hunt after day 1 and drove a thousand miles + back home. Sounds like a Texas high fence hunt would suit OP better. Save the wild animals for those that want to be out there. Soft as butter.

 

[a_noob_hunter]

I think if I'm understanding this right alot of the problem comes down to lack of trusting the outfitter and problems that come from that.

Heck you were outlayed very clearly what to expect when you got to camp. Organized with a designated camp cook there making meals and obviously a cook tent. That clearly wasnt ready

You were expecting an experienced guide who knew the elk and how to call them, AS WELL AS navigate in griz country. An unexperienced guide packing a 9mm?? He probably didnt even have +p hardcasts for it .

And you were expecting a warm safe/secure tent to spend the night in.

Taking all these in account, not a single one was even remotely close to being fullfilled, AND you didnt even have enough food to last you more than half a day; all while depending on this "outfitter" to bring you your supply of food when the best he can do is bring day-old McDonalds and Dollar General food.

But while your sitting in the dark in the middle of griz country wondering if your outfitter is even gonna bring you supper you ask your guide what youre gonna do with a bull and he says put in the creek and hope the griz dont find it????

Dude, if was in that situation and didnt know what to believe what was gonna happen next id be outta there. I dont blame you at all and would expect any common-sensed person to do the same.

As to all these guys saying they'd diy it id love to see it. Diy'ing in griz country solo is a different game. Ive hunted diy outside yellowstone and it aint a joke.

But who am I? Ive only ever diy hunted in the greater yellowstone. Sounds like you made sound decision. Good luck in 2024!

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[CorbLand]

$10 got me steak and eggs breakfast at Three Bear Lodge in West Yellowstone MT. It was well worth it!! $20 elk and Buffalo meatloaf for supper!!

If you ever make it back to Yellowstone make sure to hit up the candy shop and get the huckleberry laffy taffy. Shits the bomb.

 

[sneaky]

Sorry BFR for not replying as soon as you expected to questions, as I said, I’m still heading East and I posted that right before going to bed in a hotel. I’m up and about to drive some more so I’ll answer any question when I get to it after the trip. No, I haven’t reported him, I haven’t done anything other than drive! I know crap happens but don’t bring me 1 pack (each) of Ramon at 11pm and expect me to not be upset! Maybe he thought I’d have a kill the 1st evening, as I almost did, and be gone before he had to feed me.. I agree something wasn’t adding up, that’s why I left. I’m not on here bashing the outfit publicly, just bashing his choice to ride 2 hrs in the dark to bring me shit for supper, breakfast, and lunch the next day…

Who is Ramon? And where did he touch you?

 

[sneaky]

Not really. Ranch hunts are going for $15-20K depending on the ranch

You can't even touch an elk tag on the Deseret for $15-20k. Some places are waaaaay higher than $10k.

 

[Thunder17]

A DIY hunter and a guided hunt is not even close in comparison. I’d packed those noodles myself if I was diy, but not waiting 3 hrs not knowing if he was coming or not and then just the 1 pack…

I agree and disagree. I agree with you on the food situation being pretty screwed up. I disagree with DIY and Guided being no comparison, because the goal is always the same either way.
I’m just saying that the elk action that you experienced with your first 1/2 day of hunting is extremely rare in my experience, and I’d say several people on here would’ve loved to been in your shoes. I’d pick high quality hunting over high quality camping every day of the week.
As long as you feel you made the right decision that’s all that matters. Hopefully your next hunt is a better experience overall.

 

[dr.mooseknuckles]

OP, as the story unfolds, I retract
My statement. Sorry for the harsh critique.

You could have just eaten the guide and packed your 6x6 on his horse. Bait his carcass with the elk carcass and McMuffins.

Bet the McMuffins would be all that remained….


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