Whys it so dang hard to find a reliable hunting partner?

[lintond]

My buddy just told me he is moving to Hawaii. I had him all talked in to switching to archery this year. Probably will go solo again. It has it's advantages.

 

[Broz]

I have been looking too. Very hard to find. I have a great friend to hunt with but he ranches as well as guides, so it is tough for him to get away.

I wish Sam Millard lived closer. I think we could have some great hunts. Then that Avery dude would be walking alone talking to himself. Or packing some of our stuff for us....

JK Ryan bud!

Jeff

 

[MesaHorseCo.]

Yep. Good hunting partners are like good mules. Hear about em all the time, but cant seem to find one. I think alot of guys like the THOUGHT of hunting that way and TALKING about hunting that way more than they like actually doing it. You can have 5 trucks parked at a trail head opening day, and by day 3, three of them will be gone.

 

[Manosteel]

Good hunting partners are far and few. My hunting partner moved to the states and last year I hunted solo for 2/3's of my hunts. It sucks at night and during pack outs but I will not cancel a trip because I have to go solo. This year should be fun thou, at least one of my hunts will be with a fella rokslider!

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

Spring bear hunting is for family and friends, alpine hunting is solo for the most part. As others have stated its hard to find people who are committed enough to give what it takes to have a good back country hunt. I put way to much mentally and physically into sheep hunting to have an unprepared partner dampen a trip. That being said my oldest daughters boyfriend wants to come this fall. He is training already and his heart is in the right place but when all is said and done if he cancels at the last minute the hunt is still on.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Seems like there are a couple people on this thread that are still looking for hunting partners. Any reason you guys don't give it a go together?

 

[lintond]

That being said my oldest daughters boyfriend wants to come this fall. He is training already and his heart is in the right place but when all is said and done if he cancels at the last minute the hunt is still on.

Will he still be allowed to date your daughter?

 

[mt100gr.]

I think the most difficult part for me would be dealing with how personal and individual my hunting has become. I would have a hard time meeting a stranger and expecting him to include me like a "hunting buddy". Everyone has "their spots" and their style and it's tough to share that....It's just that, you know, I've been "single" for a long time....

Actually I would make the effort, but time is so precious during hunting season and meeting on neutral ground, to preserve the personal areas, seems like it may be counterproductive. Not to mention it's much easier, logistically, to just go alone.

 

[jherald]

I'm lucky that my dad is as excited as I am to go sheep hunting or alpine deer in August. He's getting up in age though and it's hard for him to push as hard as I do so this year is going to most likely be the last year he'll be sheep hunting with me.

I've got several friends who have all had the bug to go but always end up having something come up, not for lack of wanting to go their family life just takes priority over their plans and that is a perfectly good reason. It's just the way it is most of the time.

I have had people back out on me at the last minute just because they thought it would be too hard or too rough going on a sheep hunt. It is hard but it's not some impossible feat. One friend likens sheep hunting to climbing a vertical rock face and I cannot convince him otherwise, no matter what. His belief is that it's much too hard and something only an iron man athlete can accomplish. So, he stick to hunting the road with the 6 wheeler for caribou and moose. Oh well is all I can say. There is nothing wrong with road hunting the way he does, makes it easy to pack out a moose with the 6 wheeler versus hoofing a moose out on foot. He just wont do any other hunting than that.

 

[Shrek]

Will he still be allowed to date your daughter?

Better yet , if your daughter breaks up with him before the hunt will YOU be allowed to hunt with him ?

 

[Mad Mountain Mike]

Will he still be allowed to date your daughter?

Lol, it might put a strain on things.

 

[bobhunts]

I hunted with the same buddy I work with but alas no more after 13 years. Not gonna elaborate.. but I am looking forward to doing it solo. Other than the time at camp. I hunted alone before I started hunting with him so I guess I'll be back at the same spot. I always saw more game alone and it was way easier with meal planning splitting costs etc.. Just me and my own to deal with. Maybe I will take a younger guy from work and see how that works out. But that will be after I burn some pp's at home for elk. I agree it is almost like a date and the relationship is one that has to develop. No one will take all there experience and spots and just hand it over to the next guy. Bob.

 

[mtnwrunner]

Quality reliable hunting buddies are priceless

That is so true. I usually hunt by myself or with my brother. He is awesome and we have a great time. He also won't screw me over as in----"Oh, I would NEVER tell anyone about the secret spot you took me to." I cannot tell you all how many times that's happened. I really do think it is harder to find a true hunting partner then it is to find a wife.

Randy

 

[Jon Boy]

I think the hardest thing about it is finding some one who sacrifices as much as I do to have a successful hunt. If you talk an average hunter and you tell him/her what you endure all year long to prepare for one month a year they will think you are crazy. No blaming them at all for thinking that, to the majority of hunters (not just people) there is so much more to life than just September and the elk rut. To me, my entire world revolves around it. Hard finding some one who has that passion. I used to never understand it, now I accept it and realize I'm probably the crazy one. I would have several GOOD hunting partners if I wanted to have a comfy base camp, hunt for just a weekend then get back to work, and kill an elk every 10 years. But after tasting success, thats just not enough.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I think the hardest thing about it is finding some one who sacrifices as much as I do to have a successful hunt. If you talk an average hunter and you tell him/her what you endure all year long to prepare for one month a year they will think you are crazy. No blaming them at all for thinking that, to the majority of hunters (not just people) there is so much more to life than just September and the elk rut. To me, my entire world revolves around it. Hard finding some one who has that passion. I used to never understand it, now I accept it and realize I'm probably the crazy one. I would have several GOOD hunting partners if I wanted to have a comfy base camp, hunt for just a weekend then get back to work, and kill an elk every 10 years. But after tasting success, thats just not enough.

Well said Jon!

 

[Mark]

I made my own hunting partners- with a little help from the wife... two boys, both accomplished hunters. I hunt exclusively with my oldest son now (he's 25).

My youngest quit hunting a few years ago. Shocked us all. He's a natural hunter. By the age of 14 he had killed three turkeys, an antelope, two mule deer and a 5X5 bull elk- all archery kills.

I still hunt alone at times, but I would much rather have my boys with me. I'm hoping that in time my youngest will come around, but I don't pressure him. I couldn't ask for better hunting buddies than my boys.

 

[trdhunter]

I agree with Jon Boy. Lots of guys willing to go camp, drink, and call it hunting but not many willing to sacrifice in order to be successful. Guess everyone has their priorities and for some relaxing and having good time overrides the need for early mornings, late nights, and less comfort. I hunt solo 90% of the time and unless its my dad hunting with me I almost wish I was solo the few times someone else is there. I would be nice to find someone to help with expenses so I could afford to do more out of state hunts.

 

[c5mrr270]

I feel your pain bud.

 

[squirrelduster]

I've invited people the last three years that "wanted" to go, been solo all three trips. Really hard to find a decent partner.

 

[Becca]

I really do think it is harder to find a true hunting partner then it is to find a wife.

You could always make your wife your hunting partner. I hear its twice as expensive, but twice as rewarding too