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

[Doc06]

Hello,
My name is Greg! Looking for a like minded individual that loves hunting and backcountry excursions as much as I do. Individual must be a
bowhunter (Consideration given to rifle hunters in special circumstances), be in good shape, and have the necessary equipment and mental faculties to withstand harsh weather, lack of game, minimal electronic devices, and solitude. All ages are welcome as long as the previous mentioned attributes are maintained. Big Game must be a passion, but ideal candidate would also thoroughly enjoy turkey and upland hunting. Location is of little concern...if we match...we will make it work!

OK...I'm in.

Should I add a picture and profile of myself?!

 

[Hunting affair]

Doc lol that's a good one add a photo but I betcha what would make a difference.

 

[rhendrix]

Greg, when you say big game, you after elk or mule deer more?

 

[Doc06]

HA,
OK...give me a month or two to lose some weight and get in shape. Probably should have thought of that before I posted!

Rhendrix,
I stated big game, I should qualify that and say that although I haven't hunted for every animal on the list of the North American 29 (far from it). I would be happy to hunt, pack out, call, or generally just be in the places that any of those animals call home! I am game to hunt whatever I can, especially those that I haven't hunted before. Living in the Midwest, Whitetails are my bread and butter, but I have tried to do a trip a year out west for the last 5 years or so.

So to sum it up...I am fat, out of shape, and have no experience! But I really like hunting! Please pick me.....please.

 

[Ruskin]

I may be crazy for tossing out this idea, but maybe those of us lost souls should plan a rokslide hunting base camp. Pick an area where you can drive to and set up a base camp that folks can use as a launch point. We can use that point all season in Colorado (or else where) so guys can meet up, launch out from for x days and come back to. Guys can meet, tell stories, get help, refuel, etc. You know where there are like minded folks that have your back, etc.

We used the area I hunted this past year like that. There was a group of us that hunted hard. I solo hunted a couple days, did some hard days with a buddy, my dad (who is more limited by age) hunted close to camp and kept the camp going. Worked well.

Just an idea I thought of as I read some of the threads on big bear camps. Where guys come and go all season.

Feel free to comment or flame away.

-Ruskin.

 

[Vids]

I'm game for trying something like that to meet some folks. I need to do something different as I haven't had much luck finding CO hunting partners. I'm already committed to a rifle hunt with some buddies for my bull tag and not willing to change that, but I don't have a plan for a cow tag yet. Even if it didn't work out too well, I like the idea that people are free to hunt solo if they want to get away from everyone.

 

[Lawnboi]

I may be crazy for tossing out this idea, but maybe those of us lost souls should plan a rokslide hunting base camp. Pick an area where you can drive to and set up a base camp that folks can use as a launch point. We can use that point all season in Colorado (or else where) so guys can meet up, launch out from for x days and come back to. Guys can meet, tell stories, get help, refuel, etc. You know where there are like minded folks that have your back, etc.

We used the area I hunted this past year like that. There was a group of us that hunted hard. I solo hunted a couple days, did some hard days with a buddy, my dad (who is more limited by age) hunted close to camp and kept the camp going. Worked well.

Just an idea I thought of as I read some of the threads on big bear camps. Where guys come and go all season.

Feel free to comment or flame away.

-Ruskin.

I know lots of guys have done group hunts off AT and bowsite. I don't see how it wouldn't work with this community.

Not my cup to tea but a good idea none the less.

Rokslide should make something like match.com or those other dating sites for hunters seeking a good hunting partner lol

 

[amp713]

Im not gonna read through all of these right now but i tell you one thing..,. I couldnt hang with some of you guys, guys like Aron and Luke would leave me in a pile crying. However.... I go pretty hard compared to my locals and i wont take most people any more. They just ruin my experience. Ive got one or two guys who show alot of interest and have the motivation so they may get to go with but no more of this week before the hunt "Hey can i try hunting back country with you?" stuff..... Hiked back out one year cuz the guy with me was crying the whole time and it wasnt even enjoyable....

 

[fillthefreezer]

Doc lol that's a good one add a photo but I betcha what would make a difference.

would if it was a smoking hot bowhunter chick hahaha

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

I have a hard time taking anyone to my spots. It's hard work finding good areas that produce year after year. Hard to take someone who might burn ya and tell everyone where ya go.

 

[Doc06]

I could add a couple of those but my wife might divorce me! Posting pics of my valentines day present would put me in the category of losing my man card....for about a decade!

 

[amp713]

I made it about half way through and gotta admit that I honestly dont look for one often. Id like to have one guy close by to push me as much during the off season as well as on that mountain but its doubtful. Im really good with people but prefer to not be with them. I love being alone and spend more time alone than most people could handle. I work alone 8 days straight 9 hours long, then come home where i live alone, and go out on my 6 days off alone most of the time. A few people here and there but i dont mind! However ive got a new dog on her way from cali this week! She will be my partner for the next while!!!

 

[Califhuntn]

Good thread. Benny you sound like a very good man. Very selfless acts. I have always hunted solo. I'm the only one in my family that hunts. None of my friends growing up hunted either. I grew up with a passion for hunting and it's has grown stronger as I have aged. There have certainly been times when I have longed for a partner while alone on the mountain but I always managed to get it done alone.

 

[rhendrix]

Judging by all the responses I guess I should be happy I'm not having to worry about someone not being as committed to this as me.

 

[realunlucky]

I have a hard time taking anyone to my spots. It's hard work finding good areas that produce year after year. Hard to take someone who might burn ya and tell everyone where ya go.

This is true but there are areas that you have always wanted to try but never have. Those would be perfect as places to " test" the waters. If all fails you saw new ground

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

This is true but there are areas that you have always wanted to try but never have. Those would be perfect as places to " test" the waters. If all fails you saw new ground

Oh I agree, but the quality I care most about in hunting partner is TRUST. I know they wouldn't share our spots on Internet forums or go and tell a bunch of ppl. I never understand ppl who discuss hunting spots on Internet forums.. I mean have you heard of GOOGLE!

 

[Doc06]

I don't know that I understand the thinking behind sharing a spot anyway. If you take someone to a spot and then they share it, it hurts themselves just as much as the buddy that showed him the spot. Why would the guy share a spot knowing that gives him more competition in the future. Guess that's just the way I think about it.

 

[fillthefreezer]

I don't know that I understand the thinking behind sharing a spot anyway. If you take someone to a spot and then they share it, it hurts themselves just as much as the buddy that showed him the spot. Why would the guy share a spot knowing that gives him more competition in the future. Guess that's just the way I think about it.

its more like you take them once, then next year hes in there with a different group

 

[amp713]

Just happened last days off to a guy who shared his shed hunting spot. Went down 2 weeks prior and showed this guy. Came back last days off to run into him hiking in his spot already....

 

[dangerousD]

Last year was my first year doing a solo backpack archery elk hunting. First time elk hunting, period. I should say it was semi-solo as I had a buddy in Utah that only rifle hunts agree to take me out and show me some ground where he hunts before I went off alone. He is a great guy and I was extremely grateful to him for assisting me and he knew me well enough to trust me. I know how secretive and protective we can be about our spots and I respected that; just as I want someone to do the same for me. I have always been in generally decent shape, but I trained hard all year leading up to the hunt, both physically and mentally preparing myself. My buddy showed me around for the first three days and then left to get back to work and I went the rest of the trip in solo mode. I hunted hard for my 10 day trip and ended up coming home without an elk… I was finding elk and within range and drawn back 5-6 different time, but couldn’t close the deal in the tall, thick pines. Great learning experience though.

I guess where I’m going with this is to say, please don’t give up on us new guys… I think it’s fairly easy to figure out who has the passion for it and who doesn’t. I’m guessing 90% don’t have what it takes and 10% do. About the same as the success rate for archery elk harvest...

After that hunt, all I wanted to do was get back on top of the mountain! It’s what I eat, sleep, breathe, everyday… As I was driving home from that hunt, all I could think about was how to figure out a way to hunt this beautiful country even more!

I enjoyed the solitude of being out there alone and knowing that success or failure rides solely on me, but I also enjoyed the time when my buddy was with me. My buddy encouraged me to bring a friend this year. I have several friends that have asked about going and I’ve told them NO because I don’t think they have the drive for it! My time there is so precious so I can’t afford to babysit someone that isn’t into it. However, I’m taking a longtime friend with me that shares my same passion for hunting and training and I know him very well. Having two guys will certainly make packing out easier as that was a major concern of mine last year as I didn’t want to risk meat spoilage in late August temps so that affected how far in I could go.

How are you solo hunters accounting for getting meat out of the backcountry in early season archery hunts?