GOOD HUNTING PARTNERS

[340mag]

Ive been hunting out of state for 35 years now and Ive got the hunting part down to a science but finding a good reliable hunting partners is damn near impossiable, I always try to have 6 guys and two trucks in the group,but SOME MEMBERS CHANGE OVER THE YEARS the group changes every year because,we always start with 7-9 guys that want to go but everyone that I hunt with is either getting divorced, just got married,just had a new kid,has money problems, got layed off, is a cheap s. o. b. , that wan,ts me to pay for all his equip. or is lazy to the point that setting up or getting anything for the hunt becomes a major undertakeing. now I like to set up an extremely basic camp, and spend most of my time actually hunting, and to that end I tell everyone theres one basic rule,you can bring anything you want too but its got to fit in YOUR ONE BACK PACK (not counting a gun or bow case of course) but for 35 years when we get ready YET every  year theres always at least 2 guys that cancel at the last minute, and 2-3 guys that show up with a truck load of equipment they want to take along, now theres no way you can fit more than 3 guys equip, a cooler for elk meat, plus 3 guys in the full size 4X4 bronco for the drive to colorado, so every year we go through the same repacking crap, and whos going to ride with who in what truck B.S. we split all expences like gas and minor truck repairs (flat tires etc> equally)we also agree to split the meat equally or to let the lucky hunters keep it all before we leave on the trip and no matter which way it goes someone is not happy, now I hunt for as long as I can get away with(usually 10-12 days strait, THE FIRST FEW DAYS BEFORE THE SEASON OPENS WE USE TO LOCATE THE ELK HERDS AND GET SET UP )from dawn to dusk, and if I get my elk on the first day I sure don,t wan,t to pack up and leave like some of the guys have in the past with zero reguard for the rest of the guys,I elk hunt in some of the best elk hunting areas in colorado and the total hunt from door to door from FLA, includeing licences costs about $1300 most years per man , thats hunting in areas that some outfitters get $3500 for 5 days hunting in yet still I find guys that think its too tough a hunt! WE AVERAGE ABOUT 25%-35% SUCCESS PER YEAR PER MAN,(THATS BETTER THAN STATE AVERAGES)DO THE REST OF YOU GUYS HAVE THESE PROBLEMS?



(Edited by 340mag at 10:16 am on July 10, 2002)

 

[FTTPOW]

340mag,We've all heard that a good hunting partner is as important as a good pair of hunting boots. If either one doesn't fit, you'd better make a change. I used to go out-of-state with a group and we would all anti up into a kitty. All group expenses were paid by the kitty and anything left got divided up at the end of the hunt. That worked pretty well for 5 years til it didn't seem to fit anymore. Now when I hunt out-of-state I make my own travel plans and stay with a friend. I try not to hold him up, but it's hard to keep up with him on foot. If the time comes when it's no longer a fit, I hope it's recognized before it becomes a problem.    

 

[Roger C]

340mag

Been going to CO every year since 89.  Have had as many as 5 hunting. Now I am down to just me.  This will be my 3rd time on my own.  I am starting to enjoy it.  You have more time to hunt and not worry about the rest of the gang.  Last year my wife went and helped me pack out my bull.  She just told me  Monday that she bought me a 95 4x4 Honda atv to get my animal out.  Said that she doesn't want me down with a heart attack and doesn't  want to go this year.  Didn't like being a pack mule.  We will be married 30 years in Feb and she want to go to Cancun.  I Guess we can do that---hunting season will be over.

 

[jackrabbit]

Yeah guys, I been there, dun' that too -- and all in Colorado to boot.  I especially relate to the poor sportmanship of the guys that tag out early, then everybody takes time from their hunt to help 'em pack out the meat -- then they leave early and I'm left with little help or none.  I've always stayed the whole agreed upon time, even if I tagged out early, then I always help with chores, scouting, supply runs, etc. I even had one ol' buddy get upset one year that I forgot my bone saw at home, and he had been counting on using it, since he never bought one or packed one himself! I got to the point also that I packed gear and vehicle for self-sufficiency, and fully expected those left in the old gang to hi-tail on home if they either tagged out early or just petered out.  I'm not hunting Colorado for a few years because it just got too expensive for a non-resident, especially with the travel time and expense involved.   But I really do like hunting solo here in California in the High Sierras -- just keep my GPS, cell phone, and emergency gear in top-shape.  I'm gettin' up the years myself now, but I can go all day, every day, as long as I keep my own pace and don't try to keep up with the faster folks -- see more that way anyway!