Finding hunting partners
 

How do you find hunting partners? I don't know many people who hunt, personally. Some hunts may require a partner with special attributes. For example, I would like to go on a first cow elk hunting trip in 2005 in the San Juan mountains in SW Colorado. I will backpack in but arrange a meat packer to haul out the meat (so I hope, I'm still needing to confirm this type of arrangement). My partner will need to be in good physical condition to succeed in this kind of hunt -- succeed being defined minimally as keeping going for the five to seven days of a hunt, with or without actually pulling the rifle trigger. Many people who have never been in the mountains really have no idea what they are getting into and may simply pay lip service to getting into shape. To some extent you sink or swim with your partner. How do you find a suitable partner?

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

Alsatian,

Finally! Something one can sink a tooth into!

IMHO you are about to embark on possibly one of the most aggravating, luck dominated exercises out there, especially since it looks like you are starting from scratch. Lots of your local hunters who sleep in their own bed the night before the deer hunt may say they want to go elk hunting, but won't give it any more planning or preparation or finanical commitment than the "get up in the morning--go to the local deer patch--pop ***** a deer--drop him off at the processor--drink a beer--go back home" hunt.

An "away from home/remote elk hunt" spanning one or two weeks tends to "weed out" hunting partners at an alarming rate, with the damnedest excuses usually starting in August and leaving you high and dry for the hunt. Most are in love with the idea of going (during winter, spring, and early summer), but not with actually DOING IT part (late summer, fall).

I hate to say it, but I would recommend that you try to work your way into an existing successful group --- you will be way ahead of the game if you succeed....

(1) You can watch this forum (I've probably seen 3 or 4 requests for hunting partner in the last two years.

(2) Another approach, is since you are looking to go in 2005 is to check out the area during the 2004 hunting season and approach some of the "got it together" looking camps. At any one time there are "camp masters" (especially if they are relatively new in trying to put a "group" together, say 3-4 years) that are tired of doing "too much" of the work, fed up with absorbing "too much" of the expense and weary of being used too often by the ever present "moochers". Offering to do your share of the work AND volunteering to pay your share of expenses IN ADVANCE (and NON REFUNDABLE) will likely to endear you to someone! Granted, this is an approach used by some one with a "sales" mentality who isn't afraid of a little rejection along the way.

(3) A different route is to check your local rifle range, hunting club, NRA instructors, etc, etc, and ask about folks from your general area (100 miles or so) that hunt elk. Approach them straight up if they know someone who is putting together a group that is looking for some "go to" guys. Of course, at that point you have to make absolutely sure you are ready to "walk the walk" in addition to "talking the talk".

The state of Colorado calls new folks who just "go up and give it a shot" as being on the "five year plan". On average, it takes them five years to learn an area, learn from their mistakes, and start taking elk. As always, dumb luck and/or outstanding individual talent can always "tip the scale" a bit, but the success rate is very low. Better to get on the "fast track" -- even if you don't get one that year, if others around you do get into them you can pick up a wealth of "know how".

Just a few thoughts,
EKM

(***** = cleaned up "Bambi" to the new PC standard, "deer".)

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

The heck with finding a partner. After depending on so called wannabes and have them sleep in or not show up, so I rarely hunt with anyone. I can get up, come back or change my location without having to wait on a partner to make a decision if they want to move. I'll deal with the elk or deer on my own in getting it out in in a timly manner. It kinda sounds like your trip is kinda remote as you may be surprised as in getting a cow you may not need to hunt that far from the truck. Piss on finding a partner, hunt it solo and answer to none. ;) Bobby

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

I like the idea of hunting solo. I can never seem to find someone that will even be around for sure to go on a quick fishing trip or bird hunt. I will be hunting solo this year for mule deer, hopefully by backpack, if someone else wants to come along and help out or just be there for company, thats fine, but I won't plan on it actually happening. Probably will end up hunting cow elk solo next year too if I draw a tag here in Nevada. I should considering I have 2 bonus points for the hunt I want. Just can't rely on people to make a committment.

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

Great advice elkkampmaster.
As the other posters have said it is tough.
I usually plan to hunt by myself and if somebody does still want to come with me by hunt time I will take them along.
With the understanding that if they are not in shape they will get left behind.
I spent to many years being held back by hunting with people who were not as serious about it as I was so I now I just plan to hunt by myself.
Having said that in the last couple years I have met some folks on the internet with the same hunting and being in shape ethic that I have and we have been having a good time hunting together.

Bottom line, if you depend on others to go hunting with you you may never go.
I do wish you luck on finding a good hunting partner, they are out there.

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

I have had some good hunting pertners in the past but when we started I was the youngster of the bunch and time as it always does has taken its toll on our group. Some have passed on and some just can't take the rigors of the hunt. It has and will happen to all of us as time goes on. I have a lot of respect for all good hunters wether they want to sleep in thier own bed the night before the hunt or pack in for several days and backpack it. I have slept in comfortable cabins on hunting trips and I have slept in a tree in the rain. Those kind of trips as someone said will weed out the softer ones very quick. That said, My wife has always been my main partner in hunting and all other aspects of life. If your that lucky then your problems will be few. Anyway checking out some of these forums is not a bad place to start as mentioned above. Good luck to you and I hope your hunt is a success. Wish I was young enough to be an ooption.;) This year my hunting will be done from a camp we set up and I don't apolagize for saying its a comfortable camp. Those of us who are left in our group have earned it.

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

Alsatian-- Was wondering why a cow and not a bull. I have hunted elk 2 times with my brother with out a guide. In unit 62 in colorado with the muzzleloaders. First time hunting elk we both got bulls next time passed on legal bulls hoping to get a real big one. Our next hunt hopefully will be in 05 in trophy unit 61 as we have 11pp for elk. We back pack in about 3 miles and set up camp and hunt from there. Back pack our elk out.

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

Buckslayer1:

The cow tag is cheaper and my funds are limited. I think I would have a higher probability of scoring hunting a cow than hunting a bull. I am a new comer to elk hunting, this would be a first trip. With the benefit of learning on a first cow hunt I may thereafter go after a bull on a future trip. I have no place to put an elk rack in my home, so what good does scoring on a big bull do me? Finally, I like the meat that I get from hunting, and I expect that cow meat is probably better than bull meat.

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

Thanks for the replys. They have given me excellent food for thought.

ELKampMaster: I plan to do a brief scouting trip in my prospective hunt area in mid-October when returning from a Wyoming pronghorn antelope hunt, provided adverse events beyond my control do not prohibit this (slow to tag out on pronghorn or heavy snows up around 11,000' in my hunt area). I'll look for organized camps when I am on the scene.

Also, I like your suggestion of approaching an established group. This offers the advantage, as you point out, of getting the benefit of their elk hunting knowledge and prior experience in the hunting area. I'm willing to pitch in and do my share of work, I have some prior camping experience in the wilds (wilderness area backpacking at 10,000' to 12,000' altitudes), and I'm a skilled cook. I can pitch these attributes and try to weedle my way into an established group. I'm not wedded to my plan to hunt the San Juan mountains of SW Colorado, this is just an area I have prior experience backpacking and some information about elk presence.


121553 and Charlie Brown: Hunting solo is appealing, but I prefer the idea of having at least one partner to share the beauty of the outdoors and the joys of the hunt with, as well as to provide some additional help in case of accidents. If I had no other way to go on the hunt I would probably go solo.

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

I'll echo the sentiments of the two guys touting solo hunting. Finding a good hunting partner is probably more difficult than finding a good wife. I hate the normal hunting routine you get sucked into with a partner. Say you'll pick him up at 5 AM, which means you'll leave his house at 6:30 AM, then go to a cafe while shooting light dawns, finally jump into the truck and head into the hills about 8 AM. So goes the day. It makes me absolutely nuts!

The worst thing about having a hunting partner is that every single aspect of the hunt will be the fruit of a compromise between what you really want to do and what he wants to do. Thus, the most important element in hunting is compromised - belief. You have to believe in what you're doing out there. How do you do that when you're not really doing the hunt the way you believe will work best?

One answer to this is to "hunt solo together". Each guy does his own hunt for the day, and you arrange to meet for lunch or after dark back at the truck. Good luck finding a partner!

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

Dirt2, you relate the classic scenario....

I never had the problem you describe with any of my partners back when we used to hunt the local patch, but I heard plenty of grief from those who did have similar experiences!

This is one reason of why I tend to differentiate between hunts where the hunters "sleep in their own bed and then get up and pursue their game in the local patch" versus hunters that pursue their game in an "away from home/remote hunt." Overall, a whole different ball game generally involving a whole different level of play, IMHO.

Now drop ole sleepy head into a remote camp (if you can ever get him out of the county)....

"Pick him up...."
"His house...."
"Cafe...."
"Jump into the truck...."

Ah, no.... if he won't get up and get ready on time, just leave him in camp and let's go get some game....

EKM

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

I was stunned by reading this thread, as most of the complaints dovetailed my own. Since 1976, I have worked on finding a partner/partners with whom to enjoy big game hunting. I have gone with a couple different parties and we all got along fine, but these were never folk who were ready to go again next year. Here are some reasons why it is difficult to get an annual big game hunt together:
(1) They do not have the money.
(2) They have the money, but cannot get off work.
(3) The wife gets sick, just prior to leaving for the hunt!
(4) They had the money but had some other family emergency which took precedent over hunting.
I am going back to the ranch where I killed a bull in 2002, armed also with a mule deer license. The place is on the western slope of the Rockies. The cabin is at 8400ft and I ride a horse up to around 10,000ft to hunt the parks. I stayed out there one week in July and saw three nice bulls in velvet, black bear, coyote and a couple nice muley bucks.
The entire package, with cabin and horses is very reasonable for four hunters. If anyone would like to talk about an elk/mule deer hunt for 2005, let me know.
I am now 62. Been a lifelong deer hunter, here in Md. Just started western hunts in 1990. Bred and hunted Pointers from Australia to Mexico to Canada. Like varmint shooting and go to the range on a weekly basis to keep tuned up. Hold a dealers FFL and trade in firearms, along with my clock shop. Like self guided hunts, as described above, but no more tenting for me. Want a hot shower at the end of the day, and a real bed. Now shooting a 7mmWSM Winchester Ultimate Shadow, mounted with Burris 3-9x40 Signature scope on Leupold mounts and rings. No longer use alcohol or tobacco, but not opposed to those products in the cabin after the hunt. I do my own cooking in the cabin, as it takes too long to get down off the mountain to eat out.

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

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RE: Finding hunting partners
 

I dont have that problem .I have a great partner child hood school mate dont even have to ask the only thing I have to tell him is where and when.


The first time out elk hunting went with 8 people nobody got an elk but we seen and heard elk not enough for my friends but not me and my hunting budy we were hooked took us 3 more trips to get one and had killed or had the chance to kill every since

But now the other freinds see us bringing home the meat and want to go back out after we did the leg work for a point to where the elk are hunting trip .[:@]

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

I don't know about you all but my one and only hunting partner is my dad till he get to down to hunt then we will have to see who if anyone( I doudt it) can take his place.

RE: Finding hunting partners
 

Alsatian,

As the others have said, finding a good hunting partner is hard to to. I have been lucky in that area, I've been blessed with several good hunting/camping and fishing buddies over the years.

Something I've been thinking about asking for on this board in the future, if everything goes well, and I may be laughed off this board, is. I'm thinking about asking some of these folks that elk hunt and camp while doing it, if they would let me tag along on their camp/hunt. I would pay my part for groceries, etc. and would be glad to cook for them. I just don't know anything about elk hunting or camping in the mountains. Don't get me wrong, I own a truck load or two of camping gear for here in Ga. I would be willing to not even bring a gun if they would let me tag along, if I wouldn't be in their way, just to learn.

Right now I can't do this, but maybe next year or the next. The only other way I know is to load up what I have and go west prior to hunting season and see what I need for a hunting trip, which I'm sure wouldn't equip me for the could weather of hunting seasons, but at least I'd have some idea of what the mountains are like.

This also is the only way I know to meet and get someone to trust me enough to invite me back to maybe hunt with them. Will just have to wait a while to ask.

Good luck.

dog1