Ok we all know it's that time of year. I have two other guys I bowhunt with on my land. Well one that is a great bowhunter and the other one thinks he is. The one that is a great bowhunter has been out with me scouting everytime since February....help me set every stand....when it comes time to hunt he can hunt whichever he wants, so long as i am not hunting there![8D] We both are interested in harvesting the best deer possible on my land. Now for my other buddy. I have been friends with this guy for 15 years since i was 9. We got him started bowhunting 3 years ago. Last year I sat him oin a stand that I had seen a nice 150 around on several occasions before the season opened. I told him if that deer comes by to let him have it. Thought I was being a nice guy.Wanted him to shoot a nice one.Well he shoots a button buck on the firstnight. Was i irratated, hell yes i was. The next night he shoots a yearling. I felt bad but i kinda let him have it then.

Now for my question: Should i let him hunt with us this year? I have already tried explaining my thoughts with him last year. My other buddy says we should just give him a stand on opening dayand send him to the SE part of the farm, we really have never seen deer there. Why should he get any of the stands that we have spent hours and days scouting and standing? Does this reasoning make sense or am i being a jackass, which I have been called on several occasions.

OK, I see two sides to this one. I agree with you in that it's your land and you did explain to your friend that you wanted him to take the 150 class. However, looking at it from his point of view it was only his second year archery hunting and taking those two deer was probably very rewarding to him. To you and I it wouldn't have made a difference and we would have let them walk but to someone new to the sport they may have been very rewarding to him. What I would do now that he has a few with a bow is tell him up front what he can and can't take on your land. If he takes a doe it must be mature and absolutely no BBs. He should have the same standards for management as you and your other friend have. As far as hanging stands just go by the rule you hunt what you hang. If you helped hang it then you can hunt it. I would probably still let him hunt the land but would tell him he needs to hang his own stands to do so. I have a lot of friends that I hunt with and they all do things on occasion that can tick me off but I'm not gonna let something like shooting a BB ruin a good friendship. If he holds your friendship in the same regards and respects you as a person he'll understand where you are coming from and honor your wishes while hunting your land.

Bowhunting is more than a passion for most of us. It is hard work to do it right! If a person is not willing to put out the effort,the rewards are not earned. As you said, he does not have the same priorities as you because he has not worked for it. Let him sit at least the first part of the season out and see if his attitude and goals change a little. More than likely he will at least be more willing to do what you ask.

Read and re-read bearklr's post. Perfect advise including not letting a BB ruin a good freindship. Ever think maybe he's bowhunting because you, his buddy got him into it?

I understand a newbie wanting to get some deer under his belt and that is fine but he needs to do that some other place and follow your rules when he is on your place. If he can't do that then he needs to hunt somwhere else. Its a two way street and you certainly don't want to lose a friend but if he was concerned about that then he would follow the rules that have been set. Try talking to him again and make sure that he understands and agrees to your rules regarding management.

I agree with everyone. That's what sucks about the situation. You could tell he was proud of that first deer he shot. That's why i didn't say much at all. I love having him in camp and wouldn't trade it for the world but at the same time i want him pulling his own weight. Maybe this year will be different, who knows. I think the last two years my buddy and I have showed him what happens when you show a little patience and constraint.Keep em' coming guys I want to hear what you all think. I like the rule you hunt what you hang. That may solve the proble right there. He doesn't have any stands either he always uses mine. Well mine are all up so that may solve that problem.

Have to agree with bearklr, no deer is worth a good friend. But, if he is a good friend then he should understand the rules and regulations of your place. Sit down and have another talk and if still doesnt abide by your law then you might ought to rethink your friendship.

My question to you would be is there a reason why he can't get out there with you and the other guy e.i. he has kids or a job that won't allow him the freedom that you all have. I have a 6 year old son and am a hands on father soI don't have as much time to scout and stuff like some of my buddieswho don't have kids. Sometimes I think that people that deer hunting way to serious, this guy is your buddy not just a hunting partner. You may want to look at it like this, if something happened to you and you could no longer hunt would this guy be there for you. If the answer is Yes then I wouldn't do anything to jepordize that friedship. Once again they're only deer.

i can understand your frustration,similar experience with my older brother who got me into bow hunting,
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He is not a bad or unethical hunter,
he just doesnt share the same goals as myself,
he will basically shoot anything that moves,
we often disagree on hunting but he does listen, and does give in to my view,
He will grill me about it but does listen,
one example was when he left his license at home, 350 miles away,he wanted to hunt anyway, i told him no, he ended up getting a replacement and coming back joining me for the hunt,
he wasnt happy about spending the money and going to get the replacement, but did it because he knew it was the right thing to do

I would explain your rules and your philosophy to the guy,
and he either agree's or hunts elsewhere

I would tell him that if he shoots one more deer that he isnt supposed to shoot then that will be the end of his hunting there.You have rules and guidelines that you follow as well as helping out during the off season.if he cant follow thse simple rules and start putting forth the effort to help then his privilage tohunt this property is over.Do this in a way that will keep the friendship intact.