Western Hunting Solo?
 

Does anyone out there hunt solo in the western states?? Just wanted to get an opinion on my situation. I hunted Montana last fall for muleys in Eastern MT with my brother. Had a great time and saved the money to apply again only to have my brother back out. So I put in anyway as I really wanted to get back there again. Well, I got drawn and am planning on going out solo unless I can hook up with a guy I met from Billings. I'm a little leery because of the safety factor but I've never let it stop me before. Any tips from any of you soloists?? We hunted via a reservoir last fall and I may head back that way again even though I won't have a boat. I figure I can still get to some country that holds deer via foot power and also check out some Block Mgmt areas around there.

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

I hunt solo most of the time. Alot of people tell me that it isn't safe but I disagree. Most real hunting accidents are caused from a hunting partner. I do let someone know where I am (or camped out anyway) and when I should return just in case something happens.

I trust my skills in the mountains and about the only thing that I ever think about is falling somehow and breaking my leg and having to crawl 3-4 miles out by myself.

The thing that I like about solo hunting is that I can do what I want. You aren't waiting around for someone else and the day is 100% about hunting for me

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

I have for deer and antelope in a few of the western states. Its the pits when your partner backs out at the last minute and leaves you holding the bag . I had this happen a couple times and then just planned to go it alone after that . Then if someone decided to go along it was a plus and not a loss . Hal

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

ironranger You will have no trouble finding deer or places to hunt by yourself. You will wish someone else was there to help you drag you deer back to the truck.:)
If I draw a Late season bull elk tag or kill a elk during archery season? I might be in your neck of the woods looking for a big mule deer buck? Maybe we could hook? I would be happy to help you drag your deer back to your truck. I even have a boat we can use.

i hunt idaho muleys solo every year..
 

i am able to score a muley every year hunting by myself in western idaho..as for safety i would bring a handgun for back up...lots of cougars,wolves and , bears in montana..you might want to photo copy a topo map (if you have one) to give to your family so they know where you will be heading...this may sound funny but i pack a model 35 glock with
hi caps just in case a kitty or a big bad wolf wants to get frisky....last year, right out of boise..while i was hunting i hear some weird barking, it turned out to be a wolf. he stayed his distance but i was prepared.

a 9mm and bigger will kill a mt. lion and a wolf...

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

Thanx for the information!! I appreciate it. I sent you an email Wolf Killer and appreciate the offer.

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

I fish and grouse and duck hunt solo. The grouse hunting gets me a little worried sometimes. I worry about getting lost and about bears and cougar. This year I think I'll carry a few slug shells to be safe. I also just bought a GPS unit as another preventative measure with the getting lost issue.

When hunting or fishing solo all I do is think of the family and that stops me in my tracks from taking a chance that in my younger years would not have thought twice about like crossing a deep section of river or pushing on into new territory.

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

I love to hunt solo. It gives me a chance to do what I want. I can hunt at my own pace, no one to catch up with or wait for. If I feel like sitting for two hours, well then thats what I do. It is also more peaceful, seems like I can get in touch with nature when I am alone out there. Cats don't worry me too much. There is plenty of other food for them to eat, and I have a bigger gun;)

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

Thanx again for the responses!!

Hey Charlie Brown, I see you live in Elko. I know a few people from my hometown (Babbitt, MN) that moved out to Elko years ago to work. Do you know any from Minnesota??

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

Game carts are a handy Item when you do a three dayer and score a bigun. Go for it! good luck and think success.

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

I like solo myself for the most part, If your confident in your woodsmanship then I'ts not as dangerous as some may make it out to be, one of the downfalls of solo is no one to share a great experience with. But the freedom it gives you is great, but if you have a hunting partner that you know real well then it can be pretty free in itself.My Dad and I alway hunt together but I can still go off on my own and meet up with at cmap or the truck whenever.

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

Even though i don't really live in 'badlands' of the west. My dad and I used to go hunting together all the time. But now I hunt alone.

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

WELL IN HUNTING YOU NEED EYES. ONE TIME IT WAS BOUT HALF AND HOUR TILL THE SEASON WAS OVER AND MY BUDDY WHO HAD A MULE DEER TAG SAID OK LETS HEAD HOME. SO WE WERE DRIVING BACK AND THERE WAS A 3X3 BUCK (IT WAS DECENT) TOLD MY BUDDY WHOA! WE AINT GOIN HOME JUST YET MY FREIND! GOT THE BINOCS OUT AND TOLD MY BUDDY WHERE IT WAS AND IT WAS UP ON THE HILLSIDE JUST LOOKIN AT US. I TOLD HIM SOON AS YOU GET SHOT TAKE HIM WELL NOT EVEN 2 SECONDS LATER HE DRILLED IT. WENT HOME WITH SOME MEAT. MIGHT NOT HURT TO HAVE TWO MORE EYES PLUS I ENJOY THE COMPANY TOO.

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

Solo is the way to go!
You may want to let the local warden know when and were your hunting and that you'll call and let him know when you leave.
Have good survival kit
A good pack for getting your meat out.
Leave a copy of you map at camp showing were your going to hunt each day.
This may seem like over kill But if you need help it's a life saver.

RE: Western Hunting Solo?
 

I hunt solo most of the time in high country here in COlorado. I don't do it by choice, I just don't have a real partner; wife goes and hunts when she can but I usually take off more to hunt than she does or can. Last yr I offered to pay a partner, gbot got no responses. I guess it's just the way guys are. If you do it give the Buckskin Network phone number to your wife or family if they need you in emergency. They broadcast daily at 6am, noon, and 6pm I think on all local FM stations in the high country regions. http://www.csp.state.co.us/News/buckskin2002.htm