RE: What do you do when?
 

This is what I would do. I would try to get your buddy as comfortable in the woods as possible. I've started a couple of my friends out sitting practically back-to-back nearby. My friends were nervous, figity, and noisy (coughing, snorting, etc), but I was bringing them into a sport that I loved. It was new to them. But as they got more confident, they went their own way, found their own successes and failures. You might not want to take them to your "honey hole" to do this as they will probably try to return there. You may have to find a totally new area to hunt with them.

I remember hunting back-to-back with my dad (even before I carried a gun). My dad taught me patience, woodsmanship, and sportsmanship. To me hunting was and is experienced best when shared. That's why we are here right now, sharing our trials, tribulations, successes etc.

If they get a deer and you don't won't the trip still be rewarding? You can share in their sucess. Familiarity will bring confidence that they can do it on their own.

Passing on the tradition and heritage is what will keep this sport alive.

RE: What do you do when?
 

Something ain't quite right here...Two full yrs hunting with you and your buddies, should certainly be enough time for him to know the hunting styles that you (all) use. I think the problem is directly related to the fact that he is worried about getting lost. Reading a compass doesn't require a Harvard PhD, and why he hasn't done this to this point is a mystery. I would set the record srtaight and get to the root of his fears. I would talk with him and tell him (for his own good) that you will definitely be hunting alone this year. He cannot and should not be following you thru the woods. Make him feel that he should be hunting on his own and that with a little guidance from you, he can begin to be more independent. Make hin understand that there is no compromise here and that others have gone thru the same thing that he is experiencing now. Now a far as his shooting skills are concerned........

RE: What do you do when?
 

This kinda made me think of my first deer hunt which was 3 years ago. (just moved here from a place with no deer, just moose and caribou) My father-in-law took me down a trail through some woods which I've never seen before, we got to a spot and he said "walk through those dense woods, follow the orange tape on the trees (about every 50 feet or so) and you will find your deer stand about 1/4 mile in". Being an hour before daylight, I was kinda nervous about losing the trail. But after a little frustration, I finally found it. I couldn't be more happier that morning when I finally saw it....lol

RE: What do you do when?
 

You have a few guys hunting with you, take turns with him that mite help you out. Even old new guys need a little help.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: What do you do when?
 

Guys thanks for your comments and suggestions. Well I had a chat with him tonight. First off I told him I would be more than happy to help him, take him,teach him & even hunt with him at times. If he had question or felt uncomfortable no problems just say so. I also let him know that I have bought a extra FRS for the trip (basically for him to feel more comfortable) and he could have my Compass. Which I would show him how to use. I have loads of ticker tape and told him he will get a roll to help feel comfortable and confident. I stated that the only true way to learn is do, of course help is required and guidance I have no problems with that......BUT WE ARE NOT ABBOTT & COSTELLO..we will be alone for most the time. His main concern is being lost, tracking a wounded animal and would like to learn more about deer. He doesn't want to ruin my hunt, nor does he expect me to babysit him (well you could have said that the first time and I wouldn't have told the wife, the buddies and all you guys of my pickle) He actually wants to get dirty and do some things on his own...great. Again this was something would have been useful to me "YESTERDAY"!!!!! So it looks like everybody wins and no need to change my name to: MR: DICK!

Sure to be some bumps, but I am back to being really pumped again. I really hate to sound like a whiner or a dick, I just needed some place to vent. The wife just said tell him to go fly it up a rope, she knows how I am with hunting. I appreciate you all commenting on this dumb thread. Hope I can be their for some of you in the future...thanks

Best of luck in your season and be safe.

RE: What do you do when?
 

Skeeter there are a couple things in life that I don't compromise on and one of them is hunting.(it cost me a marriage once). You were very patient in offering in putting him in a place but NO able bodied adult hunts besides someone esle, get him started off right first and if he wants to hunt then these are the rules... You hunt by your lonely and your not going to blow my chances at a nice buck. I have left a friend or two at there house because they didn't have there act together when I went to get them. I am all for helping a newbie but he has to compromise also, but not at my expense, he may jeperodize my hunt,and I take it very personal. This is one of the reasons why I like to hunt alone because its difficult to find someone dependable and who takes it as serious as I do.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: What do you do when?
 

121553, I hear you on the hunting thing...you can ask my wife<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>! She says she is a hunting widow from Sept-Dec, but takes it in stride and supports me all the way...thanks god.

I did want to say stay home, but realize everybody needs help. I have benifited through the years from help and learned more on my own but still you need the confidence first off and support. I would hate to take all my secrets to the grave, that just ain't me. I also don't spill the beans either, so still play by the old vague fisherman rule &quot;of over their somewhere, as I point S,E,W,N) Lets face it not everybody has what it takes to be a hunter all by themselves, but I don't want it to be a job or expected.

In any regards, it is sorted out, he knows the score and is good to go. I am also happy with helping him, as long as I get to do my own thing...great. Sure we may have to be in the woods earlier than normal to pull off the detour but who cares I don't sleep well after 4 am when I am going hunting any way.



Edited by - skeeter 7MM on 11/07/2002 22:50:26

RE: What do you do when?
 

It sounds to me like you dont need advice , sounds like you got a good heart! Hope your rewarded with a trophy!

<---Doug---<<<

RE: What do you do when?
 

Skeeter I am a lone wolf also, however I love to teach newbies. Right now I am teaching 2 young ladies, this will be thier second season, I take them presesaon scouting, they help me set stands, they have learned how to find deer trails, what a rub and a scrape are, where to set a stand, the whole 9 yards. They do not come bow hunting yet, but I take them one at a time during gun season, I view them as an extra set of eyes and so far I can honestly say they may have only cost me one shot and considering they are only 10 and it was a simple mistake of not getting down when some doe were running through and spooking the buck in pursuit. in a year or two these young ladies will be carrying a gun and sitting on a stand I will leave them at and pick them up from, yes even at 11 or 12 they will be on a stand by themselves, but I will be dropping them off and picking them up. Oh did I mention they were my twin girls.

skeeter at 33 years old and his 3rd year of hunting he should be on his own, maybe next year you could take him preseason scouting to build up his confidence in the woods, it sounds like from what you said he does want to be on his own, but just needs a bit more confidence in navigating in the woods.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club