What do you do when?
 

Your days away from your hunting trip and the newest member say's "This year I want to hunt with you" Ok, but I like to hunt alone, in fact we all go our seperate ways, have our secret haunts and it works well. Deer and good bucks all over, so everyone thinks their spot is the best. Now throw in a 3rd year tag along guy, who should really be on his own. Well tonight he calls and tells me he ain't willing or wanting to hunt all alone and he wants me to take him or tag with me. First thought is don't come, but that's just not nice. I mentioned I had no problem setting him in some spots, even walking him in the dark and coming to get him later. But he wants to physically be with me. I said I would devote the first day or so to helping him find, notice and locate spots, deer, sign, etc but in no way was I spending the entire week with a tag along. He states he is scared of getting lost, I said buy a compass or better yet GPS. Doesn't have the money and can't really read a compass well. Again the thought of don't come are ringing in my head, but I can't say it.

So I am in a pickle. What do I do? I think it is unfair, unreasonable and silly to hunt the whole week with a shadow, twice the noise, scent, etc. I took the week off to hunt my trophy, this is basically my hunting season, yes I am selfish to a point. I also don't want to be a dick.

Thoughts?

RE: What do you do when?
 

I think that you are right on with getting him started on the first day out. He might need the extra support since he is extra nervous about being alone in the woods. This is good kharma for you. The rest of the week should be for you. After you bag your trophy, maybe you could spend more time showing him some woodsmanship.

Teach him to use a map and compass before he gets into the woods or leave him at home. A fairly good compass is only about $10-20 bucks and it can literally save your life. Over the last two seasons, I have helped two 'directionally challenged' hunters who didn't have maps or compasses get back to their rigs or camps. Last year's find was potentially deadly since a cold front had moved in and he didn't even have a jacket or hat.

When he is on his own, have him hunt close to camp or your vehicles this year so that he can easily find his way out. Put up marking flags if necessary so he can follow them back if he is really hopeless.

HuntingNet Member since Spring 2001

RE: What do you do when?
 

OH boy skeeter what a buddy you are!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Maybe he likes you!<img src=icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle>
Better watch out!
LOL
I would tell him you are the lone wolf and you don't take anybody with you. you didnt take him to raise!heck if you see that new world record he will probably shoot it before you!! or spook it off! is it worth the risk? haha
decisions ain't they a bi***!
good luck dude !

SOUTH ARKANSAS REBEL

RE: What do you do when?
 

Your &quot;hunting buddy&quot; HAS to have more tact than to just say &quot;I wanna hunt with you.&quot; although, it is kind of a honour in a way, because he probably thinks highly of you. If I were you I would sit him down and tell him that you want to hunt alone, maybe for the first two days, and then take him out a day or two on your other days. If he is a friend, he will understand and respect your wishes, if he doesn't understand, I wouldn't hunt with him at all. It's like I tell my grade sevens, a friend will respect your opinions and wishes and who you want to hang around with etc. and if they don't they aren't your friends. Good Luck


Be a stewart of the outdoors. Help to keep our heritage.

RE: What do you do when?
 

Wow, if he is out his third year, he should be definetly on his. He should be alone regardless! I started three years ago and I was just showed the kill zone on a deer my first year and they brought me to a spot and left it at that. I would tell him that you only hunt alone. Tell him you will show him everything he needs to know, compass everything. If anything, tell him you will pick him up when coming out of the woods, but he has to be on his own! Is he a younger kid? If not tell him to get a pair of balls. Tell him he will be fine without you there. Dont be a dick about it, but just tell him this is how its going to be. Thats just the way it is. If he dont like it, he will have to deal with it and stay home. Just make sure you answer all his questions before you leave him out there so he dont panic. Why dont he want to hunt alone? Whats the deal?

Ron Starr

RE: What do you do when?
 

Skeeter your to kind hearted. What It all comes down to is if you want that trophy deer or not. I think it was very nice of you to help him out as far as getting him started. Hanging with him for a day, Setting him up and coming back to get him at night. Thats above and beyond the call of duty. Your trying to help him out, but he's putting you against a wall. Tell him if he wants to go that those are your terms and thats that!!!

RE: What do you do when?
 

He's 33 and this will be his third year in the woods. He doesn't have a lot of woodsman in him, you know how some get it all easily but yet other have to try way to hard....he is the latter. He has tagged ears in the past 2 seasons, so has had success...but also missed 12 times the first year and 5 times the second before putting one down...but all shots were textbook double lungers..he can shot. Has to learn to slow down and control his breathing...but is doing that and it will come with experience. He has seen but missed bucks. He really wants a buck, I understand that...but so do I. I would say myself and my longtime bud are the real hardcore hunters of the group, we think, sleep, eat and drink hunting. The others get real excited a month or two before the season. So a division line to a point, all are really good, ethical and safe guys.(a must if you hunt with me) I have told him and he knows I am loner during daylight hours. We all are, it improves our chances on deer and much safer to boot. I have been up front and stated as I did previous, I would set him up, walk him in and out till he was comfortable. (I won't ticker tape the trail as I don't really want attention to any spot, but maybe at certain intersections or tougher areas...that is a good thought) I also said in no way was I having a shadow the entire week, if unacceptable you make the call (to him, to come or stay home), so he knows the score. I also understand that starting out, especially a lack of bush skills can be a lot. So I am sympathetic to a point, but really feel the only way to learn is on your own and experience (I have yet to stop learning something when I hit the field, in fact the day it becomes old hat will be my last day hunting....that is the thrill and the hook...no!). Spoon feeding will give limited knowledge or know how in any area. I am thinking of giving or offering my GPS to him, I know how to get in and out...plus I have great experience with a compass...so I really can live without if need be. As far as lost, we also all carry radios, now granted they are only good for 2 miles tops...but should be security to a point.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your response.

RE: What do you do when?
 

PS your damn rights I want a chance on my trophy, otherwise I wouldn't be in this PICKLE.

RE: What do you do when?
 

33y/o ,missed 12 times first year and 5 second year before putting a doe down. gets a bad case of buck fever BAD!!!
NO WAY SKEET HE WOULD BE ON HIS OWN!!!
And pray for the deer!ha ha
MY 12 y/o son has a better record than him!!!!!!!!
I am sure he would appreciate not having his name mentioned.HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

SOUTH ARKANSAS REBEL

RE: What do you do when?
 

Hey, Skeeter...this might help. We had a similar situation with a new guy that started hunting with us a few years ago. He didnt really want an ******, but he was worried about getting lost on property he was not familiar with. He used a couple of rolls of orange trail-marking tape and marked his backtrail into the woods as he still-hunted. Each day he travelled a little further, hunting good spots he found along the way, and then removed all the tape on his final trip out at the end of the week. I think this would be particularly good for your inexperienced hunter, too, because it will force him to slow down and move less...plus he'll be comfortable knowing he's not lost. Within a couple of seasons our new guy was familiar enough with the property that he doesnt have to do this anymore.
Good luck...
SC