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

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 &quot;honey hole&quot; 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 &quot;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&quot;. 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 &quot;YESTERDAY&quot;!!!!! 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

RE: What do you do when?
 

Walk directly up to him, kiss him on the lips and tell him you would love to spend some time alone in the woods with him.
After that, if he shows up to hunt which I doubt he will, take him in the woods and shoot him.

RE: What do you do when?
 

Rockytop...I must be sick cause I am LMAO with your post.

Tazman, your right he does want to do it himself, which he didn't indicate earlier but is bush scared. I know it can happen and am willing to help do my part to bring some confidence. Thanks for your idea about prescouting, that is a great idea...next year.

Bowfanatic, I wanted advice of how do I say yes come but not with me, without sounding like a dick. He is my good buds brother in law and didn't want to start a family fued or tension. I think teaching is part of this sport and what makes it so great, after all would we all be where we are today without some experienced outdoorsman or hunter (be it dad, grandpa, uncle or friend) I think not. We owe it to our sport to give back and keep the tradition going. If this is good hearted than I think we are all the that boat. But thanks for your support.

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: What do you do when?
 

Rockytop that is hilliaruis, I never thought of that. I bet it will work.<img src=icon_smile_kisses.gif border=0 align=middle>