Hunting alone vs with others...
 

I am new to deer hunting, and am looking for a mentor... I have shot at ranges for a couple of years now... and think I am good enough to take this to the next level...

Any ideas on finding a partner ?

I think I would feel more comfortable hunting with more experienced hunter(s).

Is this an uncommon request ?

-John
Fox Lake, IL

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

actually, i think that it is a good request. have you talked to any local hunters? especially the guys at the shooting range. or, at local gunshops? until you find someone to help you, read as much as you can and ask as many questions that you would like. there are a lot of knowledgeable hunters here that are more than willing to help.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

HUNTING is fun w/ preople of like mind. You get ot share experiences, woes and lies at the nedo fthe day, On the whole outdoors people are honest and ethical, the sort of person I perfer to be around. However, I do like to hunt by myself and do so fequntly. I let people know where I am of course. First few years hunt w/ someone of you can, sportsmans clubs are a good spot to meet and greet. Sometimes the old timers who can't get aorund so much appreciate being around someone w/ enthusiasm and that will take them along. They have a lot to teach us! Good Luck.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

Hey man, I know how you feel. I started hunting 7 years ago, and I am the ONLY person in my family to hunt, (besides my one uncle, but he doesn't do it anymore, hasn't for a long time). I had to teach myself everything, I didn't even have anyone to show me how to field dress a deer!! But what I did, is do a bunch of reading and research. Took a hunter's safety course and hunting license requirement class. Bought the right equipment, and most importantly, got out in the woods and hunted. I have learned more from actually going in the woods, than I have from any book. It has been trial and error since day one. And anyone, whether they have been hunting for 4 or 40 years can say that they learn something, no matter how big or small, every time they are in the woods. I learned little by little and finally I shot my first deer with a shotgun, then my first buck with my bow and it has been an addiction ever since.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

Like stated above, hunting with others can be fun. It all really depends on the situation. I like both. The other people I hunt with tend not to take everything as seriously as I do. Like scent and noise discipline. But it's still fun sometimes.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

I prefer hunting alone, but have enjoyed co. of others plenty of times. I like the one on one aspect of hunting for big buck. It's a " to each his own "

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

Becarefull on who you choose. You must be like minded in almost everything you do. If you like to go to the bar after the hunt your partner should to. This is just an example but the more you have in common the better. If you go out of state with them it helps for the non hunting time.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

I love to hunt alone and never hunt with anyone. The only person I will hunt with is my son. I went with him today and he got a very nice mule deer. The memory we had today will last forever. Other then hunting with him I hunt solo.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

I've been blessed with an uncle who is more like an older brother to me (he's 13 years my senior). His whole life is hunting and fishing and took the time to take me ever since I was a young child. My father also took me hunting and fishing but he isn't quite the maniac that my uncle and I are even though I think I'm starting to rub off on him :). Any IMO, there is no substitutefor a good mentor to show you the ropes because there is SO much to learn. I can't wait for my kids to get old enough to hunt (I already take my daughter fishing) and be a mentor for them. If you can find a good honest mentor, your learning curve will be much less steep.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

Having a mentor is great, but if one doesn't materialize, don't hesitate to get out and try it by yourself. You'll learn as you go. There's a lot to learn just on these forums.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

just to reiterate, do be careful who you choose. I know that when I walk in the woods, I am very mindful of all of my surroundings, and as the saying goes "don't stop on anything you can step over", that holds very true for me. I hunt with one of my buddies who is a bit more clumsy than I am and it annoys me sometimes, but it is still great to hunt with a friend.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

Used to hunt with several folks. Did a lot of scouting for them, gave them info on good bucksand they got some very nice bucks while i got little. No more of that for me.Still do the scouting. But the only folks i share that info with aremy son and grand-daughters.Has worked out a lot better that way.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

I want to thank all of you who sent me back input. I have been reading as much as I can from various sites, and also have been watching Youtube videos as well.

Unfortunately, I have to hunt public lands as I can't afford the steep lease rates of private lands or outfitters. I also have to purchase all hunting gear (except for a rifle & camping gear), plus the non-resident licenses, state park vehicle-parking fees, and camping rates.

I'm still trying to figure out which of the state parks to hunt in Wisconsin (good deer population vs. number of hunters, plus allows camping) and I am running out of time quickly... season starts November 22nd though the 30th, which gives me little time to physically scout it out before season starts. My original thoughts are to go a day or two earlier to be sure to have a place to camp, and to figure out where the pressured deer may travel through to get away from everyone when the crowds start coming.

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why the WDNR put's deer season smack dab in the middle of a major holiday ? To top it off, my wifes birthday is also during the only firearm hunting week for deer also. Hunting / Divorced.... choices choices...

I am hoping not to have to give up the idea of hunting this year... Which is why I was kinda hoping to find someone that had much of this figured out, and could "show me the ropes". Especially if I manage to actually get a deer, I have never field-dressed an animal before, and for that aspect I really would like some assistance.

Thanks again everyone for listening to my rant...

-John
Fox Lake, IL

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

Good luck John

Dont be afraid to get out there and do it on your own. If you understand and adhere to the safety rules and area laws just go ahead and do it.

As far as field dressing a deer, it's actually pretty simple. There have been several videos posted here on how to do it. There are also many publications that show how. Take your time with it. Some tend to want to rush it and wind up puncturing things they didn't want to including themselves.

My first hunt, 4 years ago was with my 12 year old daughter. Neither of us had ever gone before. Like you, i asked lots of questions of the people on this site and learned tons. She killed a deer that day (youth day). Best hunting day of my life.

Just get out there and do it John. I'm sure if you have any questions before you go the great folks on here will help you.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

Good luck!

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

let us know how it goes too

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

I like hunting with my dad (im 23 and only been hunting for 4 years now) sometimes we go with like 9 guys but the area is not really big enough for all of us BUT it does get the deer moving back and forth. I never went alone and dont think it would be much fun if you shoot a deer and need help dragging it out and so forth

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

I like to hunt alone for the most part but I am looking to getting my son in on hunting very soon. He is still to young.
I started hunting 4 years ago with a guy I met at Bow Class. Turns out he did not know half of what he thought and would consistantly get us busted, not to mention he was a smoker and could never make it to the hunting spot without fireing one up in the car on the way. He would always justify it with something about someone he knew that has taken all these bucks and smokes in the woods. After a half season of that I went solo and have bagged three bucks and a doe.

RE: Hunting alone vs with others...
 

I think deer hunting is a solo event. I truly enjoy time spent at the camp with others and the comraderie we share, but the actual hunt is alone time. Only 3 people get to hunt with me. My wife, who decided it's too cold for her; and my 2 sons. Other than that I deer hunt alone.
When I want to hunt with others I try to do a little squirrel hunting.