Elk Hunting Partner
- Thread starter Swede
- Start date
cohunter14
Administrator
- Jul 10, 2017
- 5,332
The people in my elk camp are basically the same hunting partners I have for any game. The biggest things for me include the willingness to share in the work setting up camp, taking down camp, and everything in between. You also need to have a good time and be willing to share some laughs.
There were a few years where I got frustrated at some of our group for the lack of hard work in trying to fill their tags, but I finally realized that it doesn\'t effect me and shouldn\'t matter to me. I might work harder than them during the day, but we still have a great time in the evenings when everyone is back in camp.
Biggest way to get on my bad side and lose your invite? Skimp out on the work.
There were a few years where I got frustrated at some of our group for the lack of hard work in trying to fill their tags, but I finally realized that it doesn\'t effect me and shouldn\'t matter to me. I might work harder than them during the day, but we still have a great time in the evenings when everyone is back in camp.
Biggest way to get on my bad side and lose your invite? Skimp out on the work.
elky McElkerson
New member
- Mar 13, 2014
- 2,038
i might be completely off base:
but in my rookie mentality, Elk Hunting is a team event. the animal is giant, carrying it out is a team event. hunting one is a team event. calling works better as a team., etc.
i think the best hunt partners understand this. i know a guy, several guys carried his elk. several guys helped butcher it. helped him find it, track the blood. got off the mountain, and nobody got even a single steak. he\'s working on his solo hunting skills now. hahah.
TEAM. i love celebrating a partner\'s hunt..anyone gets one, it is just about as exciting as me getting one. i dont know if i can explain it right.
but in my rookie mentality, Elk Hunting is a team event. the animal is giant, carrying it out is a team event. hunting one is a team event. calling works better as a team., etc.
i think the best hunt partners understand this. i know a guy, several guys carried his elk. several guys helped butcher it. helped him find it, track the blood. got off the mountain, and nobody got even a single steak. he\'s working on his solo hunting skills now. hahah.
TEAM. i love celebrating a partner\'s hunt..anyone gets one, it is just about as exciting as me getting one. i dont know if i can explain it right.
iccyman001
New member
- Apr 30, 2014
- 5,489
See, I am different.
A good hunting partner for me is someone who hunts like I do.
They can go off into the woods hours before dark, by themselves, hunt hard all day, then return well after dark.
Someone who when they kill something, will go through all of the motions and only come back when and IF they need help packing the elk out.
I love love love love having people in camp, but come hunting time, I don\'t want to be near anyone.
I had a good buddy who just moved. He was a great hunting partner because we both did our own things.
Then we always met back up at camp and had a great time.
I am 100% not against team hunting. In fact, I am all for being a part of it when I know me helping that person get an elk will mean the world to them.
For example, if Steven and Gary draw with me, my number 1 focus will be to make sure they have the time of their life and we get them an elk.
Then I will turn up the heat and go get my one.
A good hunting partner for me is someone who hunts like I do.
They can go off into the woods hours before dark, by themselves, hunt hard all day, then return well after dark.
Someone who when they kill something, will go through all of the motions and only come back when and IF they need help packing the elk out.
I love love love love having people in camp, but come hunting time, I don\'t want to be near anyone.
I had a good buddy who just moved. He was a great hunting partner because we both did our own things.
Then we always met back up at camp and had a great time.
I am 100% not against team hunting. In fact, I am all for being a part of it when I know me helping that person get an elk will mean the world to them.
For example, if Steven and Gary draw with me, my number 1 focus will be to make sure they have the time of their life and we get them an elk.
Then I will turn up the heat and go get my one.
I am like Dan in that I have always hunted solo since I was a kid starting out hunting and like the solo hunt. I enjoy time in camp with people who think like I do. Get the camp chores done so we can get back out hunting. When we get in at night we grab a bite to eat and talk about what happened on our hunts. We do team hunt when someone gets a elk then they help another member of our group.
I have hunted with several people but only a couple of them would I call good hunting partners. They both put the time and effort in to make the hunt a fun time. I think the biggest thing that make them good hunting partners is that when we are in the woods chasing animals we are on the same page we know what each other is going to do. I am not a big solo hunter I like to have someone there to enjoy the experience with through out the day.
I\'m pretty flexible when it comes to how I hunt. Last year was my first time elk hunting. I thought Terry and I made a good team. I like hunting by myself but when trying to figure out a new critter I\'m all for someone with some experience helps out too. When it comes time to pack out an elk, that is a lot of work but to me it is a rewarding accomplishment to know that you moved an animal of that size off of a mountain. That\'s something I really enjoyed and look forward to doing again no matter who the shooter is.
elkmtngear
New member
- Aug 9, 2017
- 1,152
\"iccyman001\" said:
I\'m in Dan\'s \"camp\" on this one.
I had a hunting partner for years, that eventually didn\'t even want to leave camp sometimes if the conditions weren\'t \"perfect\".
Everytime I expressed a desire to go out on my own, he would strongly protest, suggesting it was unsafe .
We finally parted ways. I\'m very happy hunting solo, but if I could find a partner that would do his own thing, and be there when needed, it might be the best of both Worlds. Rest assured, if he (or she) put a bull down, I\'d be right there to pack it out as well.
Best Wishes,
Jeff
Steven and I made a good team. On day one we both went our own way with a plan from our own map studies. On day 2 Steven helped me pack my bull off the mountain. He then hunted by himself some days and I tagged along some days. We were new to the area and gave it our best. I learned a few things each year that helps me become a better hunter. Like last year we should have taken a day or two and went way NW to find the elk. I WILL cover more ground this year. I will find more elk to hunt. I also learned Steven needs lanyards on EVERYTHING even his hat and knife. :lol:
I\'m pretty easy going and hunt and fish with a lot of different people, but there are a few things that will cause me to utter the phrase my dad always used \" I think you would be happier hunting with someone else\".
No desire to learn the skills necessary to the hunt...had a guy that did not want to learn how to saddle his horse and other things to do with horses.
Slacker...not pulling their weight in camp.
And the most embarrassing one of all...the guy that comes up short when its time to settle up trip expenses.
No desire to learn the skills necessary to the hunt...had a guy that did not want to learn how to saddle his horse and other things to do with horses.
Slacker...not pulling their weight in camp.
And the most embarrassing one of all...the guy that comes up short when its time to settle up trip expenses.
Geting the right elk hunting partner is always a gamble.
You both \'ante up\' as the season starts and only at the end of the season each decide if you want to play again.
IMO the best way way to really get to know someone is to spend a week traveling or a week in the elk woods together.
By the end of the week you both will come to the conclusion is you want to do it again.
I am a \'Team Elk Hunter\' . TEAMCNELK calls elk as a team, kills elk as a team, packs elk as a team and camps as a team.
This isnt to say we sometimes dont go off and hunt by ourselves sometimes, because we do that too.
But if that person gets an elk, we ALL go help get the elk.
I have had the conversations of \"I think you would be happier hunting with someone else\" more than once.
And those talks sometimes took place in the middle of the hunt.
I too like to see and help people shoot elk. I have accepted that Im good at that role.
I told Deertick that this fall in WY my goal is to bring bulls into his and his buddies laps.
If I get my turn, so be it.
After awhile, a person just knows who they want to hunt with and how.
You both \'ante up\' as the season starts and only at the end of the season each decide if you want to play again.
IMO the best way way to really get to know someone is to spend a week traveling or a week in the elk woods together.
By the end of the week you both will come to the conclusion is you want to do it again.
I am a \'Team Elk Hunter\' . TEAMCNELK calls elk as a team, kills elk as a team, packs elk as a team and camps as a team.
This isnt to say we sometimes dont go off and hunt by ourselves sometimes, because we do that too.
But if that person gets an elk, we ALL go help get the elk.
I have had the conversations of \"I think you would be happier hunting with someone else\" more than once.
And those talks sometimes took place in the middle of the hunt.
I too like to see and help people shoot elk. I have accepted that Im good at that role.
I told Deertick that this fall in WY my goal is to bring bulls into his and his buddies laps.
If I get my turn, so be it.
After awhile, a person just knows who they want to hunt with and how.
Good observation Terry...In the Army we always call it \"dummy cord\" I had all of my gear done up that way. Honestly last fall was the most gear I had ever really packed in the woods. I\'ve always been used to bowhunting close to my truck and not packing a lot of gear. I\'ll get better at keeping up with my stuff... I promise :lol:
My way or the highway.
Kidding, of course. I\'m looking for a person with some self-confidence, personality that matches, etc. I generally hunt alone, and so this year will be different, but in many ways that\'ll be better. None of us are as easy to get along with as we think, so I\'m looking for a patient person, too.
Our group this year will get along well, I\'m sure, because all of us are the kind of people who are just as happy to see someone else shoot an elk as we are to do that ourselves. That alone tells you about all you really need to know. People who think like that generally think correctly about most everything else.
Kidding, of course. I\'m looking for a person with some self-confidence, personality that matches, etc. I generally hunt alone, and so this year will be different, but in many ways that\'ll be better. None of us are as easy to get along with as we think, so I\'m looking for a patient person, too.
Our group this year will get along well, I\'m sure, because all of us are the kind of people who are just as happy to see someone else shoot an elk as we are to do that ourselves. That alone tells you about all you really need to know. People who think like that generally think correctly about most everything else.
Bottom line, I would only go hunting with someone that I trust. If I can\'t trust a person, I don\'t want that person anywhere near me in the woods or even in camp.
2010 had been the last time I hunted with another person. That person was not committed to elk hunting and was later found to be untrustworthy. Last season, was the first time in 4 years that I hunted with another person. So far, the new partner has proven to be reliable and trustworthy.
If you get sick, tell me and I will understand. If you have a sick rabbit you need to get home to, please find another hunting partner. Honesty goes a long way with me. Everyone has an off day. Don\'t lie about the reason you need a day off or why you want to leave early.
2010 had been the last time I hunted with another person. That person was not committed to elk hunting and was later found to be untrustworthy. Last season, was the first time in 4 years that I hunted with another person. So far, the new partner has proven to be reliable and trustworthy.
If you get sick, tell me and I will understand. If you have a sick rabbit you need to get home to, please find another hunting partner. Honesty goes a long way with me. Everyone has an off day. Don\'t lie about the reason you need a day off or why you want to leave early.
\"Deertick\" said:
That is due to having a passion for the hunt. People that don\'t care, won\'t argue about a matter. I would much rather deal with a person that cares, even though they are wrong, than someone that is not interested. I can usually bring a person around if they are just mistaken. I can\'t raise the dead.
Lark Bunting
New member
- Sep 14, 2016
- 710
No clue what the perfect hunting partner is but so far I\'ve only hunted with my son and AFrith from this site. My son and I butt heads on occasion which tells me he is passionate about the hunt and the experience. He and I can also sit for an hour and just BS quietly while snacking. I don\'t think I could get away with that with most adults but I enjoy his take on every situation.
AFrith and I clicked right away when we met up last fall and I look forward to hunting with him again this year. I mean, he drove into camp, set up his tent and we were hunting an hour later.
I think communication is key at every hunt camp. If you\'re honest and open then I think you\'ll find out quickly if you\'re hunting with the right people.
AFrith and I clicked right away when we met up last fall and I look forward to hunting with him again this year. I mean, he drove into camp, set up his tent and we were hunting an hour later.
I think communication is key at every hunt camp. If you\'re honest and open then I think you\'ll find out quickly if you\'re hunting with the right people.
Olympushunt
New member
- Jun 30, 2014
- 234
\"Swede\" said:
My favorite hunting partner understands my situation and my goals. Obviously my favorite hunting partner is my dad. He has taught me pretty much everything. We don\'t always agree on things but that\'s what\'s nice...we care about each other enough to agree to disagree and are best buds at the end of the day.
I have to admit something else. The guy I have been hunting with the past 7 or so years is not going to be hunting with me this year. I encouraged him to take an invite to get a unique opportunity. Although I am happy he may get onto some cool hunting... I makes me very sad.....
Ya, I can be demanding at times, but a good partner is understanding and comes together as a team. Hunting with Oly causes me to recognize how we are all different. Our needs, wants, circumstances, etc., etc. are all different. A good partner can\'t be too controlling, but we can all work together and all contribute fairly for the hunt.
I appreciated the analogy of going to war, as written above. I see merit in that comparison. I will use a different analogy. A good elk hunting partnership is similar to a marriage. Everyone needs to give 100% to the relationship to make it work. Everyone will make mistakes on occasion. It is at that time you will find out if you are a true partnership or just some guys that got together to hunt.
I appreciated the analogy of going to war, as written above. I see merit in that comparison. I will use a different analogy. A good elk hunting partnership is similar to a marriage. Everyone needs to give 100% to the relationship to make it work. Everyone will make mistakes on occasion. It is at that time you will find out if you are a true partnership or just some guys that got together to hunt.
