Taking new hunters into a honey hole?

MTbowhunter1984

MTbowhunter1984

New member
Dec 29, 2012
236
Just curious how everyone feels on taking someone new into your sweet spot.  I have done this in the past with friends, and just curious if anyone has any good stories as well as horror stories.  Any recommendations on good ways to go about it, or to avoid it at all costs?  I have had varied luck, and don't mind letting good friends on some good spots from the past every now and again.  As long as I can get more of my friends promoting hunting the better is the way I look at it I guess.
 
I'm more cautious.  I have my favorite spot then I have 2 or 3 back ups that will no doubt produce elk if I take someone in there.

For sake of friendships, sometimes its better to keep a spot up your sleeve and not share it with anyone.

Its almost gauranteed that if you continue taking new people to your honey holes, you will get burned.  In my opinion, its not a matter of if, but a matter of when.

I commend you for your view on getting new people into the sport.
 
I assume that whenever you take a new hunter to a spot that you essentially giving them permission to hunt that spot with or without you.  Obviously I would never take anyone to my best spots.  I can't trust anyone to be tight lipped or not hunt it themselves.  With a new hunter I always try to take them to a spot that I know holds elk and potentially good ones, but isn't my best spot.
 
I'm am very closed when it comes to talking to or taking someone who is a veteran hunter because they "should" have their own spots, but when it comes to a new hunter I will take them somewhere really good, but not my best. I want them to get something and get that drive to hunt. I really enjoy introducing someone to the sport. I had a buddy that helped me start archery hunting and took me to a spot he had heard was good but he had never hunted it himself. So we explored it together and for the last three years we haven't ever seen another person in there and see tons of elk. So with a new hunter a good thing to do is try new areas because then it is both of your spot and that way if they go back without you sometimes then they aren't stealing your "secret" spot.
 
I have taken friends in to some good spots but not my best.  Me and my friends usually will hunt new spots together for this fact.  If I were to find a really great spot, I might feel obligated to tell my friends just because we are close. 

I have got some new guys into the sport just by taking them in to my 2nd or 3rd best areas and had success with them. 
 
This year I took a friend along with me to where I hunt, and he was able to take his very first bull (a spike). The pure joy he had when his bull was on the ground was totally worth it to me.
 
I don't think a good friend would burn you on a spot or even attempt to hunt it without talking to you first. If he is a seasoned hunter and understands what you are showing him I think its worth to trust him.....JMO
I also feel that way because I have been shown a wallow where someone had shot a nice 5 pt. When he came back to hunt it I would stay clear and ask what his plans were for the spot. Communication and respect are a must anytime you are privileged enough to information like that. I never had a shot at this spot but did see elk in the area. He was able to take a nice 6 pt out of there when I hunted a few miles away. I also got mine. Sharing information can get you a pretty good hunting buddy. I am great full for how he trusted me and helped me with my hunt even though I didn't harvest one in that spot. If i ever get a chance to repay the favor I wont hesitate for a second.
 
This is a hard one.  I have a buddy that took one of his friends to a good spot and they both shot elk.  The next year the "friend" had his father in law, brother in law, and brothers with him in that spot.  Five new people introduced to the area.  We dont hunt there anymore. 

I have another buddy that takes me to his spots and I take him to mine because we both know that we will not go unless we call each other or go together. 

With my experiences I think its better to keep your honey hole Yours. You just dont know who to trust.  Wolves and other predators make it hard enough to keep a good honey hole so I wont share mine, but would take someone to a "good" place if they want to come along.
 
I typically keep my best spots to myself and only take in close friends who share and understand my viewpoint on hunting locations and hunting in general.  When I make new friends that ask for help with finding a place to hunt, I will show them a place on the map that is one of my back-up locations or just tell them the general lay of the land.  After a few years when they have proven themselves to be trustworthy and after I have hunted with them a few times in the lesser areas I might take them into my favorite spots.  Always when I do I tell them that I can't control what they do with the information and locations I show them but that I appreciate them telling no one about it. 

That said I still a few areas that I have not shown to anyone.  And a few others that I and my closest friends are now able to discuss and share information.  So far everyone has kept the trust that I gave them.   
 
Family (brother, and father) get to go to the honey hole, but no one else. Anyone else gets to go to a good spot, but not the honey hole.
 
That is a tough one. It always seems that little bird was with you and your spot gets out there, but you don't find out until you draw again.
 
Took a new hunter with me to one of my spots a few years ago.  Only showed him couple areas and was thankful for that when he told me a week later that he was taking his neighbor back there.  From that point on I don't take anyone without setting ground rules.  I flat out tell them if I see them there with out talking to me that I will shoot on site! :mad:  This gets there attention!  Also lets them know that I take this very seriously!
 
For me, it would depend on the friend, most of my local friends, no, I would not take them to my honey hole. But, I have friends in other States, and I hunt other States, that I would tell them where they are, or take them if I was there with them.

My nephew lives in Casa Grande, AZ, and I have a couple of friends that apply for AZ ever year hoping for that Dream tag. if and when they draw that tag, and if they don't want to spend the money on a Guide.
I will ask my nephew to guide them, and I am sure he will. his biggest Bull grossed a little over 400", and I think the net was 392", OH, that was with a longbow.

Kevin
 
I took a sixteen year old last year and got him a shot at the six point in my avatar.  It's something he will never forget, even though he didn't connect.  He was told not to go back in there with anyone but me.  Like above newbies or kids I'm pretty lax with, experienced hunters I'm much more selective.
 
Not likely.  Been there, done that.  Next thing you know, he tells two friends, and he tells two friends, and so on...and so on.  We haven't hunted our favorite honey hole in years now because it is so over run.  We have a new honey hole, and wouldn't take you there blind folded and drugged.  ;D
 
I will share my deer hunting spots, Elk is a little more personal for me tho. Most of the area I hunt for elk I learned through my hunting partner so I will always call him before I go to find out where he will be and If my plans will foul him up. I have some friends that call me and check to do the same thing. Can't say I haven't been burned a time or two though. I will say that the positive outways the negative by far.
 
The only way I would take someone in my honey hole would be if they were family. If not my family then better luck to you.
 
I'm pretty reserved when it comes to giving up my honey holes. Only my closest friends that I trust won't bring other people back in there and ruin it.  Seen a lot of guys give it up and ruin friendships because of it. I usually will ask them to keep it a secret too just so there is no question.
 
As a complete newbie, I would respect if a friend took me to his hunting spot and would not hunt there or talk about it unless with him.

I have done scouting in Wa where I live but having someone that can help locate good elk country is invaluable and to be respected for the hard work they put in finding that place on their own.
 
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