Opinions – What would you guys do?

[adirondackman]

#7330

I have a Elk hunt planned with another trad hunter that I met through a bow site. We plan to hunt the San Juan National forest in Colorado. We had planned to pack in a few miles to get away from the crowds and hunt away from the roads. My prefered method of hunting Elk. The more we talk, the more I hear his tune changing. He is now talking about camping by a road and hunting from the roads. When I mention some areas that I would like to hunt, he makes statements like “Lets try to stay high or low so that we are not hiking up and down all day”

My concerns are: That he is not in the shape that he claims to be. If we kill an Elk how much help will he be in packing the meat out. We get out there and he is dead set on hunting from the road. I have been looking forward to this hunt since March.

What would you guys do?

[T Downing]

#60695

I would communicate. I would express your concerns and I would stick to the plan especially if you truly want to have a wild and productive elk hunt, which it is easily clear that you do. Stick to your guns so to speak. If your partner is not in shape and is unwilling to help you if you do take an elk far from the road that I would consider mentioning that since he changed his initial commitment than you will also. Let him know now that he is backing off his commitment to you and the hunt and you are not willing to compromise and perhaps you might have to go at it solo. What a shame, he sounds out of shape and fearful of the challenge at hand.

[SteveMcD]

#60717

I agree. With T Downing.. nothing can be worse than sharing a camp with someone who is totally incompatible. Tell him thanks but no thanks. Sounds to me like he is obviously making a statement about how HE wants to the hunt to go already vs your preferred and communicated plan. It can only get worse. Find a better partner or go solo. 8)

I like to have a good time like anyone else, but I invited a friend, who invited a friend to camp for a week long hunt a few years ago. This friend of a friend was nothing more than an obnoxious drunk. Never again. 🙄

[Mark Turton]

#60733

I agree with all of the above, save yourself a lot of grief and look for a new hunting partner.

[Chris Shelton]

#60749

just give it a few years and I will come with ya8)

[Cottonwood]

#60811

For the last two years, I hunted with guy’s just like that where they were not what they said they were. It is sad, when you hunt elk or any animal for that matter, and when they arrive to hunt with you….. they hunt their way.

Last year the guy I was hunting with, had to use the gravel roads, and being that he was heavy he also did not know how to stalk quietly, even off the roads he was noisy in his walking.

This year I will either have a very quiet traditional bowhunter with me, or be hunting by my self and just carry my SPOT locater to summon help after I get something down.

[David Petersen]

#60844

I too concur with all the above. Two points worth considering: The SJNF is my home hunting grounds and my personal basis for hating ATVs, which swarm all over the place here, esp. during hunting season. I have lost ALL of my old-favorite road-camping hunting spots over the past several years to the massive ATV invasion, including dirt bikes (motorcycles) in some areas like over around Dolores and Rico. Based on this I say forget about road camping unless you’re willing to walk in and out either a long way each day, or very steep up/down to get away from the motors and easy-access crowds they bring into the woods. In addition to roads, we are cursed with hundreds of miles of motorized ATV/motorcycle trails through the backcountry. You don’t have to go into the wilderness to get away from them. And in fact wilderness can be very crowded with horse folk. What you have to do is find out where ATVs are allowed, and don’t go there. Contact the forest office and ask for their free MVUM (motor vehicle user’s map). These are lousy maps but do show all legal motorized trails and are a big help in getting away from the mobs. The other point I’d emphasize is that I learned as a kid never to embark on a trip of any kind, much less an extended hunting camp, with anyone I don’t know really well already. If you can handle it, physically and mentally, there is no freedom like the freedom of being in the woods alone. Finally, if you can avoid coming the week of Sept 11-19 which is black powder season. For whatever reasons, those guys seem always to ride ATVs and have a bugle stuck in their mouths. Years after year they shut up the real buglers and move elk into serious backcountry. I’d come the week before or the week after that. dave

[WICanner]

#61006

Stick to your original plan, as that sounds like it was the agreement. Too much money and effort is expended in these trips to compromise. Most hunting from the road is nothing more than a camping trip with a purpose. (Exceptions for limited draw areas and private land.) If this guy bails, so be it. With you living in the mts of NY, hopefully you can find a replacement closer to you with mountain legs. Or at least an idea of what it’s like to pump up a hill. Otherwise, you’ll be dragging along a boat anchor. Years ago I took a gungho guy out west who was the husband of a coworker. On the way out, he says, “Oh by the way, I have asthma. It shouldn’t be a problem.” Ya right, a boat anchor. Hope things work out, and good luck.

[Hiram]

#61165

Adirondackman wrote: I have a Elk hunt planned with another trad hunter that I met through a bow site. We plan to hunt the San Juan National forest in Colorado. We had planned to pack in a few miles to get away from the crowds and hunt away from the roads. My prefered method of hunting Elk. The more we talk, the more I hear his tune changing. He is now talking about camping by a road and hunting from the roads. When I mention some areas that I would like to hunt, he makes statements like “Lets try to stay high or low so that we are not hiking up and down all day”

My concerns are: That he is not in the shape that he claims to be. If we kill an Elk how much help will he be in packing the meat out. We get out there and he is dead set on hunting from the road. I have been looking forward to this hunt since March.

What would you guys do?

Do what I started doing 10 years ago and hunt solo! You do not need anybody to hunt with. Make sure someone knows where you are and carry a cell phone and daypack with enough to live for three days. Kill, I have my bags and rope to dress and stash my meat for the return.

[Don Thomas]

#61396

I’ll pass on addressing your specific problem, but I will give you a piece of advice I learned years ago. NEVER plan a wilderness hunt with anyone you don’t know well. I still make hard hunts regularly even though I’m turning grey, but I do them with a select handful of people I KNOW are up to it and will stay capable if things get tough. Don

[MViehweg]

#61441

Wilderness hunts can bring out the very worst in an individual. They don’t tend to be character builders, but certainly reveal true character. I would suggest if you do go to the location together to plan on hunting your seperate ways otherwise you will be greatly disappointed in the outcome. Also, don’t be surprised to get little or no help once an animal goes hooves up. In fact, I would plan on that being the case.

[tailfeather]

#61490

MViehweg wrote: Wilderness hunts can bring out the very worst in an individual. They don’t tend to be character builders, but certainly reveal true character.

Yep. I’d be hesitant, like the others said. Alot of folks like the “idea” of a wilderness hunt until they get there…..and then the very things that attract us to the backcountry throw them out of equilibrium and all they can think about is getting home….

Sounds like he wants a watered down elk hunt.

[Stephen Graf]

#61759

You boys are depressing.

There must be some reason the two of you wanted to hunt together. Some connection of friendship? If there is no friendship between you, then why hunt together anyway?

If there is a friendship, then the next thing is compromise. Get some lama’s to help bring the stuff into camp. And as was said before, communicate. Work it out, or don’t.

There are many reasons to hunt. When I am hunting for food, I usually go alone. When I am hunting for fun, I usually do it with friends. It is a rare friend that you can hunt with for both food and fun. I have exactly 1 friend that meets both these criteria. But it took us 20 years of hunting to get to that place…

So decide what you want from this trip. Talk it out. Then do what you need to. Maybe you two should take this trip, or maybe you should start with deer or something else to get your hunting partnership warmed up…

[Mark Turton]

#62019

Going a little off topic and this is not directed at Adirondackman’s question.
As has been stated above most of us like to hunt with a known quantity, what we must not do is discount people who genuinely want to learn about the outdoors and hunting, in my humble view it’s the only way to preserve Traditional hunting practices for the future, not everyone has a family member or friend to teach them the ropes.

Mark.

[SteveMcD]

#62099

Pothunter… absolutely agree with you there.

That would include some people with special needs, as well. I for one, have had “asthma” as a COPD patient most of my adult life. Incidentally, so did Fred Bear. But it didn’t slow or deter either one of us down. 8)

Net – Never overlook a Hunter’s Heart (or Would Be Hunter’s Heart). 8)

[Steertalker]

#62269

A backcountry elk hunt is not the place to be touchy feely. Bringing someone into the fold and teaching is better done on an easy hunt where people are well fed, have their own bed to sleep in and can get a shower everyday. Dave P. and Don T. nailed it……NEVER go on a wilderness hunt with someone you don’t know..PERIOD!
Brett

[SteveMcD]

#62363

Steertalker wrote: ….. touchy feely.
Brett

I need to remember that…….

[Patrick]

#62469

Steertalker wrote: …NEVER go on a wilderness hunt with someone you don’t know..PERIOD!
Brett

UNLESS you bring a shovel or entrenching tool.:wink: :evil::lol::evil::lol:

[adirondackman]

#62856

Thanks for the replys. I agree with most of the opinions expressed here. I just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t being unreasonable if I did decide to go alone. I have been out to Colorado 4 times to hunt Elk with out of shape hunters and didn’t want to go down that road again.

I have always hunted Wilderness areas to stay away from the mechanized crowd. I wanted to do the same thing this year but he preferred to hunt this area. My first compromise. I agreed to his area as long as we packed in and got away from the roads and the crowds. Now that he seems to be talking about camping and hunting from the roads (Not my cup of tea!} I’m really finding it hard to stay committed to this trip.

Finding a dedicated Trad hunting patner has always been a challenge for me.

[MontanaFord]

#62940

I agree with what everybody else has said. Don’t go into a tough situation with somebody who’s qualities you’ve only been told about. The guy may be a great guy to share camp with, but as was said above, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be much help if you get an animal down. And don’t compromise. You’re going a long ways and spending a lot of money on this hunt. Unless you’re Donald Trump and have cash to burn (can I have some?), do your hunt YOUR way. Good luck.

Michael.

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