What Do You Value Most In Your Elk Hunting Partners?

[pd]

SilverSlinger,

This is a great post, and well written.  Don't be dismayed by the negative comments.  In fact, reading your written words is similar to hunting: You have to be willing to buck up and get to the conclusion if you are to be successful.  Washington is a small state (area), with a large population.  It isn't easy here, and it is only going to get harder (hoof rot, more set asides for "wilderness" or national park, etc.). 

Your situation is unique, because you already have the perfect location.  For others, it is even worse, because they have to find both the new location AND the new partner.

[Sliverslinger]

Holy long winded post. I saw the length and did not bother to read it.

If only you would have maintained that logic when it came to deciding whether or not to comment. Your contributions to the discussion were very helpful indeed. Should we deduce that when it comes to what you look for in hunting partners you generally prefer those who don't read or write too much? Or perhaps those who speak only in short bullet points statements? Considering how incredible lengthy this reply is, are you even still reading this?

[Sliverslinger]

1) Dependability - Don't deviate from the plan days prior to a trip.
2) Similar goals - Mature animals.
3) Maturity - Nothing ruins a hunt quicker.
4) Physical conditioning - Better be in great shape.
5) Attitude - Goes without saying.
6) Cost - Reasonably equally shared.

So, for the most part I hunt alone

Very well said.  I will add one thing to this...even if you have the above qualities you also have to be a great friend.  I refuse to hunt with someone that otherwise I would not hang out during the off season.  I have had hunting partners like this in the past (ones you only see during hunting season) and it is no good.  Never fails...when they find a better opportunity they will bail w/o consideration of their previous hunting partner.  The old grass is greener on the other side.   

Cheers

That's an important piece for me to. I typically only hunt with my closest friends. I go out to relax and refill the tanks and that's hard to do when Im around someone I don't know well. But a good hunt with food buddies is hard to beat.

[fillthefreezer]

But a good hunt with food buddies is hard to beat.

did you guys get lost?


 

[Sliverslinger]

But a good hunt with food buddies is hard to beat.

did you guys get lost?


 

Gotta love autocorrect!

[gaddy]

for me its all about trust. do you trust them with your life? your wife? will they be there when you need them & you them?
good times cant happen if you cant rely on each other. stories only go so far.

[baker5150]

I consider myself lucky to have a good hunting partner.   Weve been friends for 15 years, we were eachothers best man at our weddings, and our wives are best friends and eachothers maid of honor.  My budies family has a long tradition of elk hunting.  Theyve been hitting the same spot for over 45 years, and with great success.  I was invited for the first time by him and his dad 2 seasons ago and again last season, and I felt truley honored.  I would go to the ends of the earth to help any of them get their elk, and they would do the same for me.  Hopefully this year will be my year, but if not, I know i will have the time of my life listening to old stories while sittin around a camp fire.   

Man, I can't wait until next season. 

[Elkpiss]

Holy long winded post. I saw the length and did not bother to read it.

If only you would have maintained that logic when it came to deciding whether or not to comment. Your contributions to the discussion were very helpful indeed. Should we deduce that when it comes to what you look for in hunting partners you generally prefer those who don't read or write too much? Or perhaps those who speak only in short bullet points statements? Considering how incredible lengthy this reply is, are you even still reading this?

haha, nice come back to that dudes post!..    Dude said it best with elk hunting partners, trust with your life & wife...  Hunting partners are a wierd deal, its gets so personal you can loose friendships over it if they FFF you over!...  I think the biggest deal breaker is selfish hunters, I will boot there ass out of camp on a dime!.. I had a really good buddy i mean college roomate, college baseball teamate, took him turkey hunting Easterns on the wetside, told him the whole deal of not telling a sole and never go there with out me speech and long story short he isnt my buddy anymore.. I would probably be in prison if that was my elk hunting spot!...  Nice post, very well written!..  I only hunt with 2 other dudes in this State and they know what the brotherhood is all about!.. Loose lips get your ass thrown out of camp!... period!..

[MADMAX]

1) Dependability - Don't deviate from the plan days prior to a trip.
2) Similar goals - Mature animals.
3) Maturity - Nothing ruins a hunt quicker.
4) Physical conditioning - Better be in great shape.
5) Attitude - Goes without saying.
6) Cost - Reasonably equally shared.

So, for the most part I hunt alone

 

Thank god for my son in law

[washelkhunter]

A strong back, a weak mind, deep pockets and a taste for fine liquor and expensive cigars. And being a cordon bleu chef goes a long way as well! 

[igotbigbulls]

Silence

[Woodchuck]

WHAT?!

[deadwoodbuck]

A strong back, a weak mind, deep pockets and a taste for fine liquor and expensive cigars. And being a cordon bleu chef goes a long way as well! 

 
and of course...

A back to haul my meat 

[hambone]

have the same hunting values that you have and isnt lazy when it comes time to do alittle packing and work

[bearpaw]

One year we killed over 70 elk, my best elk hunting buddies have 4 legs.