What to do when your hunting buddy isn't as commited?

[hogslayer]

That is some good advice guys.  Thanks for the different perspectives on the issues.  I know I am not the only one that has had this trouble.  Yes he has helped out a lot with hauling meat and cutting it up and did buy a grinder.   I guess you can't expect someone to have the same desire for hunting as you do.... There has to be something to learn in that.

[pianoman9701]

I've been hunting with my best friend for about 6 or 7 years. We're both big guys and need exercise to get ready for elk season. For me, elk hunting is something for which I wait all year. I think for him, the time off and getting away is what he gets out of it, although he does like the hunting. In the past, he hasn't been doing the workouts and getting conditioned for the elk hunt. We'll get to camp and if we hunt together, it has to be easier terrain and going slower up the hills. Sometimes he doesn't want to get up and he'll sleep in. This still bugs me a bit but I have to remember that we're both out here for different reasons and with different levels of commitment, and I get to spend 10 days with my best friend without the phones or home issues or email. So, I hunt hard by myself sometimes and I hunt with him not-so-hard others. What we also really enjoy is our time together back in camp around the fire, at dinner, so on. You have to decide first which is more important; your friendship or your hunting. Can you do both? We can.

[turkeyfeather]

I had a buddy that started doing this exact same thing. I quit hunting with him. I am not going to do all the legwork and then just hand the info over to someone who has sat on his @#% the whole time.

[coachcw]

I've been in this boat . just tell the guy that you live to hunt and want to give it 100% . I'd say set up camp where it best suites your style of hunting . tell him he is welcome in camp but when your in the woods it's all about hunting. I have hunted in groups and solo and will tell you both have there benefits and rewards , sharing pain and laughs with friends is priceless but as well hunting solo and reflecting while is the elk woods is also very gratifying. I'd say hunting solo is more productive than with two or more . having a friend around camp and to help pack both adds to the experience and saves your back come time to pack. bringing a third wheel in will only work if he or she hunts like your buddy and not you other wise he will feel ditched. bring a guy in that has less drive than your buddy would be my advise . they can pal around while you get serious . 

[Bob33]

A good hunting partner can be harder to find than a good spouse. I have high standards and low tolerance for certain types of behavior. I do have a few precious partners but also do quite a bit of hunting alone. To me a poor partner is worse than none.

[jstone]

I have 2 hunting partners who don't say anything until hunting season is ready to start. They are always saying "so what are we doing this year". I ask have you shot your bows, I haven't had time. My wife says i caudal them. I told my self no more this year. I will plan stuff for my son and i only. They also went to the sportsman show. They told me that i needed to plan an out of state hunt. I am but not with them. Sucks being the one how does most of the work. I feel your pain

[coachcw]

remember having some one that is willing to move the truck and pick you up is a huge asset

[rtspring]

You cannot force the will, drive and passion for hunting on anyone, They either have it or they don't.

I have the following buddies that hunt with me,

1. buys the cheapest clothes, bullets, and gear , comes up the night before the opener hunts two days and goes home. 
2. guy drinks more beer than any human alive but will hunt his butt of during the whole season, just does nothing in between seasons.
3. guy has a ton of money, buys the best gear, and try's to give it all he has during elk season but never kills anything.
4. buddy and his wife, they leave it al on the table and keep coming back for more. still have yet to kill an elk. but they try like hell
5. this guy usually fly's in from out of state and will hunt all day long and then some, killed a bull his first morning ever elk hunting! HE got the fever!!! always dependable.

6. then there is these two guys that send me pictures of chocolate shakes while I am trying to get into shape for hunting season!!! good thing they can pack out elk!!!


I have never met one person who loves to be in the woods more than me, they do exist but its rare. I like being solo but also like to BS with buddies while chasing elk.   SOme people just want to hunt, but not HUNT if you know what I mean.
I spend 90 percent of my time alone, whether chasing big game or waterfowl, I enjoy it.   

[teanawayslayer]

Been there done that! Find Someone like yourself that has the same drive and passion! You will have so much more fun. It's always good to have someone to push you to go the extra mile.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

What does he do when the season starts, that's really all that matters. If you have to take care of everything, baby sit him, etc, then talk to him.  If he is there, helps out, packs with you, and is self sufficient, what more do you want?  Everyone has their own ways of preparing for the season. 

[PlateauNDN]

You cannot force the will, drive and passion for hunting on anyone, They either have it or they don't.

I have the following buddies that hunt with me,

1. buys the cheapest clothes, bullets, and gear , comes up the night before the opener hunts two days and goes home. 
2. guy drinks more beer than any human alive but will hunt his butt of during the whole season, just does nothing in between seasons.
3. guy has a ton of money, buys the best gear, and try's to give it all he has during elk season but never kills anything.
4. buddy and his wife, they leave it al on the table and keep coming back for more. still have yet to kill an elk. but they try like hell
5. this guy usually fly's in from out of state and will hunt all day long and then some, killed a bull his first morning ever elk hunting! HE got the fever!!! always dependable.

6. then there is these two guys that send me pictures of chocolate shakes while I am trying to get into shape for hunting season!!! good thing they can pack out elk!!!


I have never met one person who loves to be in the woods more than me, they do exist but its rare. I like being solo but also like to BS with buddies while chasing elk.   SOme people just want to hunt, but not HUNT if you know what I mean.
I spend 90 percent of my time alone, whether chasing big game or waterfowl, I enjoy it.   

So is coach #2 or #5? It's tough finding reliable and dedicates hunting partners and because of that majority of the time I hunt alone. My most recent hunting partner is a new hunter and is hooked on the stalk but hasn't quite got the strength just yet or stamina for long days but he'll develop that over time, youngest son.  Keep searching or go solo.

[fishngamereaper]

Just leave well enough alone. Its worked out for you so far. If he is a true friend you dont mind doing the extra work. Im in the same boat as you for the most part but its fine with me. Im a type A so I kind of like doing all the planning and prep work anyway. Its just how Im wired. I do it for all the hunts and even the fishing trips. Do what you want to do, when you want to, how you want to..I dont see the problem. And when it comes down to getting dirty if you got someone willing to jump in and help, thats a bonus. Packed out plenty of animals by myself, didnt mind doing it but extra legs would of been nice.

[Jingles]

First question is What's a hunting Buddy? Seriously though I have mixed opinion on this as there might be several reasons for his lack of prep and not knowing the person can't make a call as to fault him or not.
One thing I can say is if he is good company and you get along other than for this be grateful you have someone to go with if he helps in other ways be glad you don't have to do everything.

[Meat Truck]

I say expand your group, unless you want to go solo. Hopefully someone in your bigger group will be as crazy as you.  If not, accept the value in what the less dedicated bring.  Jokes, beer, cook, someone to make fun of, whatever

I've got 4-6 in my posse, depending on the year. One guy just wants to hide from his wife for a week. He's always broke, drinks my beer, and sleeps til noon. But he's fun to hang out with, and my brother, so he's always invited.  And if there is an elk down, he's always there in a second.

[Bookworm007]

I have run into similar problems but my hunting partners are family so I doubt I will be exchanging them anytime soon. I definitely put in more leg work preseason and while the though of my brother dropping an animal that I have been scouting all year is frustrating I kinda prefer scouting by myself. My brother and father can't keep up with me when I hike and I don't have to cater to other peoples schedules. So there are a lot of other blessings to doing some things by yourself especially if the other partner helps split costs of putting together the elk camp. Plus if he is a really good friend its worth the memories.