Question: Who takes the shot?

[Ricochet]

Do you have rules within your group if game is spotted while together, or is it every man for himself?  We used to do a lot of spot and stalk hunting in open juniper/sagebrush terrain for elk.  Our rule was the initial spotter gets the shot.  On one occasion on a mid-September hunt I spotted a cow feeding through some fairly thick junipers along a creek.  We moved to a better vantage point and watched as more elk came into view, finally including a bull worthy of pursuing.  I planned and executed the stalk with my "buddy" following along.  We set up about 120 yards from the elk, on the opposite side of the creek.  Most of the cows were bedded, with the bull moving through from time to time chasing a spike away from his ladies.  Finally the bull moved into position allowing a clear standing shot.  I had released the safety and was squeezing the trigger, when, BAM, my buddy's gun went off and the bull dropped.  He looked at me and said "Sorry, I thought he was going to get away."  Would you have been mad?

[chester]

i wouldnt get mad over it...it happens yearly with my hunting group. i really dont mind who takes the shot as long as someone gets it. it happens and next time if he spots it get him back.

[bow4elk]

A good hunting partner is hard to find.  My partner and I argue about who should be the shooter...in the opposite meaning of what you might think.  We love the hunt and always want the other guy to be the shooter.  To us, the shared memory is far more meaningful than who released the arrow.  Besides, we are usually calling elk in, so it's team affair regardless.

[SpokaneSlayer]

When me and a buddy were turkey hunting, we had agreed before hand on who would shoot based on the birds position and which direction he came from.  The first bird to come in happened to be on his side so he got the shot.  No big deal as I knew there were a lot more birds around.  The one I tagged had longer spurs.  

[mossback91]

I like to let the other guy shoot first...........of course Ive never been in a situation where there was a monster

But I like watching others enjoyment and I like to keep on hunting as long as possible......I dont like dropping one the first day of the season.....

[RubblesPH]

Not so sure he is a good "hunting partner".  Kinda goes with  being on time to leave, helping pack an animal out, being where their supposed to be, helping out in camp, etc.  If you have no confidence in him and he may be lacking a little morals/ethics, I would definitely be looking for a new hunting buddy.  If someone is out for themself, theres no room in our camp for them.  I think you may have been officially c@ck blocked!

If he made an honest mistake and is willing to learn from it, keep hunting with him.

[mossback91]

I would have to agree though if it was already agreed on that you were taking the shot and he pulled that on u it would piss me off!!

[ThePascoKid]

Normally the way I have done it is who ever spots the game gets 1st shot if he misses it is fair game for the other guy, I've shot 2 of my biggest muleys this way.  I have one partner that has never shot a buck and I will usually give him first crack even if I spot it just because I would like to see him get his first buck.

[groundhog]

I feel your pain. Had the same thing happen to me once on a big bull..... 340ish. I found him, tracked him. He had said "its your bull" even offered to let me shoot his in line instead of my trusty old traditional. I set the set trigger and was squeezing when his in line went off! If I had known we were racin I guess I would have shot a little quicker. WE don't hunt together anymore..... I did help him pack it out though.

[509er]

who ever spots the game gets 1st shot if he misses it is fair game for the other guy

 

[Ricochet]

It was a 310+ 6x6 bull.  This was only one of several episodes that exposed his true colors.  We don't hunt together anymore.   BTW, I packed out all of that bull except the front shoulders, he carried them out, one at a time.  I packed out all of his bighorn except one ham.   I eventually realised I was guide and pack mule, not a friend and hunting partner.

[RubblesPH]

Can't decide if your just that nice of a guy or a slow learner....

Just kidding you a .

[Ricochet]

Can't decide if your just that nice of a guy or a slow learner....

Just kidding you a .

Probably a little of both.  Taken separately the episodes weren't too terrible and I dismissed them, but as the pattern emerged I did feel like a dunce.

[Slider]

 

[shoot-em-dead]

wow does this topic hit home. This year for deer season I set up a tree stand and had a lot of action the first day. My brother in law had a stand at his place but the deer hadn't been around for a couple weeks before the opening day and they didn't show up there on the opener. I invited him over to my stand that was homemade and easily fit two guys. On the way in he spotted a big mule deer already there so we snuck up to get a shot. I was behind him with the rangefinder and gave him the yardage. He pulled back and shot clean over it which really surprised me because he is a much better shot than I am. The buck just bounced away another 50yds or so and just looked at us. I told him lets see if we can get close enough so we separated and walked really slow. All the while the buck just stayed there staring at us. I kept a tree in between me and the buck and at 30yds stepped aside and had a perfect shot. I was so focused on that buck I completely forgot my brother in law. I took the shot and nailed the buck and he told me he was just about to release when my arrow went in him. We have talked about it many times and I still feel like a butt even though he says he had his shot and missed. I will make sure I don't do that again.

[Ricochet]

shoot-em-dead
In your case I wouldn't feel bad, he had his chance.  Did I mention the time this same guy and I had a four day elk hunt planned?  I killed a bull on the second day and he went home early, leaving me to pack it out alone, 3+ miles.   The more I think about it, the clearer it is, I'm a dumb a$$.

[rainshadow1]

I have a good friend I hunted Coyote with in AZ and Moose with in AK. He's twice my age and has killed more big game than I've seen in any context, and taken more party trips than I've taken trips of any kind!

When I was hunting with him in AZ for Coyote, he turned to me and said, "I think it's a nice idea to take turns shooting and all that, but if one or the other of us has a clear, high percentage shot, we TAKE it."

End of discussion.

It makes sense to me, and in most cases, you as a pair or group are going to get more game that way. You'll hunt different, and - - for instance, on a calling stand - - you'll cover more countryside. Shoot-em-dead's Mule Deer and Spokane-slayer's Turkey are prime examples.

Clear high percentage shot? Think about the shot you're taking, not who's turn it is to take it! Most good hunting partners are gonna be slapping you on the back, not cussing under their breath.

[agchawk]

I think that a lot of us that spend time in the woods with friends or family have experienced this before.

About 10 years ago my brother and I found ourselves sitting at the base of a rock outcropping waiting for the sun to rise. We had talked about this scenario and agreed that "If the buck is on the right side he takes the shot, if it's on the left it's mine."

Well, wouldn't you know it, about 1/2 hr into shooting light a nice 3x4 emerged from the timber and walked right into my brother's side of the "rock." Of course, I got so excited that I completely forgot about the agreement, threw my .270 to my shoulder, and rocked the buck right through the vitals! My brother had already thrown his rifle up thinking that I was giving him the shot and fired a split second after I did. Because the buck kicked hard when I hit him my brother hit it a little low and back of the kill zone.

I felt like a complete ass afterward for taking the shot but my brother wasn't the least bit upset. In fact, he still teases me to this day about that hunt. I did however give him the backstrap and tenderloin because I felt bad about it and...he certainly didn't complain one bit!

[Ricochet]

agchawk-
Good story.  The fact you felt bad afterward shows you know you did the wrong thing, and the fact your brother still teases you about it shows he knows how bad you feel and loves to twist the knife whenever he can.  That's what brothers do.
 
rainshadow1-
When I go coyote hunting I don't care who shoots as long as the dog dies.  Calling in game is totally different from spot and stalk situations as we had literally all day to wait for the shot.  Called in game is there and then its gone.  This bull wasn't going to leave without his cows and they were all bedded so there was no need to rush unless, of course, you're trying to beat your hunting buddy to the shot.  Both my ex-partner and his dad have mounted trophies on their walls that I spotted and let them shoot, so cussing aside, I think I was a pretty good hunting partner.

[rainshadow1]

Don't get me wrong, I think you were too. Some guys see that you're a giver... and they go ahead and taketaketaketake... It's a bummer.

[Old Mule]

I have been taking Kids hunting with me for 25 years now so I have gotten used to letting them shoot first. This is the Story of the Buck of Shame!. 3 Years ago in Idaho I was sitting with my youngest Son (13) and spotted the biggest White Tail buck that I had ever seen during Hunting season. The Buck was about 600 yards away and chasing a Doe. While we were watching it my Brother, older son and nephew came sneaking up, Well my brother ask whats up so I told him. Just then the doe starts running right towards us with the buck in hot pursuit, My Brother and Nephew already had shot Bucks so I told my Boys to get ready to shoot. The buck turns broadside at about 150 yards and stops and stands there with that dumb ass I don't know were I'm at look on his face, I'm saying Shoot! Shoot!, well the youngest boy shoots and closes his eyes on the first shot like always. The Buck just stands there. Then Boom down he goes, The shot didn't sound right so I turn to my nephew and ask who shot, he says Uncle (no name here hes suffered enough) Turns out he had 2 tags. All I could say was that was Chicken Poop If I thought you were going to shoot, I would have Shot it myself. I ask the Boys why they didn't Shoot and they both said they were waiting for the other one to shoot. It was a Tall 5x5 with kickers that made him a 8x8, He scored 164 4/8. I will try to get a Picture of the mount and post it It's beutiful,

[Tom Tamer]

That's an awkward one, I suppose I would feel a little confused at first and maybe a littel upset, but most I hunt with it's an unspoken rule that the spotter or who ever is in the lead gets the shot. I think it's good to communicate it at first and as for Shoot-em's post  if i were to miss the first shot I would assume my partner is ready to shoot second. In fact in my experience with that cost my Dad and I  a 6X4 elk once. I took a shot and hit him but never followed up because I knew Dad would shoot at anytime, well his gun malfunctioned and never did fire so the elk ran down to another bunch of A-holes that wouldn't agree in sharing even though my first bullet took out the entire left lung. Hindsight's 20/20 ain't it.

[docsven]

  Both my ex-partner and his dad have mounted trophies on their walls that I spotted and let them shoot, so cussing aside, I think I was a pretty good hunting partner.
[/quote]
Ricochet, you sound like you would make a good guide!  Sometimes it's hard to tell who spotted it first and who should get the first shot.  I think if you clearly spotted, it's your shot.  My brother and I have always been competitive so those rules are different.  If my buddy spotted and stalked, the first shot, second shot-whatever are his.  I don't hunt archery or ML so there are probably different rules.

[whacker1]

The first year I started hunting with my Cousin and his buddies, Roosevelt Elk.  I caught a bull crossing the power lines.  My cousin was with me, and I pointed out the Bull to him.  Because of the brush behind him, I couldn't tell if it was 3 pt or better, and I asked if it was legal as I couldn't tell.  He said yes, but I still couldn't tell. He shot and missed.  I followed with a shot on the run and missed.  About this time the other guys showed up, and we all tracked the herd into the timber.  We split up following different sets of tracks into the timber, and one of my buddies shot the Bull 10 minutes later.  Small Rag Horn that was celebrated for a couple of days, but I always look back on that knowing that he gave me first shot, but I deferred and the party still ended up successful.

Same situation happened a couple of years later with another buddy in Montana in front of another rag horn.  I spotted them, by the time we could get situated for a shot, and they were on the run and I couldn't find the bull.  I told him to shot and we ended up successful.

The next year, I had laser corrective surgery.  Weird - I don't have trouble finding animals in the scope anymore.

I still hunt with both of these guys to this day, and I appreciate this topic for reminding me why it still works. 

[Slayock]

My younger brother who is still in high school isnt the best hunter around.  If we get on a buck I always wait for him to shoot and then when he misses a few times Ill take a shot.  If its a swomper its a different story its usually a dog fight between me and my dad to get the first shot.

[7mag.]

I was about 17, hunting the Methow, and my dad shot a nice 4x4, breaking his shoulder. The buck was on the spine of a finger ridge, and dropped over the other side. My brother and I saw the whole thing and hustled to cut him off. As we came around a point, we hear shooting up ahead. When we get there, this guy says "Is that your dad up there that shot that 4 point?" We said yes, and he says "well I shot both hindquarters out of it, it's ruined now. Sorry. One of you should probably put it down for your dad." (what an assbag) My brother and I both get into shooting position (the deer is about 200yds.), as I'm pulling the slack out of the trigger, something blocks my scope. I look up and my cousin ran right in front of me and is on dead sprint towards the buck! While he's running, he's shooting at the deer with his scoped rifle! He unloads his rifle, never touching a hair on that deer, and starts reloading as he runs. He ran right up to the buck, that has since toppled over, and shoots it in the head, point blanc, breaking the skull plate, causing the antlers to fold together. By the time we all get down there, he already has his tag on it and has it half gutted. My dad, brother and I turned around and walked back to camp, leaving my cousin and his dad, to pack the deer out. What a waste, one shoulder is broken, both hams shot, and the beautiful 4x4 rack is ruined. I never hunted with him again and never will.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

A good hunting partner is hard to find.  My partner and I argue about who should be the shooter...in the opposite meaning of what you might think.  We love the hunt and always want the other guy to be the shooter.  To us, the shared memory is far more meaningful than who released the arrow.  Besides, we are usually calling elk in, so it's team affair regardless.

  I always tell whoever I am with, "if you get a shot, TAKE IT!" I also hunt for the experience and dint think petty rivalry's belong out in the woods. You might only get one chance, dint waste it thinking about excuses about why you didn't try.

[Huntbear]

I like to get other people in position to shoot a nice animal.  That being said, I will only wait so long.  I took a guy out as a favor to a lady friend.  He had hunted before, but had no one to go with.  I show him a nice 4x4 blacktail at about 180-200 yards away.  He missed so bad 3 times, the buck never even flinched, (and he had a dead rest).  I said, since you can not seem to hit him, mind if I shoot?  He agreed.  One shot, one dead deer.  When we got up to it, and he saw how big the deer was, he goes, so, where do I get my horns mounted...  ummmmmmmm say what?  Last time he went anywhere with me....hunting or otherwise.

In my group of 4 hunters, who sees it first, gets first shot.  After that, it is fair game, if the animal is not down.

[Bean Counter]

I wouldn't trade a good friend for a trophy on the wall.

I only have one buddy that I have consistently hunted with year after year. He is half a generation older than me, has four kids, and runs a business.  The week that we get to go hunt is the onlyi chance he gets so I let him take the first shot on anything we come across. I'll take the followup if he misses but if we encounter 2 or 3 deer in a day, I let him shoot first each time.  I can tell it flatters him and to me the relationship that it builds is more important to me than possibly getting that trophy buck. 

I'll also be hunting another state this fall with a friend I made this past year.  He introduced me to this area we're gonna hunt, and when scouting one day we found a monster mule deer.  If we come up on it together, even if I see it first, I'm going to let him take the first, and possibly the second shot (depending on the situation, how I feel, etc).  Just wouldn't be right when he introduced me to the area and due to the nature of our friendship.  I'm not going to be 'that guy' that some of your horror stories have mentioned.

[BLKBEARKLR]

Shootemdead

I in that case would not feel bad, like said he had his shot, secondly you seperated both knowing that you were going after the same animal, congrats to you for being able to get in that close and take the shot.


So I have only done one thing bad to my hunting partner (WIFE) We were hunting moose in Alaska, I called in a 57 incher. It came straight on at us at about 90 yards, then went broadside in to some trees. I grabbed her we ran over to the side where it would come out. When it came out of the trees I asked her can you see it? She said I can see the rack, with her saying that I pulled up and dumped it where it stood. I turned around to get my high five and there was this look that I hope to never see again in my life. I then asked the even more stupid question something to the effect of what the heck is wrong with you?? That is when she started whooping and hollering saying that I shot her moose out from under her. The only thing I could say was next time you have a shot say you do and not just say I can see the rack. Was not a good day for me!!!!!

[robb92]

Because I hunt alone, I take the shot. But when I am back in Washington I hunt with my brothers and uncle and we split into to pairs and the one to spot it will shoot it.

[EastWaViking]

Who ever spots the deer/elk etc first gets first chance at it.  IMO  Never had any issues with my hunting buddies, but they may not be able to say the same about me.... Ask "Clipboard guy" about the crow.    


"on the count of three..."

[Clipboard guy]

In all the years that EastWaViking and I have hunted together we have only had one incident that would fall into this category.  The crows on a friends cattle ranch were eating the eyes out of some sick calves. The landowner wanted us to take out a few of the crows.  Laying prone overlooking the meadow that the crows/cattle were in we decided to shoot at the same time at two crows on the "count of three".  Whichever of us did the counting doesn't really matter.  What mattered was EastWa's rifle barked at 2 and a half.   Granted it wasn't a trophy animal of anykind but to this day we will still repeat the phrase that he said right after his gun went off.  " Was that me? Did I do that?"     Classic stuff!

[EastWaViking]

ah, come on.... it was at least 2 3/4  

[huntnphool]

Who ever spots the deer/elk etc first gets first chance at it.

 Thats right, it keeps everyone glassing.

[Pathfinder101]

Whoever spots first, shoots.  After the first shot, he's fair game.  Done this several times, no one's feelings have ever been hurt.  That being said, my son (age 10) will always get first shot with me if I think he can make it cleanly.  At least til he's old enough to "fend for himself"...

[jrebel]

I have harvested a lot of deer and almost take more pleasure in seeing my friends get deer now.  I have no problem giving my hunting partners first shot.  However if they miss fair is fair and I get to shoot.  With elk it really doesn't matter who shoots.  A dead elk is a tasty elk.  Our rule in camp is the shooter takes first half and anyone that helps pack out gets equal share.  Being thats I only have one hunting partner that helps pack, it works well for both of us.  Oh yeah and we bow hunt so really all we ever shoot is cows, unless we get luck and draw a branch bull.  And then it doesn't matter because we what are the chances of both drawing the same year.  Makes who shoots easy...any horns luck draw shoots first regardless if cows are in the area or not.