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.