Help with hunting partner

[HuntinCrazy]

ok.......so this is my problem.    

I have a very good friend that I have known for 15 years.  Hunting partners for 4 years now.He and I are  involved with a DU commitee, partners in a boat, dozens of dekes ( 30) and blinds.. I do all of the maintance of the boat/trailer. I store everything at my place. I do ALL the driving cuz he "used" to know how to launch a boat but cant now!!!     His driving stucks. I have told him I could use some help with the cost of fuel now ( paying $3.59 for diesel) I  guess you can say its a one man team.......ME   I have been doing this for the last 2 duck seasons. NO MORE   enough is enough.
His history isnt good with any of the THREE ex wifes or EX hunting partners.He is still single.

I don't know how to tell him that I don't care to hunt with him any more. I dont want to be jerk and be too hard on the guy BUT>> I am about the only person he hunts with. He still works @ age 61 and I will be retiring @ 55 at the end of the year    

Has anyone else ever been in this situation?

Thanks for any advice.

GJ

[jackelope]

WELL...if he lurks here or is a member here, youprobably just solved your problem yourself

[sisu]

Never buy anything together unless you are married to that person, PERIOD.
I have seen good friends go south over all kinds of join ownership of possessions.
I'd sit the guy down buy him out or have him buy you out and start over. When he asks or gets all surprised or insulted be very honest.
People either like me or hate me because of my usual non-PC attitude. If you lose a friend over this well, hell you can always find another partner that is willing to share expenses.
I hate taking money from friends but with the price of gas it's gotta be that way. My pheasant hunting partner chips in with cash for gas. I was going to swap driving with him but I am afraid my lab will eat something in his rig or my kennel with scrape a hole on something while in the SUV as we drive, so for now he is good with that.

[Bearhunter]

Thats a crappy situation, the only thing to do is be brutally honest with him.  Ive got the greatest hunting partner in the world, we split the cost of everything, from the wall tent to the trailer and everything that goes along with it all the way down to our video camera, if he needs it he takes it and vise versa.  If one of us breaks something we fix it or replace it, no arguements, its been working great.  Youve got to have the same burning desire and motivation as eachother to make it work also, I hope to never break ties with my hunting partner, it works perfectly.

[LOVEMYLABXS]

Dang hunt i didn't know we had this problem I always just figured since you are always telling me your way is the right way and the only way that all I need to do was show up and let you teach me everything you know     

Really sad to hear a story like this but I know it happens and has happened to me also except we were lucky we each owned our own stuff but it just got to a point I quit calling him when I wanted to go cause it was always my stuff/gas/rig that we used. When he finally asked why I hadn't called I just told him. We don't hunt but once and a while now but we are still on speakin terms anyways. Maybe HONESTY straight up front might help the problem?

[snocohunter83]

Talk about a tough spot to be in. But like everyone said you should just tell him. If you've given him chances to pay and he's cheaped out on you then it's his own fault. I went halfs on some decoys years ago with my cousin, and it's worked out for us. But that's family. He drove on opener to moses and i straight up told him i was tight for cash and gave him what i could for gas, and pitched in for food. It's understood i'll make up for it next time. I've more had problems with new people he's brought to hunt with us, and i've told him it's them or me before. I refuse to hunt with people who are morons. I'd rather not go.

[HuntinCrazy]

Thanks for all the good advice.
I had a great hunting partner, but my son got married 5 years ago then a little girl 4 years ago and just flat  stopped hunting.  I told him "hell boy I went fishing and hunting when you were little. I even took you with me.hmmmmmmmm Can you say PWed. anyway
         
I will talk with my friend as soon as I get back from Tonasket. Buying a nice piece of land there this weekend. My hunting base camp.
 How have you guys been doing with the birds? I have taken many young ones and a few divers but still waiting for the big push from up north. Years past, January has been killer when we get weather.
When I get back I will post a critter report.

Good hunting

GJ