Free: Contests & Raffles.
We used to switch day by day who is shooter but now go opportunity by opportunity. Elk hunting is tough. Some days are better than others so this keeps the playing field level.
If he was a good enough buddy to take to spot I have scouted and done all the homework on......I would take great pleasure in helping him get his first animal. I would rather see other / new hunters be successful at this point over myself. Matter of fact, I define my success by others success when I am helping them....if that makes sense. My hunting buddy and myself alternate between archery and muzzy so we can hunt both seasons. He has archery this year and I will be calling for him. I will bear hunting at the same time (though the elk always take priority). If I call in a elk for him....we will celebrate as if I was the shooter and he was the caller. We split the meat up between out families so that is never the issue. I drew a muzzy cow tag this year so he will tag along help pack and celebrate as if it was his hunt. Good hunting partners are hard to come by......don't jeopardize that relationship with who shoots first or second. In the event we are both hunting the same season / weapon.....who ever get the first opportunity / clean shot, take it. All hunting ceases at that point till the work is done, then we get back after helping the guy who still has a tag. Don't over think this. Lastly.....if your worried about your buddies motives, I wouldn't be taking him to my (your) honey hole. I only take people I trust to my spots. When I say trust, I don't want them telling the world where I took them.....that has happened before and completely ruined a spot and friendship.
Split up
Quote from: MADMAX on September 02, 2024, 11:24:17 AMSplit up My thinking exactly! Your odds double instantly. (Unless your friend is a hot blonde, then keep her close.)
Quote from: MADMAX on September 02, 2024, 11:24:17 AMSplit up Definitely not the best decision when archery elk hunting the rut. Better odds by far hunting as a team
Quote from: Sakko300wsm on September 02, 2024, 02:46:03 PMQuote from: MADMAX on September 02, 2024, 11:24:17 AMSplit up Definitely not the best decision when archery elk hunting the rut. Better odds by far hunting as a teamYes the new guy has to be taught and learn somehow if he’s going to be your elk hunting partner. Splitting up during heavy rut for elk - if you don’t have a solid plan you can easily end up calling a hot bull back and forth.YeaIf your experienced I agreeWith a new guy ?
Quote from: MADMAX on September 02, 2024, 11:24:17 AMSplit up Definitely not the best decision when archery elk hunting the rut. Better odds by far hunting as a teamYes the new guy has to be taught and learn somehow if he’s going to be your elk hunting partner. Splitting up during heavy rut for elk - if you don’t have a solid plan you can easily end up calling a hot bull back and forth.
Quote from: Sakko300wsm on September 02, 2024, 02:46:03 PMQuote from: MADMAX on September 02, 2024, 11:24:17 AMSplit up Definitely not the best decision when archery elk hunting the rut. Better odds by far hunting as a teamHard to sneak up on a herd of elk in the rut - better odds calling them into your positionTotally depends on your hunting style.I like "talking" my way into herds. Hard to do with two.And I haven't found to many guys that walk as quiet as I do Nothing worse than tuning out everything around you focusing on your quarry only to have the guy behind you step on the only deadfall branch on the trail. I've blown opportunities solo but I had just as many opportunities blown by having a second guy. Anyway.Getting off topic. Kinda.
Quote from: MADMAX on September 02, 2024, 11:24:17 AMSplit up Definitely not the best decision when archery elk hunting the rut. Better odds by far hunting as a teamHard to sneak up on a herd of elk in the rut - better odds calling them into your position
There's a lot of land out there. Unless there's one of you that needs help because of physical limitations, never hunt side by side. Go into different drainages, have one sit, one move something other than sitting together on a hillside. Why would you not cover double the country? The only time my buddy and I see each other during the season is on the backpack in, in camp and maybe lunch time. Otherwise, he comes sneakin around my spot, I carry bear spray.
Elk in Sept. is one of the best times to hunt in pairs or even threesomes.... Callers set up 20-50 yards behind shooter / shooters and bring the bull past the shooter. Way better than calling on your own....bulls will often hold up just out of range when your calling solo. That said....I have called bulls in close when solo so it can be done.