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.
