Hunting alone/partner possibly

[RemingtonMike]

I'm 15 years old and I've been hunting with my dad, and grandpa and both have moved away or their job has taken them some place else, or their just to bad of shape. This year I planned on hunting alone because WA has no minimum hunting age I've got all I need and I know what I need to know and still learning, but I was wondering if for security and safety if I should find a partner and someone to teach me a bit more. I plan on hunting pretty much all the small game+cougar, bear, and deer. If anyone is interested just say so I live near Sequim

[pianoman9701]

You should absolutely find a partner. I'm a bit far away to hunt with you, but if you want to join my buddy and me for archery elk and deer in September, we hunt the Mt Adams Wilderness area. You're welcome to email me.

You might also call your local WDFW Region office and find out if they know some Master Hunters you could contact for hunting partners. Mentoring young hunters is part of the program.

Do you belong to a local shooting club? If not, join and start attending meetings. You'll meet people there.

[KillBilly]

Having a partner is always a good idea when possible. Anything can happen whether hunting related or not. At the very least you should have someone that knows exactly where you are going and could come to your assist if necessary. It will do you little good if you call a friend to come help you and they haven't the first clue where you are or how to get there. Maybe take a buddy scouting with you so he knows a little bit about where you hunt.

Contact Rainshadow1 on this sight. He lives in Sequim and may know someone you could partner up with.

He is also a cougar hunter expert....

[pianoman9701]

KillBilly's post is right. If you do hunt alone, and that should be the last resort, leave a map on the dashboard of your car, or in your cook tent. Put it in a plastic sleeve and circle the area you'll be hunting. On the map, write which channel you'll have your radio set to. Don't change areas without changing the map. You'll also need to take survival tools and know how to use them. Have more than enough water and some energy bars that you don't eat. If you pack a metal match, pack some dryer lint with it and practice using it.

Stuff happens in the woods. When you're alone, that stuff can kill you if you're unprepared.

[MtnMuley]

I think you're just fine to hunt alone.  From the sounds of it, you've grown up being taught well by your grandpa and dad.  I'm not recommending you hunt alone all the time, as half the fun is the experience you have with other buddies in the field, however, a lot can be learned hunting on your own.  Also, most importantly, let somebody know where you are going and when to expect you back.  EVERYTIME you go out.  A GPS would be a great tool for you also.  Best of luck to your upcoming season.

[Outventress]

If you plan on hiking for hunting a lot by yourself check out the spot (it is a GPS that allows friends and family to know you are ok when you hit the ok button...however this showes live time locations so if it is a secret hunting spot...) also the spot has a feature for hitting SOS which notifies search and rescue to come get you. We use ours all the time for hunting in the wilderness where cell phones and yelling help doesn't help you.

[vandeman17]

Alot of good points have been made from the safety side of thing. Another thing you will want to consider when hunting alone is how much harder it will be to pack out an animal if you do get one. If I am hunting alone, my "huntable" area shrinks a bit because I know that if I get an animal down, its just me getting it out. Just another thing to think about. 

[jackmaster]

if you remember mike i gave you my brothers name and number a while back because you were lookn for work to make extra money, well if you give him a call and you work out he knows alot of people in sequim he would probably be able to help you out..

[RemingtonMike]

if you remember mike i gave you my brothers name and number a while back because you were lookn for work to make extra money, well if you give him a call and you work out he knows alot of people in sequim he would probably be able to help you out..

Yes I remember but I had a freind that was already working for him so I looked elsewhere got a job working for a guy named art at his vacation home $10 landscaping.. alot of landscaping last week I got $230

[RemingtonMike]

and I found someone to hunt with just need to find time.. hopefully this weekend Ill get the time to call him and meet up

[seth30]

I try not to hunt alone.  If you role your ankle in some steep areas, your going to have a bad day getting back

[PA BEN]

I've hunted alone most of my life. Always take first aid and sirvial gear with you.

[Sideswipe]

Looks like some pretty good advice has been given already.  That's what I like about this forum.  I have learned a lot here.

I have hunted mostly by myself & usually prefer it.  But at 71 & successfully survived a heart attack 2 yrs ago, I now always look for a partner to accompany me.  Besides, the few times I score a deer or bear gets really hvy fast.  I still haven't figured out how a dead animal is able to wrap their legs around every stump or rock.

[h20hunter]

Yo, Sideswipe...we should set up a weekend in Aug to do a day of bear hunting. I'm heading out with D-Rock the first weekend but am ready to do some hunting up north as well.

[Sideswipe]

Sounds great H2O, I'm in LA right now visiting family.  Only wildlife I've seen so far are rats & seagulls.  I'm ready for green trees & moss eh?  Got your # in my phone.