Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: WapitiTalk1 on May 01, 2014, 09:11:52 AM

Title: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on May 01, 2014, 09:11:52 AM: How will be hunting this 2014 elk season? As a solo elk slayer or with a friend or friends (pack of wolves). Which do you prefer?
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: elkfins on May 01, 2014, 09:19:57 AM: there are only 1 or 2 guys I like to have around me when hunting elk because we know the areas we hunt like the back of our hands and how to work together as a team

Otherwise, if they're not around then it's solo until the elk is down... then the pack is nice to have around.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: boneaddict on May 01, 2014, 09:23:10 AM: If I am hunting, it is solo. If I am enjoying tradition it will be with friends of likemindedness or family.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: 6x6in6 on May 01, 2014, 09:25:07 AM: Pair at camp. Sometimes we pair up if the spot turned into a stalk. More likely that we are split up doing our own thing.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: irishevox on May 01, 2014, 09:28:00 AM: Phantom i was hoping to be hooking up to go with you...
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: kevinlisa06 on May 01, 2014, 09:52:58 PM: My camp consists of my mom and dad, very close friends who mite as well be my parents, my wife and I. Oh yes my dogs.

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Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: Tbob on May 02, 2014, 11:39:58 AM: Trying to get my brother to go, but the last few years have been solo, so I'm guessing one pack for me again this year. We'll see though .
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: xXLojackXx on May 02, 2014, 01:13:07 PM: Depends on the situation. If I'm hunting bulls then 1-2 people with me. If it's just cows-spikes then solo
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: Bean Counter on May 02, 2014, 01:58:06 PM: I am very independently minded and usually hike higher and farther than most of my hunting buddies. I tend to want to go out on my own when I am frustrated with group inefficiency or herd mentality dynamics. All that said, every time I have killed a big game animal, I have been with a buddy. I think its God's way of telling me that I need to work on my teamwork. Oddly enough my dumb-A continues to venture out from time to time all by myself. But for big ticket hunts, I am planning to have partners with me for the time being.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on May 02, 2014, 02:05:54 PM: Quote from: irishevox on May 01, 2014, 09:28:00 AM
Phantom i was hoping to be hooking up to go with you...

My dance card is pretty full this year buddy but you never know ;)
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: MtnMuley on May 02, 2014, 02:28:12 PM: Paired up. Taking turns as caller/shooter and two packs to get those big critters out in the September heat. :tup:
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: HoofsandWings on May 02, 2014, 06:02:47 PM: No more solo for me. A little to long on the tooth.
If I draw a ML, I will have to find a partner or eat the tag.
My partner only hunts modern.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: Eli346 on May 02, 2014, 07:51:12 PM: We're a two-person hunting party and have been for over a decade. It's not always pretty, and it's not always right but we seem to get it done pretty consistently. We've only gone without at least one only once several years back. We've doubled up a few times now. Sure makes splitting the meat up easy and no squabbles.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: Tbar on May 02, 2014, 11:32:24 PM: Solo for me.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: huntingbaldguy on May 03, 2014, 03:53:04 AM: 1 or 2. Last year it was just me and a friend, but we added one this year. He wanted to add more, but that wasn't going to happen. More than 3 is too many, really more than 2 might be as well. We will see.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: RadSav on May 03, 2014, 06:17:21 AM: Finally after 20 years or so the wife is no longer afraid of getting lost. So most of the time archery hunting or bear hunting we hunt solo, but we normally have three to five in camp to help pack. Everyone use to always want to hunt with me. But after a while they get tired of my b'ching and whining. So now they are happy to go it alone :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: kentrek on May 03, 2014, 08:04:42 AM: For main trips like wa archery elk, idaho rifle elk, idaho white tail we have a core group of "killers"....usually hunt in teams of two..im def blessed to have such good people to hunt with....life is better shared... :tup:
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: TMortensen on May 03, 2014, 02:40:55 PM: I'm hunting Solo for the most part. when I'm not I'll be teaching my friends son the way of the elk woods. I use to hunt with a large group of guys but I had to change it up when I had to be the caller, guide, field dresser camp host etc. That being said, if there are any devoted elk hunters out there that don't need someone holding their hand that want to team up on a hunt let me know.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: coachcw on May 03, 2014, 07:50:29 PM: I really enjoy both ways . there's times I love hanging with buddies , tag teaming elk and sharing the pains of the hunt. I will say hunting solo can be really gratifying and I typically get more action and stay tuned into my surroundings better . so I'd say hunting solo makes me a better hunter while partner hunting is more fun . plus elk are heavy !
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: Damnimissed on May 03, 2014, 08:23:12 PM: :yeah: I couldn't agree more. I'm also way more tuned into my surroundings when I'm solo.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: HoofsandWings on May 03, 2014, 09:58:58 PM: Well, one positive about hunting solo is that you don't talk while hunting and alert the animals
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: RadSav on May 03, 2014, 10:20:52 PM: Quote from: HoofsandWings on May 03, 2014, 09:58:58 PM
Well, one positive about hunting solo is that you don't talk while hunting and alert the animals

And...two feet are quieter than four. Two pits and one mouth produce less scent than four pits and two mouths. Everyone knows who gets to shoot first! If you want to stop and take a nap who is going to complain. Only one speed necessary = your own. You can let go of branches without the guy behind you crying. No one there to stir up the bees nest before you get there. Stay out as late as you want without someone calling "Boogyman!!!" If you want to swat at mosquitos there is no one around to yell that you are spooking the elk 4,000 yards away. You can carry all the water YOU need instead of extra water because your partner doesn't want to carry the extra weight and will run out. And if you screw the goose on a shot...you don't have to tell anyone :chuckle: Plus, your chances of success go up about three fold :tup: Solo hunting is "Oh, So Nice" :)
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: JLS on May 03, 2014, 10:33:09 PM: Quote from: RadSav on May 03, 2014, 10:20:52 PM
Quote from: HoofsandWings on May 03, 2014, 09:58:58 PM
Well, one positive about hunting solo is that you don't talk while hunting and alert the animals

And...two feet are quieter than four. Two pits and one mouth produce less scent than four pits and two mouths. Everyone knows who gets to shoot first! If you want to stop and take a nap who is going to complain. Only one speed necessary = your own. You can let go of branches without the guy behind you crying. No one there to stir up the bees nest before you get there. Stay out as late as you want without someone calling "Boogyman!!!" If you want to swat at mosquitos there is no one around to yell that you are spooking the elk 4,000 yards away. You can carry all the water YOU need instead of extra water because your partner doesn't want to carry the extra weight and will run out. And if you screw the goose on a shot...you don't have to tell anyone :chuckle: Plus, your chances of success go up about three fold :tup: Solo hunting is "Oh, So Nice" :)

No one complains when you fart, when you eat the last of the Nutter Butters, drink the last Guiness, and don't put the toilet paper back in the truck when you last used it.

No one complains because you're late or because you're early. You can drink the last cup of coffee.

There is only one vote in the planning process. The planning process is always subject to review and being overturned. There is no one to tell you you're an idiot for shooting a deer way down in a hell hole. Or to complain after you do it anyway.

All that said, I'll hunt with my buddy any day of the week over hunting alone. True friends that you can count on through anything come around once in a great while. Don't overlook opportunities to make memories together. :)
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: huntingbaldguy on May 04, 2014, 12:06:42 AM: Speaking of TP, my hunting partner lost mine last year and i regretted giving it to him. I think of everything, and he usually thinks of nothing!

I will hunt deer solo this year for the most part, but he won't hunt solo period, so if i get one i'll be out with him too.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: RadSav on May 04, 2014, 12:09:58 AM: Quote from: JLS on May 03, 2014, 10:33:09 PM
No one complains when you eat the last of the Nutter Butters...

I pack plenty of extra. Mine! All Mine!! Oooohahahaha!!!

Wolf Pack or Solo, running out of Nutter Butters and Tillamook Teriyaki sticks during hunting season should be some sort of sin :chuckle:
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: HoofsandWings on May 04, 2014, 11:50:40 AM: Used my multiseason elk permit to apply for both modern and muzzle for same unit.
Both EW and WW. Four permit apps.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: jasnt on May 08, 2014, 09:30:56 PM: I hunt solo for just about everything. I dont know anyone that takes hunting as seriously as I do so it's hard to find a good partner. I've yet to hunt with anyone that had much skills to offer but sometimes its nice to have a helping hand on the pack out. Last year I was mentoring a new hunter bound and determined to be a bow hunter. They had no woodsman skills and are still scared to death to be in the woods alone. Even if im only a couple hundred yards away. It didn't last threw the late seasons. This year ill be solo and ill be appreciating it!
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: irishevox on May 09, 2014, 07:06:05 AM: i enjoy solo hunts, b/c for me it's easier... except with ELK b/c this will be my firt year and i would love to learn. Aslo with duck hunting... b/c lets face it duck hunting is boring by yourself.
Title: Re: Solo or Pack of Wolves?
Post by: Shawn Ryan on May 09, 2014, 07:19:10 PM: Mostly solo the past 5 season for elk. My previous partners (all fantastic guys to hunt with) have either moved (Wisconsin), their teenagers take all their time but don't hunt, or my buddies don't hunt out of state. I prefer good hunting partners, but require dedication and intensity.

For deer, I hunt with my wheelchair-bound wife. But for elk, I want a Wilderness.