Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: longknife on November 20, 2010, 03:08:43 PM

Title: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: longknife on November 20, 2010, 03:08:43 PM: Just wondering how many bow hunters, like me, that hunt alone??? I love it, Not as much noise, a time to get away from the daughter saying im too cold, or im board, or playing with sticks. Or the wife nagging at home.
Never had a incodent, except cats now and again, but carry the 44mag with the CWP for that. Just love elk hunting, and being alone.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: norsepeak on November 20, 2010, 03:33:04 PM: Do it all the time, love being in the mtns by myself.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: halflife65 on November 20, 2010, 04:12:12 PM: As much as possible - actually, most of the time. My favorite way to hunt.

I know that there are all of the advantages of having someone calling and someone shooting in Sept. for elk, but I still prefer to hunt by myself.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: dc on November 20, 2010, 04:39:00 PM: More often than not. I enjoy being out alone with my thoughts taking in nature. But I have Thurs. Fri. off, so the weekends are not available for me to hunt like most everybody else. Shot my first archery elk this year, and getting it taken care of by myself wasnt as bad as I had thought it would be.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: Button Nubbs on November 20, 2010, 04:50:15 PM: I do. It has its ups and its downs. I have some buddies I love to hunt with and others I can't stand hunting with them after the first 10 mins...
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: PolarBear on November 20, 2010, 05:07:34 PM: I always hunt by myself. That way there is no one to mess up your hunt, find out where your honey holes are, slow you down etc. The down side is having to pack an animal out a couple of miles by yourself.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: MichaelD on November 20, 2010, 05:19:52 PM: I did this year, first year hunting archery in a while. Mainly hunt by myself because none of my family hunts archery. I like the solitude, able to make my own decisions about when/where/how to hunt, and when I blow a stalk it is my fault and I don't have anybody to be mad at. I do miss the big camp gathering, hanging out with other hunters, etc. I want to be serious enough about elk hunting that I am willing to give up some drinking and story telling to hunt how I want......
Michael
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: AKBowman on November 20, 2010, 05:29:13 PM: All the time for deer. I like to hunt archery hunt with one other for elk.

I have never carried a side arm but I will start this deer season and late elk season. My dad is bringing my semi-auto .50cal pistol down from AK so I will feel a lot more comfortable walking around by myself :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: longknife on November 20, 2010, 05:35:42 PM: Quote from: Button Nubbs on November 20, 2010, 04:50:15 PM
I do. It has its ups and its downs. I have some buddies I love to hunt with and others I can't stand hunting with them after the first 10 mins...

AMEN to that!!
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: saylean on November 20, 2010, 05:39:36 PM: Hunt alone for bear mostly...when elk or deer hunting, there is at least someone a mile or a few miles away..but we're not together usually.
More often than not, I am alone, due to just the way things work out...take off for an evening hunt or quick morning hunt..you know how it goes.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: boneaddict on November 20, 2010, 06:06:06 PM: About 99.9% of the time. Hunting together with Idabooner meant we were on the same mountain together. A rarity would be to meet up for lunch, otherwise off at first light, back after dark. That was hunting with a partner.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: SW Blacktail on November 20, 2010, 06:31:55 PM: Always hunt alone for blacktails, but will only hunt with one other person for elk.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: coachcw on November 20, 2010, 06:51:43 PM: If I'm deer hunting alone is best . if I'm bull hunting I like to tag team him , a cow hunt alone is my favorite . my main partner is dissabled so he can move the rig miles away that way i can cover ground weorking in his direction.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on November 20, 2010, 07:37:42 PM: Almost always, course my partner might be on the same mountain, within 7 miles or so. This year though I did take the wife out for her deer, and my son out for a bear, but I'm more in tune with the terrain when I'm by myself.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: vtec on November 20, 2010, 08:52:35 PM: 99.9% of the time I hunt alone except for this year I'v had my son with me most of the time and wow I've learned the meaning of patience!!!
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: longknife on November 20, 2010, 09:02:06 PM: Quote from: vtec on November 20, 2010, 08:52:35 PM
99.9% of the time I hunt alone except for this year I'v had my son with me most of the time and wow I've learned the meaning of patience!!!

I hear that as well!! My daughter cant stop fu@$&^% around!! I have to tell her everytime we go for a walk, the elk/deer dont show up on the ground, you have to look in the woods! Then you get the thumping on the ground because they are not paying attention to where they are walking... But it has to be fun, or they wont think its fun.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: krout81 on November 20, 2010, 09:46:42 PM: By myself for deer 95% of the time. All the elk except 2 where with other people.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: csaaphill on November 20, 2010, 10:15:01 PM: been moslty hunting bymyslef since my dad died and like it but camping and such sucks by yourself. which is moslty why I'm looking for someone to hunt with, but I like most here love being by myself in the outdoors.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: huntnnw on November 20, 2010, 10:24:16 PM: Everytime for deer, elk is different
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: jnevs23 on November 20, 2010, 10:38:19 PM: I do it alot and like it. I like not having any limitations and just being able to do what I want. I do hunt with people as well but generally that means me taking off before light and not showing up until dark and telling them to radioe if they need something.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: Instinct on November 21, 2010, 05:39:50 AM: I always hunt alone. Hate hunting wth partners but don't mind em at camp. Just easyer for me plus if u fock up canr blame it on anyone but urself
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: rasbo on November 21, 2010, 06:19:22 AM: alone almost always,if Im with somebody we always split up so still alone
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: MADMAX on November 21, 2010, 06:59:15 AM: Usually
lots of folks like to talk hunting not everyone actually goes hunting, or get out of their truck
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: Instinct on November 21, 2010, 09:13:12 AM: Quote from: MADMAX on November 21, 2010, 06:59:15 AM
Usually
lots of folks like to talk hunting not everyone actually goes hunting, or get out of their truck
:yeah:
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: PolarBear on November 21, 2010, 04:37:17 PM: I said always but that will change next season. My Daughter will be hunting with me and, unfortunately, we will be rifle hunting. :( She want's to bow hunt but I need her to learn a few more things in the woods so she is not distracted when she hunts with a bow.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: elkbuster on November 21, 2010, 07:03:05 PM: I've been hunting alone since my Dad died when I was 15. Now 54. Hard to hunt with some people, just haven't found the right partner. They seem to be few and far between. I will be hunting the Nile next week. I will have the 5th wheel at Sqaw Rock Resort again. A guy from my area may join up with me after Thanksgiving Day, but didn't make any committment. So, I hope I run into some elk there. Good luck to anyone else heading down there.

Chris
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: longknife on November 21, 2010, 09:05:36 PM: Quote from: elkbuster on November 21, 2010, 07:03:05 PM
I've been hunting alone since my Dad died when I was 15. Now 54. Hard to hunt with some people, just haven't found the right partner. They seem to be few and far between. I will be hunting the Nile next week. I will have the 5th wheel at Sqaw Rock Resort again. A guy from my area may join up with me after Thanksgiving Day, but didn't make any committment. So, I hope I run into some elk there. Good luck to anyone else heading down there.

Chris

Hope to see you there, i will be the same place, around edgar rock.
Good luck
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: GEARHEAD on November 21, 2010, 09:14:12 PM: i prefer to hunt alone, i did the math figure your 8 times more likely to see stuff.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: mjbskwim on November 21, 2010, 11:38:19 PM: Nobody can stand being around me that long.And if the can,I don't trust them with a weapon.

Otherwise I would use most of the reasons others have stated.
I can go where I want when I want,instead of staying in a dead zone,or going somewhere that is real popular at work.

It will be interesting to haul a bull out by myself.If I kill one
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: sakoshooter on November 23, 2010, 09:02:54 PM: Probably every other trip. I like it that way quite often but then again I really enjoy my ol huntin partner's company when we can make it work out.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: Tony 270 on November 23, 2010, 09:04:57 PM: I hunt by myself almost exclusively. Wouldn't mind teaming up with somebody for elk, but is hard finding a good hunting partner and trust them with your spot - goes both ways of course.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: lokidog on November 23, 2010, 10:17:03 PM: Hunt archery elk by myself, usually to wierd of a schedule to set up anything definite with others. Do miss the camping part with others, had fun rifle deer hunting with a couple guys from the site this year. Still trying to figure out what to do for wetside elk this late season.... Had a great spot on Long Island but missed a couple years and two years ago there were a bunch of guys where I had been alone for ten years. :'( Maybe I'll try it late season this year.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on November 23, 2010, 10:31:59 PM: I don't have a choice, I cannot find anyone willing to put in the time and miles I do without complaining about it.
They come along once, then need a day to recuperate, sissies . :bash:
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: chester on November 23, 2010, 11:03:20 PM: Been doing alot more hunting by myself the last couple years. Most of the people i hunted with either switched to archery or cant get time away from work.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: Little Dave on November 24, 2010, 01:01:52 AM: So far, I've only been successful when hunting alone.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: McCascades on November 24, 2010, 04:08:40 AM: I grew up hunting alone, and I still love hunting alone. But being the father of two boys changed that. I now have a responsibility to the sport and more importantly to my boys to take them in to the woods and "show them the ropes". I know my father liked hunting alone. But he took me along. In my later teens he often stated how proud he was when we would go out on a days hunt and he wouldn't see me again until nightfall. My oldest son is getting more and more independent and he will one day be a "lone" hunter. The younger one has a fierce independent streak It won't be long and I will be back to hunting alone.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: ICEMAN on November 24, 2010, 05:43:36 AM: Quote from: mjbskwim on November 21, 2010, 11:38:19 PM
Nobody can stand being around me that long. And if they can, I don't trust them with a weapon.

Damn funny!
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: bowtech721 on November 24, 2010, 05:58:19 AM: I enjoy hunting by myself and do most of the time. I like tohunt with buddies though if im tagged out and they aren't yet
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on November 24, 2010, 06:01:04 AM: Me and my buddies camp together but I hunt alone.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: sivart33 on November 24, 2010, 06:14:45 AM: i hunt alone, so i cant blame anyone else when i screw up. its all me.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: CAMPMEAT on November 24, 2010, 06:31:52 PM: I don't have any friends. So I hunt alone.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: boneaddict on November 24, 2010, 08:14:48 PM: No one is motivated or crazy enough to hunt with me. :)
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: toe-jam on November 24, 2010, 08:16:10 PM: all the time :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: Button Nubbs on November 24, 2010, 08:33:15 PM: Boneaddict after seeing some of your pictures I promise I'm motivated AND crazy enough. :D
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: lokidog on November 24, 2010, 09:15:55 PM: Quote from: Button Nubbs on November 24, 2010, 08:33:15 PM
Boneaddict after seeing some of your pictures I promise I'm motivated AND crazy enough. :D

:yeah: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: Smokepole on November 24, 2010, 09:32:01 PM: I got me a young guy tagging along, but I still hunt alone lots. I look forward to him getting a little more experience and we can split up during the day. I enjoy being out by myself, and I'm a better hunting that way, more focused and aware. Less noise, too!
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on November 24, 2010, 09:37:25 PM: I hunt with 3 buddys.... so yes I hunt alone... we just kind of camp together. LOL 1 of them just sitys in his tree stand and 95% of the time kills his elk in the 1st few days... (had to be nice since he is a member here and reads this crap!) 1 is a freaking mountain goat who everytime I agree to go with him, I regret it for days afterwards (read that as 15 mile day trek with elevation gains of 4k a few times - up/down and back up... ) and another who likes to stroll about on his own... when he can get up in the morning. LOL Spend a lot of time chasing bears alone except when the youngest son is out of school... :-)
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: follow maggie on November 27, 2010, 09:41:48 PM: 98% of the time I'm by myself. My partner is in the process of quitting, so next year probably will be back to 100% by myself. Love it, though.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: lilswab on November 28, 2010, 11:03:03 AM: Quote from: MichaelD on November 20, 2010, 05:19:52 PM
I did this year, first year hunting archery in a while. Mainly hunt by myself because none of my family hunts archery. I like the solitude, able to make my own decisions about when/where/how to hunt, and when I blow a stalk it is my fault and I don't have anybody to be mad at. I do miss the big camp gathering, hanging out with other hunters, etc. I want to be serious enough about elk hunting that I am willing to give up some drinking and story telling to hunt how I want......
Michael

:yeah: This is exactly what I do. Especially for late elk I prefer to hunt alone since a calling partner is not needed to kill a cow. It is nice having a buddy when an animal is down. Luckily I can call in the Calvary ( Dad and my Uncle) to help with the retreival. I have killed 3 cows with my bow and they have been there to help every time.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: 724wd on November 28, 2010, 12:25:06 PM: i archery hunt alone, but still go home during modern season to hunt with my dad and our hunting partner. bear and cougar are open during deer/elk so at least i'm not just wandering around unarmed... :chuckle:

i love archery hunting (2nd year) but i also love spending time with family and all the things modern firearms season brings.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: Bean Counter on November 28, 2010, 08:05:58 PM: Quote from: PolarBear on November 20, 2010, 05:07:34 PM
I always hunt by myself. That way there is no one to mess up your hunt, find out where your honey holes are, slow you down etc. The down side is having to pack an animal out a couple of miles by yourself.

I'm getting quite sick of hunters who aren't as intense as me. Granted its a big saftey issue so I'll continue to take a partner for longer hunts, but I tink that spreading out and getting the heck away from your buddy for a few hours is a good thing.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: mjbskwim on November 28, 2010, 10:51:26 PM: Quote from: lilswab on November 28, 2010, 11:03:03 AM
Quote from: MichaelD on November 20, 2010, 05:19:52 PM
I did this year, first year hunting archery in a while. Mainly hunt by myself because none of my family hunts archery. I like the solitude, able to make my own decisions about when/where/how to hunt, and when I blow a stalk it is my fault and I don't have anybody to be mad at. I do miss the big camp gathering, hanging out with other hunters, etc. I want to be serious enough about elk hunting that I am willing to give up some drinking and story telling to hunt how I want......
Michael

:yeah: This is exactly what I do. Especially for late elk I prefer to hunt alone since a calling partner is not needed to kill a cow. It is nice having a buddy when an animal is down. Luckily I can call in the Calvary ( Dad and my Uncle) to help with the retreival. I have killed 3 cows with my bow and they have been there to help every time.

What was that phone number? :dunno:
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: PolarBear on November 29, 2010, 10:48:59 AM: I got on some elk this morning all by myself but couldn't close the deal. It would have been a much different story with a couple of other guys. It is really tough to get a shot when you are alone and hunting bedded elk that are in the middle of 6 foot tall scotch broom mixed with 12 foot tall reprod. Oh well, they were all cows anyway. :P
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: jstone on November 29, 2010, 12:35:01 PM: Bean Counter I understand where your coming from. i like to get away from the crowds... Sometimes steep and deep. Seems my hunting partners want to sleep in everyday and :'( alot. Me i am to gunge hoe.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: zpoolman on November 29, 2010, 05:40:22 PM: I like hunting by myself, I've been doing it for 20 years now, deer and elk. i would like to have some company in the evenings though, I ran out of ways to amuse myself.lol. 2 years ago I had to pass on a nice elk because it was way to hot to get out the meat by self in eatable condition. the ups and down of it.
Title: Re: Anyone hunt by themselves??
Post by: elkbuster on November 29, 2010, 07:32:48 PM: Quote from: longknife on November 21, 2010, 09:05:36 PM
Quote from: elkbuster on November 21, 2010, 07:03:05 PM
I've been hunting alone since my Dad died when I was 15. Now 54. Hard to hunt with some people, just haven't found the right partner. They seem to be few and far between. I will be hunting the Nile next week. I will have the 5th wheel at Sqaw Rock Resort again. A guy from my area may join up with me after Thanksgiving Day, but didn't make any committment. So, I hope I run into some elk there. Good luck to anyone else heading down there.

Chris

Hope to see you there, i will be the same place, around edgar rock.

Fun talk'n to you Longknife. Did you see that herd of elk again. They came by my stand, but I wasn't in it. It was between the time you and I spoke and 7:00 AM on Saturdary. Oh yeah, after you left, I locked my keys in my truck while warming it up and did not have a spare. I had to improvise by breaking inot it with a spoke I cut off my game cart. Scratched a little paint, but I was sure releived that I got in it. No one else came by after you left. I was there about another 45 mins.
Good luck