Choosing the Right Elk Hunting Buddy

Compatible Hunting Partners

 In a previous article, I explored the benefits of hunting solo and how it can enhance your hunting skills. While I still advocate for this approach, there are also significant advantages to having a good hunting partner. However, it's important to note that if you and your partner are not compatible, it can ruin a hunt and strain your friendship if things go awry. We'll delve into this in more detail, but it's crucial to understand the potential pitfalls of an incompatible hunting partnership, which can lead to a less enjoyable and potentially damaging hunting experience.

If you and a friend are committed to being hunting partners and are open to resolving any issues, it's possible to make it work. Elk hunting is a rigorous activity that can push you mentally and physically in unexpected ways. Therefore, the compatibility of you and your elk hunting buddies can significantly impact the success and enjoyment of your hunt.

BBQ or Marathon

If one of you runs ultra-marathons while the other takes a more relaxed approach to preparing for elk season, potential issues may arise. These differences can manifest in various ways, affecting the dynamics of your hunt. For instance, if you start out with intense activity, your less-prepared buddy might experience significant soreness after a couple of days, slowing down the pace. Alternatively, you might spot a large herd several miles away that the ultra-fit partner wants to pursue eagerly while the other finds unnecessary. Such physical capability mismatches can stress your hunts and strain your partnership. It's crucial to ensure both partners are physically capable of performing tasks at a similar level to maintain harmony during the hunt.

You don't have to be running buddies or spend weekends BBQing and drinking together. The key is being physically capable of doing the same tasks on a hunt. It's not about being identical but about being able to perform at a comparable level if you have similar physical capabilities.

The same applies to two hunters who are physically “average” and don't want to go miles deep daily. That is okay; you can still succeed by hunting smarter and being consistent. Good things can happen if you're both at the same physical level. Things can go sideways when one feels held back or pushed too hard.

The Mental Game

The mental aspect of hunting is perhaps even more crucial than the physical. I've hunted with individuals who are physically fitter than me, yet they struggle to maintain a solid mental game daily or to persevere when things don’t go according to plan.

Mentally crumbling, believe it or not, can be much harder to overcome even than physical shortcomings. A guy can take a day off from hunting and recover from being tired or sore, but getting back in the game can be challenging if someone is mentally done.

It can be challenging to gauge someone's mental toughness if you are in a demanding situation, so starting with day hunts near home or an overnight trip may be best. The last place you want someone to check out mentally is 1500 miles from home on day four of your ten-day elk hunt.

Skills

This can be a tough one to figure out at times, as well. Sometimes, someone seems knowledgeable when conversing, but you quickly discover how much they know on a hunt. Often, it can be easy to wade through the BS and get a feel for how much they do or do not know and how much time they have or haven’t spent elk hunting.

For example, when a guy tells you he is a great caller, and you show up, he resembles a wounded duck. If you are both subpar at calling, it’s one thing, but if your newfound partner is so bad at calling that you end up doing all the calling while they sit in the shooter seat, that can get old fast.

People don’t necessarily need to be in the same arena regarding hunting experience or success, but being sold a bill of good that someone has been there or done that, then finding out on a hunt that they really don’t know anything can quickly become an issue.

Gear

Regardless of whether you are setting up a large base camp or backpack hunting, elk hunts can require an awful lot of gear. Each partner needs to contribute to this part of the hunt. It can get annoying if one guy has to provide everything for a hunt.

Before the hunt, list what each individual has that will make the hunt the most comfortable and successful. One guy being loaded to the hilt with gear and the other having nothing to contribute means they have different hunting goals. One likes the “idea” of elk hunting, and the other is planning on elk hunting.

One of You Can't Be Cheap

This is possibly the most crucial aspect of all. Elk hunting doesn’t have to break the bank, but certain elements can become expensive, especially with gas prices at $4 a gallon. If one person is always footing the bill, the hunting partnership will likely fail. It might work for a hunt or two, but the person constantly paying will eventually grow weary and move on.

If someone is frugal, it's challenging to change their mindset. One way to gauge this is by alternating who pays for lunch or when buying drinks or snacks at a gas station. The next time this occurs, offer to pay again. If they consistently agree without trying to contribute, you’ll likely anticipate how future hunting trips will unfold.

Home Life

This one can be tricky! Why does home life matter, you ask? Well, you don’t want to plan a big hunt where you and your hunting partner plan to hunt for a week, only for your partner's significant other to demand they come home, causing them to bail on you and the hunt. Or, as soon as they kill an animal, they have to run home to avoid getting in trouble.

Of course, there are circumstances where someone must go home due to an emergency, but how often is this truly the case? I'd venture to say that it's not often, and people head home because it's easier than suffering the consequences.

If you are good friends with the prospective hunting partner, you likely know their home situation and whether this could be a pitfall. It might not be as much of a known factor if you are new friends or haven’t spent significant time together. So, again, start small and see how it goes.

Achieving Compatibility

Compatibility is crucial if you and a buddy want to become hunting partners. It would be best if you were upfront and honest with each other about the points mentioned above. Set reasonable expectations for each other and the hunt before you leave. As a good friend once told me about business, “You can’t hold someone accountable for something you never told them you expected of them.” The same principle applies to elk hunting; you must be on the same page.

For example, if you plan a ten-day hunt, ensure that your partner won’t bail when success or challenges arise unless there's a family emergency. Be honest about your hunting experiences, goals, and shortcomings. If one of you is less physically fit and the other is in better shape, but both want to do this hunt together, consider training together or holding each other accountable.

Mentally, being on the same level can be challenging, especially if one person has more experience and mental toughness. Be realistic, especially if your partner is new to hunting. I know I've been physically stronger but mentally weaker in the past. As time passes, these may flip-flop somewhat, but mental and physical fitness require training.

Assess each other’s gear and fill in any gaps within the group. And lastly, for hell’s sake, don’t be cheap!