back-pack hunts

[Jim Wright]

There are regularly posts here by guys looking for other tradgangers to share a trip somewhere in the Rocky Mt. west for a back-pack hunt. I lived in Montana for 2 years and have been very fortunate to have done quite a bit of this type hunting in the Beartooth Wilderness Area for Sheep, Mule Deer and Elk and as well a couple of 10 day trips in Alaska's Talkeetna Mts. for Sheep. It may just be an indication of my character flaws and unpleasant personality but I can think of few better formulas for disaster than a couple or more guys who do not really know each other under-taking something so demanding. To me, it would seem to take an incredible ammount of common ground on physical conditioning, ability to do without every day comforts, realistic expectations for a succesful trip, and the list goes on! Hunting definitely falls into the "fun and games" category and if others are able to pull this off I am all for them but it seems a daunting task to me. I was wondering how some of you guys experienced in  back-pack hunts felt about this and particularly if anyone has put together a trip like this, how did it go?

[Purehunter]

I agree that it CAN be a disaster. However, I will be trying one of those types of hunts in the future. As with most endevors, open, honest communication from the start will be key. Of course, I have to be honest with myself, abilities and expectations. I admit, I chose to hunt by myself last year due to a falling out with past partners and will hunt that way again this year.    

Having said that, I'm willing to share my camp with another hunter, if, after some serious talking, we are on the same page about hunting, ethics, and expectations. I will say I have met some really nice people at the Colorado Traditional Arhcery Society's annual shoot last year. I plan on meeting up with them during my elk hunt this year. I am in the early stages of planning a 2012 or 2013 backpack hunt with an online partner, so I wont have any feedback anytime soon. I would be interested in hearing what others have to say though.
 But, it's not like "online dating" and I don't have to go home with them.  

[Fischman]

Jim, been there done that and you really hit it on the head you've got to really know someone before you go to all the expense and time and effort that a pack in trip includes. Most of my trips have been great, but on my first true pack trip in the wilderness I found out my "buddy" was not in as good of shape and took exception to me knowing as much or more about bowhunting,packing,camping ect., and informed me I didn't need him for elk hunting,some can't stand too many alpha males in camp i guess! Always been with good friends, or my sons on pack trips since !

[YORNOC]

Jim, big trouble for me twice.
 The main problem for me has been the others physical ability. I train hard for certain hunts. Being from Massachusetts, I have to work very hard to be ready to hunt at 10,000 + feet. A person may THINK they are in good shape, but high altitude has NO mercy as you know well to us flatlanders. I've suffered and learned.
 But others often don't want to take advice when it means discomfort. Then hunt time comes and you end up carrying your so called partners butt.
Very frustrating for me. Nice guys, but they blew it and I paid the price by not being able to hunt at my pace without leaving them crying on the side of a mountain. Maybe I should have, but I didn't. Cost me a chance at the bull of my lifetime. The guy I hunt with now can throw me and a few hundred pounds on his back all day long. Tough to find a partner like that, not everyone has the money to go on a trip.
Unfortunately you have to take more than a persons personality and ethics into consideration for trips like this.

[YORNOC]

One other thing, also hunted with a guy SO CHEAP it was the biggest embarrassment of my life.Many occurances on the trip but here is one:  Actually tried to take the tip "I" left for the waitress (in front of her!)at a hotel on the flight home saying if I was willing to leave that much, he was going to take it. It was 20%. I almost broke his neck.

[centaur]

Got to agree. I had a guy that couldn't wait to backpack for elk, but he forgot to get in shape and we damn near killed him just getting to spike camp. Luckily, we were all friends so we only harassed him unmercifully, and he decided to get in shape the next year.
As an old guy who is in pretty good shape for my age, I don't think it would be wise for me to try to go on a backpack hunt with a 30 year old who is in good shape, unless the country was pretty mellow. I can still do steep mountains, but not at the speed of a fit 30 year old.

[Purehunter]

I don't want to hijack the thread so if this is off base, let me know.

For those of you who tried this type of hunting with a previous unknown partner, looking back, what warning signs popped up prior to the hunt? If it turned out to be a good experience, what do you think made it "successful"?

I know I'm not a perfect hunting partner for everyone, sometimes I don't even get along with myself   . There are surely those on this website that could and would out hunt me, go longer and harder than I ever thought, any day of the week. Hopefully, through the process of talking with someone, that would come out. I'm pretty honest about my expectations and abilities, both physically and mentally. No doubt, physical and mental stress can make a person crack.

I didn't start this thread but I do enjoy reading the replies.

[fnshtr]

Went on my first wilderness backpack elk hunt last Sept. with 7 other tradgangers I had never met. It was great!!! I only hunted with 3 of the 7, but never had a problem.

The guys were all great. Everyone pitched in and helped one another and no one felt that they were "used" or pushed to do things/go places they didn't want to.

It really says a lot about the people that frequent this site... and trad people in general. I'm sure there are some nasty ones... but my experience was great!!

[fnshtr]

Oops... I hunted with 4 of the 7. All great experiences.

[Daz]

If possible start small and close to home. A weekender pack in to an alpine lake for some camping/fishing is a good start. This gives an idea of fitness and compatibility. We never know the true mettle until things go sideways. There are fair-weather hunting partners just like there are fair-weather friends. I would never, ever do a pack in trip with someone that i hadn't had a dry run trip or two with.
Wow. I just spent my 2 cents for the month...

[Tav]

I have learned that you need to be very picky with whom you choose to share your camp and hunt.  Your life can depend on your partners.  The only way I would do a pack-in hunt with people I don't know is if I brought one of my buddies with me that I could count on....a wingman.  I'm easy to get along with though.  It can be done but get to know the guys pretty good first.

[tradtusker]

You wanna find out who someone really is you take them on a 10 day backpack hunt!

I do this with my Girlfriends