Cutting Ties

[Rainer]

So today I decided to cut the hunting ties with my hunting buddy, I'm going solo this season. When I like to go out safety is my first priority, not so much his. Last season is what solidified my decision. He shot a late season Bear at dusk and by the time I got there it was dark(keep in mind this is in a cedar swamp). It took me 15 minutes to drive over there and by that time he still didn't hear a moan. He filmed it and the shot was okay but it wasn't great. So it was going to dip below freezing over night so I decide that we should track it in the morning, he went right in to try to find it. with no success. We did find it about 400 yards from where it was hit but he did bump it.

The second time we go up to Sault Ste Marie on Lake Superior for a couple days of Diver hunt. I refused to go the second day because there was a storm coming in and by 5am there were already 4ft white caps out there. We had a 25 minute boat ride in a tin can in the open lake to get to the blind. I know how dangerous hunting the great lakes are. Getting 5 ducks isn't worth losing my life over. So instead of storming off and driving 8 hours home I stuck around to make sure he got in safe, then I took off. It took him almost 2 hours to get to the blind to see nothing close enough to shoot and he had to walk the boat back because of the waves. He is also notorious for shooting in peoples lanes while in the blind also

Now this type has been going on for a couple year now. I told him today that this season I'm going solo because it isn't safe hunting around him. Am I over reacting? whats your 2 cents

 

[kansasdad]

Self awareness while in hunting mode requires a regular safety staus evaluation. His awareness (or seeming lack of awareness) jeopardizes you and pushes you beyond your acceptable comfort levels.....from where I sit, you have done the logical thing and cut your ties to him. Solo hunting done well should be as safe or far safer than hunting with a reckless partner.

 

[Jamen]

Safety is always number one priority when I go out in the field or the lake. My first question is have you talked to him about this prior to the talk of you going solo? If you haven't talked to him prior maybe do one last test run but lay out the things you do not feel comfortable with and if he doesn't want to agree or follow them then cut ties off.

I have been in situations where I didn't feel comfortable and I would address them right away and most times they didn't realize what they were doing was not safe or made me uncomfortable. I always try to give people second chances and always see the good in people but when it comes to firearms and peoples lives at stake if you are not comfortable then I would not engage in those activities with said person.

 

[sbhooper]

Good decision. I have always preferred going solo, anyway. I will not go with an un-safe person.

 

[brymoore]

In some other forum a guy is writing a post about dumping his hunting buddy who is a wimp.

 

[TimeOnTarget]

In some other forum a guy is writing a post about dumping his hunting buddy who is a wimp.

Hahah Nice.

 

[MN Public Hunter]

In some other forum a guy is writing a post about dumping his hunting buddy who is a wimp.

Yeah, Monster Muleys....LOL

 

[Deleted member 22670]

Only you can assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Me personally, I only give someone one chance. No Big Game/Small Game/Fish is worth me not making it back to my family.

 

[Deleted member 22670]

In some other forum a guy is writing a post about dumping his hunting buddy who is a wimp.

That's funny

 

[jhunt8]

Personally, I know the feeling. I pick the people I hunt with based on their ability to work hard and be safe. You are right, losing your life is not worth a few ducks. There is something to be said for the adventure of it all, but if they don't bring the effort to the plate it really isn't worth your time. I have started to go solo on a lot of hunts simply because I prefer to be alone and I control my own "destiny" sort of speak. I put in the effort before the season and during the season with little to no help from the people I hunt with, and then for them to come out and shoot at an animal without knowing what is beyond or a fully running target isn't my idea of safe.

 

[BlakeA]

Good call. I think you will learn to enjoy the solo life outdoors.

 

[Mudranger1]

IMO I see no problem with the first situation ( I mean bears do not have to moan to die. the one I shot did not and he went about 100 yards maybe before piling up) ... the second well I can see your point a little more but it's up to you how much "adventure" you want it your life other then the shooting lanes adventures and stories is how we were brought up...might be dumb luck that we survived or it might build a survival instinct not seen too much these days

 

[VAspeedgoat]

Sounds like there are probably some more little things that built this up. As mentioned it could have helped the situation to address it with him before but I'm betting you tried and it didn't go well. You could have probably handled it in a "its not you its me way" and maybe not hurt feelings but then that's dishonest. So in other words, you weren't left with many options. Right wrong or indifferent, its how you felt and dealing with that crap on a hunt is not worth it. I had the pleasure last fall of hunting with a guy who helped with every part of the trip and had identical goals and it made the hunt even better. Thankfully we lost two bags of dead weight before we went that would have just made things terrible. And just like this situation they would have thought I was wrong. So to sum it up, good for you, you did the right thing for you especially if safety is a concern.

 

[hank4elk]

I've hunted alone for most of my life.
For personal safety and not have to worry about anyone else.

I know,I'm selfish.
But I'm in my church when in the woods.

 

[TimeOnTarget]

Been there, done that. Not for safety concerns but other issues.


I probably would have done either situation without batting an eye though.

Nothing wrong with going solo either though. Probably less safe though

 

[Ben Long]

I suppose compromise is a part of any human relationship. Some days I don't feel like compromising, and those days I hunt alone. Having a hunting partner that closely shares your tastes, hunting style and tolerance for risk is a wonderful, rare thing that takes time to develop. That said, I will not compromise on safety. It's hard to enjoy a day afield with a bullethole in your belly. And if speaking up results in sore feelings, well, so be it.

 

[7mm08mo]

Better safe than sorry. A little adventure doesn't hurt anything, but plain stupidity does. It is for this reason I choose my hunting partners very carefully. I understand accidents happen but some can be prevented by safety, also I have a family depending on me.

 

[Gr8bawana]

If you have a hunting partner where you're not looking forward to the next time you get to hunt together he's probably not the right one for you.
Just the fact that some things he does make you feel uneasy or unsafe would want to make me find another hunting partner.
I don't really like to hunt or fish solo because I like to have someone to talk to, compare notes, share the hunt. But that's just me.

 

[LopeHunter]

As I have gotten older, I often find I have more than one way to deliver unfortunate news. I can jab the knife through the ribs into the liver and turn the blade or can deliver a pat on the back with a handshake.

You are done with hunting with the partner. Does it matter that you tell him your opinion is he takes risks you are not comfortable? Do you think this is a teaching moment and he will take to heart your opinion and make a substantial change to his approach to outdoor activities? If he is coachable, why did he not listen the several times in the past you expressed concern over his decisions?

I no longer need to burn down the town and raze the buildings when a relationship is ending. Most of my relationships are with middle-aged and older folks who fit into the old dogs not learning many new tricks category.

I would have thanked the partner for a lot of wonderful memories (surely there were some). Then, mention you did some thinking over the last few weeks and want to try a new approach that will probably be boring and too slow-paced for him.

Same result, the partnership is done. Same result, the partner is not going to change their style.

The benefit with not burning the bridge down is the world can be a small place and paths might cross again where a smile would be more welcome than a sneer.

 

[tarheel]

Probably the best thing you could have done. If he doesn't place much value on his own safety then he surely won't place much on yours.

I had a hunting partner when I lived in CO who nearly ruptured my ear drum by swinging on a passing pintail and as we sat side by side he swung in my direction, placing the end of the barrel within 2' of the side of my head when it went off. What really tore it was when he made a careless shot on a low flying pheasant during a drive and my wife wound up with a #4 pellet in the side of her thigh (long story). I got his butt back to Denver and severed the tie then and there.