Hunting trips and hunting partners

[WVmike]

Wanted to ask other hunt talkers how often they plan out of state hunting trips and how many go by themselves/with a partner/as a group. I live in WV and have been trying to plan on going elk hunting in the west every two years. Went in 2024 and came home with the tag still in my pocket, but learned a lot. The logistics for those living on the eastern side of the country is a little trickier in regards to time related to travel/time off from work, fuel and the other issue for me, finding someone to go with on a consistent basis. I have a pretty flexible schedule as I work 3 12 hour shifts a week and usually can take off if I have dates set well in advance. That being said I have three little ones from 12 to 4 years old so I don't get to hunt especially out of state as much as I would like to. I also cherish all of the time I have them and my wife because one day I won't be spending all day at the ballfield watching games or traveling everywhere for baseball/softball. On the first trip to Colorado I went with someone who I was college roommates with and had been hunting together for well over 10 years but the trip showed myself and apparently my partner some things we didn't see eye to eye on, hence why we don't hunt and hangout anymore. Most people's idea of hunting is driving their side by side to their stand and sitting in their truck overlooking a corn field, not hiking miles on end to shoot an elk and carry it out on your back. After hunting in '24 I absolutely loved it and cannot wait to go back. Finding a hunting partner to go west is proving to be difficult. How hard is it for others to plan a hunting trip every year and also how many go solo or with others?

 

[TOGIE]

it's hard for everyone. even if you've found people you jive real well with lining up schedules, especially given the unpredictability of the draws and then throw kids and family schedules into the mix, can be borderline impossible. doesn't matter if you live out west or not.

lot's of folks are going solo not entirely by choice.

 

[mtmuley]

it's hard for everyone. even if you've found people you jive real well with lining up schedules, especially given the unpredictability of the draws and then throw kids and family schedules into the mix, can be borderline impossible. doesn't matter if you live out west or not.

lot's of folks are going solo not entirely by choice.

Yep. I had one. We drifted apart after some life stuff. He is currently in critical condition fighting Type 1 DKA. I recently gained a SIL that has stepped in. Just have to keep up with a kid half my age. mtmuley

 

[Steiny77]

Wailt till you get to be my age (66). Most of my buddies my age are out of shape and not up to anything much tougher than an afternoon sit in a deer stand. A day out fishing has them whipped out.

I take my kids, nephew, son in law, etc. when they can go and I pay for things. I don't mind paying if they are willing to make the trip. We have a lot of fun.

I keep telling my wife, I've got to get some younger friends