Spot Sharing

[Rack Daniels]

Scott Linden recently put out a podcast over spot sharing, very contentious topic with responses all over the spectrum. It was a good listen but I imagine this crowd is going to put me through the meat grinder over this topic.

It got me thinking about where people draw the line, because I find myself in a middle ground. On one hand, sweat equity is everything, and once you give up a spot, you have to accept it's no longer "yours" (if it ever was).

On the other hand, helping a trusted hunter out often pays dividends down the road when you're the one in a new zone looking for a starting point. If someone helps me, I'll help them when the opportunity comes.

What say you, HT?

Do you ever share spots, or is it a hard NO across the board?

Is your rule species-dependent (e.g., sharing bird covers vs. big game)? One it s a maybe and the other is an absolute Nope.

What vetting or circumstances do you require before dropping a pin for someone?

Need to have a come to Jesus meeting with the person beforehand?

Do you expect quid pro quo?

I asked permission to Randy if I could start a “where’s the elk” thread kind of like “where’s George” with dollar bill serial numbers. It’ll keep the elk moving and it’ll help new people find new spots. It’ll make the hunters that consistently kill animals have to work to find them again, and of course, the odds of someone rolling up there after the location gets shared and there still being animals there is unlikely. I think it’s a great idea, and I’d give up a few spots. Randy said I can do it if I want to— but anything regarding people’s spots is probably not a good idea on a public forum…. I think it’d create a new and interesting dynamic but it is a Pandora’s box that cannot be closed once opened….

 

[Point Creep]

 

[Point Creep]

I’ve been generous to a lot of hunters and many have been generous to me. I have more regret about being generous than I feel good about the times I’ve helped out. Good hunting spots are sacred and I’d never help anybody at all that I didn’t think they felt the same way.

 

[cgasner1]

I asked permission to Randy if I could start a “where’s the elk” thread kind of like “where’s George” with dollar bill serial numbers. It’ll keep the elk moving and it’ll help new people find new spots. It’ll make the hunters that consistently kill animals have to work to find them again, and of course, the odds of someone rolling up there after the location gets shared and there still being animals there is unlikely. I think it’s a great idea, and I’d give up a few spots. Randy said I can do it if I want to— but anything regarding people’s spots is probably not a good idea on a public forum…. I think it’d create a new and interesting dynamic but it is a Pandora’s box that cannot be closed once opened….

Sounds like communism elk hunting

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

Don't talk about anything you are not ready to lose. Honor is a lost virtue.

 

[Matthew57]

I asked permission to Randy if I could start a “where’s the elk” thread kind of like “where’s George” with dollar bill serial numbers. It’ll keep the elk moving and it’ll help new people find new spots. It’ll make the hunters that consistently kill animals have to work to find them again, and of course, the odds of someone rolling up there after the location gets shared and there still being animals there is unlikely. I think it’s a great idea, and I’d give up a few spots. Randy said I can do it if I want to— but anything regarding people’s spots is probably not a good idea on a public forum…. I think it’d create a new and interesting dynamic but it is a Pandora’s box that cannot be closed once opened….

Respectfully, I don’t really like that idea to tell ya the truth. Seems to me it’d take some of the mystery/joy out of the hunt.

 

[Point Creep]

Respectfully, I don’t really like that idea to tell ya the truth. Seems to me it’d take some of the mystery/joy out of the hunt.

Until somebody’s earned a gem of a place themselves, then watched it twirl down the toilet from “spot sharing” they’ll never really “get it.”

 

[44hunter45]

I ran into a guy in Sportsman’s today who asked where I was going hunting this weekend and started talking about where he’s going and what he was seeing. It’s amazing to me how open some people are with that info and how easily they ask. It feels kind of rude sometimes but I try not to take it that way. My go to response is “around town”. How close that means is anyone’s interpretation I suppose.

Unless he is lying.
I always say "Notellum Creek" if I want to shut down the inquiry.

 

[44hunter45]

Took someone I'm mentoring to my "secret spot" this year.
1) Boot prints everywhere
2) No elk.

I've come to the conclusion that none of our spots are nearly as secret as we think they are.

 

[Johnny Bravo]

If you don't have a good spot it doesn't matter, but a legitimately good spot is hard to find.

A wise man once said "Two people can keep a secret, but only if one of them is dead".

This is assuming the dead man did not tell 2 friends before he died...

 

[brocksw]

 

[JLDemo]

Don't talk about anything you are not ready to lose. Honor is a lost virtue.

I bet the same topic is pretty hot in the fishing guide scene. I'd lose my mind if I had people follow my boat around. Probably go as far as having a decoy boat.

 

[JLDemo]

I’ve been generous to a lot of hunters and many have been generous to me. I have more regret about being generous than I feel good about the times I’ve helped out. Good hunting spots are sacred and I’d never help anybody at all that I didn’t think they felt the same way.

Failure is a good teacher, I've failed to read the room with a few folks and shared local places that I found and got burnt. Live and learn.

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

I bet the same topic is pretty hot in the fishing guide scene. I'd lose my mind if I had people follow my boat around. Probably go as far as having a decoy boat.

I've used the decoy truck before. If you're in an area where people know your truck and that you're a successful hunter it's a very useful strategy. There's some other similar scenarios where it's a good play.

 

[Nick87]

I’m a pretty big believer that you get back what you give. I’ve helped a lot of people thru the years and have had some help me. Depending on the person I’ll go above and beyond for them. Some I won’t even text back.

Yup.

 

[Hem]

I drive a Tundra some of the time. Back window of the topper was shattered years ago so my plywood insert sets me apart from the masses. Locals always laugh, " knew it was you".
Keeps me from visiting the strip joint down the road.

 

[El Jason]

I’ve shared plenty of pins and had plenty sent to me. There are a few places/pins I’ll never share. I don’t let my wife send photos from there without making sure they are sufficiently ambiguous.

 

[Hem]

I’ve shared plenty of pins and had plenty sent to me. There are a few places/pins I’ll never share. I don’t let my wife send photos from there without making sure they are sufficiently ambiguous.

I like to think screenshot are safe, dont know if that is fact or fiction.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

1. Dont share spots others shared with you unless those who shared it with you are ok with sharing it.
2. Dont share spots with people who wont respect #1 above.
3. Sharing spots with people who use the same discretion as you and return the favor is an easy choice
4. Sharing spots for limited entry units to tag holders in private is usually fine with me, unless #1 applies.

 

[El Jason]

I asked permission to Randy if I could start a “where’s the elk” thread kind of like “where’s George” with dollar bill serial numbers. It’ll keep the elk moving and it’ll help new people find new spots. It’ll make the hunters that consistently kill animals have to work to find them again, and of course, the odds of someone rolling up there after the location gets shared and there still being animals there is unlikely. I think it’s a great idea, and I’d give up a few spots. Randy said I can do it if I want to— but anything regarding people’s spots is probably not a good idea on a public forum…. I think it’d create a new and interesting dynamic but it is a Pandora’s box that cannot be closed once opened….

I’m still trying to process what I just read.