Would you help?

[Oak]

I was talking with Buzz about this today, and thought I'd post it as a poll on here.

If someone you didn't know got on the forum and asked for help in an area they had drawn a premium tag, and you were very familiar with the area, would you offer to help them? I'm talking about mountain goat, sheep, moose, a once-in-a-lifetime tag, etc. Would it depend on whether you were applying in the same area?

My thought is that, unless I was applying for the same area and was fairly confident I would be drawing soon (max points), I would probably help them out. Let's face it, a lot of us put in for tags every year in areas we are not very familiar with. I wouldn't hold that against them. Odds of drawing many tags are so slim, I just don't think that helping someone out would make a big difference. What do you think?

This poll is public...

Edit: Not sure why it's not showing who voted...

 

[BuzzH]

I've helped out quite a few people that got lucky in the draws on good tags. I've also received some good help as well.

Good general deer, elk, antelope areas....thats another story. Those are kept pretty much secret except for a very select few.

 

[Bambistew]

I've helped lots of people, but only 'help' them to areas that I've hunted in the past or don't plan on getting to hunt for sometime if ever again. I've never sent someone to an area that I didn't think they could do well in. Some guys would come back discusted or pissed off, but I know better than what they were telling me. Most of the time I could tell they didn't put in the effort. One group made it half way to a spot I told them to go to, and didn't see an elk for 5 days... Course when you hunt 2000' below where the elk are in September it can be tough. Another group of guys went 3 for 3 on elk in archery season one year. Still couldn't believe that luck. They were novice elk hunters at best, but hiked in 8 miles into the spot I told them to go to and slayed em. They went back the next year with horses and went 2 for 3... and the other guy had lots of chances but was holding out for a bigger bull.

I think I helped out 4-5 guys this last season. Mostly in areas that I knew were crappy, but told them what I knew and where they might have the best luck.

When people are fishing for info I give them a nibble, if they don't say thanks, or return emails/pm's after... TFB.

 

[Moosie]

I've helped MANY a people in the Sheep area We hunted in. I couldn't have done it without help, I "Pay it forward".

 

[Spitz]

I'm in between the top two spots. Probably like most of you, I don't just help those who are competent as I'm certainly not competent in every aspect of hunting. I've received a lot of help over the last ten years or so since I started hunting and enjoy helping out those whom I can.

BUT, there are a few places that either I've worked hard to figure out and am super selective as to who I'd bring along, or are places that have been shown to me that I will either not go back or will only back alone depending on the wishes of the person that shared with me.

As for those rare tags, I'd be happy to help out depending on who's asking. Can't just toss out those pearls.

 

[IDHunters]

My answer was based on a "once in a lifetime" type of a tag, be it moose, goat, sheep or a very difficult deer/elk tag. I would give someone the help they needed.

For an easier to draw tag or a general tag I am a little less helpful.

 

[Oak]

I was definitely thinking of extremely hard to draw tags. I won't give out info on places I hunt, but will help with other general areas. It's a catch-22, though. If I don't hunt there, I usually don't have much good info.

 

[KimLeeJung]

+1 on the "Pay it Forward"

 

[Big Fin]

I have helped a lot of people and none of them ever shot a damn thing, so I am willing to help anyone, anytime, anywhere.

As they say in the CPA world - "Advice is worth what you pay for it!"

Seriously, on premium tags, I will help anyone. If they are a dumbass or beligerent and trying to impress me, I will be pretty vague about what I tell them.

General or easier to draw tags, I am still pretty open to helping people, more with patterns and general ideas, rather than specific areas.

I don't have any honeyholes, so be careful if I give you a "hot spot" to check out. The entire hunting world probably knows about it already.

 

[noharleyyet]

Oak, are you implyhing that you 'seasoned' hunters usually don't (or shouldn't) give much useful info to out of state newby general tag holders?

 

[ELKCHSR]

Ditto Spitz...

 

[Oak]

Oak, are you implyhing that you 'seasoned' hunters usually don't (or shouldn't) give much useful info to out of state newby general tag holders?

Nah, I'm just saying that you should take anything I say with a grain of salt.

 

[AkBearHunter]

I would and have helped a few hunters that have asked and even took 1 into the hunt area where he shot a beautiful 40" ram. If I should happen to draw an area that I was unfamiliar with I would hope that someone would help me out with some info as well.

 

[AZ402]

I've helped out a few guys on this board. Whether it was just some info or actually going along on their hunts. Everytime it was fun and mostly successful.

One thing I won't do is post any real info over the www. I'll use a PM or a phone call to discuss any areas. I'm not a fan of "E-Scouting"......

 

[A-con]

I have helped a few people out in LE elk & deer units where I have knowledge.
I rarely give exact spots, but enough general information that a person who can read a topo map can figure it out. I only relay information I have developed myself, when someone else has given me information, I keep it to myself.
Last fall in Arizona, we keep seeing a small 4X4 next to a road. We meet a fellow whose wife had the tag, and he told us she would be happy with any buck, but he hadn’t been able to put her on one. We put an “X” on his map and the next morning she took the buck. They were so happy, it really made our day.

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

Totally depends on the person the place and the other things. If it wasn't a jackass, I'd help plenty if it was my info to give.

 

[Oak]

One thing I won't do is post any real info over the www. I'll use a PM or a phone call to discuss any areas. I'm not a fan of "E-Scouting"......

Yep, I agree. I really don't understand the guys on MM that will get on there and post exactly where they killed something, or give information to an "e-scouter" in excruciating detail right on the thread.

I'd help plenty if it was my info to give.

Good point. I've never given out anybody's info to others, and I'd be seriously pissed if I found out someone had done it to me.

 

[guppie9]

The way things have been going for me the last few years, I'm not sure if anyone would want my help!!! But, I would do what I could for just about anybody on Hunttalk.

 

[lilbiggun]

I would help anybody, doesnt matter if I got drawn for the same hunt.

 

[TheTone]

I've given plenty of people my thoughts on units and areas that I'm familiar with. There are a couple Idaho tags I hope to draw someday which I play pretty close, but I've also given other people my thoughts on those same tags. I'm definitely a much bigger fan of sharing info via PM or email, as others have stated. And also like others, sharing someone elses info or tips is a no-no.