I put in for a LQ elk tag in Wyoming with a guy that I know pretty well, and we talked about that it was going to be just me and him applying together. I had told him if his dad wanted to apply also he could, but he said flat out it would be just him and me. When I went to put in for my tag under the party app there was another name in there and I asked him about it and he said its a guy he works with and if he drew he didn't know if he would even hunt. Well I just went in to put in for one more tag and click in the party and now there's more people. He's never said anything to me, and my thing is why wouldn't you say something? The other hang up I have is I don't like to be around drinking while hunting period, and not knowing these guys I could be walking into just that. Thinking about pulling my name and just telling him that I'm not comfortable hunting with people I don't know. Am I being a Dick or do you think its justified?
Moral question?
- Thread starter go_deep
- Start date
Alabama
Veteran member
He said it would just be the 2 of you so no it's not wrong to pull your app. I've had great hunts and I've had bad, borderline dangerous hunts with people I didn't know. It's a toss up whether it will be good or bad. Just go with your gut.
packer58
Very Active Member
That's the shits, puts you in an uncomfortable situation. If your partner can't communicate now it's prob not going to get any better on the hunt. I'm with hardstalk......draw the tag and go hunt solo !!!
Your buddy broke the deal by growing the group with out your agreement, so there is no longer an agreement. No hunting choice you make at this point has adverse moral implications for you. If you don't want to chance ruining the friendship, Hardstalk offered some good advice.
micropterus79
Active Member
He's the one that should be struggling with the morality of screwing up y'alls plan. I second taking hardstalk's advice if you want to take the high road. That is a really crappy thing to do to a friend and I hope it works out for you in any case.
In God We Trust
Very Active Member
Go solo. If the guy would do that then he might pull some other nonsense before or during the hunt.
dan maule
Veteran member
Agreed, I personally am very particular about the people I hunt with. Time in the woods is so precious that there is no way I would take the chance and go with people I am not familiar with and there is no way I would even consider bringing someone along without running it past the people I hunt with. Ditch him and do your own thing!
I'd thought about if we draw going solo. I just don't want to lie about why I can't hunt with him if we do draw, then I'm not doing anything different then him.
I guess if this is the biggest problem I have today I'll be alright.
Appreciate your guys feed back.
I guess if this is the biggest problem I have today I'll be alright.
Appreciate your guys feed back.
sneakypete
Veteran member
I'm with the rest of the guys, if you draw the tag go solo and let the guy know how you feel up front. I had a conversation with one our guys we hunt with since I drew a bull only tag. I don't want anyone hunting cows in the area I'm hunting bulls and he said I don't blame you!
yeah its a shitty situation. and honestly it just puts you in a hard spot when a buddy does that to you. a couple years ago my hunting partner at the last moment told me that he invited some of his cousins along. this was two days before the planned depart date, I had all my vac set in stone. I wasn't happy but I held it in, I decided to give it a whirl. what upset me most was this is an easy to find place but one of those places that every ones passes by, it was an easy access honey hole and its hard enough to fill one tag let alone 5 tags! it all turned out pretty fantastic. we had a powwow when we all arrived and got basecamp set up. and we dissected the mountain range on a map and picked our spots. we ended up all working together and a couple of nice bulls came out of it. we all got along really good and we all were good sportsmen about it. we all said it was "our" mountain and keep it at that. you all know how that goes. I lucked out with a good group of guys. all willing to stop their hunt to help pack meet out when one scored. 4 guys spread out calling for ya during heat of the rut is pretty damn affective! I hope it works out for you. its a tough call, it really is.
I agree with what's been said. Hard to say without knowing the guy but that was a dirty move adding people without talking to you. Maybe he's not that good a friend. If you hunt with the new guys it could go anywhere from horrible/dangerous to meeting the new hunting partners of a lifetime. They could be awesome guys that are fun and safe to hunt with or they could be complete jack wagons. I've had it go both ways and quit hunting with some guys because of guys they brought. Crappy deal they way it went down. I'd say bail completely or go with the whole crew and see what shakes out.
micropterus79
Active Member
That's probably the best way to handle it go_deep; straight forward. If y'all are good friends, he ought to be able to handle that. If I ever end up in a similar situation that's what I will do.
Like ivory said, maybe they'll be great guys and y'all will have an awesome hunt!
Godspeed man!
missjordan
Veteran member
Sorry your put in the situation and hope something comes out good overall. Hopefully they end up being nice guys and it works out. We hunted with a good friend last season and by the end of the trip nobody could stand each other. I think your doing the right thing trying to meet his friends ahead of time so at least you can judge on how the trip will be.
Musket Man
Veteran member
Can you still apply by yourself if you withdraw from the group app or is it too late? I would pull my app and apply on my own if I could. If its too late for that I would hunt on my own if I drew. If the guy cant tell you the truth now what is the hunt going to be like? Things like this really rub me the wrong way. Its not even what the guys applying are like, its the principal of the whole thing.
quicknick
Active Member
I agree with everyone else, you can see how it plays out and cross thoee bridges when you come to them. But i wouldnt pull the app and miss a chance to go hunting.