How does one become a solo hunter?

[jay]

I myself like having at least one other person. I know its not always possible, so on those days I adjust my hunt. It's more for company, motivation, safety, and of course another set of hands if something gets the sleeping pill. I give those who go out alone for days in the backcountry a ton of credit, that takes some cajones!

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

For an elk or bigger, that does sound like a good option or get in touch with a horse/mule packer ahead of time and have or rent a satellite phone. When you get your animal you can arrange the pack out help for those bigger animals, depending how far back you get the animal. The Sat phones rentals are pretty reasonable as an option these days.

http://www.mobal.com/satellite-phone-rental/

You can also set up one of your SPOT messages to get ahold of your packer, complete with lat/long and a link to google maps so he/she knows where to go.

 

[Timberstalker]

the best part of the packout is setting my pack down on the tailgate.

I will never forget 9/17/2011 @ 8:00pm, when I took my pack frame loaded with the head and horns from my ram and set it on the tailgate. After two weeks of solo hunting, I've never felt more relief and gratification, and probably never will.

 

[Fish]

Well said Timberstalker. I packed a few bucks 5-7 miles out of the Cascade mts on the high buck hunt, and doing it all buy yourself makes the hunt even more worth it.

 

[Kevin Root]

You can also set up one of your SPOT messages to get ahold of your packer, complete with lat/long and a link to google maps so he/she knows where to go.

The SPOT is a great tool. My wife loves the SPOT tracking me and my check in prearranged messages. It gives her a bit more comfort getting a message that I'm ok check in from me. Sending a message direct to a packer via SPOT. That's a good idea Bitterroot Bulls.

 

[mthuntress]

Just did it!I love to see what's on the other side of the mountain.It was like a fire inside me and it was the only way to put it out.And now I can't get enough of it.

 

[Elk Hunter]

I originally started solo hunting because I couldn't find anyone who wanted to pack in with me, and I was going regardless. I usually limit myself to about 5 miles in and as far from any trail as I can get. Don't see nearly as many people that way, but I see a lot more elk, take a lot more pictures, and I know a lot more about how to bone out and process a critter than I knew before. The longest I have every been in is 2.5 weeks, and I have packed out three elk by myself. You don't have to worry about gaining any weight. I actually work at trying not to lose any. Did have one bad knife incident the first time, but I am much better prepared for such things now. Came close to being trampled by elk at night a few times, and it is not unusual for them to keep you awake at night bugling next to your tent. One year I had a herd of 13 elk bed down next to my tent the night before season opened. I have heard that backpacking in to hunt like I do is called extreme hunting. Whatever the label I would say the way to get better is to keep doing it. !!!WARNING!!! Solo hunting can become addictive.

 

[jenbickel]

I started solo hunting because I didn't have a choice. It was either go alone or don't go at all. I'd much rather just go alone if those are the options! I started out just solo shed hunting then last year it grew to solo antelope and elk hunting. I kind of like it because I can go at my own pace , go where I want to go and not hear any complaining that we are going too far. Im very social so it does get lonely. I usually end up talking to myself or the trees.

 

[Zim]

Solo

I had to get used to hunting solo out west because the majority of the time my buddies procrastinated. Then I got bonus points everywhere and they don't. After several trips I wanted the barrier to entry that was backpacking, to limit competition. So since then I have drawn several tags in areas where backpacking held advantages. Last year I packed in 4 miles and scored a 330" elk with my bow. At 52, one concession I made though is to not kid myself I could pack it out solo from there. I hired a local to bring a horse and pack it out.

To handle the solitude during my hunt, I take a cell phone, tiny radio, bear spray, and a Spot Messenger. They act as my security and substitute for live company.

 

[NDHunter]

I usually end up talking to myself or the trees.

I'll bet the trees are glad when you are done hunting Jen so that they can get some peace and quiet.

 

[2Below]

I went solo the season before last. I had planned on going with my brother, but he ended up unable to go. I thought about just not going, but my wife said "if you can't go by yourself, how are you going to take your boys." That of course is a very good point and anytime your wife tells you to "man up" you pretty much have to do it.

The first trip was tough. The days were ok, but the nights were long. Though the first night in, I heard my first ever bugle as I was setting up my tent. That was really cool and is something I won't forget. I made it three nights, I didn't come out with an elk, but I did come out with confidence that I can pack in solo if I need to (which may happen this year).

 

[sjsmallfield]

I'll bet the trees are glad when you are done hunting Jen so that they can get some peace and quiet.

LMAO. That is awesome!

 

[MT Muley]

I have been hunting by myself for awhile now. I grew up hunting with some of my best friends in the world... I still cherish those memories with them.. But, things change and I am the only one of the gang that still hunts. I have never minded being by myself though to be honest. Sure there are things I miss about being with friends, but anymore, I like the solitude. I like being on my schedule and hunting the way that I want to hunt. I have tried hunting with a few new hunting friends, but it hasn't worked out.

 

[BKC]

Finding someone to hunt how you want to, where you want to and when you want to is tough. I have found that Pete is always ready to go. Is this still considered solo hunting?

 

[packer58]

View attachment 3012 Finding someone to hunt how you want to, where you want to and when you want to is tough. I have found that Pete is always ready to go. Is this still considered solo hunting?

Yes it is !!!!!!!, as long as you do all the talking

 

[HuntinFool]

Im very social so it does get lonely. I usually end up talking to myself or the trees.

Typical woman, always has to be talking.

 

[NDHunter]

I don't know about everyone else, but I think one of the biggest downsides to hunting and also fishing by yourself is that it just isn't as fun when you have a great experience and don't have anyone else to share it with. I've had days where I've gone fishing with my brother-in-laws for an entire day, never had one bite and yet we all had a blast. Then I've had other days when I've caught a bunch of fish or had an awesome hunt by myself, but it just wasn't quite as fun. So for me, that is a big negative for going by yourself....

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I don't know about everyone else, but I think one of the biggest downsides to hunting and also fishing by yourself is that it just isn't as fun when you have a great experience and don't have anyone else to share it with. I've had days where I've gone fishing with my brother-in-laws for an entire day, never had one bite and yet we all had a blast. Then I've had other days when I've caught a bunch of fish or had an awesome hunt by myself, but it just wasn't quite as fun. So for me, that is a big negative for going by yourself....

Yeah, the celebration is definitely better with a partner, but the satisfaction of doing it on your own is pretty great in a different way.

 

[packer58]

Yeah, the celebration is definitely better with a partner, but the satisfaction of doing it on your own is pretty great in a different way.

I agree that it's easier to dish out high 5's if there's another pair of hands around . But my own personal experience is that after months of planning, preporation, getting to the hunting grounds and grinding it out day after day alone. Once it all comes together and I get my animal on the ground that's when the emotional tidal wave arrives. Sometimes it takes me a couple of hours before i can start breaking down the animal. After I pull myself together the work starts, once I get the last load to the tailgate the second emotional wave hits, so I just sit there and reflect.

 

[Red 1]

I agree that it's easier to dish out high 5's if there's another pair of hands around . But my own personal experience is that after months of planning, preporation, getting to the hunting grounds and grinding it out day after day alone. Once it all comes together and I get my animal on the ground that's when the emotional tidal wave arrives. Sometimes it takes me a couple of hours before i can start breaking down the animal. After I pull myself together the work starts, once I get the last load to the tailgate the second emotional wave hits, so I just sit there and reflect.

I hope this is how I feel at the end of my hunt this year. I have had plenty of trips with freinds where I had wished I was alone.