Hunting partner backed out :(

Timberstalker

Veteran member
Feb 1, 2012
2,242
6
Bend, Or
Going solo isn't all that bad. I went solo on my sheep hunt a few years back, it was tough but it was the most rewarding hunt of my life.
 

WapitiBob

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,385
58
Bend, Orygun
A 10 day Gila hunt for $250 and he backs out...

I would drop in to monstermuleys, NM forum and see if anybody wants to join you. Lots of NM guys with time on their hands there and they're good guys.
 

Matthoek21

Veteran member
Mar 18, 2011
1,904
0
Peachtree City, GA.
This same thing happened to a buddy of mine. Not quite as big of a deal as a hunting trip but it was still a bad situation. My buddy and a friend of his were driving to MT to fish with me for a week. The day they were supposed to leave his buddy backed out. Needless to say he made the 33 hour drive from blue ridge , GA to west Yellowstone by himself. That is just not cool when you do a buddy like that. These trips take preparation and money, that is easier accomplished when split two ways but when they back out at the last second on something this big...well, that just ain't cool. Hope he's a close friend, but either way I would never ask him to accompany me on even a local hunt again. I'll guarantee that. Must be something to do with these boys from the south. For whatever reason I 've seen or heard of this happening too many times.
 

DevilDog82

New Member
Oct 6, 2015
7
0
With 1 week left to go my partner told me he wasn't going. I'm feeling really anxious about the trip now. It's my 1st camping trip longer than 3 days. 1st elk hunt. No cell service but wasn't worried with a partner. He was supposed to supply part of our gear. Shower, camp stove, extra coolers etc. I was getting really excited until now. This sucks!
You can still have an awesome time. My first step was researching the entire area to familiarize myself with the parts of the unit I want to focus on. Download Backcountry Navigator and buy the BLM overlay. It's an app for your phone that allows screenshots incase you lose service. Bring a backpack with plenty of warm gear, change of socks, high protein snacks, and make it a well researched trip to remember.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
 

genesis27:3

Member
Mar 12, 2015
139
0
North Carolina
He was supposed to supply part of our gear. Shower, camp stove, extra coolers etc. I was getting really excited until now.
He can easily be replaced with a couple packages of wipes, a JetBoil, couple Mountain Houses, and a trip to the sporting goods store for a cooler.
I hope you kill a hoss and have a great time!
 

brent.wheaton

New Member
Sep 30, 2012
11
0
I know this does not do you any good but I leave Oct 22nd for Northern New Mexico for an elk hunt. I will be hunting Valle Vidal starting Oct 24th.
 

Apparition

Active Member
Jan 26, 2014
211
0
59
Pine Grove, PA
Ive done a couple of solo hunts, DO IT!! One hunt was a spike in hunt and the other was roadside, the biggest tent I had was a three man. Its just a armed solo camping trip nothing to it.
 

Musket Man

Veteran member
Jul 20, 2011
6,457
0
colfax, wa
I like hunting solo but I also know it can be really nice to have someone there for moral support and to share camp with. Even having cell service so you can talk to someone can really help at times. It can also be intimidating hunting a new area solo because you dont know what to expect there. Having someone backout that close to the hunt would be frustrating too. I hope you have a great hunt anyways! Good Luck!!!!
 

mallardsx2

Veteran member
Jul 8, 2015
3,934
3,250
I would go out there and give 110% to kill a monster....then text everyone the pictures and not tell him anything and let him find out second hand....(Unless he has a legitimate excuse)

Thats how I would handle that lol
 

480/277

Very Active Member
Feb 23, 2013
629
1
I have hunted the Gila, go or one day you will so regret it...

I have hunted solo a bunch of times . My brother even backed on
On one trip. No biggie and they are some of my most memorable hunts.
 

NE69

Active Member
Jan 6, 2013
372
59
67
Southwest Nebraska
I had to back out on an elk hunt last year at the last minute. A couple business problems that I just couldn't get away from. I didn't have a tag but was helping a friend. I gave my buddy all the info I could to the unit right down to an X on the map as he hadn't hunted there before. Stayed in touch through texts as to what he saw and where to try on his 2 days of scouting. He shot a 362" on opening morning. Sure made me regret not going. He is a very accomplished elk hunter and I knew he would do well. As far as the business problems, it wouldn't have mattered if I went in the long run. Lesson learned.
I would head to the Gila no question.
 

tdcour

Veteran member
Feb 28, 2013
1,100
26
Central Kansas
Went to NW NM this year again for elk and had a blast. If my butt wasn't stuck in a combine going through soybeans I'd make the drive and help you pack out meat! That dude has no idea what he will be missing. No one else you know can get off on short notice? Bad deal, but at least you will have fun... and you can listen to whatever music you want the whole way!
 

JEandAsGuide

Active Member
Dec 11, 2012
475
1
Zachary, LA
Bama, if I could take off work when you are going I would go with you in a heart beat. You could pick me up on the way. I just got back from my first elk hunt in WY. If it makes you feel any better, I will probably make my next hunt solo if my normal hunting partner can't go. If you need to borrow coolers, gear or anything else just let me know. I'm right off I-10 in LA if you are going that way. Also if you need place to stop and sleep to make the solo driving easier just let me know.
 

Alabama

Veteran member
Feb 18, 2013
1,395
191
Sweet Home Alabama
I have 33 guys that work with me, 5 deer hunt, only 2 have any interest in elk but won't commit time or vacation. 2 close friends that hunt and would love to go: They just can't because of work/family obligations (not enough vacation time). I know about 5 other people that say they want to go but when it comes time to apply they have a change of heart. It's really hard to convince someone to use 7-10 days of vacation to go on a hunt. It's 18 hours one way minimum for me to get from here to elk country (except Kentucky or Pennsylvania which I'll never draw). Most won't commit the money or time. You should see the looks I get at work when I tell them I'm going solo after my partner backed out THEY THINK I"M CRAZY LOL!

I wasn't going to post this, but since no one knows who I'm talking about, here we go: after months of planning, my buddy just stopped answering my calls last week then texted me Tuesday saying "I'm not going to be able to go" that's it! I tried calling him right after the text and no answer. I'm usually not one to hold a grudge but this one is tough to swallow.
 

Alabama

Veteran member
Feb 18, 2013
1,395
191
Sweet Home Alabama
Oh yeah he was bringing a tent also. All I have is a Coleman 6 man that we use for camping at the river. So if anybody's passing through and see an single idiot in a six man tent; That's me!
 

Alabama

Veteran member
Feb 18, 2013
1,395
191
Sweet Home Alabama
That's a heck of an offer JEandAsguide. Probably going to go through Meridian, MS then Shreveport, LA etc via I-20. I'll get the gear together. I just don't like doing it last minute but I'll manage. I really appreciate the offer though. Thanks everyone for the encouragement and offers of help.
 

Bonecollector

Veteran member
Mar 9, 2014
5,862
3,667
Ohio
You can do it!

I've always gone it DIY. However, I just came back from my first alone experience, 9 days! Believe me, you are so busy hunting and preparing to hunt that the time flies. Go and have fun. If at anytime you are 'done', simply pack up and go home. Make the trip what you will. Whatever it is, it'll be fun. ;-)

PM me for details as we hunted in the same general area, I think.
~Bill


That's a heck of an offer JEandAsguide. Probably going to go through Meridian, MS then Shreveport, LA etc via I-20. I'll get the gear together. I just don't like doing it last minute but I'll manage. I really appreciate the offer though. Thanks everyone for the encouragement and offers of help.
 

LCH

Very Active Member
Jun 28, 2015
774
246
Southern Indiana
I have 33 guys that work with me, 5 deer hunt, only 2 have any interest in elk but won't commit time or vacation. 2 close friends that hunt and would love to go: They just can't because of work/family obligations (not enough vacation time). I know about 5 other people that say they want to go but when it comes time to apply they have a change of heart. It's really hard to convince someone to use 7-10 days of vacation to go on a hunt. It's 18 hours one way minimum for me to get from here to elk country (except Kentucky or Pennsylvania which I'll never draw). Most won't commit the money or time. You should see the looks I get at work when I tell them I'm going solo after my partner backed out THEY THINK I"M CRAZY LOL!

I wasn't going to post this, but since no one knows who I'm talking about, here we go: after months of planning, my buddy just stopped answering my calls last week then texted me Tuesday saying "I'm not going to be able to go" that's it! I tried calling him right after the text and no answer. I'm usually not one to hold a grudge but this one is tough to swallow.

I learned a long time ago, there are talkers and there are doers. Talkers are easy to find, doers seem to be fairly rare around here.