Very uncomfortable phone call

by **under H2O hunter** » 03 24, 2015 • [Post 1]

I just had a very interesting phone call. How would you all handle this? A guy I meet on the mountain I hunt last year just called me on the phone and was straight looking for information about the area we both hunted last season. Saying he had 17 points and wanted to know an area where I would burn them if I was him. He then went on on on about different units. After me pointing him to google earth and caltopo he wasn't into scouting via internet and wanted me to give him scouting reports. I swear I can't make this crap up if I wanted to. Who does this? The phone number was from Indiana and I did know the fellow but we are not friends I am friendly on the mountain but I don't feel I should give information away because we just crossed paths? I am all about helping those who are willing to earn their dinner. I get that it takes patience to earn points and this guy will hunt hard but there was no personal connection to him and he was hard core about getting intel. He can't scout and not willing to reciprocate. I tried getting off the phone and he wouldn't let me go. I finally had to hang up the phone and turn it off.

by **wawhitey** » 03 24, 2015 • [Post 2]

You ever have somebody pull over in their car, obviously lost, and ask for directions? Sure, weve all had that happen. Well every once in a while the little dude dressed in red pops up on my shoulder and tells me to give b.s. directions while acting helpful. I know its a jerk move but its kinda funny. Thats the route you should have gone.

by **Gselkhunter** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 3]

The answer is simple, " I can't help you. I can't be responsible for your 17pts. Good luck."

by **Bow4me** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 4]

Gselkhunter wrote:The answer is simple, " I can't help you. I can't be responsible for your 17pts. Good luck."

Very good response! You know everyone is crazy about their "SECRET" spot but what gets me is when you're at the trailhead and there is another crew getting ready to pack in and you just try to get a general area that they are going to set up camp and they give you that crazy look. I'm not looking for your SECRET spot I just don't want to be able to see you from my camp. That's one of the reasons I pack in is for the solitude.

by **ElkNut1** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 5]

Not sure exactly what's going on here? Was he asking for info on the OTC unit you both hunted last year or was he just asking for advice on a unit to burn his 17 points? Both?

ElkNut1

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 6]

I guess it's not surprising that he called you for advice on potential, general areas to hunt with his max points (you are from the area, and, he has your phone number). But, to call a casual acquaintance and start drilling them about "specific" area info you've probably spent years researching and possibly scouting is out of bounds. I have shared general areas (all OTC units/hunts) with guys that were heading to MT or ID to get them on the right track but would certainly not divulge intel on those spots that I've scouted, hunted, committed to memory that were "top tier" in my mind. If it was a good friend calling and I was going along for the ride or to call for them, that may be a different story but in this case, it's out of bounds. As GS mentioned, " I can't be responsible for your 17pts/good luck" makes a ton of sense to me. Heck I don't know, perhaps the guy thinks it's no big deal to ask for specifics since he's only gonna be in there for one season (but we know that once you tell one person about a spot, that information tends to spread through that person's friends of friends in many cases). Proceed with caution

by **jmez** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 7]

I'm confused a little like Paul? I would also wonder why you gave your phone number to some guy in Indiana that you see on the mountain and aren't friends with?

Just tell him, I hunt the general units and don't worry about the others.

by **under H2O hunter** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 8]

ElkNut1 wrote:Not sure exactly what's going on here? Was he asking for info on the OTC unit you both hunted last year or was he just asking for advice on a unit to burn his 17 points? Both?

ElkNut1

Paul here is a little more on the story plus some back story to help paint more of the picture:

The guy was muzzle loader hunting with a fellow I have seen on my mountain before name Kelly who is a muzzleloader and from Ft. Collins. I swap info with Kelly when we are on the mountain. Kelly is a great guy and we have built a decent relationship because both of us give each other decent intel when we are hunting on the same mountain. Last year was the first time I had ever seen seen the man from Indiana who called me last night. The phone call had no personal connection. He was talking very quickly and was firing out questions like rapid fire. He was talking like the two of us have been buddies for years. I am wondering if the man was intoxicated. I was pretty vague and I was not willing to give up much info on the unit we both hunted last year as its a spot I'll be hunting again this season. I was as helpful as possibly could be on any other unit he had questions on. But he just kept coming back around to the last seasons unit and the unit we boarder. I finally was direct but I was also very polite and let him know that I wasn't comfortable giving him information on the OTC unit and the unit that borders that unit because I am planning on hunting it again this season. This didn't seem to even register with him and he kept firing questions. Now to be fair and give full discloser here are a couple things on my state of mind the whole time this conversation was taking place... One I was high smoking weed laying in bed trying to relax. Secondly in my foggy brain state I was trying to figure out why he was calling me when he has a buddy who lives in Ft. Collins and who has hunted the mountains for several years... I suspect he and his buddy from Ft Collins must not be very close and this man from Indian is looking to side step asking his buddy and get more information on the area. The area is certainly not worth 17PP and I kept telling him that. When ever I would change the conversation to a unit that was worthy of 17pp he had some excuse as to why he didn't want to hunt there. The man was muzzleloading last season and I don't think the unit is possible to draw as a 2nd choice so I question his 17pp as being truthful. I am thinking about calling Kelly or at least texting him to see whats up. Whats your thoughts now that you have a little more info Paul?

by **twinkieman** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 9]

I would politely tell him, sorry I can not help you, and to please not call me again.

by **under H2O hunter** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 10]

jmez wrote:I'm confused a little like Paul? I would also wonder why you gave your phone number to some guy in Indiana that you see on the mountain and aren't friends with?

Just tell him, I hunt the general units and don't worry about the others.

To be honest with you I can't recall giving my phone number to the guy in the first place... Maybe I did and don't remember then again maybe I didn't give him my number but he got my number from Kelly. It's not out of the norm for me to give my phone number to guys on the mountain for a few different reasons... I am usually very helpful with guys on our mountain during the season. The mountain is a big place and I know where there are several herds. I can't hunt them all and I usually like to be helpful to those that are not as fortunate to be in the woods as long as I can so they don't have as much time to locate the various herds... I usually expect some reciprocation and with most of the guys I have given my number to they usually will let me know things I may have questions to because the intel I give them is spot on. Another Reason I give my number out is because I want people to know that if they get themselves into trouble or lost or something they have someone close by who can and will come save their ass. Kinda like a May Day call on the water... It's my duty to help those who are in trouble if I can. I don't mind if people text me a question or even call and ask me one or two questions after doing their homework. But to just call someone up and drill em with tons of questions is not something I am comfortable with but I also don't have the balls to just be rude and cut them off. I don't burn bridges if I don't have to as someday I may need them to help me get an animal out or come save my ass if its in a pinch.

by **Charina** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 11]

I've had one of those before, but related to my vocation, not hunting. I think there are just some people that lack appropriate boundaries in understanding what may or may not be acceptable to others. Everything that can be a strength (e.g. being willing to ask for info/help) can always be found as an extreme and dysfunctional condition in a few people in society. I just added my pesterer to a blocked call list. After trying to reach me about 20 times over two weeks, I think he finally got the hint that he couldn't get through verbal communication.

by **Fridaythe13th** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 12]

Don't tell him a thing. Be rude or be nice it sounds like he didn't get the point when you weren't telling him anything.
by the way what unit do you hunt and were are these other heard. Just joking

by **Indian Summer** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 13]

Not to be a nitpicker but is this hunting related? Seems like a topic for the Docs Office forums......................

by **ElkNut1** » 03 25, 2015 • [Post 14]

James, after reading & understanding your second explanation you did what I would have done with him minus the doobie! (grin) I think you handled it excellent, I sure wouldn't be giving a stranger any info that would lead him into spots that took me years to find & fine tune, those are very precious to me & will only be passed on to close friends or family members. Nice job in maintaining your composure & giving respectful responses to him!

ElkNut1

by **Indian Summer** » 03 26, 2015 • [Post 15]

I agree with Paul. Details about a hunting area are sacred. Giving them out to someone you barely know could very well be like dropping a match in the woods and walking away!

by **pointysticks** » 03 26, 2015 • [Post 16]

How did he get your number?

And Indiana? Find out if he has an awesome farm first. No sense burning that bridge to find out he owns a 2000 acre farm in Pike county.

Jus sayin.

by **Indian Summer** » 03 26, 2015 • [Post 17]

Damn Pointy... why didn't I think of that? That there is some good advice. There are some big bucks in Indiana. I'd trade elk info for a good private land hunt there for sure.

by **Seminole** » 04 08, 2015 • [Post 18]

I have hunted with Paul, and the one thing I did was wipe all traces of any information that was on my Rhino. My respect for him is way too great. I could not even give you the coordinates to ElkNut's camp if I tried. I would never blind call anyone for information, except maybe Joe, but hey, he is family....

In my world we get allot of people trying to pry information out of us. You were smart to hang up. If he calls again, be forceful, curt and respectfully ask him to never call you again. I am sure he will try it again.

by **foxvalley** » 04 08, 2015 • [Post 19]

LOL,that doesn't surprise me a bit,it's so much easier to try and pry a nugget of info over the phone, than to spend days, weeks, months, and years getting to know an erea.Why would he want to hunt your unit,if in fact he had 17pts.,and could hunt a much better one,isn't that why you accumulate pts. in the first place?
I find it very humorous how many people want me to take them elk hunting when I am successful,but nobody asks when I come home empty handed,LOL.And everybody wants to come and help me kill the big bucks on my farm,but they scatter like roaches in the light when you ask them to help work the farm,LOL.

by **Ironman** » 05 27, 2015 • [Post 20]

I agree when you bust your butt scouting, don't just give your info. Away.

.?. What kind of guy would even ask...... Plumb lazy if you ask me..

by **Swede** » 05 27, 2015 • [Post 21]

I think I would have said I have no hot spots off hand to offer, but am willing to scout an area for $2,000. It will take me a week of map work and on site scouting to come up with anything meaningful. I need $1,000 up front and the other $1,000 before the information is sent. The area I would scout would not be anywhere I had planned on hunting. I feel confident the $2,000 would stop the conversation, but if he wanted to pursue it farther, I would scout an area for him, and learn the new area for myself too. What I would see and learn may provide me some good intel, for a future hunt of my own. Be mindful that a lot of these characters won't get out of camp once they arrive. I am sure Indian Summer can tell you all about that. If per chance this guy really wanted the information, before I received any money I would make it clear, in writing, that there are no guarantees of hunting success or that he will even see elk.

by **Lefty** » 05 27, 2015 • [Post 22]

I give permissions on a corporate farm for goose hunting. So my phone number is out there and often callers will be hunting the same pivot as me. I also own 7 acres along the Bear River and posted on a waterfowl site blanket permission to hunt and use the pit blind if they want.

I get some weird calls. Some people Im more than willing to help, for no good reason. If I get the vibe some fellow expects me to provide a scouting report since he called, now Im obligated?.. They may not get much. Wow and the calls I use to get; neighbors, relatives or workers of former owners or managers were often the furthest out of line. And the outright lies often using a managers name for me to provide a "guided" hunts :roll:

Some folks are just plain impolite, rude, disrespectful, Others I may give away all I know, I don't mind sharing what I know ;

When if comes to big game I dont share about where I hunt or of a handful of backup areas,.
I am cordial but blunt, there are somethings I wont share.
"My father-in law showed me that region and I dont ( or cant) share that info". (My favorite)
"My buddy took me in that area, and out of respect for him I wont share that info,"
" A friend is close to that landowner and out of respect for him I wont share any info"

Even though nearly every person I visit with knows I hunt family first. I was working at school early one morning. A fellow called and asked if he could use my two man goose pit. I was real clear. He seemed to think that was the hottest spot in the field in reality where he hunted was a better traffic area for geese. He had been watching us kill our birds and go home, thinking it was the magic location. But why shouldn't I grant permission to hunt from the pit I put in.

If you feel uncomfortable Just a simple statement like posted earlier,
" I wont be able to help ( dont say you are sorry) and good luck!" You can still be come across as a good guy. Telling others "no" does get easier.

by **under H2O hunter** » 05 27, 2015 • [Post 23]

Lefty wrote:I give permissions on a corporate farm for goose hunting. So my phone number is out there and often callers will be hunting the same pivot as me. I also own 7 acres along the Bear River and posted on a waterfowl site blanket permission to hunt and use the pit blind if they want.

I get some weird calls. Some people Im more than willing to help, for no good reason. If I get the vibe some fellow expects me to provide a scouting report since he called, now Im obligated?.. They may not get much. Wow and the calls I use to get; neighbors, relatives or workers of former owners or managers were often the furthest out of line. And the outright lies often using a managers name for me to provide a "guided" hunts

Some folks are just plain impolite, rude, disrespectful, Others I may give away all I know, I don't mind sharing what I know ;

When if comes to big game I dont share about where I hunt or of a handful of backup areas,.
I am cordial but blunt, there are somethings I wont share.
"My father-in law showed me that region and I dont ( or cant) share that info". (My favorite)
"My buddy took me in that area, and out of respect for him I wont share that info,"
" A friend is close to that landowner and out of respect for him I wont share any info"

Even though nearly every person I visit with knows I hunt family first. I was working at school early one morning. A fellow called and asked if he could use my two man goose pit. I was real clear. He seemed to think that was the hottest spot in the field in reality where he hunted was a better traffic area for geese. He had been watching us kill our birds and go home, thinking it was the magic location. But why shouldn't I grant permission to hunt from the pit I put in.

If you feel uncomfortable Just a simple statement like posted earlier,
" I wont be able to help ( dont say you are sorry) and good luck!" You can still be come across as a good guy. Telling others "no" does get easier.

Thanks for the reply... I to am very comfortable with sharing information with some people if I get the vibe.. This phone call was just as rude as one could possibly be... Thank you for the tips on how to deal with this type of situation. Incase I have it come up in the future...