Buddy Backs Out

[Kessler10]

Im sure this has happened to lots of you. Been planning this back country hunt for about 8 months now. My buddy called me today and said he cannot join me until Sept 20th now. Our plan was to leave Sept 13th. So I am going to be hunting solo for the first week. Any word of encouragement to help keep my head up?

I am still going as planned on the 13th of Sept. To much has gone into this to wait around until Sept 20th. But man am i hot today after that call!!!!

[Elkduds]

You have no doubt heard the expression that every challenge is also an opportunity. Very true here! Did you have any plans that you compromised in order to accommodate your buddy? Put those @ the top of your list. Hunt new places, try different strategies, get way outside the box you will be in when buddy arrives. Also, enjoy the time alone, think your own thoughts, howl @ the moon if you wish. Novelist Tom Robbins wrote, "there is no romance like the romance of solitude."

[Mathewsz7-elkridge]

Call a couple outfitters in your area for packing services if your can't get it out by yourself. You don't want to hold back because your not sure if you can get it out. Enjoy your time in the outdoors!

[oldnovice]

Get your revenge and tag out the first week!

[VT Sasquatch]

I have the same issue often enough that I just invited buddies but assumed I'd be going solo. I figure it is more freedom so no big deal. Where are you headed?

[TennMatt]

Go for it. I'm a novice hunter in a similar situation with my hunting partner. I'm still going and will be alone during the week with help on the weekends. I used to stomp around in the woods solo conducting forest inventories and think this will be a similar solo experience. I wonder about how everything will shake out when I out one on the ground and am alone way back in the mountains.

Be safe, and go slow to go fast.

Good luck!

Matt

[Ben Nicholson]

That's some seriously late notice. No idea where you're hunting, but I'll be in 371/37 the 15th through the 22nd. If that's where you're hunting I'd be happy to help you pack a critter off the mountain if you need a hand. Good luck, hunt hard, make your buddy jealous he couldn't be there sooner!

[Dr. Rx]

You have no doubt heard the expression that every challenge is also an opportunity. Very true here! Did you have any plans that you compromised in order to accommodate your buddy? Put those @ the top of your list. Hunt new places, try different strategies, get way outside the box you will be in when buddy arrives. Also, enjoy the time alone, think your own thoughts, howl @ the moon if you wish. Novelist Tom Robbins wrote, "there is no romance like the romance of solitude."

x2..what a golden opportunity to try to solo hunting. You might actually tag out before you know it!

Kris

[Brendan]

Solo isn't a problem. I leave from Boston on the 14th by myself, won't be back for over 2 weeks. I have a friend joining me in camp for 1-2 nights, but he isn't a hunter.

Be safe, bring something like a Delorme Inreach, and have a plan for getting meat cool of you get one down (contractor bags and the nearest stream work in a pinch).

Go get it done!

[bald9eagle]

I might end up being "the buddy".

I'm supposed to leave Tuesday night. Dad went to the hospital a couple days ago with chest pains and is scheduled for a bypass Tuesday morning.

[Brendan]

I might end up being "the buddy".

I'm supposed to leave Tuesday night. Dad went to the hospital a couple days ago with chest pains and is scheduled for a bypass Tuesday morning.

There are some things that are more important than hunting - health of a family member is certainly one of them. I would classify this one as a perfectly reasonable excuse for stepping back from a trip. But, you never know - your dad may come out fine on Tuesday and tell you to get your butt in the woods, so think positive!

But, whether there's a perfectly legit reason for a partner backing out or not, I think everyone should have a backup plan. Crap happens. Going solo isn't for everyone, but you could amend trip plans, stay in a local lodge or just base camp, and hunt closer to the vehicle.

Good luck to the both of you!

[Kessler10]

Solo isn't a problem. I leave from Boston on the 14th by myself, won't be back for over 2 weeks. I have a friend joining me in camp for 1-2 nights, but he isn't a hunter.

Be safe, bring something like a Delorme Inreach, and have a plan for getting meat cool of you get one down (contractor bags and the nearest stream work in a pinch).

Go get it done!

Can you rent one of these by chance that you know of? I have a Garmin Oregon 550T. But From the looks of the Delorme it is aimed more for communication, correct? Think this is great idea for me to have those first 4-5 nights ill be solo. Great tip!
Can you literally text message anyone form anywhere with this?

[Mike_Parson]

I might end up being "the buddy".

I'm supposed to leave Tuesday night. Dad went to the hospital a couple days ago with chest pains and is scheduled for a bypass Tuesday morning.

Prayers for your dad and yourself. I hope things go well.

[cohunter14]

I might end up being "the buddy".

I'm supposed to leave Tuesday night. Dad went to the hospital a couple days ago with chest pains and is scheduled for a bypass Tuesday morning.

Prayers for your dad and yourself. I hope things go well.

x2! Sorry to hear that.

[Brendan]

Solo isn't a problem. I leave from Boston on the 14th by myself, won't be back for over 2 weeks. I have a friend joining me in camp for 1-2 nights, but he isn't a hunter.

Be safe, bring something like a Delorme Inreach, and have a plan for getting meat cool of you get one down (contractor bags and the nearest stream work in a pinch).

Go get it done!

Can you rent one of these by chance that you know of? I have a Garmin Oregon 550T. But From the looks of the Delorme it is aimed more for communication, correct? Think this is great idea for me to have those first 4-5 nights ill be solo. Great tip!
Can you literally text message anyone form anywhere with this?

Not sure if you can rent. There are places that would take a return inside a year. You would still need to pay all service costs for that month.

The Delorme is for communication, tracking, and an "Emergency Beacon".

You can text anyone, anywhere from it.
Anyone can text you
It can be programmed to send out your position every 20 minutes or so (tracking) so loved ones can see where you are at any time(you need to provide them access to the link)
There is an SOS button, and the plans include rescue coverage - works out of reach of cell towers.
There are pre-set messages that you can send out letting people know where you are and that you're okay (as opposed to automatically)
Battery life is pretty damn good - but it is rechargeable so you need a way to re-charge in terms of your truck or external battery packs. It should last 3-4 days if I remember correctly.

The navigation functions aren't great on the DeLorme, so I use the Inreach SE and carry my Garmin and iPhone for navigation duties.

[Brendan]

Picture of Inreach SE next to my Montana 650 as a size comparison:

[sojurner 65]

I might end up being "the buddy".

I'm supposed to leave Tuesday night. Dad went to the hospital a couple days ago with chest pains and is scheduled for a bypass Tuesday morning.

That's a blessing. What if he were up a couple miles back in the woods? Two years ago I was in a similar situation only it was me that had the heart attack. I wasn't feeling good before we left and worse as the trip ensued. Finally I quit and started the drive back home to PA. Suffered the attack just outside Denver. What would have happened if we were still at 9,000 ft, 4 miles back in?

[Dr. Rx]

love the in Reach.. would not hunt without one. You can communicate with it as well. It jus the right thing to do and carry with you when you are in the back country.
costs 13 bucks a month and can cancel when ever you want.

Kris

[BGarey6120]

You have no doubt heard the expression that every challenge is also an opportunity. Very true here! Did you have any plans that you compromised in order to accommodate your buddy? Put those @ the top of your list. Hunt new places, try different strategies, get way outside the box you will be in when buddy arrives. Also, enjoy the time alone, think your own thoughts, howl @ the moon if you wish. Novelist Tom Robbins wrote, "there is no romance like the romance of solitude."

Love this.

My entry into archery hunting was the exact situation this thread is about. As frustrating as it is to plan a hunt for almost a full year and then have somebody bail out, solo hunting is particularly rewarding. I've actually never had company on my archery trips since.

Embrace the solitude.

[lilshootergirl]

I've hunted by myself for years! And I'm a woman 5 ft. One year I hunted with my son in law, it wasn't easy. Enjoy yourself, if you get something hang it in a tree and wait for help. Don't worry about what could go wrong, but look forward to what good could come of this. But be safe. Happy trails and hunting

[Indian Summer]

Get your revenge and tag out the first week!

My thoughts exactly!

[Marshmstr]

Get your revenge and tag out the first week!

This!!!!!


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[saddlesore]

Too bad, I have been helping Luke ( Kessler) for the last year getting him into a honey hole that I don't hunt anymore. He emailed me,but I was up on the mountain shooting an elk with my ML and I couldn't get the name of another guy that was going to that area.

He knows the are a good now,but getting and elk out alone will be problematic. I had a rough time getting mine out with the heat, flies, and bees.