Is my anger justified?

[mjblowers]

So... this just got sprung on me this week.

Hunting partner and I switched units (my dad, brother in law and myself) and I/we have spent the past month+ scouting. Driving up, hiking around, planting cameras, scouring over GPS/topo, etc.

Apparently, we will be having a fourth member, someone I don't even know, that will be tagging along, without even consulting me. He claims he will not be hunting with us and/or won't go in our spots, but I think we know how that goes.

Am I justified in being upset that not only was I not asked, but it's just some random person that I don't even know, not a family member, not a "best friend" of the family, not someone who's been around for years. I don't even think this guy knows the other for more than a couple years.

Doesn't this just go against... "the code"?

[Backcountry]

Absolutely, and I would let it be known ASAP!

[Mikeha33]

I'd be hot, UNLESS, he is a experienced elk hunter that had been planning a trip, and for some reason it didn't work out (fire, no finances for tag, didn't draw, etc..). The fact that they didn't ask you would give me a little pause also.

[AmericanBwana]

Yep.

[JGH]

Minor foul ... but a good attitude might just end up getting you a lifelong friend.

If elk hunting didn't boil down to just one week -- one week! -- for most of us, then we'd probably be easier-going, eh? Give the guy the benefit of the doubt, but if it's a mess, zero-tolerance from there on.

I hate changes like this, too, though. That's why I chiefly hunt alone. If someone changes something, it was me, and for a good reason!

[pointysticks]

i'd be annoyed.

[Pop-r]

Think you're angry now??!! Wait til you pull in next year & he & his buddie's have camp set up in "your" spot!!

[Swamp Buck]

I would be upset. I am going with it was the brother in-law...

[cnelk]

Help me with this....

1 - someone is going to your elk camp
2 - a stranger
3 - not hunting

May I ask... Why?
Is there more to the story?

I don't mind getting to know new people, but typically it's under my circumstances or a discussion with others involved

[pointysticks]

the guy might be awesome.

really helpful, really strong and can pack out elk meat with ease, etc.

but he may take a new guy you really dont know to the spot next year. annoyed now..livid later.

[Pop-r]

Brad, i think he's hunting just off to himself. (my take)

[easeup]

Minor foul ... but a good attitude might just end up getting you a lifelong friend.

If elk hunting didn't boil down to just one week -- one week! -- for most of us, then we'd probably be easier-going, eh? Give the guy the benefit of the doubt, but if it's a mess, zero-tolerance from there on.

I hate changes like this, too, though. That's why I chiefly hunt alone. If someone changes something, it was me, and for a good reason!

I expect everyone is going to be at least stressed a little by this and it is normal. Even down right po is not unexpected.
You have a little time, lets go to dinner and talk. Nothing like a little reconnaissance mission to see what is there.

There is a good possibility you just met a new friend indeed. Heck, there are guys here that are hunting with people they never met and made contact via a web forum. And you can always make a change if you have to. I mean when a pinch hitter is substituted, you can always go with another pitcher.

now I am curious as to how this game will play out. good luck.

[Bowhunter]

I would be a little mad at the others in your party for not consulting you. As for the other hunter. If someone wants to bring him along and everyone is ok with it some rules need to be made ahead of time. It might work out. Maybe you should have a chat with him politely and express your concerns. Good luck.

[Trophyhill]

if the new guy is a gentlemanly sort, I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as you don't have to babysit. you should have 1 thing, "killing elk" on the brain and don't worry about the little things. keep the distractions to a minimal and adapt to the situation at hand. isn't that what elk killers do?

[FemoralArchery]

So... this just got sprung on me this week.

Hunting partner and I switched units (my dad, brother in law and myself) and I/we have spent the past month+ scouting. Driving up, hiking around, planting cameras, scouring over GPS/topo, etc.

Apparently, we will be having a fourth member, someone I don't even know, that will be tagging along, without even consulting me. He claims he will not be hunting with us and/or won't go in our spots, but I think we know how that goes.

Am I justified in being upset that not only was I not asked, but it's just some random person that I don't even know, not a family member, not a "best friend" of the family, not someone who's been around for years. I don't even think this guy knows the other for more than a couple years.

Doesn't this just go against... "the code"?

Based on you post, you seem to have a lot of anger towards "that guy". "That guy" didn't do anything wrong. Whoever told him he could come with, without consulting the group, is where your problem starts.

[Bullnuts]

Based on you post, you seem to have a lot of anger towards "that guy". "That guy" didn't do anything wrong. Whoever told him he could come with, without consulting the group, is where your problem starts.

Exactly. The dude you should be ticked at is the guy who invited the other guy without the knowledge or consent of the group. HOWEVER, since your entire group changed to this unit together and put in equal time scouting and all that, the area really doesn't belong to any of you. Now, if you had hunted this area for a while, invited a family member along, and that family member showed up with some other dude without your consent, that would certainly be a violation.

[mjblowers]

Yeah I'm not angry at the guy specifically - I'm angry that the partner made this decision without consulting us. We certainly would have said no.

I think the scenarios are both equally bad - a "family" hole that we hunt or a newly scouted area. I'm fairly confident (and maybe this is why I'm so frustrated) that I just found a glory hole after 6 weekends, $300 in gas, miles of hiking whatever $$$.... and that was just given to someone that I don't even know.

[Lefty]

Doesn't this just go against... "the code"?

Who invited him alog. Give him a call, find out about him,give him your expectations of a guest.

As a kid a fellow ( my dads best frineds, neighbors, uncle ) tagged along on my first out of state trip deer hunting, worked oout great. The fellow was losing his eyesight, hunted 200 yards from camp, cooked and did all the camp work,.. it ended up being great having him along
He also understood he was crashing the party and was extreemly grateful