Bare with me while I vent...

[mandrroofing]

Ok I usually just suck it up and deal with it but its getting under my skin,deep! Has anyone here ever felt like your the only one in you hunting group that does all the research and planing and hours on the phone to make your hunt the best it can be.almost feels like a bunch of leaches sucking the life out of you,lol?I guess I'm just a nice guy:grin: and deal with it.even worse its family.after all is said and done they still think they are more knowledgeable than you!ok I'm done bitchen B-) .thanks for listening ...

[Grundy53]

I know how you feel. One year I decided to say screw it. I'm done holding there hands. They are more then welcome to hunt with me but I'm not going to be a travel agent, trip planner, babysitter, or guide. I plan for ME. Period. you will get out of the hunt what you put in to it.

[BrentLaBere]

Do they have the passion of the pursuit like you? That's what I feel separates my family and I. The only type of hunting they really do is for whitetails with rifle in November. More of a gathering of sorts. If I want to take a rifle hunt for whitetails/mule deer serious I need to go it on my own, which I have starting doing(applying for PP's in units that are hard to draw). I simply go with to enjoy everyone's company for the short weekend and then go on my way for a more serious hunt that fits my style of hunting (like backpacking for elk). Neither is right or wrong and all will have different opinions. My advice would be to separate the two if possible. But I do feel your frustration, if that's the right way to put it.

[LarryBud]

I'm carrying the weight for my group. However, I must admit that I enjoy the research and planning a great deal. Someone once said that most of the enjoyment of a hunting trip is the anticipation building up and the memories once you return.

Also, when we're in the field, I will save the best spots for myself. They may tag out before I do but I'll know I put myself on the what I considered the best locations.

[Lefty]

If it happens it is really only our own fault. Good communication makes a big difference

I use to be that guy goose hunting. I wanted my hunts to be good so I put in the effort. The group I hunted withwould do thier part but they didnt have the local connections so thye couldnt put in the time scouting
My dad was thae same way for deer hunting, but it was his sons that hunted with hin

My daughters always have first choice on hunts with me, everyone knows that.

I dont mind putting on hunts because they are "my" hunts. I run them the way I want.

Sometimes I wish I had some "partners" that would do 1/2 the work and effort,.. but just sometimes

Years back I had a neighbor who I thought was a partner, he would call a number of guys Friday night to find out where the fish were biting, the ducks flying or the geese in the field for Saturday. Then he took his best deal.
He would also show up after one trip or hunt.
What broke the camels back I was in a field mid afternoon , he fished with another guy in the morning. I packed 4 trips of goose decoys over a mile in . As he walked out , a flight of 300 geese were locked and dropping , they came over him at 40 yards and he shot, even worse he never killed one of those geese

Im not a nut job or jerk, I just like things to run smooth and safe

[JohnFitzgerald]

I hear ya! At times I feel the same way.

[Swede]

I don't feel the way others do on this. I believe it is because I have no hunting partners. There are quite a few hunters who will come and share a camp and even hunt with me, and I will offer to work with them. Almost all of the people I hunt with are more than appreciative, and reflect it in their sharing.
I think the reason folks have the problems shown above is because you have formed a partnership. You expect to share everything equally. The trouble is, that from the commitment and interest level all the way to the time and expense end, not everyone is all in, like you. My recommendation is; go hunting when and where you want. Hunt how you want, and if anyone desires to join in they must accept your conditions. I know that can be difficult, if you need help, because you cannot afford to hunt alone.

[GetemDuck]

yup I know how you feel, I don't mind doing the leg work before the hunt but once there I wish other would step up and take on some of the work. I plan the hunt, scout the hunt buy the maps and get us there, then I have to put the tent up, cut the fire wood, cook the meets etc etc etc I don't mind doing it for my dad I mean heck he taught me most everything I know but others in camp, it got old that is why now we are a 2 man show.....we no longer take others with us to hunt elk.

[pointysticks]

I'm a control freak. I end up doing everything. The worst is prepping the food. But it is my fault. I should learn to divy up the duties. Sometimes a get resentful. Especially when I spend all my money. But I think the prob is with me.

[scrubs]

That`s why I pretty much hunt & fish alone. I would do the research and the scouting then I`d show them where they were. My partners (usually family members) would go to these places without even contacting me. No more! The only one I hunt & fish with now is my youngest son.

[mongopino915]

Being and still doing that.

I do everything (scouting, setting up camp, bow tuning, string making, calling, cutting fire woods, cooking,.................................. ) with or without friends/hunting partners. I don't mind as the guys are grateful and they look up to me.

The way I see it, I can always find elk by myself but they will have a hard time without me.

[twinkieman]

Our group fixed this by holding a meeting, making a list of what needs to be done, and EVERYONE has tasks to do. This busts up the work load, and no one gets buried. We have a follow up meeting, see what has gotten done and what is left to do. If someone is behind they catch a lot of flack. It has helped us tremendously. Good luck.

[BobcatJerry]

Done this the past few hunts. My partners won't even take the time to learn to work a cow call. I love planning and scouting, but when it comes to hunting this year I may strike out on my own. It's one of those things I guess we all have to deal with. It's nice to have a partner in camp, I'll be hunting deer in Nevada solo.

[RockChucker30]

I don't really mind doing the heavy lifting, because I would do it anyway. I'm INTENSE when it comes to hunting.

But, I want to feel appreciated for doing the work. If I'm not then that arrangement won't last long.

Grown men should carry their own weight. In hunting and in everything else - PERIOD.

[JimKirk]

many years ago I had the only pickup truck when me and a friend went hunting and it was a 30 mile drive each way. we did alot of day hunting due to having babies at home. finally near the end of the season I said hey how about you buying some gas. he gave me 10$. go figure. oh well, the way i looked at it is I would have been driving alone anyway so I let it pass.

[elknturkey]

I'm about to the point of going solo. Nobody is reliable especially on out of state hunts. I've always been the driver since I've always had a truck. Never asked for a dime for gas and never have received any either. Figure 60 miles a trip at least 70-80 times a year over 16 years. That's a lot of gas $$$! Took my buddy to Ohio deer hunting. He bought his license. I ended up paying for the gas and motel room and he said he would pay me when we got back. That was mid November and I just heard from him last week since we got back . On top of that he said he was going back this year and was taking 3 guys. Some people just don't care. No more being the sugar daddy, driver, planner, ect. Solo till I can find someone that's got the same drive as me and isn't always broke. Off the soap box now

[elknturkey]

many years ago I had the only pickup truck when me and a friend went hunting and it was a 30 mile drive each way. we did alot of day hunting due to having babies at home. finally near the end of the season I said hey how about you buying some gas. he gave me 10$. go figure. oh well, the way i looked at it is I would have been driving alone anyway so I let it pass.

I looked at it that way to until the out of state hunt. I scrap and save like most and I will be dang if I pay for someone else's trip

[CrazyElkHunter]

I carry most of the load. Camp set up, grocery list, research, main caller. But it is my fault. I have been elk hunting the longest and have organized just about every elk hunt for over 30 years. It just turned out that way and I do not mind. I am very picky and the guys know camp will be comfortable for all, wether it's just 2 of us or 6. I've spoiled my best friend with me being the main caller and he has never learned to bugle or learn to talk to elk other than a few cow calls. We have been hunting together for over 25 years. I usually hunt alone until I fill my tag, then turn into guide which works for me because I really enjoy calling for friends when the rut settles in. Having the entire archery season also helps.

[mandrroofing]

That's why its so nice to log on here @ elknut forum and chat to other passionate outdoorsman. THANKS PAUL!... (aka elknut1)