I Would Rather:

[Swede]

Without naming any names tell me would you rather hunt with: The most helpful hunter in the camp and field, the most skilled hunter, a new hunter, a dedicated hunter, or the person that was just having fun and was fun to be around? Nobody is all things to all people.

Personally I would take people in the reverse order I just gave. I prefer to be around hunters that are enjoying the hunt. I really don't care for constant complainers, or the guy that must always be the boss, even if it is their first experience in an area or elk hunting. People should help out, but again no one is all things in all situations.

[saddlesore]

Ditto here,but I sure would like to have a younger hunter in camp to help with those heavy chores.

I'm probably not one that many would like to hunt with.Some mornings I getup with a grouch on. One afternoon,I apologize for it .Everyone said they figured I was like that all the time and didn't notice a difference..

[Lefty]

That list would revolve at times.
I spend much of my goose hunting season doing all four. Sometimes its nice to just hunt and have fun. Other times hunts are hardcore serous. I believe most , top three percenters would burn out if they cant relive the excitement of a new hunter.

Now archery elk I like hunting with my daughters, Also a buddy m, the one one that got me back into archery I would consider, skilled and dedicated..
I just need to spend time in the woods

[>>>---WW---->]

None of the above. I'm a solo hunter. I figure I can mess things up bad enough all by myself. Don't need no help! Unless Saddlesore wants to bring his mules in for the pack out!

[Wahpeton]

Good friends and family are real hard to beat. It's always fun having someone who is new to the sport and wants to learn and is trying to absorb everything they can.

[WapitiTalk1]

Perhaps a combination of several or more of the attributes you mentioned Swede. I agree that there probably isn't the perfect hunting partner/camp mate for each person (I know I'm not), but most all of the folks I've hunted with were pretty darn decent hunting partners/camp mates.

If I had to rank them (I think that's what you're getting at).... A quick response would be dedication (up and at em every day with perhaps a breather or two during the adventure), skilled (I enjoy being around other folks with experience that I can share notes with and learn from), helpful in camp and field (yep, all hands on deck for camp setup/teardown, chow prep, camp maintenance, and working in the field to clear access trails/set up fixed sites, etc.), new hunter (I enjoy getting folks out on their first elk hunt or two and sharing a bit of what I know), and of course a person having fun and fun to be around is always a pert. Of course you could mix those up and place them in about any order and that'd be fine with me . I also like a potential hunting partner that works with me in the off season to go over lessons learned from previous years, does the remote map work/exchanging ideas, works on improving our calling skills and set up strategies, doing some BOG scouting is a plus, comparing gear lists, etc. It's all good as long as they are there for the hunt(s), able to get along with me and other camp members, has a good sense of humor, and ready to roll

[N2mywake]

I want to hunt with my dad as long as we can, then as far as others in camp I want someone who carries their weight in camp chores and jumps in and enjoy's the hunt as much as we do. Many friends I would go on hunts with but not share elk camp.

[Swede]

. I also like a potential hunting partner that works with me in the off season

Now, that is not something I had thought of, but is good too. It is about enthusiasm and commitment. Can you imagine a couple friends asking each other, three days before the season, "do ya think we should buy our tags and go this year? Where would ya want ta go?
I could sure tell you how that hunt is going to turn out, but I have seen very similar cases.

[Roosiebull]

I hunt alone mostly, but my favorite people to hunt with are new hunters, I always make a goal to see at least one person harvest their first deer or elk each year. I have a blast with inexperienced hunters, watching the emotion from them is so cool and pure....no nonsense.

[six]

I have elk hunted with 10 different guys over the past 15 years. I would honestly say I had my best experience taking a new hunter. Last year I took 2 newbie’s. I had them as prepared as I could before we left Michigan with emails, pictures, and some occasional target practice sessions. I spent the first two days hunting with each one of them to show them the lay of the land then turned em loose.

Last weekend one of them bought a new elk killing machine (Mathews Z3) and yesterday I went stump shooting/mushroom picking with the other. They are hooked for life. Turns out they have a lot of the qualities mentioned above. Enthusiasm, eager and helpful, they have both proved they are dedicated for next years hunt, and most of all no complaining only smiles.

[BrentLaBere]

Hunt with or share a camp with.... Sharing a camp and parting ways for the day to hunt on your own is different than hunting side by side. My friends and I joke around about some fishing trips and outings we have. We have a good buddy that is simply our morale booster while fishing. Having someone enjoyable in camp everyday would be my vote.

Some time I would really like to go with someone that has a lot of experience and is seasoned elk hunter. Just to learn a few things first hand. Internet, books and magazines is the only way I have learned about elk hunting. That and having boots on the ground. Stepping back and watching others is a great way to learn with an open mind. Even saying that, it makes for a better adventure enjoying the time with person. Planning the hunt and while in the woods.

[TimeOnTarget]

I've got 1 buddy that I really enjoy hunting with. Wrong or right, were always on the same page and if something doesn't work out, we move on to the next plan without dwelling on the last botched attempt.

[adamds22]

Most skilled hunter, out of the group I hunt with I'm the only one who even remotely knows how to call which is limited at best so hunting with a more skilled hunter where I could learn a thing or 10 would be nice!

[stringunner]

I really enjoy hunting with my dad, Swede and Oly. We all work in unison to accomplish the end goal, brown down, but we all also are not dependent upon one another to go hunt. We scout together when we can make the calendar work, share information year round and keep in contact. I believe there is genuine friendship and desire to see each other succeed, when in camp we share meals, stories, help each other with needed things, will help pack each other's game, but again we all come and go as needed and their is no reliance required. More than dating (we share info and secrets spots between each other but not outside the relationship) but not married (married meaning inseparable).

[CurlyTail]

New hunters are risky

If you have to inform them that this is the fun part - then it is no fun for me

If they love it, and appreciate the hunt, and "get it" - I love being with a new hunter

I like to hunt with a partner with similar dedication level to mine. Nothing brings me down more than someone in camp who always wants to sleep in.

I would rank em about the same as Rory

[Fridaythe13th]

X2 Brent

Fun. Fun. Fun. It is my vacation. And have some highly skilled elk Hunter show me the ropes to cut down my learning curve a lot faster

[Roosiebull]

I've got 1 buddy that I really enjoy hunting with. Wrong or right, were always on the same page and if something doesn't work out, we move on to the next plan without dwelling on the last botched attempt.

I have a buddy like that as well, we don't get to hunt together much, he is the one who got me hunting when I was 16, my first season was his second archery elk season.

I got to go with him rifle deer hunting this year a couple days, and I realized how much I missed hunting with him....he sees everything as it is, doesn't make some weird theory on why we didn't kill a buck that morning, knows what he's looking at for sign....everything, like you said, on the same page...having fun.

I talked him out of killing a little buck one evening, and was there when he killed his buck, fun evening, we drug his 7yr old son along with us, pretty cool experience. he is my age, 33, and a few years ago had major heart surgery, synthetic aorta, and a couple valves, love seeing him in better shape than ever (though he was never a slouch in the woods)

he is moving to Wyoming this year, so I will be hunting out of state for a week every year to go see him, and finally hunt some antelope!

[js80138]

Sharing the experience with one of my mates, going hard all day then having a laugh by the campfire is the reason I go hunting with a partner or group. If I can't hunt with someone who is fun to be around then I would only hunt solo.

[Wahpeton]

I'm fortunate to have some great hunting partners.
My uncle, my hunting partner/friend, and my two youngest boys. We all have a common interest in analyzing the morning or the past evening and then trying to plan what we think is the best strategy for the next morning or evening. I really enjoy the discussion over coffee and dinner in the evening looking at the map to plan what we want to try to execute.

Take care.

[NorthIDTLH]

Unlike some, I use my passion for hunting to get away from society. I've always worked in jobs dealing with the worst society has to offer. Being out of cell service is like a breath of fresh air.

My 2 kids (Daughter 13 and son 11) have taken an interest in hunting, as does my wife. It's difficult for me to prioritize that list you're asking for because I have it all covered. My kids learning to hunt covers the new hunter dynamic, hunting with my wife and best friend covers hunting with someone I love hanging out with, plus she's never afraid to jump in and do what needs done around camp.

The one area I'm lacking in is experience. I'm learning as I go, which makes having stumbled onto this website so valuable to me. You guys are all passing on tips and tactics that are invaluable to those of us who love the sport but don't have the experience you do.

I appreciate you guys who freely give advice for the benefit of all.

[jmez]

Dedicated, skilled and in as good or better shape than I am. I don't get a lot of time to elk hunt so I refuse to be limited by a hunting partner. Selfish, yes but that is how I approach the situation. People are welcome to go with me, I won't let them slow me down or hinder me.

[Scorpyd shooter]

experienced one, I'm new to it, have limited money to do it more than once