Helping a newb

[chipick]

So here it is about 5 weeks from season, and a friend of mine decided he would archery hunt elk this year, for the first time ever. First problem is that he just bought a bow the other day, no problem as long as he keeps shots less then 40yds he should be fine. Second he can't make even a cow sound or anything elk like with a reed told him to get a hoochy mamma. Third he has no basic gear, I have been trying to help him out with selections and input but he is not taking it seriously I think because he still hasn't got any basic gear together. I have told him that he should start next year so that way he can get what he needs but is hell bound to hunt him his year even without basic gear mainly, mainly pack, range finder, calling ability, knowing how to quarter and pack or what to do I have told him about here and the app but still dissregards any information I tell him after he asks. I'm not telling him that he needs to have what I have but that he dose needs to have certain things.

Any one have some input for me to give him. I'm lost and would hate to hear that he lost an animal due to advice I could have given him, don't be shy please.

[Lonnie]

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. I have had this problem. Now I just tell it like it is. If a hunting partner doesn't put his time in. I tell him I will not hunt with him. But the to put it in a political nice way. It's a hard thing to do when talking to a friend. Sounds like you got your work cut out. Best of luck.

[chipick]

It ain't my hunting partner just a co worker my hunting partner and I have a good thing going except that a friend of ours who keeps trying to hunt with us but has no patience. I'm just trying to get through to this guy that he needs to have certain things to be able to do this successfully and comfortably and he still neglects them

[saddlesore]

I see a dead elk that someone can't find and recover in his future.OR he finds it and the meat spoils before he gets it out of the field. Personally I would not contribute anymore to this fellow if he is not taking the advice, Don't be an enabler. These are the types that give all hunters a bad rep.

[Indian Summer]

Maybe he doesn't take you serious because he knows you. Surely he has a question or two. Tell him to come to this website and we will give him a taste of reality.

[MidMoElkNut]

From your post I'm not sure if your buddy is going with you or another experienced elk hunter or if he is going solo?

I believe either way it sounds like you are doing what you can to help him out.
I wouldn't worry about his calling but I do believe he needs to be able to make good and ethical shots with his bow if he gets the opportunity. That being said there is still a few weeks and he needs to be out there everyday shooting to where he is confident. Also he needs to know where exactly the best shot placements are for elk. That may sound stupid but it's true.
I agree with the guys that mentioned before, if he doesn't at least get the essential items/knowledge needed to be ethical or safe then you need to have a talk with him and tell him you don't want for either of you to have a bad experience and that's what it will be if he's not prepared even for the other hunters.

Diy elk hunting is not like what you see on tv, it is tough but it can be a lot of fun if you are prepared and ready for it!

Also as mentioned above have him get on the forum. It's a great place to get information!

[wawhitey]

Some people refuse to be helped. Let them learn the hard way, not worth it when they wont listen

[chipick]

From what he has told me he is going solo, maybe bringing his wife along or brother, but still they are all green to the way of archery elk hunting. He has rifle hunted in the past, so he isn't completely lost and he is getting gear together but has a long list to get yet. I myself am still green as this will be my 5th year but have gotten 2 elk so far, mainly because I have an awesome hunting partner who would rather be called then shooter most of the time

[Elkduds]

That dude has volumes to learn, and whoever is w him has some hard lessons in store as well. I'd hunt by myself before I'd hunt w a deliberate ignoramus. So I mostly hunt by myself.

[CurlyTail]

There is good reason that Archey elk success is 9%.

If you treat your hunt like a casual weekend hike, you aren't going to have much success.

I have a feeling that after getting humbled big time this year, he is going to listen to you a little closer next year. Or quit.

[chipick]

Well he got the app and with a little extra guidance managed to make some somewhat miserable cow sounds but is headed towards the right direction

[saddlesore]

Packing 1 (2).jpg (94.76 KiB) Viewed 6560 times

Show him this and ask him if he can carry all this meat( about100 pounds in each pannier)without a good pack frame

Well he got the app and with a little extra guidance managed to make some somewhat miserable cow sounds but is headed towards the right direction

[Losefreeze]

As someone that is entering his second archery season all I can say is preparation is the holy trinity between fitness and good old fashioned luck. I did both group and solo hunts last year and had better luck on my own but really with how uncharacteristically hot it was in CO last year I think luck or almost luck won in the end. Still looking for my first ever big game kill and my fever for bow season couldn't be stronger. Hunting is a passion that is hard to describe but is multiplied 1000 fold on the end of a bow.

[Backyard]

I see a dead elk that someone can't find and recover in his future.OR he finds it and the meat spoils before he gets it out of the field.

Man Saddlesore, you sure give this guy some benefit of the doubt. Heh heh! I'm fairly certain the elk will prevail here.

[Swede]

It is very hard to tell any adult how they should hunt. It is even more difficult when they are not going to be hunting with you and they don't want your advise. I can understand why he is hunting alone. I don't want someone like him in my camp. As I.S. wrote; see if he will come over to this forum and read some of the tips and experiences hunters here have. If he doesn't want to do even that, drop it. If he is willing to come and check out WapitiTalk, I would delete this thread. We are discussing an attitude here, but the last thing you want is for anyone to feel you/we are talking bad about him.