Expecting too much?

bluesclues

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Alberta
I hunt with a few guys as often as possible and was planning to get out for late season goose next week but...

Over the past year I have bought 3 doz duck decoys, 3 full size goose decoys and a used 12 foot aluminum boat. While I have noticed that the guys I hunted with haven't bought f**k all.

Do you require your hunting buddies (who can afford it) to contribute to the hunt more than just another shooter.

I think that one season using someone elses deeks, boat, blind and other gear should be it and if he/she decides that they want to keep hunting, that they should contribute with their own gear/deeks.

My dad always said, if you have to borrow something 3 times, it's time you buy your own.

I am still going out just not sure that I want to invite any of the "hanger-oners"?

What say you?
 
You definetley have the right idea. Everyone should contribute.
Where do you hunt? Maybe the none contributors of material could locate and get permission to hunt various areas.
 
Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to buy what you have mentioned.
As long as they kick in for boat fuel and/or truck fuel I would think they should be welcome.
I know I would invite them again if they kicked in.
Then again I am just a Union Thug !
Rob
 
We have a rule in our hunting party and it is simple - All costs are split amongst the group. Fuel - food and whatever it takes to create our hunting camp. Everyone will bring something to the party.

One year we expanded our hunting party by one person. A doctor. During the course of the moose hunt we hit a rock in the lake and broke the fin off the motor. THe cost to replace ended up getting split between 4 of the 5. Needless to say he is no longer welcome.

There are always exceptions to these rules but I think you get the point.

Good luck with your future partners
 
It is nice if the other guys can chip in thats for sure. I have hunted with many guys who could afford it but claimed they didnt hunt waterfowl enough to justify spending $$ on the eequipment but they were there almost every weekend shooting over mine and a buddys spread and accessing areas in my boat. I have simply weeded out the cheapskates and tagalongs and stuck to our contributing core group. We still bring guests and newbies along , it's fun to show new hunters the ropes at times but you can figure out pretty quick who the users are from the contributors.
 
Some very good points made here...

You definetley have the right idea. Everyone should contribute.
Where do you hunt? Maybe the none contributors of material could locate and get permission to hunt various areas.

That has been brought up, so far to no avail

Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to buy what you have mentioned.
As long as they kick in for boat fuel and/or truck fuel I would think they should be welcome.
I know I would invite them again if they kicked in.
Then again I am just a Union Thug !
Rob

Not the case this time. All involved can afford to buy and add something to the spread

Maybe they're not quite so gung ho on the hunting as you are. How do they hunt/what do they do when not hunting with you??

This I believed to be very true... at first but, for people not that in to it, they certainly do come out a lot. They are pretty good shots and, know the etiqette of the blind.

Did you bother asking them to chip in, or did you just go and buy it?

I have not asked anyone to chip in for the stuff that I have bought myself for myself. Although, everyone does chip in for gas. I do mention to them when I find a good deal on something and advise them that it is a good deal and should check into it.

We have a rule in our hunting party and it is simple - All costs are split amongst the group. Fuel - food and whatever it takes to create our hunting camp. Everyone will bring something to the party.

One year we expanded our hunting party by one person. A doctor. During the course of the moose hunt we hit a rock in the lake and broke the fin off the motor. THe cost to replace ended up getting split between 4 of the 5. Needless to say he is no longer welcome.

There are always exceptions to these rules but I think you get the point.

Good luck with your future partners

This, I likey, I likey a lot!

Does a buddy at least have a dog?

Nope

It is nice if the other guys can chip in thats for sure. I have hunted with many guys who could afford it but claimed they didnt hunt waterfowl enough to justify spending $$ on the eequipment but they were there almost every weekend shooting over mine and a buddys spread and accessing areas in my boat. I have simply weeded out the cheapskates and tagalongs and stuck to our contributing core group. We still bring guests and newbies along , it's fun to show new hunters the ropes at times but you can figure out pretty quick who the users are from the contributors.

Aint that the truth!
 
I only seriously hunt with two other people, they both pull their weight, we never verbally agreed to contribute to communal goals but as partners and honorable people we all seem to meet in the middle, not to say that sometime people don't need a little coaxing. I find that the hangers on tend not to be as dedicated as others, maybe it is time to find other folks who are as dedicated as you.
 
We have a group of guys that hunt waterfowl pretty regularly together. Mostly snow geese and they require lots of decoys. One of the guys is a student and we don't expect him to kick in for the decoys yet. One guy has hunted regularly for three years and keeps finding excuses not to buy decoys even though it's been suggested. The kicker is that he has access to some land that it would be hard to get on if he wasn't with us. He seems to have enough money to buy other toys but not decoys. If he doesn't kick in this year he may be out.
 
Most of the time, it's better just to go alone. There's two kinds of people, diggers and draggers. The diggers will help set-up, clean-up and pay their way, the draggers....leave'em at home. Should only take one outing to see wht type of guy they are.
 
I get invited up to a friend's duck camp every year for the second day of the season (mainly because I have a guide licence, and he's from out of town). I appreciate the chance to go to their very very nice setup, shoot over their decent spread from their good blind, so I try to help out after the day's shoot is over.

Now - I tried to run two bear blinds with two other guys last year. They helped out a bit at the first, especially building one of the blinds, but I got tired of doing 100% of the bait running, especially when they were too lazy to hunt in the rain. So, once I got my bear, I stopped baiting. They never once ran bait or scouted without me. I wanted them to succeed, but they wouldn't put the effort into it, so I stopped doing their share - and still got my bear.

I will be hunting on my own next year, and if they want to shoot one, they are welcome after I'm done with the stand.
 
I learned long ago to have my own gear so I can hunt when, where and how I want to hunt. I am also lucky enough to hunt with other liked-minded guys who have quality spreads.

You may be best served by finding new hunting partners. Join your local Delta/DUC Chapter or Retriever/Versatile Dog club, you're sure to meet a lot of serious waterfowlers.
 
I got sick of being the guy using my buddies stuff all the time so bought my own gear and then brought them out. When I moved I gave all my stuff to the guys in even amounts. the y offerd to pay but I told them if I ever move back they just need to take me out
 
It would appear that I am not the only one facing (or have faced) this scenario.

The sad part of this is (for the most part) these guys are friends. We go to the range together, go fishing together etc etc.

I am a member of Delta Waterfowl, will have to look into the local chapter for some like minded waterfowlers.
 
Now - I tried to run two bear blinds with two other guys last year. They helped out a bit at the first, especially building one of the blinds, but I got tired of doing 100% of the bait running, especially when they were too lazy to hunt in the rain. So, once I got my bear, I stopped baiting. They never once ran bait or scouted without me. I wanted them to succeed, but they wouldn't put the effort into it, so I stopped doing their share - and still got my bear.

I will be hunting on my own next year, and if they want to shoot one, they are welcome after I'm done with the stand.

I have lots of guys wanting to go bear hunting with me, when I tell them they're welcome if they come help and split the cost no one shows up(which is fine). My hunting partner and I spend a lot of time,money and effort running baits each spring and I don't mind taking someone out for bear if they're willing to pitch in. But,the way I look at it is it's my equipment and bait sites that I've established over the years at considerable expense. If you're not helping out you're not riding for free(kids excluded!). Anyway,most of the fun of spring hunting is getting out and running baits or scouting new areas. Shooting a bear is just a bonus.
 
I have a small group of guys that I hunt with...non of us have a huge amount of decoys, but collectively we have a very nice spread.

I think that if you are just "trying it out", then there is no reasonable expectation of contribution...but if the person is a regular, then they should at least buy some decoys.

One of my best friends is waaaay better off than I am. He has all the fancy electronics, 4 wheeler, top of the line everything. I have a compass, and a decent set of boots. I dont encourage him to bring his stuff, nor do I care if he does. I bring everything that I need in order to have a good time in the woods. We dont get hung up on who buys what, we just like getting out in the bush.
 
I guess screwing your friends is better than screwing a complete stranger.

I have no problem taking a newbie along and have done so plenty of times. I don't expect them to be all rigged out and I usually have enough gear to get them started.

I do expect them to help in camp and pay for a share of food.

If we take my truck/camper/ horse trailer/boat etc. I expect them to pay for all the fuel. Usually it gets split amongst all the guys except me.

I have lots of offers to join me. I have the horses. truck&trailer, tents etc. I pay upkeep and insurance all year, I don't think I need to be paying fuel as well.

Some clue in and some don't. If I/m stuck paying everything, I may as well hunt by myself.
 
I feel for ya I have been using the term I am a gear Pig and dont mind sharing but if it meens nobody shows intent to come to the plate and be part of the team I will go by myself with my dog after all my dog has become better company and cheaper Its really hard to find good partners that are on the same page or help out in ways that make it all worth wile afterall if its just the fuel there paying and they dont stick around to help you clean up things its time for a new crowd they need you you dont need them
 
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