Really having 2nd thoughts about all of this...

P

patriot1

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Met up with a friend of a friend's hunting group recently. First time that I'd ever been out not by myself. Had a whole camp nicely set up. Bunch of guys all younger than myself, mid to late 30's. So we get there around 8 or 9ish. Empty booze bottles and shotgun shells all over the place, everybody's hungover, these guys all smoking more than BC did this summer, useless hollow chit chat and generally no movement until about 10:30. I was hoping to be out there first light, and be hiking hard for most of the day. Instead we spent 2 hours on NOTHING and it was maybe a 50/50 split driving/walking. I might be a clueless new hunter but I'm not afraid of a hike and the prospect of dragging out several hundred pounds if need be.

So we're shown a spot, we drive out to it and start walking up a cut line. Then we run into 2 guys from my buddy's camp and he's showing us where trails intersect, where we could/should hike to, etc. As he's explaining and pointing the one guy swung his barrel right at my head! Like 3 or 4 times. So now I don't want to be a #### because I'm thankful for these pointers and to be shown these spots but I'm like, "hey can you please not point your gun at me?'" So he replies that it wasn't loaded. Well that's great but in my world, loaded, unloaded, defective, broken, YOU PAY ATTENTION TO WHERE YOUR GUN IS POINTED AT ALL TIMES and as much as these guys seemed to be experienced hunters I was extremely disappointed with the lack of firearms safety I saw. Actually saw far too many safety violations to list here.

Ended up seeing about 7 does but they all frigged off before I could get into shooting position. It was a pretty exciting feeling and even though I came home empty handed yet again it was encouraging this time to actually see something as opposed to all my previous (solo) outings where I didn't even see a squirrel.

Maybe it's just me here but all of this doesn't sound/sit right with me. Is this how a hunting trip is supposed to go down? Getting smashed and blasting shotguns to the point you're useless the next day? Dilly dallying all morning and then eventually just casually cruising out? Not taking firearms safety seriously?

If this is all normal, then I got 2 rifles, 2 shotugns, some ammo, camo and gear for sale.
 
Dont go out with them again and look for a new group. Some people use hunting season as a get away from work and family life. No use complaining online about it, maybe just stick to going solo ?
 
Perhaps find some older hunters at your/a local club and mention you would like to find some hunting partners that actually hunt not party. Personally would have left the group you mentioned if I had observed the party in progress or the hang overs in the morn. Just my opinion
 
You just have to find a group that is like minded to your style of hunting. The group I hunt moose with are all different. If you feel like getting up and out before day break...go for it. If you want to sleep until 10am....go for it.
Not a big deal, some are their more for the hunt than a holiday, some more for the holiday. It's all good but general gun safety is a no brainer at all times but it's never had to be mentioned the whole time we've hunted together.
One bonus to the guys who spend more time in camp is they cook more and clean up more so I can come in late from hunting, eat, a couple of toties, off to bed and up early to do it again.:)
 
Yeah, that's not normal, or a good thing. Our group usually stay pretty sober and dedicated until the moose is down, then the booze comes out for a night, but we keep it pretty clean.

I'd start looking for a new group of guys. It might seem weird, but put an add on Kijiji, in the hunting section. Explain what you're looking for, and I'd bet you get a bunch of good replies. I've done it with great success.
 
The thing I like about shooting or hunting is that they are enjoyable with or with out people. If you don't like the people you have to hunt with then find new people or go out on your own.

I would not be into getting wasted the night before then just driving around after sleeping in.

If I were you go solo or find better people. Best part of doing stuff solo is you can do everything how and when you want.
 
I don't hunt with drinkers, if they are dumb enough to drink all night, they won't be much use the next day hungover, smelling like they bathed in beer, I'd much rather hunt by myself than with someone who isn't gonna take it seriously. If I'm going to take time away from work and family I want results.
 
You do need another group of real hunters to associate with to get the experience you're after, not these party boobs. It's normal to check out a new group or individual to add to your hunting party, but don't be afraid to move on to somebody else that's more to your liking. The safety violations alone would make me reconsider, never mind the rest of it.
 
Friend and I always hunted with his dad; I got sick and tired of sitting in a truck driving around all day instead of sitting in the field or walking a bush. Stopped hunting with them 5 years ago, now I either go out by myself or I don't go out. One thing I'll never do again is hunt with someone I don't want to hunt with and you should do the same, life's too short.
 
I have had similar experiences. I often hunt alone now. I find just as many "hunters" are really just pisstanks that are looking for a couple nights away from the wife and kids to get smashed and rowdy. ACTUAL HUNTING usually places about 16th on the hunting trip priorities list. Drinking, bongs, puking, loud music, irresponsible drunken firearm discharges all rate higher............friggin kids.
 
Well that's some great replies, I won't sell anything haha I guess this is no different than snowboarding where most people smoke weed all day and spend more time in the bar than on the hill. Been riding and skiing alone first to last chair for years and years and have a ton of fun so I guess I just gotta make sure I only take down game I can pack out on my own, and should be good to go.

I guess I'm just not meant to function as a part of a group. I gotta accept that.
 
Who you hunt with is a huge consideration. You'll find a lot of guys just like getting away from their lives for a week and pissing it up in the bush. That's fine so long as you know this and everyone is in like company. I like to hunt, I wait for it all year, I prepare, plan and take it seriously. I have zero interest in getting hammered, hunting hungover and doing it all over again each night not to mention the drama and/or BS that goes along with a bunch of guys drinking heavily in close quarters. I don't hunt with strangers and I usually never join last minute groups or camps.

Be selective, do your own homework and push back if you think someone isn't being safe, its not worth the risk

Patrick
 
You’ll find like minded individuals to hunt with as you go along. I have found I prefer hunting with 1-3 friends tops who enjoy the same things in life I do. If your friends outside of hunting are party animals they will be party animals when you hunt too. I have avoided the party types my entire life and always will. Having a social drink or two now and again is one thing, drinking every day or to excess at weeks end is another and in my opinion none of it mixes with firearms, period!!
 
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Sakoman .308 said:
I don't think I would want to go hunting with that crowd, or smell like booze and cigarettes while hunting.
May be you would be better off (safer) alone.
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Cigarettes smell wouldnt bother me.......it is the forest fire level of pot smoke from the bongs, pipes, and rolling papers. It just makes people lazy and unmotivated. Noon roll-out is not hunting in my books.
 
patriot1 said:
Met up with a friend of a friend's hunting group recently.
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That's you mistake right there. Days in the bush are too valuable to be wasted with unknown quantities. Never hunt with people you don't know and trust.

If this is all normal, then I got 2 rifles, 2 shotugns, some ammo, camo and gear for sale.
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Actually, post pics or the rifles and shotguns. What size is the camo gear;)
 
As has been stated, you need to find different hunting companions. I have a very small, select number of hunting friends.
I refuse to put up with the behavior you have described in your original post.
Gun safety is paramount, empty guns kill or seriously injure people frequently.
You may find hunting solo for awhile to best solution. I am 72, and still hunt
alone at times. D.
 
Been hunting for close to 50+ years now, and I made my mistakes (as have we all) when I was younger and much stupider. For about the last 35 years, all my hunting buddies were of a like mind; that is, we hunt well and responsibly, respect firearms safety, respect the game and the environment, eat well, enjoy each others company and try to put game on the table. None of us over-indulge in drink, 2-3 beer and maybe a nice small burst of single malt after dinner MAX. Early to bed, out at first light (I spend the whole day out there), back at last shooting light, good dinner, good conversation, maybe a movie, and repeat. My friend, either find a new group or form one of like-minded individuals. You'll love your hunting much more.
 
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