52 replies to this topic

[sxshooter]

I was thinking about Steph, our new member and her questions about guns and hunting. That got me thinking about some of the people I had hunted with in my early experiences of upland hunting and some of the bad experiences with some good folks I had hunted with.

I have decided not to hunt with certain people over the years, even though they were good people and some are still friends and people I work with.

I made these choices out of self preservation instincts. After hunting with some folks a number of times and being on the wrong end of their shotguns, I decided to stop hunting with them. Even after reminding some people of gun safety, they just never corrected their sloppy and unsafe gun handling.

I think it's the single most important thing to a hunter, and especially a new hunter that may be wanting to make new hunting friends, to keep in mind that some people are just sloppy gun handlers and you need to get away from them, regardless of how nice they are. I've seen some pictures of shotgun accidents on the internet that were pretty ugly. Fortunately, I haven't been around any in-person.

Pick and chose who you hunt with.

[Thumper Dunker]

Good stuff.

[KNOCKED UP]

I can tell you that Steph is a responsable person,
And that she has fished with some of my friends.
I have not hunted with her, but I would not be
oposed to hunting with her, and I am picky who I hunt with.
Tom

[sxshooter]

Tom,
I didn't mean to imply she was a person I wouldn't hunt with or suggest that to others. I meant that she (and everyone else) should chose carefully who to hunt with. Chances are that a new hunter just coming out of hunter safety courses would be very conscientious of safety. I'd hunt with Steph if invited to.

[ShooterJohn]

I fully agree with Chuck and I didn't take his comment to demean Steph in any way. When you are looking down the barrel of anyone's gun especially after you've pointed it out to them and it continues, it's time to stop hunting with them.

[Frank]

I haven't checked in a few years, however, upland bird hunting used to be (for many years) the # 1 accident for all types of hunting in Calif. It was posted on the F&G website. IE: 9 out of 10 hunting accidents were with shotguns while upland bird hunting. Mostly pheasant & quail. I have one friend that was hunting with others, and was shot in the face while quail hunting. Lost one eye & nearly both. Lucky to even be alive. And of course upland hunting is the #1 cause of deaths too.

It is beyond belief how careless many folks are. They just flat out do not have enough respect for the firearm &/or the game they are hunting. Seen this too numerous of times in my short 50+ years of hunting. It is disgusting for sure. Besides deadly!

I have always stated, that finding a good hunting partner is thee most difficult thing in hunting. First off, there are so few of us to began with, at approx 2/3 rd's of 1% of the population. Secondly, besides firearm safety, there has to be a natural chemistry between the hunters... ie; same interests, morals, character & personalities for starters. It just isn't that easy! And again, as I always say, "there is no shortage of idiots &/or jerks ", that also play into this; & spoils the basket!

So, for those of us that do have good hunting partners, we should definitely count our blessings.

[StephLuvsHunting]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I totally understand how important it is to have a good hunting partner. I've had great luck in finding good fishing buddies that are safe and know what they are doing, and I hope to find the same for hunting partners. So being picky is key, but I wouldn't judge a person until I get the chance to hunt with them. I do have a week long trip coming up in October with a great group of guys, my dad's friend and his brothers whom have taken me last year with much success and safety.But unfortunately they don't seem to do much scouting, like I wish to.If I can find one spot that I can frequent and camp at, and just hike in on my own I'm totally down for that. But I know that with all the regulations and tree huggers closing down lots of public land its not as good as what they say it used to be.

sxshooter you are always welcome to tag along, same with you Tom, ShooterJohn, Frank and others. Being as this is my 2nd year with little experience, and no game to show for yet I know I have much to learn. But that's what I love about this great group.

[zippy1970]

I know what SXS means .

I hunt with my GF . Aside from hunters safety course , I showed her where the nearest hospital & sheriff station was & what to do / where to go IF something happens , where we hunt . But secretly I know how I will have to treat myself if she peppers me . Plus I will be the one that has to drive . I don't panic in those types of situations . She does . Granted if she gets a pellet(s) in my eyes , then she will be driving .

When we do hunt , I put her on my right at about 2 o clock . That way she would have to really turn hard Left to have her gun pointed at me . I hunt from my 8 -12 o clock . No biggie . I was her " flusher " last year too .

I was out last year with her & kept seeing some guys working their dog while hunting & I was going to say " run in front of us / hunt with us " but I did not want an accident to happen including their dog . Let alone them .

And it has nothing to do with her " being a girl " . It's about taking a rookie hunter afield . my step brother took my brother shooting . My brother was shooting at a running rabbit . He kept on shooting , following it , right behind our step brothers car. It was shot 9 times with a .22lr . he never took him again . I never took him at all .

Andy

[tommybuilt]

When people find out you pheasant hunt in South Dakota, they want to go, and I don't pheasant hunt in Ca. so for the most part you have no idea if they are safe to hunt with or not. We usually hunt in a group of 6 to 10, so there are shots being fired in all directions, I'm always nervous hunting along side the new guys. Some of the ones I worried the most about, turned out to be good hunting partners. We try to give anybody who wants to go a chance. Some get it, some don't, The ones that don't , don't get another invite. I've been bird hunting since I can remember, and have never seen a serious accident, and I'd like to keep it that way.

[zippy1970]

Kudos " tommybuilt ".

You never know what someone will do until " it " happens . And that can apply to anything .

Andy

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Hunting to Me is like riding a Motorcycle. First time I ride with someone, I see how they operate their Bike. How they negotiate corners and such. I never ride next to someone I have not ridden with before. With Shooting its kind of similar. The first time you should spend alot of time analizing how he handles his fire arm, what direction he shoots, and what he shoots at. With Guns and Motorcycles, you may only get one chance. Choose your partners well. JMO

[ShooterJohn]

Both good points Grant.

[True2ThySelf]

I don't know what all the fuss is all about. Every time I go hunting with someone new I end up coming back with with a new gun and a new car.

[Yateswell]

Good point guys, I stopped hunting with the guy who introduced me into hunting, as I gained more experience and knowledge, then I realized we were on the wrong end of certain things, I decided to end our partnership after several discussions. Regardless what he thought about me, I'm glad I made that decision early - I like to hunt and come home in one piece, not to be shot by someone or shoot someone else.

[Recon]

I was talking about this topic with a fellow hunter at work not long ago, telling him I love the guy I've been hunting with for the last few years but I'm not hunting with him anymore because he is too wreckless with the end of his barrel... my co-worker affirmed my thoughts by saying those instincts must be followed. Then he told me how he had the same experience and a few years after he quit hunting with a wreckless guy, that wreckless guy blew most of his own foot off with a 12ga shotgun round point blank...

[sxshooter]

Along these same lines of thought, once you start hunting with a dog, either yours or anyone else's, you should learn about gun safety for the dogs as well. No ground sluesing, no running animal/bird shooting (rabbits, etc.), muzzles always high instead of pointed down where you have to sweep your muzzle thru the dogs, etc.. And one that caught me was when the landowner of a place in SD said there was a coyote in the next field we were getting ready to hunt and he told the whole group of about 15 hunters to shoot the coyote. I pulled my dog out of that field so she wasn't mistaken for a coyote.

[Yateswell]

I was talking about this topic with a fellow hunter at work not long ago, telling him I love the guy I've been hunting with for the last few years but I'm not hunting with him anymore because he is too wreckless with the end of his barrel... my co-worker affirmed my thoughts by saying those instincts must be followed. Then he told me how he had the same experience and a few years after he quit hunting with a wreckless guy, that wreckless guy blew most of his own foot off with a 12ga shotgun round point blank...

Good thing it's his own foot.

[Bisley]

It is not (so much) what they do the first time or two you take them out, it is what they do after they become comfortable around you and do not feel they have to keep themselves in line anymore that really matters.

And what really surprises me is how everyone seems to be focused pretty much solely on gun handling. A truly great hunting partner not only handles their gun well, but themselves equally as well. Very rarely will you find the person that can appreciate hunting and not killing. A good, true hunting partner is just as happy to be out there with you as they are being out there with you and bringing something home. That is the real measure of a good hunting partner. Most people can handle a gun reasonably well, but few if any can still enjoy just the trip itself.

Something else to consider: I am very, very, very fortunate in that my hunting partner of over two decades has also been my best friend. But when I introduce him, I refer to him as my hunting partner/best friend on purpose. That purpose is because a bond between your hunting partner is put to the test every trip out. On every trip you are putting your life in that person's hands. Whether it be trusting them with their gun, or trusting them with your back turned at night having only the faith in them to keep any "unfriendlies" from creeping up behind you. How often do you ever have to trust your best friend with your life? Just a little something to consider on your next trip out. Don't be afraid to shake their hand and thank them for they have done over the years, and for how they have done it. I never do, and we are gong on 20+ years.

So, for those of us that do have good hunting partners, we should definitely count our blessings.

Absolutely!!! We don't even have to talk anymore, just a certain look in a direction tells us exactly what we need to know. That is when you know you have chosen wisely. Or just been one of the luckiest ones

[Frank]

And what really surprises me is how everyone seems to be focused pretty much solely on gun handling. A truly great hunting partner not only handles their gun well, but themselves equally as well. Very rarely will you find the person that can appreciate hunting and not killing. A good, true hunting partner is just as happy to be out there with you as they are being out there with you and bringing something home. That is the real measure of a good hunting partner. Most people can handle a gun reasonably well, but few if any can still enjoy just the trip itself.

Exactly, Bob, exactly... and was the point I was attempting to make. Only you said it better... Again! LOL

Making sure the barrel is pointed in a safe direction should almost be a given... even though it often times is not, but a decent person/hunter will soon fix that when pointed out by his/her partner. If not, that is an easy dump of a hunting partner. The other half, the person him/herself, is the real difficult part (that seems to keep getting missed)?!

[StephLuvsHunting]

Wow lots of great views on this topic, glad you brought it up sxshooter. The thing with me is that I grew up around people that have little or no knowledge of hunting, it's what I decided I wanted to do on my own and so the networking was somewhat difficult. And that's what I really enjoy about this group. I'm definitely not going to rush getting out on the field to hunt as soon as I get my shotgun even though I'm antsy. It's good to hear your guys stories of your hunting partners and what to look out for. I am the kind of person that gets along with most, but when it comes to hunting or being on a boat in the middle of the ocean I definitely want to know who I'm with and how they handle themselves.

Exactly, Bob, exactly... and was the point I was attempting to make. Only you said it better... Again! LOL

Making sure the barrel is pointed in a safe direction should almost be a given... even though it often times is not, but a decent person/hunter will soon fix that when pointed out by his/her partner. If not, that is an easy dump of a hunting partner. The other half, the person him/herself, is the real difficult part (that seems to keep getting missed)?!

Great point !

[sxshooter]

Steph,
Most folks that hunt will hunt with new acquaintances after an intro thru others they know. Bird hunting seems to put you in more social settings where you're likely to meet new people every season, at least that's the way it's been for me.

But it doesn't have to be that way. If you hunt private land you have to yourself and you don't go out of your way to meet and invite new people, you can hunt birds in solitude. Some folks prefer this. Sometimes I really enjoy going out with just my dogs by myself. But that's the thing about having dogs, you always have a loyal hunting buddy, enthusiastic to go hunt with you all the time, assuming you have a well bred and trained dog. Once you have a good bird dog that is also a good companion, you really never hunt alone again.

[GSH]

I agree with Bisley, there is this one person that I've hunted with that is as safe as you want someone to be but is the biggest game hog I've ever seen. This person is never satisfied with a partial bag always want to get as many bird as possible and if you let him he'll shoot part of your limit let you carry (ducks) out of the area then want them back. I've hunted with him in a group of us and I flat tell him if he shoots more than his limit he is on his own to get them out of the refuge.

[Frank]

one person that I've hunted with that is as safe as you want someone to be but is the biggest game hog I've ever seen.

Right on... Again! And my (& yours & Bob's) point precisely. One can be the safest gun handler on the planet, but if s/he is a jerk or just doesn't "fit" with someone, then that is no hunting partner... unless of course, they are both jerks!

Reminder: "NO shortage of idiots morons or jerks azzhxxxs in this world". And apply's 110% in the hunting world (especially).

[KNOCKED UP]

Good job Frank,
Tell it like it is.
Tom

[tawnoper]

A lot of good points made here.

I've hunted my whole life. As a little kid, safe gun handling instincts were drilled into my brother and I by my dad. I received quite a few choice words from my dad if I was improperly handling my gun. Same went for my brother. It wasn't pleasant but it was effective.

Some people don't seem to realize that there is a finality to their actions in shooting sports that do not exist in other sports that they were perhaps raised with. Football, baseball, basketball, soccer; mistakes can be made and "oops" can happen without much a penalty. Not so with shooting sports. Usually no second chance or do over. I've seen guys who are raised in team sports that get into hunting and bring that same mentality over to their hunting. They'll usually do some dicey stuff.

I've hunted with a number of guys though the years. I've been lucky enough to find a few good ones that I enjoyed hunting with. Besides good/safe gun handling habits they were usually someone who is self sufficient, has their own stuff, can drive sometimes and most important...laughs and has fun.

[sxshooter]

This point brings back an akward situation I got myself into. Over the years, I had communicated with a lot of folks on a forum. I met some of them during travel across the states. One guy I met, came out to CA and I took him hunting quail on private land with my dog. He was a guy in his 60s and seemed nice enough.

He was going thru some tough times with his wife being very ill. I invited him on a hunt trip to SD for pheasant on friend's farmland. This type of hunting is all about group hunting crop fields in the classic Dakota fashion. Well, he came a few years and eventually rubbed some people wrong. They mentioned it to me. I figured it was an anomoly.

Year before last, my wife and this fella and myself were the only non-family members of the farm owner at the the hunt due to the economy and various personal issues of the original CA group that had started this. It was traditional for the non-family members of the hunt to pitch in and take the large extended family of maybe 15 or so to dinner at a local steakhouse, as a sign of appreciation. So, it was up to me, my wife and this fella to pick up the slack. We put the dinner arrangements together and had the whole clan out as usual. The landowner graciously mentioned to me that we didn't have to pay for the dinner and they would cover their own. My wife convinced him otherwise. When it came time to cover the dinner, my guest put out about enough for his own dinner, nothing more. That was the straw. His gesture of not recognizing the family for granting him a hunting opportunity on their land was selfish and probably much more. My wife and I picked up the tab that night. I had to do something about the guy. Last year was the first year I didn't invite him back. I've stopped corresponding with him as well.

[Frank]

is the biggest game hog I've ever seen.

I forgot to mention earlier, that it was a game hog type of individual that shot my friend in the face that I mentioned above.

I also happen to know the person that shot my friend and knew what an azz he is, & why I never hunted with him. The accident, though terrible, did not surprise me, due to knowing the kind of person the shooter is. Sad, but is another example of how important a good hunting partner really is.

there is a finality to their actions in shooting sports

Exactly, Ed, exactly...

When it came time to cover the dinner, my guest put out about enough for his own dinner, nothing more.

There ya go!!

And why we just can't be too careful (picking hunting partners).

[sxshooter]

...
There ya go!!

And why we just can't be too careful (picking hunting partners).

...and why sometimes why just hunting with my dogs alone, is relaxing, and free of any concerns. They know their jobs, no fuss, no muss, just smiles all around.

[StephLuvsHunting]

sxshooter thanks for sharing the picture of you and your dog! Very cool. I can see someday in my future the same picture! pretty neat.

[modoc squeek shooter]

Good thread! Gun saftey was drilled into my head at an early age by my dad. I was 5 when I shot a 22lr. Being raised in a hunting family and raised on a ranch I understood death. I knew that there were no second chances, one screw up lasted forever. I instilled the same ethics in my sons and they are doing the same with my grandchildren. I have had lots of good hunting partners over the years and a few bad ones lol. They didn't last long, both for saftey and other reasons. Hunting is about a good time but it is not fun when you have to babysit a grown person. I have no use for unsafe, gamehogs, or people with a s---y attitude. I say again SXS, thankyou for a great thread. ED