Just as the title states. What makes a good hunting partner to you? I have been around some bad ones and the good ones are few and far between to say the least.

A good hunting partner to me is someone who is not selfish, is reliable and one that does not mind putting in the time and effort for like minded goals.

No such thing as a hunting partner for deer. Hunting partners for turkey must have turkeys.

No seriously, I usually deer hunt to get away from people. I'll be dang if I carry a partner. My children on the other hand are my hunting partners. That's enjoyable.

Someone with the same mindset and goals for the piece of property hunting....

Me personally, someone willing to let little ones walk, hunt proper winds, and try to keep pressure to a minimum....

Yea I never deer hunt with anyone, kind of a lone wolf thing. Wouldn't mind trying it to enjoy the fellowship and camp aspect but like Matt Brock, it is my stress reliever.

X2
Been leasing land with the same guy now for 8 years. Not one fight or disagreement. We both bust our butts or it doesnt get done. Easy as that.

dang, some of yall must be hermits.

Fact of the matter is, I hunt by myself most of the time, but not because of enjoyment. I've got 3 people that I can think of, who are welcome with me anytime. They all 3 live too far away to get together often anymore.

What I look for, is someone who is good for his commitments, has the same level of intensity for hunting, and hunts the same way. I've hunted with and around hundreds of people, and those three I named are the only ones I could hunt with every day and never have an issue. Oddly enough, those three hunt almost identically to me, whether its Ducks, deer, or turkeys. Two of them, I taught myself, and they were good learners, the other came by it honestly.

If you can't show up at 4am like you're supposed to, you get the boot. If you puss out or slow down because you're tired, you get the boot. If we constantly have contradicting ideas on how to set the decoys, where to hang a stand, or when to call to a hard gobbling bird, then you get the boot.

Finding a good hunting buddy, is just as hard as finding a good woman. maybe harder

I am pretty agreeable so isn't hard for me. Have made several trips out west with the crew I have now and it works good. Best one is one of my college room mates, who is also one of the best guys I ever met.

He would give you the gun off his shoulder to shoot a wall hanger. Known him 20 years lived with him for 2 never a cross word.

Case and point he has been putting in for Wy points for years mentioned about a hunt there next year I told him I would buy a point this year but doubt I could draw he has 5 and suggested party draw so it would average mine and his out.

Hunting partners who share a common drive, standards, and schedules are rare but I think the key is compromise because we all have off days and stuff going on that affects us. Look for someone who when you can hunt with you enjoy it and would go the extra mile to repeat.

Someone that doesnt eat all the food i bring to the club house AND then replace it ONLY with potted meat!

Not sure if you are referring to deer but for us public water duck hunters:

(1) Someone who will keep their lips zipped when you have a good day on the water. Ducks change their minds daily but sometimes you can get em the next day or a few days later if they aren't pressured again soon. I don't want you taking any pictures with your GPS location "on" and posting it on FB, twitter, or whatever to brag to your buddies.

(2) Willing to put out/pick up decoys, back the boat in, chase a cripple = willing to be a worker bee

Duck hunting is hard work on those who like to host others so if you get invited, at least offer to help with all the chores. I will probably turn down your offer to help the first trip because sometimes newbies can just slow me down but if you can pick up on the process then you're more likely to get future invites, ha

I like to deer hunt with my wife because she's so willing to learn and wants to do the right thing. She appreciates the adventure every time we go which makes me excited even though I've probably logged 1000's of hunts over my career.

Turkey hunting partner must know how to be still and not fidget. They also better like to walk and need to keep up with me.

Duck hunting partner better be on time, keep their damn face hid, control their dog, don't practice their calling in the blind, and be willing to throw out, rearrange, and pick up the decoys. Doesn't hurt my feelings if they bring the biscuits either!

Dr. B

I enjoy solo hunting.
Not that I won't carry somebody from time to time but I am really at my best & hunting the hardest & sitting the longest when its just me to worry about pleasing.

I do have a hunting partner though - he is only a 1 1/2 years old so he's got a bit of growing to do yet..
I really look forward to carrying him one day and hope he enjoys it but Im not going to rush him into it.

Doc, I've been wanting to go duck hunting for a while now. I'll hide my face, won't bring a dog, do whatever you want me to do with the decoys, and buy you breakfast a cracker barrel after the hunt if youll take me

There are two or three people I consider hunting partners and they are also my best friends. A good friend is the best hunting partner because even if you disagree about something it doesn't matter. Heck I won't mention any names but there is one feller (3ffarms) that I have never agreed on stand placement. I get over it and then slap his sandwich out of his hands and hope the bread seperares and it lands mayo side down in the dirt.

^^^this and his ass has got to show up on time or early and don't call at the last minute with sorry ass excuses why you didn't or can't make it. I have a few buddies(3-4) that are like minded we hunt similar, think alike and enjoy the fellowship, and are as happy as can be if any of us is successful, no jealousy or envy at all. Never had a cross word between us and i have known 3 of them for 20+years. We had one more childhood buddy, but with time he has gotten worse about making plans and flaking out at the last min or not showing. We don't even make an effort to include him any longer.

A smoking hot Brunette!






Yes my wife is my hunting partner!....

1. A great big 1 show up on time or be ready on time.

That is really the only big one to me because when we get there I go where I plan to and they can go where they want to. If it is the same place, we'll flip for it. it also helps when they bring lunch and drinks, at least enough for them. Enough for everyone gets them bonus points

She would own a lot of prime land.

My hunting partner is my best friend, my German Shorthaired Pointer. I get in the outdoors to get away from people

Holy smokes, I laughed out loud when I read this.

Story goes something like this....

Workday at the club and old Southwood has "something going on". Happens every year. There were three of us down there moving stands and what not and that pecker wood finally pulls up say, 10 or 10:30 after the other three of us had gotten down there at daylight and been slaving away in the August heat. He walks down to where we were putting a stand (he's the only one that didn't bow hunt at the time) and we've got it set about 30 yards off a food plot. Absolutely beautiful spot. White oaks, red oaks...heck seems there was even a persimmon tree or two. It had deer written all over it. So anyhow, ol Southwood eases on down there and just stands at the edge of the plot and hollers "I didn't know this was a bow only club!" Nothing like showing up at 10:30 and rubbing all the other guys the wrong way. Seems he "might" have mentioned to me about wanting to get 100 yards or so off the plot for a better rifle set to which I agreed with the night before. But I digress...

And the sandwich incident happened another time. I knew it was going to be a long day working at the club. Thought ahead, made some sandwiches for myself. All morning long I was thinking about those sandwiches. Everyone else was complaining about how hungry they were around 11 or so. I might have bragged...just a little...about how I couldn't wait to have one of those sandwiches I had premade in the ice chest. I took it out, unwrapped it and took a bite. Tasted like heaven. I might have even made a remark about how good it was. Next thing I know, Southwood slapped that sucker out of my hand like a dang bear and it bounced twice, separated and landed mayo side down in the road. Everyone else thought it was a lot funnier than I did.

So those two stories are what makes a good, nay, great hunting partner. Someone you can laugh with, spit with, talk about the hunt all during the week and genuinely get excited about going with. I'd honestly be more excited for any of my hunting partners to get a deer than I would. Those work days and fellowshipping are what I enjoy more than anything. I even like to be the camp cook when we all go. I just enjoy seeing everyone else have a good time. If I get a deer, great...but it's more about seeing others enjoying God's creation. I've killed enough, and I'll kill more, but I'm not near as serious about it as I've been in the past. Time spent together, smiles and laughter are more important now.

Some one I can trust him and he I. We share what and where we actully good bucks, gobblers. Like having an extra pair of eyes. Each of us always glad to see the other do well. Help with stand placement, site work, ect.

Since I have only had the opportunity to hunt public land, I always go with one particular friend. I like the idea of going alone, but I am Type 1 diabetic, and the wife doesn't like the idea of me passing out in the middle of the woods too much. We have fun, but we also have never killed a deer....