Hunting Guest from Heck

[sleepyone]

klcmschlesinger, you are welcome to hunt as my guest anytime! I like my steaks medium, please.

 

[klcmschlesinger]

Always wanted to hunt in Texas!! Medium it is.....

 

[buck460XVR]

Finding hunting companions that mirror one's ethics and tactics is like finding a motorcycling companion that shares the same passions and skill level. It's a tough row to hoe and when you find them you appreciate them. I quit asking folks to come along hunting unless they are family years ago. I don't get enough time anymore to enjoy the outdoors, much less waste that time being annoyed and disappointed. I realize now there's a reason those folks have no place to hunt or no one else to go with.

 

[sleepyone]

Finding hunting companions that mirror one's ethics and tactics is like finding a motorcycling companion that shares the same passions and skill level.

That is so true. I used to ride years ago, so I can relate to that. I had a really good friend who also had a bike. We got along great except when we rode because his bike was a Harley clone that could never keep up with my crotch rocket. I was the hare and he was the tortoise.

I have tried to invite people who don't have a place to hunt over the years when my good friend and regular hunting partner could not make it, but I think from now on I will go solo or just wait until he is available.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

My wife thinks I over-reacted to him suggesting I shoot the buck and use his tag.

I don't think your frustration is over-reacting, but suggesting that you shoot the buck and use his tag would definitely be illegal.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/fish_hunt/hunt/tagging/

So not only was a bad guest, didn't follow instructions, wasn't the hunter he claimed to be, but also suggested that you go in cahoots with him on poaching.

I would never have him back.

 

[AnthonyRSS]

I tend to dislike people that talk or act like they are better at something then they actually are. People that are humble about there experiences and aren't braggarts tend to be people that are not going to treat you like the guest in the OP. Good mannered people are generally good mannered about everything.

I rarely go shooting with new people anymore. Its not worth the hassle and the chance of death.

 

[inclinebench]

I usually wait to get to know someone before inviting them hunting, and even then, they got to do a day or two of work out on my property beforehand. Newest hunting buddy outworked me, ran a chainsaw better than me, and waited to kill a deer till I had one when season opened. He also dropped out of his stand to help me field dress, the deer. That was three years ago, and he is now the first invite every season. Not coincidentally, he is also a top notch fishing buddy.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I invited a co-worker, whom I don’t know very well, to hunt on my in-law’s 200 acres.

There's the problem. I'm sure people will chime in that we should encourage others to hunt and to get into the shooting sports, and I agree. We can go to the range and you can shoot my guns and ammo all you want, but I'm picky about what guests I bring to deer camp. I feel that I am ultimately responsible for their actions, and that's not something I'm comfortable with.

 

[brnmw]

You were very polite and even though I would have loved to have let him have it you didn't. Taking into consideration that it was in fact a co-worker there is a certain amount of consideration you will have to take, you do not really want to have awkward moments in the office. That does however mean that you should not have to feel obligated to take him again should he ask next year. There are some things fellow "Hunters" can teach one another including camp manners, and I would prefer have you teach him those manners instead of continuing to have individuals like that continue doing those types of things without ever really being confronted/ instructed. Hunting is a science IMO and if you feel there is never anything more you > (And I do not mean "You" I am using it generically)> can learn further than what is the point (Growing up half the fun was learning ). I do not care how old the individual is or how much experience he/ she claims they have.... Doing things like that would make my head spin, but I would also like to believe that I could help them if I could.

This does explain a lot about some people and lack of preparedness and or personal responsibility/ pride. I know many people like that and sometimes I just do not think they will ever "GET IT!" :banghead:

 

[sleepyone]

but I'm picky about what guests I bring to deer camp.

deer camp is like bringing someone into your home and giving him access to whatever he wants, except in my case it was like bringing him into my in-laws home.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

^ Which is why you don't invite people you don't know very well. Let it be a lesson.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

You know, Paul, while I don't completely disagree with what you say, at the same time it is hard to get to know how somebody really does something if you aren't with them when they do it. So you can know them without knowing how they will be. Deer camp, or hunting in general isn't like being at home or work.

LOL, I took my BIL that I had known for more than 10 years on a pig hunt to my place. Luckily, we never saw pigs. Despite being an "experienced" hunter, he apparently didn't know squat about properly sighting in a rifle. I won't be having him back anytime soon.

 

[danweasel]

Don't ever take anyone hunting that you haven't taken on a hike in fishing trip first. That's my motto, starting now.

 

[sleepyone]

I wanted to thank everyone for sharing their experiences and advice. It has helped me work through this experience and convinced me to take a different approach going forward. If this were my land, I might be more tolerant of bad behavior, but since it isn't, I can't afford to train or teach someone unless it is a member of my own family. What my experience taught me, and should teach everyone else reading this entire thread, is that those of us who have a place to hunt are greatly blessed and should treat the land, wildlife and landowners with the honor and respect they deserve. Nothing bad happened this time, but that may not be the case if a similar scenario were to unfold next time.

 

[Art Eatman]

Good closing comment...