I know this is like finding a good wife (or a husband) and is subjective as h---, but wonder if a good hunting partner has any "common" traits.  

You have to limit your replys to four traits.

I'll start.
1)they better not complain about the weather. My Dad never did, plus I have seen  the most fantastic things in bad weather while in the woods.
2) doesn't talk trash about  (insert person/spouse here) that is not there. I don't mean talking to you about how to solve a relationship problem either...

3) likes to be out in it all day.

4)gets a laugh out of themselves. Nothing beats a good sense of humor when the chips are down...


Joshua

jhg, "not complain about the weather" made me laugh and brought back this memory.  Pete Dunham and I were laying in a tiny 2 man tent.  We had been laying there listening to the rain for 5 days.  Didn't dare leave the tent since we couldn't find it once 50 yards away.  

I told Pete it had stopped being fun and become an endurance contest.  He agreed.  I lost both little toenails and got trenchfoot on that trip.  The last two days the only way I could put my boots on was to immerse my feet in a glacial stream until I couldn't feel my feet.

We got two very old billies, but we did bitch about the weather.

1) Is completely ethical and plays by the rules.
2) Carries their share of the load with work and expenses.
3) Stays upbeat and doesn't get down or discouraged when things go wrong.
4) Doesn't need to kill something to have a successful trip.

#1.  Be on time
#2.  Won't let you hang regardless of where and when
#3.  No Secrets

1. Have a sense of humor!
2. Like to hunt like you do!
3. Make the best of a bad situtation!
4. Ready to go, when and where you are!
  (if two people know a it, it ain't a secert!)
 

QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
1) Is completely ethical and plays by the rules.
2) Carries their share of the load with work and expenses.
3) Stays upbeat and doesn't get down or discouraged when things go wrong.
4) Doesn't need to kill something to have a successful trip.

Add actually shows up and gets in the truck and doesn't bring a bottle or a 1/4 pound of weed with him and you'd have my list.

I've had so many bad experiences with hunting partners I stopped trying. It's me and my wife Tracy or solo for this boy.

Thinking hunting with my friends Tom and Dave down in Homer might be the exception we will see after the Bears wake up.

I can't think of to many that have not been said. I will add:

1. has a lot of good hunting spots.
2. honest

QuoteAdd actually shows up and gets in the truck and doesn't bring a bottle or a 1/4 pound of weed with him and you'd have my list.
[/QB]

No KIDDING!!!
I once planned, set up myself and packed in alone a base camp for backcountry deer hunting in Maine. The first day of hunting it was raining and me and my "buddy" left the lean-to. I forgot my knife and had to go back. It had only been 30 minutes, but there was my "buddy" in the lean-to with a half full bottle of vodka in his hand. It was 7AM.

Suffice to say that trip sucked.

BTW, anyone read "Two Man Tent Fever" by McManus??

Joshua

If you've cooked, he does dishes.

If he's back first, gets supper ready. Even if it's five days in a row.

Back when I was guiding for white water kayaking I had a client who just didn't seem right. As we were about to enter a difficult section of river he leans over and says "Dude I don't think I should have ate all those mushrooms for breakfast!" Really? class 3 water and hallucinogenic mushrooms are not a good combination who would have taught!?!

He bought a helicopter ride out....then tried to sue us for cutting his trip short!

I have made  "Great Hunting Partner" with all of the "Good Qualities" listed and met him right here thru Trad Gang.....I look forward to seeing him and sharing camp every year now.  He'll be my buddy on my up-coming Homer Ocean Bear Hunt in May.

Seems like TG can provide just about "Everything" we could ask for.

thanks, Curt [aka Bow n' Errors]  

Respectful in every aspect.
Thankful, someone who knows that everything we have is a gift.
A good sense of humor is a must.
If given lemons will do his/her best to make some really good lemonade.

I'll have to give this some serious consideration just because I want to be sure I haven't left out something important. I'd hate it any of those I hunt with had a print out of this and tried to say my list was all conclusive..lol
God bless,Mudd

One I would like to add to the above, is

Leave the camp site as you found it when you first came,  meaning only your footprints, when you leave.

i also want someone who will help you look for and drag out your animal. I am color blind, so someone who is willing to help me find a deer or bear if I don't see it fall is a must.

QuoteOriginally posted by L. E. Carroll:
I have made  "Great Hunting Partner" with all of the "Good Qualities" listed and met him right here thru Trad Gang.....I look forward to seeing him and sharing camp every year now.  He'll be my buddy on my up-coming Homer Ocean Bear Hunt in May.

Seems like TG can provide just about "Everything" we could ask for.

thanks, Curt [aka Bow n' Errors]      

Glad you were able to find a good pard, up here you need one! You guys figure out the area you'll be hunting and a transporter?

How about someone you've never met and only traded a bow with and talked to on the phone, but then takes a chance and invites you to join them on a hunt they do every year. Then he shares his camp, his home, and his superior time and expertise (while he should be hunting for himself), just so you can get an opportunity you would have never had without their help.

Right back at you Gene, and I can't wait 'til our HOC hunt in May!

Must pay his way,,,it's amazing how many bludgers there are out there.

Do a fair share around camp.

Must be confident and capable in the bush,carry and know how to use a compass an maps,,GPS alone don't cut it.

Be willing and able to apply first aid and make contact with or call in emergency services if needed,,,,,,no matter what it takes.

1) Takes as much pleasure in my successes as I do his.

2) Always has my back in any situation.

3) Is smarter than me at least 50% of the time.

4) Has a good understanding of woodcraft and outdoorsman's skills.

Just 4?     c'mon.....!!

1) Takes as much pleasure in my successes as I do his.

2) Always has my back in any situation.

3) Is smarter than me at least 50% of the time.

4) Has a good understanding of woodcraft and outdoorsman's skills.

Hey, I think I found my hunting partner