Hunting Partner Advice needed

[hrbassin]

Alright, I need some Dr. Phil advice here. My hunting partner this year for 2nd season rocky mtn. elk is a good friend I've known since forever. We're both 18. I've been hunting since I was 12, he tagged along on my buck hunt last year and we've done some predator hunting, including the ifish hunt in march. That's about all the experience he has. He's really gotten into hunting this last year, buying all sorts of camo, magazines, all the little useless things marketed to hunters, etc. Lately he's been acting like he's a super experienced hunter, but whenever we're hunting, I can't help but notice all the nuances, or lack there of, of a decent hunter. Now I probably wouldn't mind putting up with this if he'd admit that he's still a newbie when it comes to hunting, but he's got it into his head that he's some sort of hunting guru. Now, we both view ourselves as equals, and I try to treat him as equal, but when it comes to hunting there's a lot that even I could teach him. I want to try and tell him that he still has a lot, a LOT, to learn, as do I, but I know he won't listen to me, an equal.

I'd like for someone that he views as an experienced hunter to teach him (call him out), but thats probably not going to happen, and as it is I just about can't stand to hunt with him. Not sure what to do ....

Thought maybe someone else on the board has had to deal with this situation.

Thanks for any advice guys,

Mark

[stupenny5]

Set him down and talk to him. If You work it out he is a friend.

If not you have to decide if it is worth it. Will He listen ??

I find being honest (sugar coated) Works the best in tthe long run.

[Lundman]

I have been down this road both hunting and fishing - with most things that involve a partnership or group - one person needs to be the leader and the rest will follow.

I've hunted with a guy that got lost very easy, of course, after he got his GPS he was Daniel Boone. Until one outing when I took his GPS and he had to use his head to get us back to the truck. From then on he always did exactly as I told him when hunting and he was successful. The key is to make suggestion and SHOW HIM why it made sense. You can take a horse to water type thing...

Of course young bucks like you guys have the $$$ factor -- if he has been buying lots of equipment and has more $$$ then you will need to show him the best way to use his toys -- again SHOW Him and earn his respect.

Don't treat him differently just show him the Light.

If you're not the Lead Dog the view isn't nearly as Good....

Good Luck and train him well Grass Hopper

[hrbassin]

Originally Posted by Lundman

I have been down this road both hunting and fishing - with most things that involve a partnership or group - one person needs to be the leader and the rest will follow.

I've hunted with a guy that got lost very easy, of course, after he got his GPS he was Daniel Boone. Until one outing when I took his GPS and he had to use his head to get us back to the truck. From then on he always did exactly as I told him when hunting and he was successful. The key is to make suggestion and SHOW HIM why it made sense. You can take a horse to water type thing...

Of course young bucks like you guys have the $$$ factor -- if he has been buying lots of equipment and has more $$$ then you will need to show him the best way to use his toys -- again SHOW Him and earn his respect.

Don't treat him differently just show him the Light.

If you're not the Lead Dog the view isn't nearly as Good....

Good Luck and train him well Grass Hopper

Yes money is a factor. All his equipment probably costs 3 times the amount I does. But in his mind this makes him a better hunter. It definitely doesn't. I mean, were talking basic stuff here. He shows up the first day with a pack. No compass, no whistle, no map, 1 water bottle, some jerky and a 2" pocket knife. And even when he starts a hunt with gusto because he's a pro hunter, he loses interest after an hour or two. He hasn't taken a hunter's safety class, which I've repeatedly asked him to because I don't feel comfortable hunting with anyone who hasn't. Basically he needs to be taken back to square 1 and taught the very basics, but its very hard for someone who is a pro in their own mind to do that.

I dunno, I'm thinking I need some excuses to not hunt with him anymore.

[BarroomHero]

Here's what you do...have him tag along with you and if he knocks down a bull somewhere say to him "Nice job! Now go down there and quarter him out and get him hung in a tree while I go chase that bull across the canyon over there." He will quickly realize he isn't the pro he thinks he is. All the toys and technology in the world cant replace common sense. But also be patient with him, it's vitally important to the future of this sport that we pass on the traditions to others.

[death roe]

quit hunting with him, if he knows it all, he may be succesful or he might get real humbled and figure it out that he doesnt know it all

[rock bottom]

Originally Posted by death roe

quit hunting with him, if he knows it all, he may be succesful or he might get real humbled and figure it out that he doesnt know it all

Especially when your knocking over animals and he is not. Get to the spot you want to hunt and get all your stuff together and tell him you will meet him back at the truck or camp at dark.

[byebyeducky]

I have been through this with a buddy of mine. He began to know everything and proceeded to try to run every hunt or fishing trip he was on. He would tell me things about hunting or fishing for game that he had never even hunted himself. I got tired of it, didn't know how to diplomatically tell him, and so I just started to avoid him. He may very well be better than me as an outdoorsman, but I can't take it listening to it. I had enough when he just about crashed my boat into a log, going full speed, running my boat, again taking control and acting like "the expert" Your situation sounds a little different, but let me tell you, dealing with a dimwit can ruin an outdoor experience. If you can't talk or reason with him, I would say you should go your own way.

[Eagleclaw]

Originally Posted by rock bottom

Especially when your knocking over animals and he is not. Get to the spot you want to hunt and get all your stuff together and tell him you will meet him back at the truck or camp at dark.

[croation2]

Sit him down and give him a darn good listenen to!!

[Incredible_Bulk]

Ditch him and take Woody with you instead.

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...37#post2254437

Bulk

[Gus Orviston]

mmm... i .was taught by some of the best,, and you glean a lot from other peoples experiences.. that is if you are open. But I know I still have a ton to learn.. I know what you are looking for.. I have mentored offroad noobs before.. they come on at first strong , and what I want to hear is "teach me" I often continue with them,, at some point they realize my experience is quite deep and some will come around, others will stray off. Get and animal down and see how much help he is, or how bad he messes it up (an area I am still not comfortable with). That is one place where talk and books are cheap and doing is essential.

What you face is an age old problem , "...master I am ready to leave, i know all I need" po, "..ah grasshopper, when you can snatch the pebble from my hand, it will be time for you to go"

So put the pebble in your pocket and wait him out for now.

gus

[ehunter]

My take is that hunting partners are like any other relationship and communication is needed. We each have a our strengths and weakness and you guys may need some more experience. We always joked your a Legend until you kill some thing then you become a expert. Legends (in their mind) are the worst sort of partner because they know it all but have no experience and they tell every one how to do it because they have read every thing and believe all they see on tv or the advice from uncle Joe that hunted 30 years ago once. Now experts are much easier to humble it only takes one season without before they find out they are not the expert. Talk to him give it some time and then good luck. Good hunting partners are hard to find and it can be difficult to find some one with the same drive and desire as you if he has it you should talk to him and try to get him squared away.

It gets a lot easier to listen to him when hes a humbled expert

[mpmax]

The friend can't be much of an expert if he doesn't visit ifish.net regularly.

[Bait O' Eggs]

You gotta ask yourself some questions.

1. can he pack? (comes in handy when I kill something )
2. whats the odds he will kill something? (will affect how much packing I have to do for him )
3. is he often late? (pet peeve of mine )
4. Since your only 18 alcohol questions shouldnt come into the mix
5. Do you like the guy? (hunting friendships span a long time )
6. You state he has been buying lots of gear, does it include offroad truck, sleeping accomodations and other high end stuff you get to use for free?

Hunting partners either fit or they dont. I have been blessed in this catagory. We can not talk for 11 months, and both show up in camp and it is like we have been roomates forever. We can head for a spot on foot and not talk all day and show up within minutes of each other.

[Rbogus]

First and foremost is he safe to hunt with?
He has never been tested in real game conditions.
If you don't have 100% confidence in any hunting partner being safe don't hunt with them until you are certain.
I have had to make some calls concerning friends as well as family members that did things that I thought were not safe as I had been taught all my life.
I just took them aside and explained why I felt the way I did and why I would not hunt around them.
If you bring someone into hunting it is your responsibility to make sure they are safe not only with you but any where they might hunt.
I don't mean you have to baby sit or follow them around I mean at the very least you owe it to them as well as yourself and others to make sure you do ALL you can to teach them. Sit them down and explain why you feel as you do. Do it without humiliating them or talking down but tell them in no uncertain terms why you think as you do.
If they are wanting to learn and be safe they will listen and be grateful you talked to them.
If you sit by and wait till they screw up to show them they messed up it might be to late and someone if not you might die or be seriously hurt.
Sounds like you should have had talked more about safety etc.. before you let them pick up a gun around you.
Explain it is not personal but when choosing safety over all else you have to talk to them.
Good luck and I say do not hunt with them unless they show a change for the better.

[ErnestE]

You say he's a good friend. They're hard to come by. Be straight and serious with him on safety issues (gun handling, fire starting, etc). Humor him on his inexperience foibles, he'll be humbled soon enough.

I had a hunting buddy who started with me when we were 18, he drove me nuts a few years. . . wanted to shoot at the rock across the canyon, ski on the alder branches in the thickets, slam pickup doors. We cussed each other and worked it out over the years. He died 3 years ago, after 40 years of hunting together. It'll never be the same and I'd trade all I have to watch him shoot that rock across the canyon this year.

[Benny]

18? I'm only 26 so I remember 18 like it was an hour ago, and that's just the "knowing everything there is to know" phase. Actually, there's no difference between 18 and 26...I still know it all.

So in that case...you're all wrong.

[Cliff]

Originally Posted by hrbassin

I dunno, I'm thinking I need some excuses to not hunt with him anymore.

Hunt with me!

[Dan360]

Toys and gadgets will only get you so far. Usually it gets you to your vehicle in the morning, then the fun and games begin Sometimes you can salvage a relationship in a passive-aggressive way. Do lots of scouting with him, allowing him to lead a couple of romps into the woods. Keep track of who finds the most animals (but don't take him to any honey holes; you might find him there later after you've parted company in a less than cordial way). This way he'll realize, if he has a humble bone in his body, that you might know what you're talking about.

I've had two years in a row where I took friends hunting and it didn't turn out well. The first guy had all the gadgets, but he was at least willing to learn. The second guy knew it all and wouldn't follow the program. The first guy didn't know how to use his gadgets or rifle, so we lost a lot of opportunities. It was frustrating. The second guy thought he knew how to use his stuff and ended up blowing several areas for us and I finally blew up on him. Now, he is talking about how he'll be in my hunting holes next year. Don't let that happen to you. Recognize if your buddy will be a #1 guy or the #2 guy. If he'll learn and get with the program, he might be worth keeping around. If he's like #2, flush him.

[RogueFishr]

Originally Posted by hrbassin

He hasn't taken a hunter's safety class, which I've repeatedly asked him to because I don't feel comfortable hunting with anyone who hasn't.

There you go.

Basically, a guy that talks a lot of smack, and is a self professed expert on things, can only bug you if you let him. Talk is cheap. Especially if he is a friend. But, if safety is involved, that is a non-negotiable item in my book.

Good luck.

RF

[PIR8 Hook]

RogueFshr is a smart man...Listen to his advice. It's better than Dr. Phil's when it comes to fishing....

Talk IS cheap. Let it roll off like water on a duck's (OSU Beaver's?) back. My advice is: let the deed do the talking.

Safety is #1...you're a long time dead or injured.

[Silver Eagle]

Communication is why this country has so many divorces, Talk or Walk its your choice, he dosn't see that there is a problem so you have to Talk it out with him or quite hunting with him. Have a lot of guys I fish with same thing really thought they had it togeather one day in the fog I ask the whole boat where land was, glad I had good electronics......Leason learned lots of luck because at 18 you probably have a lot of avenues but when you get older you want to hunt with people that you really want to be around.............Ray...........hunting is not about the Killing its about the experience.....

[Ghost hunter]

Must not be a very good friend to talk about him this way. You'd both be better off hunting your seperate ways

[Half fast Toyn]

Dude.... its only hunting. Ive been skipping school and calling in sick to work for the better part of 30 years so I can put in my time hunting/fishing and yet I dont think its THAT important. Sit back and relax.. think about it. We have Safeway and Albertsons to fill our tummies so hunting is no longer a life or death endevour.

[duckboy]

Good question, and some great responses.
I agree with what Lundman said about most groups or teams need a leader and the balance of those involved need to be expert support crew
otherwise you haven't really got a team.

I have never hunted elk, but, reckon that doing it alone would be pretty tough.

Upon the mountain side
above the highest line of trees
or afloat upon the roaring sea

there is agreement
that disagreement in these places
can become a mutiny

[StevenB]

Listen To me... DR Philled With BS

Here is my take on someone who's trying to achieve a Guru Status ASAP. (By the way.. since I don't know all there is to your situation put safety first and don't continue hunting with this friend... unless you are both willing to put the fun back into hunting.)

I Think...Your friend probably does not understand the foundation of his interests in hunting. It may be that he wanted to hunt because you loved to hunt. I think your friend is trying to make hunting into a destination and not a journey.

Try to talk to your friend about any of his other interests. Try to down play your interest in hunting so he doesn't think he has to over invest his assets into hunting.

Because you are about the same age I Think competition can get in the way of friendship. This situation may have nothing to do with your friends interests in hunting. He may be jealous or insecure that you are going to college and he isn't. He may be trying to prove to you that he is making massive improvements in hunting while you fritter away your time in college.

Here are a few more random ideas. Many people are taught or decide to mistrust people who go to college. Some people who go to college can get such an ego boost that they start to annoy their precollege pals.

Sometimes people can't figure out what they want to do in a situation. It's a bit like learning when to stop doing what you are doing and go to the bathroom.

Hope you found something of use in this rambling.

[Hunt'nFish]

Mark,
Childhood friends are for life. Don't mess that up.

But as for the hunting.....water off a ducks back, think nothing of it. Your above it all.
He's just excited and anxious. Feed his enthusiasm, tolerate his cockiness, help when you can, but above all enjoy your time together in the woods. Trust me, life will pull you guys apart. First jobs, then wives, and finally kids while vi for your time later.
Enjoy every moment together now. Carpe diem. Buddy's for life.

Besides in the end, the proof is in the bone pile.
Hunt hard, go deep.
Hunt'nFish

[kill2hunt]

right on huntnfish couldnt thought of a better way to put it! just enjoy getting up in the woods and help when and where you can.

[Big Unit]

In one situation of mine, hunting partners are not chosen, they generally shake out where they will. Good partners are drawn together by passion, time availability, and quite frankly, the tax bracket they're in. I used to hunt with a guy during the bow season. We really never talked much for about 10-11 months. But when it came to season, we were solid close. We knew how to hunt with each other. Knew our (my) limitations and our (his) strengths.

Yes, some partners are chosen and with luck, work out. Some are family! Great!

Communication is the key.

Good luck. Better to be good friends than sore friends as hunters.


BU

[Headhunter]

I am kind of like you buddy in many ways. Been ducking for a few years, learned enough to participate & do ok, still need to learn lots more but I am gaining confidence and yes sometimes cocky. I am thankful for my hunting buddies that have patience while I am on the learning curve. Classic you don't know what you don't know/jack of all trades/master of none thing.

Think of it like training a dog, mentor him with praise on doing something well, and offer subtle and sometimes not so subtle suggestions for improvement. If you do this, you will have a loyal hunting buddy for life.

[Hunt'nFish]

Yep, we have all sorts of fun together don't we?!
Like I said......Carpe Diem!
Hunt'nFish

[BlacktailBowhunter]

Okay, I gotta chime in on this one.

I was hunting with a friend in 2005 that had rifle hunted for elk, but not archery equipment.

He is older than me and we have known each other for 20 years now.

I am a research maniac when it comes to hunting and he knows what he has learned and been taught by his family, which are successful hunters, but not what I consider well researched.

The difference is that archery is a totally different discipline than rifle and although, he had hunted elk and I had not, it didn't take long to realized he didn't have a clue on how to set up, but I did.

I had read books and watched numeral hunts on video and had great confidence in my technique, but couldn't get him to cooperate on the set ups or on how fast we were moving. He was gracious enough to take me to his families hunting grounds, so I grinned and beared it.

He was my caller on this trip and I could not get him to fall back more than 40 yards, so the bulls were hanging up or turing and leaving just as they were getting close for a shot.

No matter what I asked him to do or tried to reason with him, he wouldn't listen. We got into bulls, but I have not hunted with him since. We are just two different types of hunters and don't mix.

Are you listening to your friend? He may have done some good research and can actually offer some good opinions.

I never had a mentor. Everything I have learned has been through books and trial and error.

When you have a hunting buddy that doesn't have the experience, you have to be patient. I have a 13 y/o step son that can't sit still half the time, but we still have fun and bag our share of game.

I would set some ground rules.

Who shoots first by flipping a coin. If you miss an opportunity, the next guy is up.

Even if you are with someone that is inexperienced, you should be able to make the best of it. You don't have to hunt together, just make sure he knows the area and wear hunter's orange.

You are running into the same thing a lot of guys run into. Each of you wants to be the man. That is just male biology.

Let your friend feel like his opinion matters and let him decide how to hunt a given area. If he knows what he is doing, it will show.

If he doesn't know what he is doing, he will soon learn and let you take the lead.



BTBH

[StevenB]

Forget Dr Phill... Call Dr Laura.:lurk:

[rimrock]

A friend is more important than hunting. Relax and start having fun. And fun is not a competition between hunting partners. In about 22+ more years you will get the picture.

[spottedhawk36]

I dont like competion in hunting camp takes the fun out of it, i am there to relax, hunt hard and be able to kick back at the end of a hard days hunt and talk with good friends and laugh while drinking a cold one, thats what its all about. there have been years i was the one with meat hanging and others where my buddies had meat hanging and i didnt and i still was just as pumped up. I know quite a bit about hunting but i dont know it all, if my buddies can teach me a thing or two im all for it. A few years ago my buddy got a nice bull, he really didnt know how to take care of it so i gutted and skinned it and boned it out, but i had him right there helping me so he could learn. I dont know how your buddy can know it all about hunting after only a few years, i have been hunting for 25 years and still learn a thing or two.

[Little Fish]

It seems to me you could tell him in some way that becoming a good/great hunter is more about experience in the woods than reading books and buying gear. The reading and buying of stuff may short cut the processs, but can't replace experience. I speak from experience here....I've read every book under the sun, but still haven't managed to put it all together. I need another 10 years in the woods under my belt.

Rather than hunting together maybe you can camp together and hunt separately. Then after you've bagged an animal 2 or 3 years in a row and he hasn't he'll figure it out.

[ORsouthpaw]

I guess I would ask myself is this guy really a good enough friend that it is worth swallowing your pride for a while until he learns that magazines and videos are great for entertainment and they can even be good basic guidelines but they absolutely can not replace real live hunting experience. If he's a good friend then give him some time to come around. Don't under estimate the power of confidence. If he's thinks he's capable of being successful then at some point he probably will be.

Now like BlacktailBowhunter was talking about. I myself like to dig in and research an area before hunting it. I'm also not afraid to try a new area or change my strategy as needed. In the past I have hunted with "Good" Friends and even family that I just can't hunt along side anymore. Some like to move too fast, some don't like to move at all and some are unwilling to try new things. It drives me crazy that they talk about wanting to get an animal but year after year do the same thing. Sure, they have gotten a few animals in the past so I do have a ton of respect for them but I simply don't want to restrict myself to one place or style of hunting.

My philosophy is" Do what you always do, get what you always get" Just because you got an elk one time next to the big pine doesn't mean that your get an elk next year next to the big pine.

What usually happens with us is that we all go to an area and camp together then separate during our hunts. Remember that just because you don't like to listen to the BS and hunt with a guy doesn't mean he can't still be a friend and good guy to camp with.

[James in Idaho]

How the heck can he buy a tag without hunter's safety? If he doesn't do that, in my book he can stay home. Some people are just like bricks, you can say a lot to a brick, but it's still a brick. Like most I've had the good, bad and really ugly of hunting partners. I'll stick with the good or go alone.

[Hunt'nFish]

Yeah, tell us more about this hunting w/o his Hunters Safety requirement taken care of.....
IMO, this is a NO-GO for me.
Hunt'nFish

[salty dog]

I've been hunting for a little over 50 years. In that time there are a lot of folks I've hunted with once, but only a few I've hunted with often. I think it's important to spend quality time enjoying your hobbies rather than regretting that you took someone along that isn't making your trip enjoyable. Find someone who likes to hunt or fish the way you do and enjoy your time. You can still be friends with the other guy, just not hunting partners. And I agree that you need to be up front with him about this. If he's a real friend he'll understand and either change or accept that you're not going to hunt together. If he gets upset, then maybe he's not as good of a friend as you thought.

[Limbhanger]

I had a similar experience with a guy I dont hunt with anymore.

Basically, his know it allness started showing through more and more and when something would work out well it was because of his idea and he would be happy to pat him self on the back. When something didnt work out like a turkey that wouldnt finish, or something it was something I did wrong. Then it started turning into a competition. No thanks!
I just realized that hunting meant something different to him than it meant to me and I went my own way and met some new people.
All from Ifish and they have turned out to be the best hunting buddies I could ask for.

Dont settle for a num nut, the time we get to hunt is precious. Spend time with people that you really enjoy being in the field with and you will have an awesome time regardless of wether you bag anything, or not.

[SImudBogger]

let him talk, heck i would talk him up, get him really pumped. actions speak louder than words, one day HE WILL be humbled by something.

[Prowler44]

You've got a lot of good advice and your head may be spinning but here's my worth. Tell him you have an idea of how to improve your focus and planning. Make a list of all the things imporant to you including the categories of safety, hunter ethics, strategies, style, gear, and your goals for the season. Ask him to make one as well and pick a time to sit down and compare them. If he's as gun ho as you say, he should be willing. As you identify differences, talk them through. You're looking for compatibility and what you can or can not live with.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

[Duckwheat]

Welcome to the real world. You are going to find most people create their own reality.

You just have to decide if you can tolerate the spin. You could chuckle about it. Ask some self serving questions that highlight Mr. Hunter's talents for knowing everything about hunting.

You either like him and can tolerate it, or move on. Is there anything you do that might be a little irritating.

Good luck sorting it out.

DW

PS: Another good rule I have, I never want to turn around and have a muzzle pointing at me. But that is just me.

[OR_Bo_Huntr]

I had the same thing happen, with ex hunting buddy it was if you have a 12 foot fishing rod, he had a 14ft and if your paid $500 he piad $550...

Cut your losses man, and realize that its just not worth it

[stlhdr1]

True friends are true friends...

As you grow older you'll know who they really are. I've written off a handful of people with both hunting and fishing because we shared different goals... I have 4 friends that still stem back to high school. All 4 of them are hunting or fishing buddies and we all think alike. All of us are leaders and every evening we suggest game plans for the following days hunt, sometimes I might disagree but I go along anyhow. I killed my 4x4 buck this year because one of my good friends knew he was there and kept pushing to hunt that spot, I owe him the credit....

You will find everyone in the world has a different personality, some are leaders and some are followers.

Lead by example, do the right things and do what you want to do. If he's trying to tell you where to go, let him go there and you go where you choose.

Of all things, don't let it bother you. Hunting seasons are short and there are a lot of people out there that enjoy what you do.

I've met a few people on Ifish that have become close fishing buddies, there's a good chance you might find a good hunting buddy here...

Keith

[Chromaflage]

Bring him over. I'll sit him down and straighten him out. Have him bring all his expensive gear and I'll show him how useless it is to someone who "knows it all." I've been hunting for 30 years and I still learn something every season. You never "know it all" and I'm willing to tell anyone who hunts that very thing.

I can't imagine the difficulty of telling a good friend that you don't want to hunt with him any more. That would be tough. But it's necessary when considering safety. I don't envy your position.

I've got a 19 year old son who has recently started to take an interest in hunting and he's a blank slate. However, he's been through hunter's safety, he's been hunting several times and he is one of the safest people I know with a firearm. I appreciate how trainable/teachable he is. I likely wouldn't take him hunting if he thought that he "knew it all."

[SILVERSINK]

I have been teaching my hunting partner for 30 years, but I think I have learned more by just watching him grow up. Here the last few years I have learned more from him than anybody else. He is my son and I wouldn't trade the experiences for anything in the world.

[sschwab]

If I'm reading correctly, you're both 18, and you want a friend to appoint you hunting top dog. It sounds about right for your age. Everything is a competition. It's how things get sorted out as you move into manhood.

Here's a couple Dr. Phil options to consider:

You can put the guns away and wrestle each other until one of you gives in.

Or you can talk to him about how important it is to you to have a safe and enjoyable hunt, and let him be the leader if that's important to him.

Would you be surprised if he defers the leadership role back to you? It wouldn't be the first time a man misjudged a situation. And if he takes it, give it to him. See what happens.

As for hunter's safety, just tell him that's a deal breaker. He has to take the course if he's going to carry a gun on your next hunt. Period. You can offer to go with him to show him how important it is to you, but if he doesn't go, it's no go.

Coming back alive should be your top priority. You're only 18 and have a lot of hunts ahead of you.

[spurcrazy]

There are ALOT of those. And very close to home

Talk to him now or you'll never get past it. It's worth the conversation. Just be open and honest.

On another note, I'm a huge advocate of learning things on my own. Maybe you need to get to a split in the road, and then hunt solo from there. Take 2 different ridges. Do what you can to enjoy eachothers company, but also enjoy the hunt. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to get into that predator mode and being stiffled by your hunting partner.

Remember, your supposed to be having fun and if your not, you need to make some changes

[225nontypical]

there is a reason i hunting by myself a lot of the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love a big camp but i do not want someone else messing up my hunt i do that great on my own. truly i enjoy hunting with other people but finding someone that you can hunt with and not go crazy is hard to do (harder then finding a wife). of the 10 guys i call friends there are only 3 that i can hunt with and not get mad. and all 3 of those guys hunt like i do and we think in similar ways, one of these guys i do not even need to talk to when we get into animals we just know what each other is thinking.

here is what i have done with a couple of the guys, i slowly phased these guys out of hunting with me and got them hunting on there own. we still share a camp and help pack animals out if needed but other then that we go separate directions. this was achieved over a couple years while hunting with them we would separate for short periods at first and i just slowly made it longer time frames until it was all day.

just my two cents but rather then telling these guys they were driving me crazy i split from them as nicely as i could.

one more thing tell him if he does not take a hunters ed class you will not hunt with him! what would scare me is the tunnel vision even experienced hunts get let alone a newbie. if you do hunt with him keep him close or make sure he is far enough from you that he can not mistake you making noise for and animal. more then once i have seen people shot at moving brush. very scary be careful, once the bullet is gone you can never take it back.