Written by ilovesprig:
With a lot of new hunters (& fisherman) on the site. And with hunting season right around the corner. I thought maybe it was a good time to mention a few codes & ethics I've been taught over my close to 60 years of hunting and fishing. There's a lot of guys looking for hunting partners. Here's a few things that may get you a partner and have a hunting buddy for life.
1)......If someone takes you to a spot (fishing or hunting). You do NOT go back to this spot without him or his permission (or tell others).....Be it public or private....... Also try and return the favor, if you can. One sided relationships rarely last long......This has been a code of the hunter or fisherman since I can remember.
2).....Show up on time.....Set your alarm to be early. Nothing more frustrating than waiting for someone when your excited about going.....Get your gear together the night before and be packed and ready to go......5 minutes early is always a good thing.
3)......Be prepared.....Being prepared means, bring enough stuff for two. Water, food, ammo, etc.....Mooching and borrowing stuff is not a good thing, especially early on......Try to own all your own equipment......When you get invited, tell the person what you have and don't have.......Be honest and sincere.
4)......Always offer to drive or pay for gas, if your not driving...... Pay for lunch, if he won't except gas money.....If your fishing. Help pay for the bait, pay for the launch fees and permits, if it's not your boat.....Don't be cheap!
5)......Don't be a game hog......If your the guest. Your partner has 1st shot unless he says otherwise (which in most cases is agreed upon beforehand)......For example, if a duck or goose is coming in. Don't start shooting while it's still out 60 yds, just so you get the 1st shot......Let your partner call the shot......Another example, if your partner has a dog and it flushes a bird in front of him..... It's his shot..... Even though you may have a shot from the side as well.....If your getting all the shots. Offer to change spots with him......We all try to get our limits, but don't do it at the risk of losing a good hunting partner......Think passive aggressive.
6)......Work hard.....Help put out and pick up the decoys.....If your partner shoots a deer. Help him look for it. Always help clean birds or animals.....Offer to clean boat or partners truck.....Don't be lazy.
7)......Internet stuff......The internet is a wonderful thing, but it can have it's drawbacks......Don't post pictures of spots with telling info, unless you don't care about others using it (refer to #1). Don't post or say what particular blind site or location your hunting, despite being a public hunting area.....For example, don't say your hunting San Jacinto WA and shot a limit in W12......Type in generalities and use the PM key.
8)......Don't drink while hunting......Not only is it illegal, but I can tell you. I won't hunt with guys that drink and get obnoxious.....Just use good judgment after the hunt.
9)......Lastly, and probably the most important......Think safety 1st at all times......Don't shoot over your blind partners head. Don't load your gun and start running into the field because you saw a rooster. Don't shoot at low flying doves at dark-thirty. Don't run or walk in front of your hunting partner. Always watch the direction of your muzzle. That includes partners dog or dogs. Don't click your safety off as birds are coming in. It goes off in the same motion as you put your gun to your shoulder (my pet peeve). There's many more scenarios, but I think you get the picture........Safety 1st.
Anyway, these are just a few things that I'm learned (I'm sure there's more). It has resulted in being asked to hunt with many and trusted to hunt spots, I would've never known.
Good luck to all this season.
With a lot of new hunters (& fisherman) on the site. And with hunting season right around the corner. I thought maybe it was a good time to mention a few codes & ethics I've been taught over my close to 60 years of hunting and fishing. There's a lot of guys looking for hunting partners. Here's a few things that may get you a partner and have a hunting buddy for life.
1)......If someone takes you to a spot (fishing or hunting). You do NOT go back to this spot without him or his permission (or tell others).....Be it public or private....... Also try and return the favor, if you can. One sided relationships rarely last long......This has been a code of the hunter or fisherman since I can remember.
2).....Show up on time.....Set your alarm to be early. Nothing more frustrating than waiting for someone when your excited about going.....Get your gear together the night before and be packed and ready to go......5 minutes early is always a good thing.
3)......Be prepared.....Being prepared means, bring enough stuff for two. Water, food, ammo, etc.....Mooching and borrowing stuff is not a good thing, especially early on......Try to own all your own equipment......When you get invited, tell the person what you have and don't have.......Be honest and sincere.
4)......Always offer to drive or pay for gas, if your not driving...... Pay for lunch, if he won't except gas money.....If your fishing. Help pay for the bait, pay for the launch fees and permits, if it's not your boat.....Don't be cheap!
5)......Don't be a game hog......If your the guest. Your partner has 1st shot unless he says otherwise (which in most cases is agreed upon beforehand)......For example, if a duck or goose is coming in. Don't start shooting while it's still out 60 yds, just so you get the 1st shot......Let your partner call the shot......Another example, if your partner has a dog and it flushes a bird in front of him..... It's his shot..... Even though you may have a shot from the side as well.....If your getting all the shots. Offer to change spots with him......We all try to get our limits, but don't do it at the risk of losing a good hunting partner......Think passive aggressive.
6)......Work hard.....Help put out and pick up the decoys.....If your partner shoots a deer. Help him look for it. Always help clean birds or animals.....Offer to clean boat or partners truck.....Don't be lazy.
7)......Internet stuff......The internet is a wonderful thing, but it can have it's drawbacks......Don't post pictures of spots with telling info, unless you don't care about others using it (refer to #1). Don't post or say what particular blind site or location your hunting, despite being a public hunting area.....For example, don't say your hunting San Jacinto WA and shot a limit in W12......Type in generalities and use the PM key.
8)......Don't drink while hunting......Not only is it illegal, but I can tell you. I won't hunt with guys that drink and get obnoxious.....Just use good judgment after the hunt.
9)......Lastly, and probably the most important......Think safety 1st at all times......Don't shoot over your blind partners head. Don't load your gun and start running into the field because you saw a rooster. Don't shoot at low flying doves at dark-thirty. Don't run or walk in front of your hunting partner. Always watch the direction of your muzzle. That includes partners dog or dogs. Don't click your safety off as birds are coming in. It goes off in the same motion as you put your gun to your shoulder (my pet peeve). There's many more scenarios, but I think you get the picture........Safety 1st.
Anyway, these are just a few things that I'm learned (I'm sure there's more). It has resulted in being asked to hunt with many and trusted to hunt spots, I would've never known.
Good luck to all this season.
