|
Author
|
Topic: Tell us about your partner
|
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
|
posted April 18, 2004 02:54 PM
For me, predator hunting is greatly rewarding, and part of it is the shared glory, and experience with a partner; some good and some bad.
I have had a few. One was so worthless, I actually suggested that he hold his rifle like a baseball bat, and try to brain the next coyote that came running past his stand.
But, here's your chance to praise your partner.
For me, that's an easy one. Pat and I started hunting together when he was eighteen and I was about twenty-five. I never doubted his judgement. I always credited him as one of the best rifle shots I have ever known.
Unbelieveably, he felt the same about me, which I never felt that I deserved. The guy is a natural born hunter, always dependable, not cheap, helps with all preparations, etc.
Couldn't ask for a better companion, sitting in a truck cab for hundreds of miles. Never got tired of talking about hunting critters.
I have been lucky. I bet many of you have partners that deserve recognition. If you don't, that's too bad. I don't like hunting alone, maybe it's the male bonding, or whatever, but a good partner makes it much more a rewarding experience.
Who's your partner, and what makes him worth keeping? What makes a good partner?
Good hunting. LB
edit: horror stories also welcome. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
[ April 18, 2004, 04:12 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Crow Woman
Knows what it's all about
Member # 157
|
posted April 18, 2004 03:57 PM
What a great topic Leonard! I can't wait to read all the stories. The only partner, if you could say that, would be the first person I think of calling and sharing the hunt with over the phone.
This topic ought to flourish!
Crow Woman
--------------------
Sheri L Baity
Lord, Please give me peace, because if you give me strength, I might beat someone to death!
Posts: 720 | From: Covington | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Randy Buker
Knows what it's all about
Member # 134
|
posted April 18, 2004 07:02 PM
I've hunted with a variety of guys and the vast majority of them have been great.
My two main partners, Paul Stine and Dave Otto are both great to hunt with. They are fantastic hunters and we have enough in common to while away the miles to distant and remote locations.
And, like Leonard, I credit both of them with being exceptional rifle shots.
Damn, it's a long time until next winter.
Randy
--------------------
Hunting the Red Fox
www.geocities.com/foxhunter_56308
Posts: 158 | From: Parkers Prairie, MN | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
DAA
Utah/Promoted WESTERN REGIONAL Hunt Director
Member # 11
|
posted April 18, 2004 08:57 PM
Except for my Dad, who I haven't been able to hunt regularly with for some time, I've only ever had one real hunting partner, and that's my friend Tim McKinney. We've been rolling around hunting and fishing together since high school. Which is going on close to 25 years now. We didn't know it until we'd been hanging out for years, but come to find out we were born in the same hospital only 1 day apart.
I dropped out of school in the 10th grade, never went back. Tim stuck with it and graduated high school. After he got out of school, there for a few years, all we did was hunt and fish and "explore". We'd only keep jobs long enough to get up a decent kitty for gas money (we were always willing to roll the dice on grub, but never on gas money!), and then we'd be off for weeks or months of yondering around seeing what we could see. Some of the adventures we had back in those days, it's hard to believe we both came through them all in one piece. And you want to talk about miles, we've wore out a handful of pickup trucks together over the years, covering as much country as we could manage.
These days, I'm all respectable. Married, two kids, a sucessful career, a mortgage, car payments, doctor and dentist bills and vet bills and all that happy crap. Years ago I cut off all my hair that took me 15 years to grow and used to wear mountain man style, ain't never going to grow it back. I don't regret the path I've taken, my wife and kids are my greatest source of joy. And my job allows me to take care of them in a manner I can be proud of. But make no mistake, real freedom is only an illusion to me anymore. A faded illusion, at that. On long hunting trips, I can taste it, smell it, remember how good it felt, like you remember the coldest water you ever had when you're real thirsty, but it's not real anymore, for me.
But Tim... He decided long ago, way back when we were fire eating teenagers, that he was going to live his life in such a way that he could always look any man in the eye and tell him to go to hell. He's still single, and likely always will be. He works what some folks might consider low end jobs, and definitely doesn't make much money. But, he's 100% debt free, and has been every day of his entire life. His house is modest, but it's his, free and clear. He's got a decent pickup truck, and some good rifles and camp gear, and most important of all, to him, he's got his freedom to come and go as he pleases. He lost his last job when he decided he'd had enough of a guy busting his balls and physically pushed him to the ground and dared him to get back up. Tim just plain flat out does not lie. Period. He don't cheat, he don't steal. He doesn't do anything but mind his own business. But in my daily life, I'm constantly meeting people who practically, or even literally, make a living out of lying, cheating and stealing. And those people tend to look down on guys like Tim. Those folks are my definition of the perfect ass hole. And the world is just full of them. Just a couple days ago (on a 4 hour drive home from a one day hunt), Tim and I were talking about how funny life can be, how decisions you make that might not seem too important at the time can make so much difference down the road. Now, mind you, a lot of people that don't know Tim might look at his life, what he has in the way of material possesions, and wonder how a man could squander away his life like that. But what they don't know, is that he's living the life he has CHOSEN to live. He told me that his life has been full of sweetness, with very little bitter, and that if he could go back and do it over, he wouldn't change a thing. I've got two other friends who are both divorced work-aholic multi millionaires, that can only DREAM of sleeping as well at night, and being as satisfied with their lives, as my best friend Tim. Hell, I can only dream of sleeping as well at night.
Anyway... Tim is the guy that is ALWAYS ready to go. I call him at 10pm Friday night and ask him if he'll be ready to roll at 3am and there's never any question of the answer. And the longer the trip, the more remote the country, the "crazier" it might sound to our more civilized associates, the more up for it he is. And of course, Tim shoots pretty good too. He may not be quite "cheerful" in "any" weather, but hey, nobody is perfect!
Here's a picture of Tim from this past season.
- DAA
--------------------
"Oh yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom, but they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em." -- George Hanson, Easy Rider, 1969.
Rocky Mountain Varmint Hunter
Posts: 2676 | From: Salt Lake City, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
brad h
Knows what it's all about
Member # 57
|
posted April 19, 2004 02:37 AM
Well, In my short tenure of calling I've had a few. Most have been guys I've worked with. The individual that introduced me to calling made a great partner, but unfortunately work schedules prohibited more than once a year outings.
Another guy I worked with who was on my work schedule turned out to be a perfect partner.
Pat had been calling coyotes long before I had, so there was no breaking in for either of us. The biggest thing is that there was no waiting. When it was time to go, he grabed his gun and we went. When the stand was done, he was right behind me, if not in front of me, on the way to the next stand. In fact, he waited for me more offen than not. That lasted about a year. Occupational shifts put the end to that. We managed to make a short video and kill a lot of coyotes in that time. I don't expect to find anyone more on the same page than him.
I mostly call alone now and that's really how I like it. I like taking new people out and showing them how this is done, but once you've had and lost a calling partner whose been sized perfect in your mind, he really can't be replaced.
Brad
Posts: 346 | From: Glendive MT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
rooster32
Knows what it's all about
Member # 61
|
posted April 19, 2004 02:57 PM
A good hunting partner is easily worth their weight in gold for sure!
It has been a few years since I have been able to hunt with my #1 partner Chris Kirby. I grew up in Orchard Park, NY and stayed in that part of the world through college. Growing up, Chris's father started/owned Quaker Boy Game calls. He started out as a barber and what was at that time a hobby(turkey hunting),turned into a full time biz. My father never hunted and I had no brothers, so my desire to hunt/fish was fed by tagging along with Chris and his dad.
If it had fur, fins or scales we hunted it. Tons of memories and great times growing up together in the outdoors.
We still try to get together evey year and take a hunting trip, but now with families and other commitments it gets harder and harder. I have taken some good animals since moving away, but my true trophies are definetly the times we spent together.
I have some good friends now in Salt Lake that I hunt with and we have fun, but they definetly are not into it as much as I am.
Now, I most look forward to the years ahead hunting with my son Cameron, who is now 5. Hopefully someday I can help share the outdoors with one of his friends, as Chris's dad did for me.
Good Hunting!
Posts: 26 | From: Sandy, UT | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
|
posted April 19, 2004 04:13 PM
Those are some real gems! Thanks for sharing.
Yes, a good partner is, indeed, worth his weight in gold.
Dave, you are very fortunate to have a partner such as Tim. Guys like that are hard to find.
And, yes, things change, same here. Now, both Pat and I mostly hunt with our sons, and in my case, my grandsons, also. And, that's a different thing, altogether.
For one thing, it costs me a lot more, and I have to do a lot more, and provide a lot more. And, I'm not complaining, it's just a different relationship. More responsible. And, I treasure the adventures, and I suspect they will fondly remember getting out with dad, or Papa, as the case may be? I know that the trips I made with my dad were extra special, but he wasn't a steady partner, as was Pat. Those trips with dad were better planned, as they are now. With Pat, we were both raring to go. Didn't matter that the rent was due, or stuff needed doing around the homestead.
Yup. I know about the gas money. I used to go off for a weekend with twenty bucks in my pocket and not a credit card between us. Sometimes I just shake my head thinking about some of the things we did. Good memories.
That's what it's all about, you know?
Good hunting. LB
--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Rich Higgins
unknown comic
|
posted April 19, 2004 05:17 PM
I had such a partner in California 30 plus years ago. He ran off with my third wife. I still miss him.
Finding a partner such as Tim is a happy accident, so I decided to build my own about eighteen years ago. He's almost finished now. I'm lucky enough to hunt fairly often with Jay and a few others as well. Good partners also.
Anyone who is unable to find a good partner or custom build one can give me a call. I'd probably be willing to sell you Jay. Pretty cheap.
IP: Logged
|
|
Lone Howl
Free Trial Platinum Member & part-time language police
Member # 29
|
posted April 19, 2004 05:42 PM
I used to be a bit like ol Tim there, wild and free, and I loved it. But I was told I had to get "civilized", I thought thats just what you done.I love my family and wouldnt trade em for the world, but it just seems like I dont fit in anywhere in the ratrace, and definetly hate it.
Theres a lot to be said for living like Tim does Ill tell you that.
A good partner is definetly hard to find. I dont have one anymore, and its hard to find someone that is on the same level as you as far as intrest, desire etc.The best partner I had was my best friend since we were kids but he likes to drink a little to much the night before and aint into it the day of the hunt.
I actually prefer to hunt alone, its just my nature as a loner I guess.I dont have the time or patience to break in a new guy anymore anyway. I think Im just anti social ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) Hopefully my son will like to hunt as much as me and we can do some killin' together in the future.
--------------------
When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.
Posts: 2083 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
MJM
Knows what it's all about
Member # 270
|
posted April 21, 2004 10:50 AM
True hunting partners ..... Well I've hunted with many people but I can honestly say that I've only had two true hunting partners.
The first was Larry. After hunting alone for years Larry (my neighbor at the time) and I picked up and started hunting together, first it was Dove, being from the east I had never hunted Dove before. Then there was quail - Larry had German Shorthairs and I had Springer Spanials it was the rare quail that hid from us as we passed by. Then coytes- At the time we were horrible coyote hunters so we went back to ridding the desert of the awful skurge of the jack rabbit and lizard populations. Many Friday nights during the summer he'd call to decide the next days rabbit hunt short hand hunt style communications consisted of, handgun, muzzle loader, archery, or the ever popular "RAMBO". Archery was next, Larry got much more serious about that sport than I did, but I took more animals. We shot skeet leagues, shot for bird dog competitions, qualified for a CMP garand, reloaded, hunted PD's, road motorcycles and had one hell of a good time. Then I got serious about coyote hunting and learned a lot by hunting alone, Larry eventually joined me and we hunted hard for a number of years, I'd call and Larry would most likely miss, I'd call and more than likely kill a coyote ...... This went on for years. About the only bitch I had with Larry was that he simply couldn't sit still and enjoy the sun set at the end of a long hunting day, there was always someplace to go, someplace to see, a party to attend. But like most relationships the friendship grew cool, but the hope was always there that we'd hunt again. Something went drasticly wrong with Larry, he took to the bottle again (a girl friend of his and I convinced him to quite, when he quite he quite 100% - the fall off the wagon must have been a hard one.), depression must have set in then on July 5 he turned his shotgun on himself. The most gifted people man I've ever known. He could walk into a room full of strangers and walk away friends with every one of them. I miss him to this day......
Today I'm proud to hunt with Bill. Bill is relatively quiet, stuborn in his convictions and generous to a fault. Bill and I have traveled a bunch of ground together but our hunting is almost exclusively for predators. Bill hates the shotgun, he's a rifleman and a darned good one at that, if we call a coyote and Bill shoots, there is a dead coyote (or bobcat or fox or badger) out there somewhere. If I hear BANG ................ whoooop, theres a dead coyote way out there someplace. Bill is as solid a partner and friend as I could ever ask for. Bill can even stand still, breath the colding night air, lean on the tailgate and enjoy a sunset at the end of the day........
Both good friends ..... I just wish I'd been there to slap some sence into Larry ......
[ April 22, 2004, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: MJM ]
Posts: 97 | From: Tucson, Az | Registered: Jan 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
|
posted April 21, 2004 06:40 PM
Michael, I've met, and had good conversation with Bill. You are lucky to have him. I'd hunt with him, any day.
Good hunting. LB
edit: I worked with a guy, even went deer hunting with him. In thinking about it, I couldn't detect a single clue as to why he would later blow his head off with that same rifle? What goes on in their heads? (no pun intended) You have to feel sorry for the family; what a burden! He left behind a wife and a young son.
[ April 21, 2004, 06:50 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Barndog
Knows what it's all about
Member # 255
|
posted April 22, 2004 11:51 AM
I move around to much with my job to really get set up with one long term hunting partner. I have been with a few guys where making a stand is like a well oiled machine. However, Do your buddies have nick names? My dad and his hunting/shooting partner have been together 30 years or more. They are known as Drifty and Wonk. Neither will tell how they got their names. They have been together so long their minds are so much the same all they make are gruntin sounds to communicate.
Posts: 185 | From: Idaho | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Locohead
World Famous Smoke Dancer
Member # 15
|
posted April 26, 2004 07:08 PM
Tim sounds like a very RICH man!!!!
--------------------
I love my critters and chick!!!! :)
Posts: 2219 | From: CO | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wiley E
Knows what it's all about
Member # 108
|
posted May 09, 2004 11:14 AM
DAA,
That was truly an awesome tribute. Tim sounds like my kinda guy. Honest, hardworking, independent, does what he says and says what he does and lives life on his terms. He sounds like the kinda guy that keeps the wheels turning. Like me, he may not have invented the wheel but he damn sure knows how to keep it running.
I thought about growing my hair long at one time just to sort out the shallow superficial friends to get to those who care more about the soul of a man than the look/dress of him.
Excellent tribute to Tim! Tell him Scott Huber from South Dakota says hi and would love to buy him a beer for being an honest, hardworking man who lives life on his own terms.
~SH~
[ May 09, 2004, 11:26 AM: Message edited by: Wiley E ]
Posts: 853 | From: Kadoka, S.D | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wiley E
Knows what it's all about
Member # 108
|
posted May 09, 2004 11:24 AM
I have had three great calling partners. All three of them had their own strengths. Doug Huston, Larry Denke, and Bud Eggers.
All three of them could recognize and appreciated my experience and what I could teach them. None of them every used what they learned from me and used it to compete against me in any harmful way.
All three of them were excellent shots and learned to keep their cool under pressure.
All three of them trusted my judgement on knowing "when to hold them and when to fold them".
All three accepted me for who I was, not who they wanted me to be.
Their love for coyote hunting was a given and all three still have the fire in the belly.
Doug Huston was the best shot under pressure and made the best judgement calls to up their percentages. Seen him shoot 10 straight without a miss on more than one occassion.
Larry Denke had the most ambition. He would go the extra mile at the end of the day better than anyone. A true competitor.
Bud Eggers was the best man at my wedding. Need I say more?
~SH~
Posts: 853 | From: Kadoka, S.D | Registered: Feb 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
|
posted May 09, 2004 11:26 AM
Better yet. Get him (Tim) to come in here and share a few pearls of wisdom. I'd buy him a beer! LB
edit: what a lucky guy, three good partners!
[ May 09, 2004, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
--------------------
EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
