Sportsman's Quest

So, now you have your tag, selected and scouted your hunting location and it's time to find a partner to take along.

This person is primarily for company, an extra set of eyes, a packer and possibly a cook. That's fine, but when on the trail, it's extra noise, more human scent and someone to distract your thought processes when choosing a hunting strategy.

You should be concentrating only on the prey. Hunting is, by its very nature, a solitary event -- a natural event as it has been since the beginning of time.

Want to really get away on a hunting trip? Fly, fly away.

Sure, there are enjoyable group hunts, as in Europe, or for small game and birds, but those are really more properly called "shoots," and belong in the same category as fishing or golf. It's a nice walk, requires great skill and a score is totaled at the end. But, it's not hunting.

It's also been said, "Never hunt, or go into the wilderness alone." This was probably invented by someone who wears bells on their shoes to scare off bears. We sometimes refer to them as "dinner bells," which alert determined predators. I prefer something more powerful for self defense, thank you, as I prefer to do the eating.

True hunting is getting away from the ordinary world and its preoccupations, getting away from the crowd, away from roads and other hunters. It's about finding good habitat, game trails (not ATV trails), tracks and slowly, patiently, putting yourself in the mind of the animal you seek.

In the not too distant past, a variety of different animals could have crossed your trail and filled your winter pantry -- perhaps a sheep or elk, but a deer or bear would be tasty too. With today's increased hunting pressures and tag allocations, it's more likely to be a single species hunt, and that's okay, too.

Times change and it is what it is, but mixed bag hunts are still possible in many parts of the world. They're my favorites.

I prefer to hunt as the wolf, find a track, follow it carefully, perhaps crawl on my belly to get closer, or in a better position.

Even determining a location to intercept the prey is part of being one with your natural instincts and nature itself. When the opportunity presents itself, and everything is right, choosing to take the animal, or not, these are all personal decisions and appropriately done alone. This moment is not part of a democratic process.

A hunt like this can rightfully take days, and the trail may lead in new directions, with new experiences. Being alone at these times is good. You may decide to return to base camp, or not. You may "hard camp" and tough it out for a cold night overlooking a bedded animal, waiting for dawn.

Not having to worry that others may be concerned, or think you're lost, is a freedom most of us have lost; the freedom of independence. This is the way I prefer hunting, being alone with my prey, my thoughts, and yes, my prayers.

Jesus enjoyed the company of his apostles, a group dinner and a wedding party, but when he went into the wilderness he didn't take a guide, cook, packer or spotter. He was alone to deal with the world as it is -- the ultimate predator/prey relationship.

This is a good example for us, and I suggest one of the only ways we can discover who we really are. No one will be watching or distracting us from discovering and following our natural instincts. What more could a person want? Well, a good horse or a mule to help pack out the meat would be nice.

On the other side, I'm not a recluse; I enjoy friends and the social camp life. I'll go along as camp cook or packer and "camp boy," but will encourage my hunting friends to go alone. I won't worry about them until the prescribed time: one, two, three days or more.

I'll take care of camp, have a good idea of the general mountain or valley they'll be hunting, and enjoy the outdoor experience.

Having said this, I'm also emphasizing the importance of a written safety plan.

Let someone know where you are going, what you will be hunting and when to send help. Before you go make sure you develop the needed outdoor skills on shorter trips.

Overnight on a mountain with just a blanket or tarp and a sandwich and tea is liberating. You may even get to liking it. It ain't civilized, but it's hunting.

If you're one who prefers a group hunt, enjoy, and I wish you luck. I'll be on the other side of the mountain waiting for the ones you chase in my direction.

If it's the social aspect of the outdoors you prefer, that's great. Go fishing, camping or golfing, and invite me, but if it's hunting I'm going solo.

My hunting friend, Drew Calvert, has just returned from a solo antelope hunt. He did his pre-season scouting with others, hunted alone and -- well, that's another story.