Gaining access to good hunting properties is becoming harder all the time. In my local area, landholders are refusing access, frustrated by poachers and the odd idiot who doesn’t respect the farmer’s wishes in regards to livestock and gates etc. For this reason, I tend to look after the landholder’s who allow me access to their places. I respect their wishes, help out where possible and don’t take anyone else with me who has net been granted permission by the cocky. For this reason, choosing a hunting partner can sometimes be a difficult task. There will be plenty of takers if you offer up a hunting trip, but finding someone you can trust is hard and often the key to success.
Over the years, I have learnt some valuable lessons when taking people hunting. These experiences have taught me that human nature can be very fickle when it comes to loyalty and friendship. Throughout this article, I will relay some of these experiences so that you, the reader, can be forewarned and somewhat educated when choosing a mate to share your hard earned hunting block with.
Before we even look at hunting properties, one of my pet hates is the so called “mate” who wants to go hunting only to turn up on your door step the morning of a trip empty handed. I don’t mind sharing, but I now refuse to supply firearms, ammunition, camping gear, food, fuel and the vehicle for the trip, thinking that I am a good mate by doing so. I have experienced “the user” and as a result, have had camping gear and firearms damaged by those who just don’t care. “The user” is a slimy creature who scarcely mutters thanks upon your return home. “The user” will happily walk off into the sunset, leaving you to unpack and clean gear on your lonesome. Believe me, “the user” is definitely one to be avoided and can often be profiled by the “mate can I come hunting with you? I’d love to go but I don’t have any gear” question. For me, unless the equipment, firearms and funding for the trip is equally shared, you just don’t go. Plain and simple, no if, but’s or maybe’s.
Upon reaching the hunting property, I am always somewhat skeptical as to how a newly introduced shooter interacts with the landholder. Another slimy creature to be avoided is the so called “Would you mind” mate. This person is someone who doesn’t have any hunting blocks of their own and will try to undermine your trust and gain access to your properties. The “would you mind” mate is easy to identify by the question to the farmer, “Would you mind if I come out here without so and so one day? Would you mind if I bought a mate along?” Gaining access to properties can often take years to achieve and believe me your credibility can be destroyed by the “would you mind” mate in a matter of seconds. This so called mate is better left at the shooting range or in the office, a habitat that often better suits them.
Next on the list is the “cowboy”. The “cowboy” is someone described as gung-ho, shoot-em up and kill-em all just for the sake of killing. Personally this particular creature makes me sick. Like all of us, I like hunting and stalking game but I am over shooting everything that moves. I don’t get any fulfillment out of killing and wounding game animals. For me hunting it is about humanely dispatching a particular animal sought for its trophy or edible qualities, rather than leaving it to rot. The “cowboy” can be easily identified by their eagerness to kill, drive over fences in order to cut off running game, not having regard for farm boundaries or infrastructure and the list goes on. I am sure that we all know someone like this. Taking the “cowboy” to your favorite hunting block is a sure fire way of never being asked back. The “cowboy” is better left at the pub, telling heroic stories of far flung pig hunting adventures to the less knowledgeable.
Probably my least favorite creature to take on a hunting trip is the “Dependant”. The “dependant” is the mate who doesn’t lift a finger around camp, leaving their rubbish laying around for others to pick up. The “dependant” is the kind of bloke that will throw empty beer bottles in the fire and flick bottle tops all over the camp site. The “dependant” won’t help with the washing up, putting up tents, sighting in rifles and expects everything to be done for him or her including readily cooked meals placed in their lap at meal time. The “dependant” is far better of left at home where a well- trained spouse is able to take care of their every need.
Last but not least is the “Whinger”. The “whinger” will complain about anyone and everything. If you can’t put the “whinger” onto a mob of pigs in the first five minutes then look out. The property you have taken the “whinger” to, will without doubt suck, as there is no game within a million miles blah blah blah. I hate the “whinger” and it doesn’t take long for me to explode. In my camp the “whinger” is quite often the first to be told to leave and never come back. The “whinger” is better off being left on the couch watching hunting DVDs where the action all happens with little or no effort.
So folks there you go, a few telltale signs to look out for, when choosing a hunting offside. Hunting is an experience best shared with others. Be cautious with those that you choose, making sure that the chosen few are trustworthy and prepared to get in and help, making your trip fun, relaxing and enjoyable. After all, that is the name of the game.