How can I contribute as a new hunter in a group hunt?

[HuumanCreed]

Good day,

Im relatively new to hunting. This is my 3rd season, 1st with bow and saddle. The forum members have been very welcoming and open to share their knowledge with me. Some near has even offer to hunt with me. I have always solo public lands or sit by myself in a fixed stand on lease land even when I go hunting with father in law. We dont see each other all day unless someone harvest something.

So before I take someone up on their offer, what are some of the things i can do or learn so that I make it worthwhile/beneficial for everyone?

I dont honestly understand the first thing about hunting whitetail as a group. Especially in saddles on public lands. Are you supposed to be in same tree scanning your quadrants? One driving deer to the other?

I have 4 young kids, i dont expect to have more than a few days all season to hunt. What can i contribute with very little time dedicated to the group hunt? I'm usually just happy being in the wood to recharge from my desk job. If god bless me with a successful hunt, that is great. If not, l dont want to hinder other.

So any advices or pointers?

 

[SEPA@73]

10 years back I was in your position with 4 young kids!
I would suggest just doing what you've been doing. Relax and Unwind. Deer drives with bows are fun but too often you're doing next day tracking because you get caught up in the moment.

I have had many fun hunts hunting 60 yards or so from a buddy. Good luck this season!

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[M. Wilson]

Welcome to the greatest lifestyle on the Planet. Different people hunt different ways So don’t feel like you have to do something you’re uncomfortable with. The only way to learn hunting, is hunting. If you want to learn, and there’s fellas asking yo to go, I would go. Chances are they’re not expecting anything from you, but more so offering to share their gained knowledge with you. I personally learned by Sitting around hunting camp with my dads side of the family and listening to stories. By no means am I an expert, but chances are you might learn a lot by just being around other hunters.

 

[Exhumis]

I hunt with a partner and we usually hunt close together to stack wind. chat and decide before hand on some basics. If someone shoots, does everyone load and go or stay and play? If a group comes through who shoots? What gender are we harvesting? Etc. My partner and I have pre arranged text messages such as Bb(Big buck), ddd(3 does), bdu(buck and doe headed your way) mgas(might get a shot) tango down(shot one) etc. If we haven't been sitting very long and someone shoots one we'll usually stay for awhile unless its warm. Ask as many questions as possible before hand. My partner gets ready in about 5 minutes but I take my time. On the other hand I push to fast to the trees cuz i'm excited while he ambles along. This created friction at first till we figured it out. Just some of my thoughts. Oh and it doesn't matter what we're hunting you see a Coyote you choot it no questions asked.

 

[Exhumis]

I'll add one more thing then I'm done. Work on or at least be cognizant of your woodsmanship while in the woods. It goes without saying but don't be a chatty Kathy. Keep your gob shut. Pay attention to where you step watching for sticks and stuff that makes noise. Don't be a touchasauras touching on trees, branches, etc. Keep yours eyes open and head on a swivel. Just those things alone will get you invited back.
And btw, you always have something to contribute Just as even the most seasoned hunter always has something to learn.

 

[CamoMan]

As far as contributing I wouldn't focus on that. I would learn from the thousands of years of experience on this forum. As far as hunting goes I would recommend always asking questions. Why is the deer coming this way? Why is he moving at this hour? Why is he coming this way with the wind directions? What is the bedding location? Where is he going to eat? What are the food sources? Etc.. All of these go into my mental map. Most of my hunts I also jot down notes in a small pad I carry with me and I also use OnX to map things out. Other than that just enjoy the break from normal day to day life and take a deep breath while in the woods. Most peaceful time of the year for me.

 

[fbwguy]

Just developing your skills will come naturally as you develop relationships with hunting partners. Just being along side friends while hunting will help you hone your skills. Don’t think or feel pressure to contribute, it will come natural as you gain experience and share knowledge with your friends

 

[MathewsMan7]

I will echo others...don’t worry about contribution as far as hunting goes...just a few things to consider considering your position...

1. Offer to help others around camp whether it be cooking, cleaning, etc.
2. Always offer a hand when it comes to a track job or dragging deer out
3. If someone is successful, ask them if they care if you watch them gut, skin, and clean the deer...this is a great way to show that you care about the animals and the entire process, and it allows you to get some experience so you can pass that experience on to your children even if you don’t have a ton of kills under your belt.
4. Be a good listener around camp...many “seasoned” hunters are typically chomping at the bit to offer their 2 cents and advice of woodsmanship and other things they’ve learned throughout the years. Be humble, respectful, and willing to lend a hand and you’ll be invited back as long as you’re able to go I’m sure

 

[Bigterp]

Agree with everything above, were all at different stages in our hunting journey. Don’t worry about contributing, just the fact that your posing the question means I’d take you anytime. Plus hunting with a couple guys is fun. It’s cool to cover different sections of the same area. You’ll learn a lot that way.

 

[TNbowhunter]

I will echo others...don’t worry about contribution as far as hunting goes...just a few things to consider considering your position...

1. Offer to help others around camp whether it be cooking, cleaning, etc.
2. Always offer a hand when it comes to a track job or dragging deer out
3. If someone is successful, ask them if they care if you watch them gut, skin, and clean the deer...this is a great way to show that you care about the animals and the entire process, and it allows you to get some experience so you can pass that experience on to your children even if you don’t have a ton of kills under your belt.
4. Be a good listener around camp...many “seasoned” hunters are typically chomping at the bit to offer their 2 cents and advice of woodsmanship and other things they’ve learned throughout the years. Be humble, respectful, and willing to lend a hand and you’ll be invited back as long as you’re able to go I’m sure

^This hits the nail on the head. In my experience, I hope the newbies I take hunting will reward my efforts with eagerness, excitement, and determination, not with "contributions" to my hunting endeavors. It's a great move to find ways to serve the folks taking you, whether that's by washing the dishes, bringing a homemade pie, or inviting them to do something you love that they might be interested in.
As far as pointers go, I'll add that you should be really STILL and QUIET when you're out there--nothing worse than having a hunt blown up because somebody else had ants in their pants or wanted to chat the whole time. That said, don't be afraid to ask questions, which will help you learn and will show them you're really interested, which is a double-win. Good luck this season!

 

[LoadedLimbs]

I will echo others...don’t worry about contribution as far as hunting goes...just a few things to consider considering your position...

1. Offer to help others around camp whether it be cooking, cleaning, etc.
2. Always offer a hand when it comes to a track job or dragging deer out
3. If someone is successful, ask them if they care if you watch them gut, skin, and clean the deer...this is a great way to show that you care about the animals and the entire process, and it allows you to get some experience so you can pass that experience on to your children even if you don’t have a ton of kills under your belt.
4. Be a good listener around camp...many “seasoned” hunters are typically chomping at the bit to offer their 2 cents and advice of woodsmanship and other things they’ve learned throughout the years. Be humble, respectful, and willing to lend a hand and you’ll be invited back as long as you’re able to go I’m sure

All really great advice - and I believe that point #2 is REALLY important etiquette - always help with a track job or deer drag task.

I will add:

2a. If the successful hunter in your party is a senior citizen, has a bad back, bad hips, or bad knees, or is just “less fit” than you, offer to drag it out FOR them.
2b. If the successful hunter is tracking a blood trail, let them LEAD, because if the deer has bedded but isn’t dead and takes off again, you don’t want to get in the way of the hunter taking another shot.

Additional note: While they lead the tracking, assist by staying close and standing point at “last blood” evidence as the leader progresses their search on a thinning or tricky blood trail. (Leader locates a droplet of blood, points it out to you and whispers “last blood”. You stand at that place while the leader finds the next droplet of blood. On a thinning blood trail in the dark, it is often necessary for the leader to get on their hands and knees with a flashlight to find the next tiny blood droplet, and it might be yards away. By standing at last blood, you help the leader sweep the area without worrying about losing their lock on the last evidence located, or worrying about YOU accidentally stepping on and ruining the meager evidence. When the leader finds the next blood droplet, you get waved over and shown where it is and stand at the “new” last blood location. I learned a lot from more seasoned trackers than I by providing assistance in this manner, and they always appreciated the help.

Nothing gives a hunter knots in their stomach like a tough tracking job that looks like a dubious recovery ... you’ll earn a lot of points and gratitude if you come down from your stand and assist in this manner.


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[Wlog]

The best thing you can contribute is a positive attitude and a willingness to help out when there’s tracking or getting a downed deer out of the woods.
I don’t group hunt a lot anymore. Maybe a few times a year. But when I do it’s all about comradery.

 

[HuumanCreed]

Thank! Glad there are people out there living the dream.

 

[Rainman]

This will be my first year deer hunting, but will be often hunting with 1-2 others from the area to learn. Thank you for the advice!

 

[Rg176bnc]

Listen, have a strong back and dont talk too much.

Dont think for a minute that hunting as a group is bad. If you have a plan and experience with an area it's a damn effective way to put deer on the ground. And yes I mean with a bow.

 

[Deerhunter81]

Great advice on this thread!

A positive attitude, willingness to help and learn will get you where you need to be! Enjoy yourself, that’s why we all like to hunt!

 

[RainingBlades]

I’d ask a few questions up front-
What’s expected of you?
Any rules regarding safety?
Any rules regarding ethics?
Pay attention to everyone’s style. It’s awesome having hunting buddies but make sure they jive with your safety standards and ethics standards if those two things are important to you.
I would also read up on drives, group tactics, “the mooch” so when they start dropping terms or giving strategy you know exactly what they are talking about.

 

[mattsteg]

It depends on the group and the context. Make sure that your expectations for e.g. safety, legality, and ethics match up with any partners'. Other than "be available to help track and get out a deer if needed" everything's variable. Can be anything from mostly social guys to shoot the **** with and coordination of where you're gonna be to more detailed/coordinated planning.