When it comes to finding a great partner for outdoors adventures, one of the most difficult things to do is find a great partner who is reliable, trustworthy, dependable. It is very much similar to selecting a life mate for your spouse. Great patience and consideration have to be exercised.
Throughout my hunting and fishing career, I have been exceptionally blessed to have hunted and fished with many, many great people and also a few that were pretty good. And a number were nice people, but it just didn't work out as I had hoped.
Don’t get me wrong. I do not consider myself better than anybody, but I do consider myself "old-school." I also consider myself an ethical person who tries to keep up on rules and regulations. I might not totally agree with those rules and regulations, but I will obey them!
I started fishing when I was around four years old, and I only got to fish with my family on weekends at our cottage. My father taught me how to fish, and I could pretty well identify most of the fish we caught.
I only got to hunt with my father one time, and that was a rabbit hunt. I trailed along next to my father, and I was carrying my Daisy BB gun. I felt like we were on a safari. He was a Millwright at Chrysler Corp., and he worked a lot of overtime. Sadly, he passed away at the young age of 42. But I cherished what little time we spent outdoors.
I started deer hunting in 1964 when I was invited to hunt with a couple of my work associates. They took me under their wings and taught me a lot about deer hunting. They taught me how to locate deer trails, use wind direction, how to use human scent control.
I really enjoyed spending time with them. Sadly, they are both no longer with us, but I learned how important it was to be a great partner.
I spent the rest of my younger years walking the woods and creek banks, learning the terrain, wind direction, food sources, and trying to improve my hunting and fishing adventures. I certainly had opportunities to learn from some mighty great people. I realized that while I didn't really enjoy hunting and fishing by myself, I had no problem doing it. I knew that someday, as I grew older, things would definitely change, and doing things solo would become much more difficult.
I had some good partners back in the early 1960s, and they were very dependable and reliable. If they said they would meet me at 4:00 a.m., they normally showed at 3:45 a.m. As time passed, I was invited to hunt with many guys who were great to work with, but their hunting priorities were very lacking.
They wanted to leave the woods, spent the rest of the night and early morning sitting in a tavern. There were several mornings I was the only deer hunter in camp who was able to get up before the alarm clock went off. The other fellows were very ill from their stupidity. Needless to say, I was not hunting with them after that weekend.
When you start searching for a partner, you need to find one who shares the same enthusiasm and desire and who you know can be counted on. Know each other's strengths, weaknesses, and especially any/all health issues.
I have had hunting partners whom I could know immediately, just by listening to them talk, how well it would work with us. A great partner will be willing to climb out of his stand and help you track your deer, even if it means losing hunting time for them. I have done it hundreds of times, and I always patted my partner on the back, gave him a hug, shook his hand, and helped him get the deer back to the truck. And most of my partners have done the same thing for me!
Many of my greatest hunting and fishing partners have earned the heavenly wings, and as I mentioned earlier, I have managed to get older but still have every bit of that younger enthusiasm for hunting and fishing.
I am now hunting as often as I can, either by myself or with my grandsons, or whenever I receive an invitation to hunt with people. I admit that I have slowed down slightly, but if I tell you I will meet you at 4 a.m., I will be there no later than 3:45 a.m., ready to go!
Am I choosy when it comes to finding a partner? You bet I am! And when I do find one, I am really going to do whatever I can to earn his or her respect. You can take that to the bank!