There has been some discussions on friendship on AR in recent times about sticking by friends. Afterall how one acts towards ones friends often reveals a lot about one's character.

Friendship for me is an important matter. Hunting mates are especially important.

Often while on safari, it is great if you click with the PH. You hunt with them closely for many days. Discuss all sorts of interesting topics. They have probably heard them all before! I don't know how they do it? You hope that any friendships made are two way streets, and not just a professional relationship.

Of course at the end of the day this may be the real truth. They are being paid to give you a service and if you end up with some personal loyalty to them, it helps future sales and especially referrals.

On the other side of the coin, I like talking people out for a hunt. In fact when I get a new hunting territory my first thoughts are usually whom can I ask or coax to come out for a hunt in them. My disappointment is not having more hunting areas to invite friends to. And I don't believe in making a profit out of it. Actually I used to have and still have a real problem with associating profit making business with hunting. My country having no fee paying hunting until about 1980!

As many of us hunters are akin in thoughts and deed, even if we have different professions and come from different places we often share the share ideals and interests.

One of the great benefits of the internet is being able to expand these joint interests with individuals right around the globe.

Good luck and join me in a cold beer. Its damned hot today here!

NitroX,

My beers got caught in the time lag between England and OZ. Although I did finish up a couple of hours before you posted so consider it done!!

Now, where did I leave that bacon roll???



FB

Well said John.

Speaking of friends...I miss 500 grains ...I hope he returns....DISPITE THE CENSORSHIP.


URDUBOB

I have always enjoyed the solitute of deer stalking and much prefer to stalk alone.
However, for all my other types of hunting, Game shooting, Vermin control, target shooting, my hunting abroad and even fishing, the greatest joys have come from having close friends along for the fun.
My two african safaris would not have been the same without the friends I shared those wonderful times with. Yes the PHs were fantastic and we did strike up friendships that have lasted, but having your oldest buddies along made it just that bit special.

Like John, I like to share my hunting areas as often as I can ( I'm limited to the number of guests that can accompany me each year ). I have often taken out a novice and not shot myself, just enjoyed watching someone else have a great time and getting the satisfaction of having made someone's day. Some of my longest lasting and strongest friendships have developed this way.

If you can trust a man to walk behind you with a loaded gun, there's not much else you can't trust him with. I have found that you naturally seek out people of like mind and if you are comfortable with someone in the field, they very rarely let you down.

Off the beer for now John, but I'll hoist a cold Coke with you instead!

quote:

Speaking of friends...I miss 500 grains ...I hope he returns....DISPITE THE CENSORSHIP

Has he been banned?

Mike

Well, said John!

This is all about sharing time with a good group of diverse folks. Many of you I have never met in person, yet I feel a common bond, a kinship with you.

I must confess that when I go to DRSS hunts or events like SCI, DSC, HSC, my basic motive is social! I have had the great fortune to meet and hunt with folks that I never knew existed, until we had forums like AccurateReloading and NitroExpress. These folks have been of the best character.

When the DRSS gets together for a hunt, we all chip in. We each pay our way and then some and we all enjoy the experience of shooting double rifles and sharing a wonderful fellowship. The grandest feeling of all, is to be amongst these good people. I truely live, for those precious moments!

Someone once told me that the definition of a good friend was "Someone who knew you and all your faults and still liked you"!

I am honored to be among such a Band of Brothers!

Erik:

Even though now fairly long retired as a hunter, I read the posts in this thread with some envy. I always was a solitary hunter. (As a teenager hunting white tail deer I camped out alone) I lived my working life in a generally anti hunting atmosphere and made no friends with which to go on trips. It didn't particularly bother me because I was trained from early childhood (at age 8) to be nervous about being around people who didn't know firearms as second nature. I spent time in Canadian black bear hunting lodges and enjoyed myself a lot in the evenings - but, again, black bear hunting itself is solitary. Even in bird hunting, I never wanted to be around anyone while hunting ruffed grouse. (The bird could fly so erratically and I wanted to be able to swing the shotgun as I wished) I hunted ducks that were "puddle jumpers" like mallards and teal ( walking very quietly as possible along the bank of a brook or by sneaking up to a small pond built by beaver and suddenly jumping up and rushing forward - To this day I think it was the most exciting duck hunting in the world! - But it was solitary hunting. I envy what the guys post - but hunting just for me always has been a solitary sport.

Gerry,

I agree that solitary hunting is best in some cases. But then in others, the hunt is enjoyed more due to sharing the experiance with a good friend or family. I often enjoy hunting up in the mountains alone for our "grouse". But then I have at least as much fun when I'm up there sharing the experiance with my wife who also hunts.

When hunting moose, the way things work here is a blend of being alone, but also part of a group of friends. Have a look here, and you'll see what I mean: https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5421043/m/645103783

When I'm out handling the dogs, I'm all by myself (as the dogs are usually loose), yet I am part of a team working together, and see them a few times during the day. It's a nice blend IMO.

As for being scared of having people near you handling firearms, I can understand that. But as I generally only hunt with people I know, and know how they handle their weapons, I don't feel this is a problem. One thing though, I am always aware of where the other person is, and where his/her gun is pointing.

Generally, if one chooses to hunt alone or not, I think this is the main issue on this thread:

quote:

As many of us hunters are akin in thoughts and deed, even if we have different professions and come from different places we often share the share ideals and interests.

Well said Mate! I still have an opening for Gan Gan if you want to come play in July. Maybe we can get Matt to cut us a break for old times sake or some other excuse. LOL! Lets try to hook up even if not to hunt but I would love to have you in camp.
Mike