Last August was the first time I ever hunted an entire safari with a companion. It was my son. For all the previous safaris I always had a pal on stalk and at the campfire. His name is Kappie, my cameraman, but he's never once shot anything except video

In the next couple years however, I'm going to be embarking on safari with buddies, adult hunters, even a few who've been winning bidders on auction hunts...

I know I'll be able to just observe, not shoot much and sorta act as a "safari coach" to some of the guys, but is it gonna be wrong if I wanna yank the gun out of their hands and shoot that leopard or buff myself?

How do you guys who hunt with pals "share" the hunt, and invariably do you wish sometimes you would have just done the safari by yourself without your buddy?

Moja,
I would not hunt alone and do not hunt alone. I always take my sons, or wife or daughter or hunting buddy. I prefer my family. I have done one solo hunt and it was the worst experience of my hunting life.

You will never regret time spent with friends and family doing something you love.

Mark,

Like you, I now with the best hunting partner ever - my son.

For years I traveled and hunted with a friend of mine. We always flipped a coin at the beginning of the hunt to decide who had first shot / first right of refusal if we were hunting 2x1.

Now I normally give my son the first opportunity and I like to hunt 2x1 so we get to experience everything together..

Hunting alone is cool too but nothing beats being able to sit around with your hunt partner years later and reminisce about past hunting trips...

would not hunt alone and do not hunt alone. I always take my sons, or wife or daughter or hunting buddy. I prefer my family. I have done one solo hunt and it was the worst experience of my hunting life.

Dogcat, could you elaborate a little if possible as to why your solo hunt was a bad experience?

Camp is for sharing, Hunting should be done 1x1, IMHO of course.

Mark,

I absolutely enjoy hunting 2x1 with my usual hunting buddy. We enjoy many of the same things, have similar views and enjoy the hunt of the other partner as much as our own.

We are able to fill in some of the details that are often obscured by the focus of the stalk and shot. And the opportunity to take additional photos of each others successes is invaluable, and often results in better photos from unique perspectives.

I have hunted on my own 1x1, but only enjoy it because my PH and I are such good friends.

I have tagged along with other hunters, as an escort, "cruise director", observer, additional photog, additional driver, and back-up lost animal shooter.

BUT, never, ever, ever would I attempt to be anyones' "safari coach". That would be just a bit much. It is after all their hunt, not mine. Theirs to do what they want to do how they want to do it [well, the PH has some input too I suppose].

I enjoy the company of others in the camp, even those I did not know before arrival, the vast majority of these people have been interesting and good company, and often have something to add to the experience.

Try to enjoy their hunts, look for the scenery, the odd animals , trees, birds or bugs that they might miss. Be there to hold their hat or give them yours, carry the back up camera, carry the rangefinder and tell them the range if they ask, or confirm it after the shot. Sure it's almost as much work as hunting yourself, but that's part of it too.

Les

That was good Les. Yeah I like your "cruise director" reference better than a "safari coach"...after all you're right, that's what the PH is there for.

Mark,

On all my hunts, starting in 1982, I have always had one or more friends with me.

On my first hunt my girlfriend was with me, and she decided to shoot an impala as well.

Ever since, we have been going hunting with several friends, and have been enjoying this very much.

In fact, even on our family holidays to places other than hunting, we always have friends with us. Generally, on those trip friends with kids about the same age as our daughter come along, and the kids enjoy sharing their break together.

I guess I'm just anti-social or don't play well with others. I really enjoy solo hunts all over the West, or just getting along with my PH and not worrying about the other hunter. My hunting partner and I get along great and do lots of hunts together, but that is not what either of us wanted on our Zim hunt. We did a 2x1 the first day, only through unforseen circumstances, but after that it was all separate. We rejoiced in each others stories and successes or failures, and the kidding was supported by the PH in the evening, and that made it a lot of fun for both of us.

I hunt and fish all the time with my family and friends, but sometimes I just need some time and head-clearing for my own peace of mind.

Measuring up to the trackers and PH's expectations was a lot of the experience for me. After a particularly grueling 8K morning in the hills, I felt elated when the lead tracker shook my hand at lunch, and simply said "You did good" and walked away.

Most of my hunts are solo. My first South African and my Muskox/Caribou hunts were guided 2x1, and my other two African hunts and my Dall sheep/caribou hunts were guided 1x1.

Here at home in Montana I've shared some hunting camps with friends, but mostly we hunt solo, each going separate ways. It's nice to share the camp chores and the campfires at night with friends. It's also nice to have a buddy help pack out a big critter like an elk or moose.

That said, I've probably killed 20 elk, one moose, a mountain goat, 2 bighorn rams, one black bear, at lease a dozen pronghorn antelope, and more mule and whitetail deer than I can remember while hunting alone. And that's just naming the hunts where I killed something. At least most of the elk and the moose kills were on hunts where I had my horses which greatly helped to pack the big guys out. Most of the other animals including several elk, the goat, and one bighorn I packed out on my back.

I'll be 64 tomorrow, and those solo backpack hunts are starting not to appeal to me as much as they did 30 years ago.

Best and worst hunts I have had have been above the artic circle by myself. You can walk for a week and not even see a sign of another human. I prefer to hunt by myself but enjoy sharing a camp with others. I guess it depends on my moods but most of the time I prefer to be isolated and away from people. All people. I think it is because my job requires me to deal with several hundred people on a daily basis. Africa is my mental health break away from the normal routine. As long as you can be flexible with or without companions is fine. If I am by myself in Africa the ph and camp staff are my companions. Unless back pack hunting you are not far from someone. I guess in that perspective it is all the same.

I have hunted with friends in Africa and have also hunted with my wife. Both have advantages. The last few have been with my wife and I enjoy the time that we are able to spend together in a place and with people that we have both grown to love.

I think it depends on both of you and how you fit together. My uncle and I hunted together 2x1 for buffalo in the Selous. I enjoyed his company and sharing the experience with him. That said neither one of us are competitive with each other and truely hope the other would shoot the bigger animal. So we enjoyed watching each other and rooting for each other. We also were gunuinely happy for each other's success. That said if you are competitive or jealous then I could see how it would be a bad idea. So if you tend to compete with the other person hunt alone.

Brett

I really like going on safari with friends, but we all go our separate ways 1X1 all day to hunt, then meet up each evening to share the day, drinks and dinner, and BS around the fire that night.

I have always hunted Africa alone up to this point my son won't make the flight. That said I will be making my first Africian hunt with another hunter this year. I will be joining Frank Beller (who posts here and who I met thru AR at Dallas a few years back) and his wife Joyce. In Zim I will be basically just an observer as Frank will be hunting Buffalo and Hippo neither of which I wish to hunt again. We will also hunt Zululand during which time I will once again chase the elusive Suni and Frank will hunt what ever catches his fancy. I think all will go OK as long as we don't discuss certain subjects, eh Frank?

I really like 1x1 hunts, but with friends in camp to hang out with in the evening. I did my first safari alone, and though I had fun, I really enjoy friends to talk with and share the day in the evenings a lot more.

I know I would enjoy say a 2x1 buff hunt if it were in an area with plenty of buff and it was a pretty good bet that we would both get a crack at a buff. I would be happy for someone else to shoot first, but I would want to hunt too sometime during the trip.

I have done a lot of N Am hunts 2x1, and I get into the hunt just as much when a friend is hunting, and love spotting, glassing and helping any way I can, but I guess from selfishness I want to hunt for myself too sometime during the trip.

Now that my kids are 9 and hunting some, there is nothing better than watching and helping them. If and when they go to Africa, I am sure it will be the best of the best, and I could care less if I ever shoot on that trip.

When it is a family member hunting along with you your thoughts are about their enjoyment and goals. I've gone solo once and with the wife twice. If you are one to take over, Marc, I'd say you need to be clear ahead of time each day whose safari you are on. Does that make sense? Some times a dad/husband wants things "done right" and in taking over we can ruin an otherwise successful day.

If you are hunting with a buddy, he will probably tell you (if you need it) where the boundaries lie, especially if he or she is paying half of the bill. On the other hand, if they are along as a non-paying guest of yours just revert to the rules of hospitality.

2 cents

I have done it both ways. On my two trips to Africa, I have taken our oldest son. The first trip was a PG hunt in RSA and we each had our own PH so we were not together each and every moment. But sharing the days experiences around the campfire and in our hut were priceless. On my second trip he was an observer on a DG hunt to Zim. We had the time of our lives. If you can share a hunt with a child or your wife do it! You will not regret it.

I have been on hunts out west and on all but one, had a hunting buddy with me who hunted with his own guide seperate from me. On a grizzly hunt to BC I flew solo. I much prefer having a hunting buddy. You have someone to travel with and share the days events in your tent each evening.

On my 1st trip to Africa, I hunted with my son, my best friend, and his son. We all had our own phs, and hunted 1x1. I simply could not imagine going back to Africa, and not having my son with me. We may not hunt 2x1, but I want him in camp to share the experience. He is my best hunting buddy.

Mad Dog

quote:

Originally posted by wrenchmaster:
would not hunt alone and do not hunt alone. I always take my sons, or wife or daughter or hunting buddy. I prefer my family. I have done one solo hunt and it was the worst experience of my hunting life.

Dogcat, could you elaborate a little if possible as to why your solo hunt was a bad experience?

Wrenchmaster,
I am not a "solo" kind of person. I hunt for the experience and sharing the experience with people. Taking the animal is not my #1 goal. I enjoy the preparation, the anticipation and the shared experience more than the shot.

My last solo hunt was in 1979 for sheep. I spent 4 months preparing, and hired a guide to take it on. After 9 days, losing all of my toenails, losing 20 pounds and exhausted, I quit the hunt.

I have learned in life that when you are alone, you are the most vulnerable to discouragement, to feeling sorry for yourself, to not completing your goal. As the Bible says, two are better than one and three are better than two when it comes to strength and endurance. I was not mentally prepared for the sheep hunt in 1979. I quit hunting from then until 1990 when I figured this out and started hunting with like minded people and family. I have been hunting with my sons since 1998. On the sheep hunt, I was able to go back in 2007 and complete the task - this time with a close friend.

I have extended the "not hunt alone" method to all of my hunts now and have found the hunting to be a vehicle for growing as a person and spiritually.

This is probably more of an answer than you expected but this is why I do what I do.

Totally depends on the hunters AND professional hunters AND the type of hunt. I think less specialized common game hunts (and sometimes buffalo) are prefectly tailored to 2x1 or other multi party hunting. Specialized antelopes, trophy elephants, or baited cats demand 1x1 or 2x2 for maximum success as well as to reduce the potential for tension in camp.

Marc, I think you will need to continue to remind yourself of, in particular the trip where you will be accompanying the hunter, is that it is their hunt and not yours, including when in the field, riding in the truck, and around the dinner table. I think guys with a lot of experience, unwittingly or otherwise, tend to drone on about their accomplishments, and this can spoil the hunt for others around them including in camp. A comment here, a story there, after a few days it adds up. Around the campfire, hunters want to hear the PH’s stories! As an example, I went on a NA hunt where I was teamed-up by the outfitter with a great guy from Texas, his employer (an oil company) had bought him the hunt for his years of hard work. It was his first big trip. Heck of a nice guy. We talked a lot about life, family, hunting/shooting...etc. But I never brought up my Africa trips to him (or the guides), as they just were not relative to that hunt, and I did not want to diminish his experience in any way.

Generally speaking, as was said, except for close family (father/children/etc), I think it works best for most guys if they hunt 1x1 but travel and share a camp with some mates. There is always the option to team-up for an afternoon or two, especially after the main trophy is down. During a hunt, at least a good one, your PH becomes your best buddy. But there is a lot to be said about sharing the anticipation, travel and memories with somebody closer to home.

I definitely like a friend along for the travel part of the trip, sort of misery likes company on some of the long trips. My hunting buddy is easy to get along,, has more experience and is good campfire company. We have taken our sons along on many,,many trips and they basically grew up together hunting so if not with my son,,, give me "eyedoc" to hunt with. One of us becomes the cameraman while the other hunts and vice versa. We have some great videos because of this arrangement and used the cash not spent on a cameraman to do more hunting. We usually do spend some time hunting solo as well as 2/1. The type hunting has a lot to do with which one I would pick,, sitting over a bait for leopard I would want 1/1.....plains game,, 2/1

What Bill C said! Very well put.

I would prefer to hunt DG 1x1. Plainesgame, on the other hand, I enjoy 2x1. It's fun to share the hunt with someone else, and plainegame, for me, is a relaxing low key hunt. DG hunting is more intense and requires the singular focus of 1x1.

Mark

Take your son with you every time you can. You will never regret it! Your daughter too if you have one.

I have taken friends with me that have dreamed of Africa and could never afford the trip. When you are hunting Buffalo and they are sitting waiting in the hot sun fighting off ants and flies it is'nt much fun for them. The overall experince and the stories they tell for years to come makes it well worth every minute.

It's hard to sit and watch a buddy take a 60" Kudu and him think it just another animal.

I typically stick to my word and if I'm being observer I sit and film or watch. I did get quite selfish in Tanz very late on the last day when I grabbed the rilfe from my son to have a crack at an Eland.

With the auction hunters you may be lucky and be able to be a coach.

Have you ever taken your Dad?

John

I prefer big game hunting alone, I've never had any friends or family in camp with me, but I think that would make it even more fun, but unless they were a relative I'd prefer to be out in the field alone.

However, when bird hunting (especially waterfowl) I prefer to have company.

Bill,
great food for thought..

I am heading to the East Cape in May with 4 buddies of mine.. All are 1st timers. This is THEIR hunt with just me tagging along to pick up a few Cape species while down there.
I'm going to remember your words when we are BS'n around the campfire each night.. let the PH's do the story telling.

Wise words, my friend.

I love to travel on hunts with groups of friends. We mostly hunt 1x1 and all look forward to coming back to camp at night to sit around the fire, hear stories from the days hunt, and have a couple of cold one's.

My best friend came with me as a photographer/video guy on my buff hunt and we had a riot. We laughed, joked, and had a blast. He is as serious a hunter as I am, and did a great job not only taking photos but spotting game as well.

When my daughter gets a bit older, I can't wait till we can do a 2x1 hunt and I can sit back, take photos and soak it all in.

I've done both, hunted with people I loved, and hunted with people on trips that I didnt enjoy, just be very sure who you're going to 2x1 hunt with. You better love that person, cause when you're paying big bucks and someone else turns out to be an idiot, you can lose it quick.

On the other hand, hunted with a friend of my fathers this past year in africa, and we had a blast, I would go hunt with him anywhere.

I've hunted both ways. I've had more hunts ruined by having the wrong people there, than the other way around. When young I enjoyed having people in camp. It pushed me to hunt harder, be successful, and have bragging rights. That's not my "thing" anymore. I pay for the hunt. I want it on my terms. I can think of only one person that I used to hunt with that still meets my standards for a hunting partner; the rest fall short.

I think those that hunt with family have something special working, and that is great.

What I don't like getting into is the "I can top that" type story telling. That becomes a peter-bumping contest. To be a good story teller I think you have to be a good listener. Many story tellers think their voice is the only one that counts. If I'm swapping tales with someone and I sense that when I'm talking, they are thinking of the next thing they are going to say, rather than listening, I will excuse myself from the conversation as quickly as possible.

The other type fellows in camp I don't like being around are the type that think they have been put on earth to organize, manage, make decisions.........for everyone. I weed them out; leave them talking to themselves. I like learning from others, but I don't like being taught by idiots.

I'm a show off with bigbores so like at least one person around to see me use it

But also enjoy getting out myself with a smaller gun and doing my own thing.

karl

I've done safari with family, with hunting partners and solo. Never had any problems either way and found benefits to each. Have only hunted with the same PH once and the same outfitter three times. Have enjoyed all but two of the PHs, neither of whom I would hunt with again. I will likely do another Ele hunt late this year and it will be a solo trip.

Marc, I think that going on a hunt not as the hunter, but as an observer, spotter or in some other capacity you will have a different appreciation of the hunt in general. You will be able to observe things a PH does, the trackers do you may not have been able to as a hunter, when your attention is directed elsewhere. I have been in both senarios and have enjoyed both, but in different ways. I have enjoyed hunting solo, but also enjoyed sharing the hunt with another person.

Dogcat.

Excellent post.

When young we hunted solo.

My wife and I almost always hunt with each other. Often we take somone along that is new and pass on the life and share the values. Children,grandchildren,friends and family we take to church,plays and ball games so why not to the peace in the cathedral of the Creator.

On my first trip to South Africa I had the best of both worlds. I hunted 1x1 and had my wife as an observer. She was absolutely great. She went on the stalks, took photos, took notes, and I got to do all the hunting.

This year we don't know if she will be able to get away or not yet. She is optimistic and has her ticket. If not I will miss her, but I enjoyed Pieter's company so much that I will still feel like I'm hunting with a friend.

When I deer or hog hunt it usually is alone and I spend more time clearing my head from the stress and grind of work than actually hunting so it works out well being alone.

I just did my first african safari this past May and I went solo and enjoyed every second of it. I'm not against hunting with someone but as I always say, I have friends who hunt and I have friends with money but I don't have any friends that hunt who have money. A couple of things I loved about hunting solo.

1) I picked EXACTLY where I wanted to go on safari and did not have to compromise
2) I can sleep on the plane and not worry if my companion is bored or wants to talk
3) I don't have to worry about their comfort while travelling.
4) In camp I'm not competing with anyone but myself
5) I have the complete attention of the PH and staff
6) I get to hear all of the PHs stories and ask the questions I want
7) I don't have to worry about whether or not my companion is having a good time
8) If I want to take a nap or go to bed early or stay up late I can, I'm not entertaining anyone but myself
9) I'm never alone, I'm in a camp full or people to talk to
10) It pushes me to talk to and interact with everyone at camp and really soak up the experience instead of staying in the comfort zone of someone I know.

Having two you children and being torn in a million directions on their terms being selfish on my vacation is alluring to say the least.

I have been on a bunch of deer hunts over here and they are always to place that I would not have picked, with people who would not have been my first choice, and not been exactly how I liked to hunt. People also seem to forget that while enjoyment is contagious, so is negativity which I have seen run it's course in camp as well when things don't go well.

Just this past fall I had the choice of two hunts with co-workers, one was a bow hunt in South Dakota for deer and the other was an elk hunt on a high fenced perserve in New Mexico for $7,000. The elk hunt guys are well to do and lazy hunters IMO so I didn't go that route. I did go to SD and the bow hunters were anti rifle guys, you know that talk about not as challenging and can kill anything you see out to 800 yards etc. I wished I was out west, by myself, hunting mule deer with my favorite rifle instead.

I have two buddies I'd go with but it is going to be 20 years before they have enough money to even think about Africa and I'm not waiting that long. I also have two boys that I hope to hunt with some day but they are only 3 and 5 now so they are not an option yet.

Until then I'll continue to enjoy my hunts on my terms.

I think hunting is a very personal sport that can be shared with friends and family and can be intense as you pit yourself and your wits against a shy and elusive quarry to reach a pinacle of size or varienty.
Its somthing you do on your own terms.
Ive had a client turn down a huge Kudu bull because he had shot 2 great animals on his priority list that morning.
and as he said he didnt want to spoil the day he just wanted to soak it in.
so we went and had sundowners.
Hunt the way you want personally with all the hunting Ive done Id rather take my boy out and relive the excitement in his eyes.

All this talk of family is making me homesick

2x1 in my opinion is only for family and good friends and then only if one hunter is willing to defer to the other. If a Dad wants to see his son shoot buffalo more than he wants to get one himself 2x1 can be perfect. If you'll notice a lot of companies give a very small break for 2x1 and this is to discourage people from booking that way. When you book 2x1 you effectively are cutting your hunting time in half and the pressure on the PH is doubled.

Mark

I've hunted with the same partner for about thirty years, now. We hunt, fish and bicker until we can't stand each other. Then a couple of months later we start again. Mostly Jim is the only guy I've found that I trust in the field with a gun. Besides, it's really nice to have two two backup shooters when things go south!