Hunting Buddies

[Bob Peters]

I would say that when memories of pheasant hunts past roll through the projector in my mind it's usually of an afternoon or evening alone with a dog in a remote place when I was lucky enough to pick a spot and put her in the right position to find and work and flush and retrieve birds as was ingrained in her from the start. But also, I'm really thankful for all my human hunting buddies. One guy took me along repeatedly when I didn't have a clue. To be honest I kinda invited myself and he put up with me. But I showed up on time, split in for gas, and tried hard to show the affectation of being a good hunter. I'm sure he saw right through it. But I never gave up, never complained when my hamstrings burned or picked up my leaden feet mile after mile. I always packed a snack and drink to share. I complimented his dog, which was easy to do, since this was a guy who got out a lot and that old black lab knew the game, and knew it well. R.I.P. that lab is gone now, but I still hunt with my buddy several times a year and he has another blackie. Steve winters down in Florida now, and always has some good fishing stories. He's going for his turkey grand slam as soon as he can draw an Osceola gobbler tag. Anyways, not sure why I felt the need to post this, other than I always appreciate those good people I have been fortunate enough to share a field with. Steve's current dog Kylo. He is a finished dog that he bought in Florida, but has since finished two seasons pheasant hunting in MN, and has earned his stripes. Someone once told me "don't forget your friends." With a good buddy you've hunted with, I don't think it's possible to forget them.

 

[birddude]

A good friend is someone who you've been friends with a long time. Someone who you trust and enjoy being around. Someone you've might have had a few brews with or just a childhood friend you've kept in touch with. But a guy you've hunted with hundreds of times and shared many, many campfires with is on a different level.

 

[Skadergen]

Sound like the only way he could have been better, is if he cleaned your birds and supplied the after the hunt refreshments.

 

[Goosemaster]

One of my good hunting friends quit hunting in his 30s.I don't know why.

 

[wildcat]

"your good friends know your hunting stories and your really good friends were there with you!"

 

[benelli-banger]

Some of my most cherished hunting buddies are guys I met for the first time on our first hunts, one, two or more decades ago….have hunted with many, many dozens of guys, never had any major issues with gun safety, drinking during the day, etc…certainly some I didn’t care if I hunted with again, but it’s always been worth the risk or uncertainty to make new friends afield…my existing hunting buddies know what my standards are, and have done a really good job upholding them when they ask about inviting someone. Sure, it’s nice hunting with guys you know well, and have an unspoken language with while hunting, but it’s fun making new friends as well.

 

[dawgs14]

My hunting buddies are my South Dakota pheasant hunting buddies, my Georgia rabbit hunting buddies, my North Georgia trout fishing buddies, and my golf buddies.