What ACTUALLY Makes Great HUNTING PARTNERS

[@alexandercluster3003]

I actually love this video. In my entire life and career as a hunter and fisherman ive found relationships with men to be Extraordinarily difficult. Id say you hit the nail on the head with all your points but especially people taking it seriously. SOO many guys are just there to goof off, drink some beer and relax like it’s a beach vacation. Matching someone’s intensity and passion can be pretty difficult. Finding a good fishing and hunting partner is harder then finding a good women by far and away. If you have a friend that is willing to go on a expensive trip with you and you have a tag and he doesn’t and they are excited to go on that trip. id say hold on to that dude for dear life. That would be the kind of stuff a lifelong connection is built apon.

[@CliffGray]

glad you enjoyed the video! totally agree with you

[@DrewEdwardBacklas]

This is not the only hunting content I consume… but I swear nobody talks about some of the things you cover. Thanks for what you do. I’ve gotten into western hunting diy pretty heavy the last couple years and your channel has been a huge help. I don’t do everything the way you do but your thought process on a lot of subjects has inspired mine, and helped me make my own informed decisions. Again thanks for what you do.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man really appreciate it. Good luck on your next hunts

[@joshsmith3650]

Agreed. Cliff’s video on backpacking diet saved my trip last year. I did my first ultralight trip two years ago and quit after day 5. The diet video kept me going strong after 12 days and I didn’t want to come home at the end of it. Cliff has a gift to nerd out on a topic but make it easy to follow along

[@noahbrainard9468]

I have a hunting partner that is new to hunting, but the guy doesn't quit. We also have a very similar outlook on hunting. Quote from last year at 3:45 AM "I didn't come all the way up here to sleep, I came to hunt. Let's get going." He regularly checks on other guys to make sure they are going ok in adverse conditions. We are in very similar physical condition. Unfortunately inexperience prevailed and we missed our opportunities on decent bulls, but we had a great time and the dynamics are great.

[@VozConEstilo]

Hey! At the end that's what is all about, creating memories with friends and loved ones, my hunting buddy and I we have missed on nice bulls due to inexperience too, but we have seen unbelievable events and things while scouting and hunting and those experiences IMO are more valuable than harvesting game.

[@esticolis]

Having a good time and good challenge is what matters the most to me. Last fall, my best hunting trip was the one we came back home empty handed. But spending time in the outdoors with a good friend who's got a similar outlook on hunting was priceless.

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

I’ve given up on hunting partners. It usually comes down to time, family commitments, or lack of interest. Solo hunting has its own unique set of challenges, but it’s a heck of alot less complicated. I’ve grown to enjoy being my own boss, following my own hunches, setting my own pace, etc. When I first started hunting, solo wasn’t by choice. 10 or so years later it’s become my preference.

[@TheLintond]

This is where I've landed as well. I've found it's just so hard to get all the logistics (drawing the tag, work/life schedule, truck camp vs. backpacking, etc.) to line up on a consistent basis. I do love hunting with others, but it's so inconsistent that I don't plan on it. If it happens it happens.

[@christophermolick7653]

Took my uncle on an antelope hunt I waited 14 years for. We showed up a week early to do some fishing and scouting. Four days into the hunt I took him home. I came back the next day and the following day I harvested a nice buck all by myself. Don’t let someone else destroy your hunt.

[@CliffGray]

Ha! Agreed

[@cw6656]

I went on a recent back country hunt where I experienced just about everything you mentioned in this video. I learned a lot about my hunting partner who kinda let me down and quit on the mountain for the most part. The paid outfitter IMO was not serious about the hunt. And there were other hunters in the camp that were not serious about the hunting. Drinking all night seemed more important. Which is ok, except when the guide who is leading you on the hunt the next day is focused more on a hangover than guiding. I could write a book.. 😂 Lessons learned for sure. I will be more selective in the future as this was my first time in the back country.

[@CliffGray]

Bummer on the outfitter/guide situation. Sounds like next round you’ll have a better group 👍 good luck man!

[@kyleshepherd9130]

Great huntung partners are like striking gold. I have my two brothers who are the best! Everyone being on the same page and committed to the plan is imperative to a successful hunt.

[@knuckledragger2412]

I travel out west with a few different people. I've figured out that no matter what I'm taking my truck. My brother in law loves the trip but is not a hardcore hunter. We split up for the day and cover more ground. If he only wants to cover 4-5 miles on a day its no problem. He has my extra keys, we have a system that works. Hunting with my cousin and his buddies. His way or the highway. I always drive separate hunting with them, always stand my ground. He is a hardcore hunter so we definitely jive like that. We do make it work, but we don't always agree upon things. They like to base camp. Always setting up an elaborate camp. I'm into a scenario where I can bounce to another area or even another unit if there are no animals. Day hunt from the truck. Or if I find animals I can pack hunt. A 2 week solo is hard to stay. The down time and no interaction during non hunting time wears on the mind for me anyhow. Its hard to get hunting partners for a hunt 1500 miles away. Im going solo for bear this spring. At 51 i feel like the clock is ticking and i have to go. Great information on this one👍👍

[@CliffGray]

Great comment and working examples. Thanks for sharing!

[@aureliocortez646]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 dam I think this is the best video I’ve ever heard about hunting. People don’t want to talk about it and say it and sometimes don’t get away from their group for whatever reasons but sometimes you just need to walk away. Thanks for this video.

[@thistledewoutdoors3331]

NEVER,,, Never hunt with a guy whos wife/girlfriend & or children call constantly crying saying they miss them or want him to come back home....... Or the guy who is emotionally weak to their home life

[@CliffGray]

Pretty much a good rule

[@desperado8605]

Dude yes. My brother and a buddy of ours his wife won't leave him alone. Kinda glad I missed both hunts they went on together

[@petesanchez557]

Or if he wants to bring his daughter that doesn’t want to hunt, but he wants to get her on an animal. She’s already been on an animal at 50 yards and didn’t take a shot. I don’t understand why someone would be stuck on that? He hasn’t got an animal in years! I’m thinking I might know why 🤔

[@PNW_Wolfpack_Adventures]

Great video once again. Had me laughing a few times because you were hitting the nail on the head so much that you must have been on my buddies last hunt. My favorite parts were on how recognizing differences early and making a game plan around that can still salvage a mismatched group. Split up, separate vehicles, ect. Something i would add is everyone having their own sat com. Ive been split up and the other guys didnt have a way to communicate when they wanted to. Ive pushed the issue before leaving on a hunt and some guys seem to think it's not a big deal...until it is.

[@bushleague3472]

I've done backcountry hunts by canoe for almost two decades, obviously requiring a skillset that not everyone has. For a long time my wife insisted that I never go alone, after a few partners having or causing very close calls with disaster, she started to beleive me, that I was generally safer on my own than I was with the wrong partner. Fortunately I've got a pretty good partner now, but if he moved on I'd go back to solo trips before I settled for an unsuitible partner.

[@CliffGray]

I hear ya. Your example is interesting because I think it's pretty common in situations where a safety related skillset to the activity is important. I've been on hunts like that and have done a lot of freediving like that.... They always say the worst thing you can do is dive alone, for the sake of safety. I figured out, as you describe, that the worst thing you can do is go with someone that can't save you but is highly capable of creating situations where you have to save them!

[@bushleague3472]

@@CliffGray You should try a canoe hunt if you havent. Its the triathlon of outdoorsmanship... paddling, climbing, hunting, bushcraft, as well as its own unique challenges. As a bonus, you're always packing meat downhill, and there's no better way to get a moose out of the bush by hand.

[@wendell2242]

100% agree! My wife and I have been hunting together for 30 years now (since our early teens)and we have the same goals/expectations of a hunt,couldn’t ask for a better partner. Thanks Cliff for putting out REAL useable content to make our Septembers on the mountain even more enjoyable!

[@joshscott3184]

Cliff I appreciate all of your insight. I think what i like the most about your videos is how you address the mental aspects of hunting and having self awareness of the eb and flow of emotions that happen on the really challenging hunts.and i gotta admit i was that duck hunter back when I started big game.

[@CliffGray]

Thanks man!

[@Vintage-406]

@13:24 another thing to add to convince the party to use more than 1 vehicle is emergency’s… you never know what is going to happen while you’re up there or who’s wife is going to slip on the ice or their grandmas sick, etc. they can always leave in case of emergency instead of having to bring the whole group out… and it’s a great reason to state without saying “we don’t think youll stay the whole time, so bring an extra vehicle”

[@thistledewoutdoors3331]

Definitely take more than 1 vehicle... I had to cut my first elk hunt short buy a week because my hunting partner was weak emotionally and his wife would call him constantly with problems at the household so that he would come back, and or she would use the kids against him and say that they missed him and were crying and couldn't sleep at night... We didn't even make it out of the state before his mind was out of the game and he wasn't mentally strong

[@CliffGray]

Another great reason. Thanks man!

[@corymattson6350]

Great talk and we appreciate your insight Agree on all counts I’ve been 98% lucky/successful with hunt party members only two guys I can remember I wouldn’t hunt with again but even those I would work with again in a different situation I’m blessed with a few guys who I could go on any hunt 100% confidence we do our best and come out stronger as friends on the other end of a hunt Also BIG on solo hunts for the more unique stuff. I added 3 weeks on my own camp fish hunt in the outback north territory of Australia that I did alone after a Buffalo hunt and I’d do it again alone tomorrow ALL of us tell each other NO STRINGS during the early stages of planning but by the time deposits are sent and time off work is scheduled and out families are given the heads up we are ‘all in’ at that point Another thing we always agree to is no leaving early- if it’s 10 days that means we support each other’s hunting until black dark day 10 plus we pack an elk out day 11 if needed Probably drifted off subject a little Thanks <

[@CliffGray]

Great comment. Thanks. Great hard and fast rules too, to avoid later conflict

[@mr.tactician_7551]

Cliff I always enjoy your videos. Your advice is gold. I’m kinda in a different situation, but not unique. I come from a hunting family with 3 generations still active. I’m one of the young guns the elders passed the torch to. For me and my kin in my age range it’s really difficult to let people into the circle. Even if they’re good friends. Because we learned old ways first it kind of shaped the expectations we hold over ourselves and anybody who hunts with us. It’s hard to compromise.

[@backlogbrood2451]

I don't even hunt (although I am interested in bowhunting) and there's so much value in what this man is saying. Everyone needs to take a moment and consider whether they are the negative Nancy! Don't be that person, that's the worst!! Going out to the backcountry is about the experience of the team, the journey, and not necessarily about results!

[@gregmurphy5014]

I always get a ton of value out of these videos Cliff! Thanx again man 👍

[@karnellsmithanderson4591]

Agreed, have to communicate and set hunt expectations upfront. Pre-Hunt Meeting is very valuable. Also be part of the solution and leave the negativity at home. Do everything to make this hunt successful.

[@kentcoen672]

It’s not just hunts, Cliff. Well done!

[@pco315]

Spot on. Went from hunting trips with 6 or 8 down to 2 of us.

[@CliffGray]

That’s pretty common… folks screen down to the partners that work best. Wish I would have touched on that. Great comment. Thanks

[@f64ecc]

Being with a group of guys who cut loose on booze when they are out of sight of their wives, kids, neighbors, etc. is insanely irritating to me. I’d go so far as to say zero alcohol in camp.

[@Tim.Steinmetz]

Hi Cliff, I have a video request. How about a "pack dump" video where you comment on each item whether a hunter should go big and pay up for the best or if more budget friendly options are sufficient? Do I really need the $1500 Swaro chest binoculars or are $300 Nikons good enough? Do I really need a $250 KUIU pullover, or is a $40 Amazon pullover good enough? I recently had an experienced buddy tell me to spend $800 on a sleeping bag and $200 on a rifle, not the other way around, so that's what made me wonder about other items as well.

[@Gmunsnhuns]

This applies well to other team activities. Thanks for sharing great insights!

[@CliffGray]

Thanks!

[@paultellier2147]

You’ve got the greatest content. Thank you, Cliff! I loved the negativity shit story. Haha!

[@messyfisherman4140]

My wife is my favorite hunting partner watching her excitement when she takes an animal is the best

[@kfhunter418]

I shared this with existing hunting partners and new partners that want to go is gonna to have this video to watch as homework.....and there's a few points I could self reflect upon myself!

[@zachb.6606]

Your videos are always so interesting.

[@mountainlivin]

All super important factors to set up a hunt for fun and overall success!

[@JeremyRogers-ft6jq]

I had my first elk hunt ruined last month because i went with a guy i knew that had been to the area before. Backpack style hunt, three days in we had hiked alot and he pulled the plug. That left me with no option cause we met and rode out together. Expensive & frustrating lesson.

[@charlesbond4413]

What makes a good hunting partner, he has your back and he knows you have his. Styles, experience can mature and change, trusting someone in the wilderness is what matters. No matter how tired, how sore, how hungry, how cold. Hunting with the right partner makes those experiences shared and bearable.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

I agree. Having a slight friendly competitive edge is also good too. No matter what you are not going to complain and he knows damn well he is not going to complain. So you both end up pushing each other to that 110% level because you can.

[@scottlocke3645]

Hey Cliff,The next to you're gonna do a video like this prepare me. I would have made a good drink before starting this video! lol Great video...funny now but wasn't at the time!

[@CliffGray]

Bwhaha! 👍👍👍🤦‍♂️

[@vincethewoodlander]

Ha! Blue Falcon! Haven't heard that in awhile. Great advice. I've been lucky because I've been cautious choosing, easy going, helpful, eager, and grateful. Thankfully my partners are too. Thanks JR, Woody and Karl. I hunt with one at a time usually and they all have different fitness, ambition, and experience levels. I've always been successful with them even if we don't come home with game but that honestly doesn't happen much. I swear it's karma.

[@OverOnTheWildSide]

This is why I just hunt by myself. So I can complain all I want without ruining someone’s trip :)

[@CliffGray]

bwahaha! hey, that's fair.

[@TheBowhunterinNB]

I won’t hunt with nappers lol. I solo hunt whitetail , small game and predators . But our annual 5 day moose hunt is a lot more challenging. Picking a few good buddies is key. If someone left before a tag was filled for any reason short of true emergency that would be the last invite. My wife only complains after the tag is filled and we are on camp drinking days . I am looking forward to my sons coming of age to join the moose hunt .

[@ramongarcia4179]

the guy with his wife that had to leave same thing happened to me thanks for making this video

[@severinw5978]

I agree completely on going with partners who are taking the hunt at the same level of seriousness. There are very few people I’ll go backpack hunting with now, after a couple bad experiences. I also won’t go with complainers. Best hunting partner I’ve ever had was super positive even after days stuck in miserable weather in a two man tent. Kept us going and it turned into a successful hunt. Attitude matters more than fitness or knowledge. It’s something I have to remind myself of too. Nothing like a angry inReach message from the home front to a damper on someone’s mood.

[@severinw5978]

And I won’t go with guys who don’t have decent gear or don’t look after it. Hunts up here are equipment intensive. And when a guy shows up with an ATV that has leaky tires, or a sled that doesn’t reliably start I know that it’ll just be babysitting or fixing equipment. I’d rather go alone, even if though it’s riskier.

[@Bryan-wc3et]

Hunted solo (deer for sure) my whole life. I’m a loner and enjoy being by my self. Last 5 years elk hunting in wilderness area did it solo till last year and my brother came with me but we were very limited how we could hunt because of his health, but might be the last time ever. He’s 69 and I’m 67.

[@michaeltosser7363]

I love the calling-out of the ego-driven jackholes, right at the start. I've found that in every aspect of my life, I'll take an unskilled, eager learning, decent person who is in it to see it through - win or lose - over a hate-spewing Rambo every. single. time.

[@paulh32042]

So basically what I'm hearing is it's my fault that my hunting buddies suck.😂 I blame it on whitetail hunters. Taking someone to deer camp is way different than taking someone to elk camp. If you're not an asset on the mountain, then you're a liability. You can't just show up. Good stuff Cliff.

[@CliffGray]

ha! and yes there are big difference between different types of hunts when it comes to the hunting partner dynamic.

[@koltencollier9654]

Hey Cliff, these are some great tips!

[@charlesbond4413]

The three hardest and most important partners are, wife or significant other, hunting partner, and motorcycle touring partner. I can fish with most anyone including wilderness fly fishing, but in my life, my best times have always been with a good marriage partner, a good motorcycle touring partner (couple or solo) and the most important, a hunting partner. It’s like walking into an unknown seedy bar, you have your partners back and he has yours. You just know that no problem, breakdown, weather, or distance and elevation to a downed animal doesn’t matter as you are both working together. I’ve had good ones and cherished my time with them and I’ve had bad ones and spent limited time with them. Solo is preferable to a bad partner. You gladly have your partners back and you know he is as willing to have yours. Trust, willingness, handling hard situations, having a good time are all equally important.

[@Fender1031]

My wife really wanted me to get a hunting partner for her piece of mind but after years of annoyance and being let down we have agreed to just keep in communication with my inreach. A simple automated message each day and she is good to go. The straw that broke the Elks back was a relative who came from the midwest to the PNW who is kind of a die hard white tail hunter and he wanted to go on an Elk trip so we arranged a 9 day trip and he tapped out on day 3 because he was not use to sleeping in the woods and we came across a black bear (that I tried to put a stalk on) he became bear-anoid the entire trip, freaking out over every thing that moved like it was a bear waiting to pounce and maul him. This guy kills trophy whitetails every year with his bow but he was struggling with the basics of pooping in the woods, sleeping in the woods and water.... He brought like 20 gallons of water into the wet side of the PNW ...Where we were hunting in an area where you run into running water 5-7 times a day. He was scared of filtering his own water and was out there filtering it then boiling it then getting upset that he had to wait for it to cool down. He got poop all over his pants and he was just a complete mess. I have not talked to him in 3 years.

[@Tim.Steinmetz]

Hi Cliff, I'm planning my first DIY elk hunt for this fall. I have been watching a ton of your videos. You have the best and most relevant content on KZbin for a person in my position. Thank you! Random question, I watched your old video that covered your emergency kit, but I didn't see anything about backup navigation. I know your iPhone with OnX is the primary. I do the same. But do you carry a compass and paper map as a backup in case your phone goes down? Or maybe a backup GPS with mapping chip?

[@weinerdog137]

Finding someone that you can share a camp with, is as important as anything.

[@VozConEstilo]

Honestly, Finding a hunting partner or partners is far more complicated than finding big game.

[@plumbussmith]

Attitude is everything.

[@paul3137]

I have been on great trips with good people hunting. I have been on bad trips hunting. The people make a huge difference.

[@abowhand]

Yes, most issues with hunting partners are due to personality differences and cause problems in camp not so much in the field.

[@lukesenter]

I got Covid (didn’t know it until after trip when I got home) on day two of my elk hunt this year in CO. Pretty sure my hunting buddy is done with me forever. I still hiked and glassed, but I was struggling. He wishes he knew how to quit me.

[@CliffGray]

hahaha!. oh man, crap happens. I have had two different hunts that I was GUIDING where I had to quit due to illness... Luckily I was able to call in some reinforcements but it was miserable. Crap happens and good folks understand that.

[@lukesenter]

@@CliffGray yeah… it sucks royally. Especially the guilt for ruining your buddies trip. We were trying to go high elevation and got there two days prior to opening day to acclimate… we were in shape. Everything was in place and then I got sick. So dumb. The higher we went the worst I felt. Oh well… I redeemed myself with a mule deer on public land one month later in NM. Thank goodness! No sickness then!

[@Tang77so]

This is so good...I am ready to drop my hunting partner, so negative...

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

I usually hunt by myself. I agree 100% with this though

[@CliffGray]

👍💪🏻👍

[@df4291]

Clay lovingly took a half hour to say "don't be an asshole"

[@davidkang6663]

Is it possible to take my dog on an elk or a dear hunt. My dog would just stay at the base camp.

[@klayvonisme]

Just returned from a hunt in Idaho with a guy who I thought I knew. Turns out, I got to know him a lot better than I ever would have wanted to. Complete narcissist who had only one way to hunt elk in that was from the seat of his four wheeler. Drive and bugle 10 times and bugle 10 times drive and bugle 10 times. I was completely stuck with him and his narrow thinking and approach absolutely the worst trip of my life.

[@blackbeard0323]

FACTS! In the military, we call the poop thrower a "shit bird" because they just fly around and shit negativity onto everything!

[@rhensley05]

Man negative turd rant had me rolling because it’s so common.

[@Bowsonthebrain]

That’s why it’s just easier to hunt solo, until it’s time to pack out

[@CliffGray]

for some folks, that is for sure the case!

[@spazy3687]

Has he mentioned how his Carnivore diet has been going?? Haven't seen any news on that for awhile.

[@CliffGray]

It’s good. Still on it 👍

[@spazy3687]

@CliffGray Glorious! Thanks for the response. Looking good man, love the channel.

[@adamboone6864]

Ok what the hell I’ll bite on this, of course in my opinion; you and your friends may come to realize that Elk hunting isn’t FUN. It’s exciting at times, it’s physically challenging at times. It’s time consuming and some don’t have as much time as they think. Elk hunting is sometimes miserable. Some wife’s are miserable at home taking care of your kids. Sometimes your whitetail hunting friends are scared of the dark. Elk hunting is expensive. Elk hunting ebbs and flows. Not all elk hunting is the same, for instance elk hunting private land in Wy is 100% different than a public land Co hunt. I think all hunters should try to hunt by themselves at least once you might be surprised how much you increase your odds. REMEMBER NO MATTER HOW MUCH MODERN EQUIPMENT YOU USE IF THE MIND SET IS WRONG. JUST STAY HOME! And may the tough get going.

[@CliffGray]

Not arguing with anything there. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@ColoradoStreaming]

I did a few 24 hr mountain bike races back in the day on a 4 man team and we used to have a saying, "The entire race you wish it was over then the rest of the year you cant wait for the next race." Having done both the race is actually very similar to elk hunting as far as mindset, suffering and logistics. I actually would encourage anyone to try it out with their hunting crew as a fun off season activity.

[@joshsmith3650]

My hunting partner and I are bi polar opposites in a lot of regards minus the love and passion for the hunt. He stays close to camp typically, I’m never close to camp and in the wilderness but we mesh so well. I took my best friend hunting who is very similar to me in most aspects but he drives me nuts in the woods lol. So funny how it plays out when you step into the wilderness

[@plumbussmith]

Great vid

[@brockskarsgard8137]

I did a back country elk hunt with llamas 12 miles back with llamas. One friend brought in marijuana gummies supplement with whiskey….he was a true liability at 11,500’ being drunk and high one night where it ruined our next day hunt. Never again.

[@KS-ud8pg]

Loyalty. People are phonies as a whole. Windbags. Quitters.

[@desperado8605]

Im very selective who I hunt with. Even if we're hunting together I'll see you back at camp i do i my own hunting. Unless im guided

[@fishduckdog]

Goes for fishing 🎣 trips too!

[@arch0044]

A situation I’ve seen is one hunter is very much into fair chase and has the reg book memorized and another guy never looked at the regs for the state they’re hunting and thinks every hunting rule is a government overreach.

[@StevenMalloy-s6n]

Why I have 3 solid hunting partners. If any of them are unable to make a hunt, I hunt alone..

[@matthewholmes8638]

Hell I cant even find a hunting partner. Nobody has the Money,Time or desire to go on 10 day backcountry hunts.

[@williamchester5001]

Need to change that one example to people who have been divorced 5 times or more.😊😊😊

[@paulgandy8400]

Hmmm Does your wife watch your vids? 😁

[@CliffGray]

Yeah and she laughs at me 😜🤦‍♂️ all the super mean comments are usually from her anonymous troll accounts

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

Hahaha!

[@Yetified_Mayhem]

Thx for this one. Hilarious..