All previous hunting trips I've taken around the great state of Wisconsin has always included going with hunting friends. When I travel to Grouse hunt, gun deer hunt or bow hunt I've always gone with someone. Don't get me wrong I enjoy and cherish those times. This year, I'm really thinking about loading up our 27' travel trailer (maybe even take the tent) and heading somewhere alone for bow hunting for a 3 day weekend this fall. I just think it would so rejuvenating to bow hunt by yourself then head back to camp and just relax. No cards, no heavy boozing, just have a campfire, and take it easy. I'm not sure where I would go. Likely somewhere with a campground close to some public land. And preferably somewhere where there are some deer. Has anyone done this or something similar? Did you find it enjoyable to hunt and camp alone? Or did you just get bored and lonely?
Mine are also. But this is because I am bowhunting out of my house. Do you travel and spend a whole weekend alone? That is the question. How does it work out for you?
Yeah I think it sounds great as well. I also know after 3 days of not talking to anyone I'll be ready to go home and see the family.
I think it would be great to do something like that with your only responsibility being to yourself. You could hunt hard and long, get back have a good dinner, sleep and get up early to start again. No time to get bored or lonely.
I did It In 2004. It was suppose to be 3 of us going but the other 2 guys backed out. I spent 7 days all by myself In Montana doing an elk hunt. It got lonely at times. Twice I got lost heading back to camp In the dark. Both times It took me 4 hours to find my way back. A person gets a little more nervous when you know theres no one In camp to come looking for you. Would I do a solo hunt again? I think so. I learned allot about myself them 7 days. I think the worst part of the trip was the 17 hour one way drive there and back.
Brad, I say go for it. The ability to really focus on hunting plays a big difference in personal happiness and overall success. Get out there and enjoy yourself! One of these days I am going to do a five day hunt in the national forest here in Virginia. I am not going to scout prior to the hunt. I am going to bounce around using topo maps and go for broke every day.
I do it all the time, can't always find someone who can go. But, I don't camp, I chill in a hotel Strangely enough, the last 4 years, I've killed my biggest bucks on these solo trips.
How does the hotel react when you hang up the deer in their parking lot? :p Seriously though, do you enjoy the solo aspect? Or would you rather go with others?
If thats what you would like to do then go for it, you might love it, but bring your phone in case you dont j/k
If you got a smartphone...are you ever really that alone? I enjoy hunting with others, but do plenty on my own as well (never overnighters)...but sometimes you just have to get away - even if it ends up lonely and boring - a lot can still be learned. Go for it! (the thought of sitting well past dark with no where to be does sound good)
I agree. Too many times I am rushing out of the woods to take care of lifes issues. Bring some good food, some good reading material, and your love of the woods and I just bet it will not be that boring and lonely. It sounds good to me.
The more I hear you guys talking about it sounds even better than before I posted. Interesting enough, you all are saying it sounds great... but it seems few have actually done it willingly. I can see if you can't find anyone to go with you. Since you are considering this as well Brett, what time of year would you go? Would you go early season, October or during the rut?
Up until a year ago I traveled (alone) an hour to an hour and a half, from my home and hunted alone. For the past 2 seasons I traveled up to my land and hunted alone all but 2 weekends when my son came and hunted with me. In the early season I travel to my trailer and usually hunt alone. About the last week of Oct. I go up to my land for 4 weeks and hunt alone. When gun hunting comes along my brother comes up and hunts with me for a couple of days then I finish the season hunting alone. For bowhunting, I prefer to hunt alone unless I'm hunting with my son. I feel that it is easier to hunt mature bucks alone. Less pressure and scent in the woods. Gun hunting is when I enjoy company the most. I am kind of a hermit.
Most of my trips to my lease this season (3.5 hr drive) were alone. I'd stay 1 or 2 nights camping and have a blast. I made a couple trips with other lease members and have to admit the hunting was better when I was there by myself.
There's something special about being out there alone. I hunt a really remote spot, and I love being the only one out there, having the area all to myself. Walking around in the darkness in the morning or evening really gets the heart pumping. Killing a deer alone, in the middle of nowhere, I love it! Disadvantages are having to do all the work yourself. Loading a 200 pounder into the truck is a SOB. I once gave up, and cut a buck in half, true story! The drive, and sitting in the hotel alone gets a little old sometimes. But by the time you shower, eat, set up for the next day, it's time to crash anyways. Try it, you may discover that you actually like yourself
I do this quite a lot here in IL. Trust me, it is very rewarding. The nice thing about hunting State Parks, is there is always a helpful hand to pull one out of the hollars!
