Huh?
And ditto DonK, huh?
I agree with Jac. on getting to know folks at the smaller camps, larger camps are more about the fun time not the hunting in many cases.
I guess if I was looking for a hunting partner rather than just trying to connect with somebody by chance once I'm in Wyoming I would give a few more details about myself, what kind of a hunt I'm looking for and what my expectations are. For instance, are you looking for a base camp type hunt, spike camp or bivy hunt? What were your previous elk hunting experiences like? Did you backpack in and spike out? Did you get into any elk? How much backpacking experience do you have? What base camp gear do you have? Do you have the gear necessary for backpacking and spiking out? What are you doing to get yourself into or stay in elk hunting shape? What kind of physical shape are you in? How old are you? Are you able to pack an elk out on your back? How serious are you about elk hunting? What have you done to educate yourself about elk and elk hunting? How is your bugling/calling? Have you done any research on Wyoming and do you have any areas narrowed down or any info or connections? If you haven't done any research and don't have any tentative plans at this relatively late stage of the game are you looking for somebody to take you under their wing and take you to areas they are familiar with? If that's the case, do you bring anything to the table or have anything to offer in exchange such as access to good hunting land in Iowa?
Sorry if this seems like a lot of questions and if I sound blunt but these are some of the things I would want to know if I was considering a hunting partner. Choosing an elk hunting partner is not something to be taken lightly because if two guys aren't on the same page or compatible it can be very disappointing for both. Elk tags that take 4 points to draw are too valuable to go into a hunt with so many unknowns.
I realize you could answer all these questions if somebody shows interest in connecting with you but you might have better luck finding a partner if some of this info was provided up front. Good luck.
I thought that they were salient points.
I am not Paul at the Fort, but at 73, I will be in Idaho, on a DIY solo hunt,,,, since I like to eat elk, and am happy with a cow,,, I do well, and love my experience
If I was a young guy, I would pick this guys brain, because not only does he talk the talk he walks the walk,,,, and he is a very nice guy........................
If I was looking for a hunting partner I would provide a lot of the information I suggested so any potential partner would know that to expect.
Being a consistently successful elk hunter takes a lot of effort and commitment in all aspects of the hunt and pre hunt planning. I have a Wyoming general tag this year and it's the 4th time I've had that tag. I'll most likely be out there for the entire month of September or close to it. I'll be connecting with a Bowsite friend sometime after the 10th and I have a few other friends who also drew the tag but I will probably hunt solo for 10 days or so. I could have possibly connected with Harley but if he can't even put as much effort into providing some information as I put into trying to help him we probably wouldn't be good hunting partners. I wish him luck in finding a partner and having a great hunt. I don't expect any novels to be written about it though...
A couple of them actually have come out with No tag and still enjoyed a week, some years and then came back with tag in hand.
Last year the guy in camp was on his 3rd trip/tag out.
I'd like to reach out a helping hand to ya Harley but I'm in disbelief for not drawing my Gen Tag this year (14 out of 17 years I've drawn it) so I'm on a 2nd choice RP cow and another leftover RP cow although they are both in Gen Any Elk units, I'm swamped in September helping out in other states.
I'm basically doing Wyoming on Labor Day week and hope to arrow 1 of my tags.
You will be just fine, I am sure--------->
Good luck, Robb
