Getting Harder to find younger hunters to commit?

[ClimberT]

I started this year and so far just trying to convince friends to pick up the sport is hard enough. So many show interest but when it comes down to it, no one signs up for their pal/hunters ed course or they don't want to spend on the correct equipment. A lot of the commitment issues relate to the money and time required. I was fortunate enough to finish school and land a job that leaves me with a stable schedule. However, most of the people I was planning to hunt with are still in school with a schedule that is all over the place and will still be in the next two years.

If anyone is in the same situation as me or wants to potentially find a new hunting partner, send me a message.

[greatwhite]

I might be starting a new group to hunt deer next year, possibly Moose but haven't decided yet. 4 of the people I hunted with have dropped out of the group I am in. I hunted with the fellas the other evening and will again tonight.

Probably hunting in my area for deer and possibly up at Bissett Creek. but not sure yet, probably decide next Spring.

[standup]

Just wondering if groups are having the same problem as us, finding younger hunters to commit time, money and resources to their moose hunt?

No problem at all. They go on a moose hunt in 18A with other guys. One guys there to ride his ATV 24/7. One's there to blast only birds right where the most moose sign is and the other two are sloshed most times. Why wouldn't a lad commit to that BS? Geez I can't imagine

[standup]

gee thanks for all the replys....
Our group is just back after a remote 3 week hunt in 18a. Now that we are back we will continue to evolve and work to improve the camp for next year. Input from the other members will be considered to make necessary changes to make for a more comfortable camp next year. But my camp started because i was the junior guy in someone elses camp. To show my gratitude i showed up to work weekend details, worked on the camp itself,(interior renovations) then went swimming for the downed moose. After the moose was hanging i asked if i could return home as i am a contractor and was newly married with small children. I was told if i didn t stay to the end of camp to close up i wouldn t get any of the animal. I chose to keep good blood between the camp owner and myself and decided to give up the meat to keep my friends. During that long drive home i decided that i would no longer return to that camp. That winter i bought a used school bus and coverted it to a very comfortable mobile camp. Each year more equipment is added to make less work for the group. As time and temperatures changed a i purchased an enclosed trailer and changed it to accomadate a commerical reffer unit on it , boat rack, atv position and even a washing machine! I find the more effort i put into the bus down here the more time we have in the bush, or just to sit and chew the fat. The fires in the evening are great to see the northern lights. Each fella without being asks, contributes in some way or form, from cooking , dishes or cleaning. Building the camp is a days chore as is the tear down. But the memories in between last a lifetime. As the group ages,we would like to convince a younger go getter to come along this is a tough challenge. As i have read the expressed concerns from both young and old i ponder the tought of asking another into camp. When the group fuctions well and there are no slackers (young or old) we have a great time hunting , fishing and birding. Thats why we go for so long i took for granted that another hunter would jump at the opportunity to come to an established group that has knowledge of the area they hunt, knowledge and equipment to harvest an animal and just generally has fun. I have been sadly mistaken in the last five years. We have had to ask as many not to return as we have had, a theif and cheat, a compulsive liar, a couple of drunks, a terrible lazy slacker so i agree with the coment there are hunters and folks that go hunting. I need only a hunter.

oh my dear god. I can't believe what i just read and from who. Writes a story . The last three lines describing himself to a tee, then makes like those attributes were in multiple others. Whew that's scary, and i was in the bush with that and a 410 shotgun. Glad to be on this side of the sod. Swim for a moose. I couldn't even get you to stay out hunting the very first day. Boy you got deeper issues than were even reveiled to me. Mods, delete if you want, but think about this. If you delete the truth and someone gets hurt it's on you

[shorst97]

Wow! Some extreme sarcastic views on here towards the young people. I agree with many that its not the age of the hunter its just finding the right mentality. I have been dying to go moose hunting for years but have not been able for the same reason as many on here. Time off work is hard to get when you aren't as high up on seniority as the older guys. Plus with todays dwindling moose tags its hard to justify spending $1000+ and a weeks vacation instead of using that week for deer hunting. Doing both can be tricky with the seasons being so close to each other. The freezer needs to be filled and deer fills it more reliably in my part of the woods. Money is also a big issue. Many of you older hunters should remember how tight money was with a mortgage and small kids at home. I don't have money to buy an ATV or crew cab truck to make myself more useful and alluring to the older guys in the groups. The last defense for the young guys could be having to hunt with the older guys. I know a few groups where all they want from the younger guys is their money and toys but they are not really allowed an opinion on where to hunt or are allowed to try new ways of doing things. They are to just fall in line and do things like they have for however many years in the past. They just need the young guys to make the groups big enough to get adult tags. No wonder the guys won't commit.

[topher]

i put a group of 4 together this year for moose... wasnt very difficult.. well see how it works at camp... the hardest part for me s finding time to meet up with everyone... as we all have different schedules..

[greatwhite]

What area?

i put a group of 4 together this year for moose... wasnt very difficult.. well see how it works at camp... the hardest part for me s finding time to meet up with everyone... as we all have different schedules..

[topher]

21a... Y you wanna come?

What area?

[greatwhite]

Little far for me to travel this year. But good luck. What do you have a bull tag?

21a... Y you wanna come?

[LowbanksArcher]

21a... Y you wanna come?

Sounds like everybody and their brother is heading to 21A this year. See ya there! lol