What To DO

[Triton]

I would like a few suggestions on how to handle ths sistuation. I think i already know how but i would like a few more opinions on the Matter.

Im a die hard duck hunter just like the next guy. Got the boat 4WD decoys the whole nine. I also get out and do all the scouting required to have a successful hunt on the weekend. My problem is having guys that like to do the same someone to get out and do the scouting with me to do the work it requires to flood a field or what not. So half the time im doing it by myself. But it truly never EVER fails that a week or two before the big opener my phone starts to ring with some one who whats to know where all the ducks are or where we hunting opening morning. And mind you this isnt the guy or guys that cant afford to hunt much or can afford a 4WD or to go scouting. These are the people who have new 4wd that wont take them down a gravel road of wont even drive then in the snow enless they must be at work and have burned all there vacation days and cant call in. These people expect me to drive every morning take them to the places i have scouted out for 2 months before season opener, and on top of that the get mad if you ask them for gas money and leave all there trash in your truck for you to clean and get mud all of the place in your nice truck on the back of seats etc i think you get my drift.
Now one or 2 of the guys are people i graduated high school with and like them until it comes to duck hunting, sinmply for this reason. I would rather hunt by my self.
I know not to many people know me on this site but what do you all think how should i handle this am i going at it wrong do i have a bad attitude about it or what ?

[bwelty]

Sure they aren't kin to you, sounds like some I know of. What about finding someone else who appreciates it or just explain the situation and get it off your chest to them. If they are friends and I mean true friends I think that they would understand.

[Triton]

i've told em
kinda expressed it when they got attitude when i told them i wanted gas money or something.
Didnt change much.

[itallushrt]

If you are hesitant about confronting them then simply don't communicate with them before and during duck season. Sounds like they are calling you and not necessarily dropping in.

My real suggestion though ... let them know that you feel you are being taken advantage of and you are no longer going to allow that to happen. It will put the ball back in their court...either they'll take notice and step up, or you'll never hear from them again.

[killinmammals]

To heck with them, if you like to hunt by yourself be very carefull, always let somebody know exactly where you are(i know you have probably heard that a million times) I know a few people like that too and I don't hunt with them anymore. All my buddies that I duck hunt with now help out on everything. We all scout different places when we get the chance, take turns driving, all chip in on the hard work, and preparing for season. Real men aren't afraid to get a little dust or mud on a 4wd either...whats the point in getting a 4wd if you never use it??

[bcdh1]

Same for me...get rid of them and find someone with work ethics. There are four guy inlcuding myself that all chip in or either take trns during ducks season. We have all scouted different places and gotten permission for all of us to hunt all of our spots. We all put in our time to hunt and we might ocassionally take someone else with us, but it does not happen very often.

[predator]

Triton-I could have posted this thread to a T, 15-20 years ago. Find new buddies that appreciate whos world they are in. The old ones will never change and you will just find yourself getting more and more bitter about the situation. I've spent a many of evening, by myself, untangling decoy lines and cleaning mud, getting ready for the next hunt. Not any more, when things really got to me, I pulled the plug on waterfowl hunting locally altogether. When I quit, they had to quit.

Don't wait like I did till you are totally burned out, there are plenty of guys out there who would love the opportunity to hunt with you and would carry their own weight.

[catmaster]

I No how you feel Triton going through that now. Really just about done with it all. Just not enough birds around here to deal with this crap. But I really like to hunt. I hunted most of last season by myself and still had a good time but it sure is fun to sure with others that love it as much as me.

[Grant]

Anyone who ever gets into many birds will likely run into this problem. I have been fortunate enough over the years to gain permission on some decent ground to waterfowl hunt. When season gets here it doesn't take long for guys to start calling asking when were going hunting.
Over the last 4 or 5 years I have really cut back on the people I hunt with. I have about 5 guys that I trust well enough to take hunting, and they all are more than willing to help scout, pack decoys, or fit the bill for gas if need be. I had to just start weeding them out. I either wouldn't tell them I had birds, or I would tell them I didn't have room.
My group(usually me and 2 or 3 others) all share the load now. I never have to worry about them talking about the location of our hunts, and they are more than willing to do whatever it takes to make the hunt a success.
Telling someone that they can't hunt with you isn't the easiest thing to do, but if your ready to get rid of the free loaders, its a must.

[Triton]

Pretty well what i had planned i hate leave some one behind but if your going to do all the work myself then i guess i will be enjoying it my self as well.

[mrdux]

You are a "Mooch Magnet" ! There is a solution. Get a new bunch of friends or grow some nads and tell the mooches how you feel. If what you have to say pizzes them off, you are better off without "friends" like them.

[AL390]

This post made me laugh as I know several folks that are just like that. There are few I duck hunt with anymore as I got tired of doing it all myself. I also bought all the decoys, they didn't have a boat, some used my layout blinds- got to the point I felt like a guide but wasn't getting anything but grief if things were not just right.

I have a core group of guys that will do whatever it takes during duck season. Season is too short, birds are hard to come by, and I am not wasting my time holding someones hand if they are just as capable as me.

Don't get me wrong- I take a few newbs and kids every year. I am talking about adult "duck hunters" that know what to do, just don't want to do the work whether it is time, money, or just getting dirty.

[BadDuck]

Im a die hard duck hunter just like the next guy. Got the boat 4WD decoys the whole nine. I also get out and do all the scouting required to have a successful hunt on the weekend. My problem is having guys that like to do the same someone to get out and do the scouting with me to do the work it requires to flood a field or what not. So half the time im doing it by myself. But it truly never EVER fails that a week or two before the big opener my phone starts to ring with some one who whats to know where all the ducks are or where we hunting opening morning. And mind you this isnt the guy or guys that cant afford to hunt much or can afford a 4WD or to go scouting. These are the people who have new 4wd that wont take them down a gravel road of wont even drive then in the snow enless they must be at work and have burned all there vacation days and cant call in. These people expect me to drive every morning take them to the places i have scouted out for 2 months before season opener, and on top of that the get mad if you ask them for gas money and leave all there trash in your truck for you to clean and get mud all of the place in your nice truck on the back of seats etc i think you get my drift.
Now one or 2 of the guys are people i graduated high school with and like them until it comes to duck hunting, sinmply for this reason. I would rather hunt by my self.
I know not to many people know me on this site but what do you all think how should i handle this am i going at it wrong do i have a bad attitude about it or what ?

We must have the same friends. I live with this every year. I work my butt for duck season. If you ever need somebody to hunt with that pulls his own weight, let me know. I am looking for the same.

[RutNBuck]

never fails when your loaded up with ducks, everybody and their brother will call wanting to go ..(they seldom offer help etc)

but when the ducks are few and far between you couldnt drag one of them to your honey holes..

take a few dedicated/die hearted fellows with you....and let the rest find a place of their own..or simply say i'll wait for the invite when you locate some ducks..

[wcpickens]

The man who is always bumming is not your true friend or he wouldn't do that. Everybody can't always be there because or family or work. But all of my hunting buddies always pack there weight. To tell the truth, some do better than me. So what if you don't have a boat or decoys, they can always contribute something else like time.

[Backwater]

tell em to f**k off

[biggun]

Exact reasons I don't put out food plots and tree stand anymore. I would tell the moochers I would be hunting out of state.