This may get to be a touchy subject and I don't want to start a war, I just want some opinions and ideas on how you guys handle invites and how you hunt and fish.

Alot of times I hunt and fish by myself; therefore I don't have to deal with the problem or dilemma of splitting the cost of gas and transportation.

Now I am also of the mindset that when I invite someone to hunt or fish with me, I am not concerned about who pays for what. If I invite someone I don't want any money.

The complicated parts comes in when someone suggests to me let's go make a run here or there. Some of these hunting and fishing runs are a 50 mile truck ride one way, and might be between a 10-20 mile boat ride. Throw in a $5-$6 launch, ice and whatever else. Now I know a mud motor does not break the bank as far as gas goes, but trip after trip can add up. These trips might add up to $20 per run or outing, but over time they add up.

If its not totally my idea I would like to see some cash, or an offer to pull the boat every now and then.

The complicated part comes in that I am talking about a purdy good friend. I am just thinking about the upcoming duck season and I am getting a little agitated about what might lay ahead. I hate to end a friendship over this, but I am not a user, and I don't like getting used.

I am sure some of you have been this route before; so let's hear your stories and how you roll now.

I got a few ppl that I know like that...I'm the same way I really don't ask for money to much but dayum...I seem to get screwed most of the time...from now on ppl that come with me meet me at the gas station...And pitch in with everything that way its fair for everyone..I believe it goes "ASS, GAS, OR CASH NO FREE RIDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I make suggestions like "hey go catch the Launch guy" or "go grab a bag of ice", "pick up some sandwiches on the way to meet me", etc.

Most guys take the hint. If not when they suggest you go, tell them you are tapped out, been spending too much money.

I get real blunt when guys don't get the hint. Specially after a few beers. Its the guys that show up at the camp for the weekend and don't get that generators, stoves and heaters don't run for free that get me. Hell I'd be happy if some of them just hauled the stuff.

I don't floatin the fuel when I take my buddies out. I just tell them when there on there way to stop and get some beer water ect. Never really have any problems or disagreements

I say just confront it head on. He may not even realize it. Then if that doesn't work cut him loose. A real friend has respect and consideration for you. I don't expect any shared expenses unless its a roadtrip excursion. I figure I'm going anyway. But I have cut back on taking people due to what I consider taboo by someone you call friend. You take them with you to some of your good spots, only to see them back out there taking other folks to these good spots you entrusted the loaction to said friend in the first place. Not that its your private property but not what a friend should be doing. Some folks don't put in the time on their own, they just piggy back off your scouting and hard work if you let them.

I smell what you steppin in. I got two buddies who refuse to buy their own boats but yet allways want to go ride out to da camp and want to go on their schedule. Not to mention they never offer to help pay for anything and when it is time to get ready to leave tryin to get dem to help clean up takes an act of congress. So now I don't invite dem two anymore. I don't mine bringin people out der to have a good time. But these two didn't even bring der own beer or ice chest.

find some new guys to hunt with...


I am fortunate enough to have a couple of guys who when we stop ask me what i want to eat or come over and swipe their card to fuel up the boat.

if you cant find anyone else to hunt confront it head on like said above. Just mention when you stop for them to chip in on gas money...if they are a dick dont invite them anymore....and kill all the ducks yourself!

I've narrowed down my core group of hunting buddies to a few die hards.A couple of them are about 10 years younger than me but we are on the same page with everything that was discussed in the above post.They hunt my land and I hunt on theirs, we haved shared spots and before anyone goes to the others hole it is talked about and no new folks get to go to the honey holes.

As for free loaders I do not ask my buddies to pay for things they just do and I do the same.If someone doesn't pull their weight they do not come back with me.

If I invite someone, I don't expect any money. Buy your own snacks drinks etc. if you offer some cash, I'm greatfull, but a lot of times I'll refuse.

If it's your idea, I'll provide the boat, and usually fuel for the boat if it's not unreasonable. You provide the tow vehicle and fuel.

If it's a joint venture, either we rotate trucks, or we split the gas. Again I'll cover the fuel in the boat, you can cover drinks. Mine and yours.

I have a few guys I do most of my hunting with. We each know what the deal is. It's different for different groups also. When I invite someone new it seems to always work out.

Worst case last year, I took someone on their first duck hunt, they insisted we leave early (no biggie, it was slowing down anyway) he went bought a complete rig. Boat motor and trailer. I was "hired" to guide the next morning. I was the guide/boat captain. Everything was taken care of for me.

Seems it usually works out, though I do have some friends that don't alwAys seem to pull their weight. I make it clear to them, they're welcome to come when invited, but if I gotta play guide............WIIFM? (what's in it for me)

Just like I used to tell women when I was single.

If you didn't say no...it's consensual.

When i'm invited I make it my buisness to offer money for gas, your truck or mine that sorta thing. I expect the same from my buddies. Not to give money for gas , or to actually take their truck, but to atleast offer some form of gratitude. All my padnas are the same way. We'll probably refuse the money or one of us will put gas in the truck and the other in the boat. So on, but as for a parasite... cut em loose. Nothin worse than a tick on your sa@k...

Thanks for the replies fellas. I just wanted to see how yall saw things and how you operate.

I shouldn't even have to be posting the question, but obviously from your replies it does happen.

I used to not understand partucularly with duck hunting how some people had a crew assembled and it was tight knit and you could not get in. NOW I UNDERSTAND.

I know what I am going to do. He won't get invited no mo', and if he asks it will be on condition that he pulls with his truck. Dammit good friends are hard to find!

Mudgun....that is true!!! I just don't know if its funny or not!!!!!!

I used to have a very good friend that I hunted with until he got back into duck hunting.I hunt my in laws land and at the time I was a guest and could only hunt with a few people on the property.

Well one day about 17 years ago my friend wanted to make a duck hunt with me because he was not going to the deer camp,no problem.We went the next day and shot the piss out of greys and poule du and he was hooked.

Here is where all the trouble came in.First when ever I was at work he wanted to go and take other people on land that I was a guest on.Then he always felt that he was invited on all hunts even when he was not.Everything that he could do to piss me he did in grand fashion.It ended bad and we do not talk at all anymore.

The last thang you wants to do is to loose a friendship over a dang DuckBird !!! I've had some terrible thangs to happen to friendships over the preasures of huntin' and fishin' !!! Comunicate. Comunicate. Comunicate.

Always .... I mean Always make it somewhat clear on the plans of the hunt or the entire season !!! Speak what is on yore minds 'fo the event happens !!!!

Always bring yore own drink. Always bring yore own amo. Always bring yore own food. Ifin' its yore turn to pay the boat launch ... pay it.

Don't never tell yore other buds 'bout the spots that I sho You !!!

Ifin' you take me and I choose to go ..... I Always express thanks !!!! One of the bestest way to express is .. $$$$$$ !!!!

AND ~ Ifin' you cain't go 'cause the money has you down .... let yore buddy know ..... he will make up his own mind ifin' he wants you to go with him !!!

guess it just depends on who im with. usually one will buy the gas, one will buy the beer and ice. sometiems if im strapped for cash they will take care of everything just to get us on the water and vice versa

Slambin and I hunt in the same lease. We each have our own boats and we apy all of our own stuff. we take turns mowing grass keeping up the camp. We always get along an we take turns providing food!

Another buddy of mine always offer when he comes with me. I refuse because he repays me the favor hunting his lease as a guest and dosent charge me for AV gas in his airboat!

Man, I must have the best group of hunting pardners cause we don't ever have any of these problems...ever.

me n ma padnas tend to alternate boats n who pays for gas n beer it all works out good that way

With us, it just sort of works out. Year before last I didn't have to buy shells all year because we were using my boat and my truck. I'd fill the boat and they'd usually fill the truck and my shell bag. The guys I hunt with are all pretty much poor like me, so if somebody doesn't have money one time, we take care of him, and he takes care of us when we're strapped. The one inexcusable sin is somebody who doesn't do the work. Had a guy who hunted with us (actually the guy who got me into it) who was sort of slacking a few years back and was almost excommunicated as a result. Had to really work his ass off to back in good graces. Last year, we used my buddy's truck, so I took care of the boat stuff, and the other guys pitched in to him for gas. We don't keep track of things to the penny, but it pretty much always works out about even. Also pretty much just hunt the few of us, and limit others coming along.

1 of my hunting partner started slackin on me most of the time used my boat when we hunted certain areas and always rode in my truck finally talked to him and told him that my truck and boat dont run o nothing after that it was all good and never missed a beat .. i'm like ol brooks its all about just sitting down and talkin to someone , maybe they just get comfortable ...

we never had that type of problem, i usually bring gas and the boat and they supply the food and the shelter. i can't say that we've ever had a problem with a moocher. thank goodness their a pain in the ass

If the shoe fits





You did get invited though. You just prefered to go sit in a deer stand in some piney woods and watch the pine needles fall

Also. If someone I take hunting brings his padnahs to one of my honey holes.......

If you come hunting with me...All i can say is..If you are picky about what you eat....Bring your own.I have the rest taken care of.

find new non stingy padnas.......problem solved

Thats why I hunt by myself 95 percent of the time.No bitching or complaning.

That's sad.

ill hunt witcha bro ....im pretty quiet till i get some miller lite in me

Don't waste your time with a free loader!!I did it for too damn long with a family member that was a loser and gave up alot of great hunting and fishing dealing with him!Booted him up the road and now I have some of the best hunts with the best guys Don't waste your time on a Loser!!