Thread: Solo hunting; managing risk

Due to my line of work dictating regular location moves, I have spent most of my time hunting by myself, as it’s hard to gather a crew of hunting mates when you’re moving all the time.

This roar I found myself pushing into more and more isolated locations, to get away from hunters and hopefully into good hunting. This time around I had an increasing feeling of vulnerability out there - a full days walk and two alpine saddles away from help. I have the desire to push harder and go on some epic adventures (expeditions) but I’m getting the feeling that there’s a limit of what should be undertaken solo.

Does your hunting behaviour change depending on whether you’re solo or with a mate? Would you bite off the same trip by yourself as you would with some ‘back-up’?

I love going in solo, 2 people tend to make 3 times the noise as 1 person solo does. Always carry a PLB and now an inreach as well. I love the feeling of isolation, it goes a long way to delete any head noise you have going on.

Good question. I think it depends on a number of things as it’s a little bit of yes and a little bit of no. As long as one has the right comms available, plb, inreach etc. I think you can still undertake the same trips as you would with mates. However, the decisions you make on that trip are likely to be different. For example, encountering a swollen river crossing that would be safer to cross with two or more people but unsafe with one. When the terrain gets a bit steeper and risk of a significant fall increases, having the sense to back away. Injuries happen all the time in hunting parties but the question is, if you are solo, are you exposing yourself to a risk of being incapacitated and unable to alert help. If so, should have a buddy.

I have a rule when hunting solo. If it looks a bit dodgy, find a safer way. If this is not possible then turn around.

It's not worth the risk.

A lot of the places I hunt, I feel bad taking my mates in to as they’re basically an arsehole on earth. 95% of my hunting is solo, there’s something so satisfying getting into and out of hard to get places solo. Caution is definitely used a bit more solo, I find with mates I get a bit more blasé… always have a plb. I usually do recce’s into areas before I commit. I find putting thought into routes and how you will attack certain terrains goes along way to comfort ability. It’s also a time thing, the more you do it the more you get used to it

To answer OP, no carry on business as usual. This is what a PLB is for. As with anything, any risk you take should be calculated. You only live once, don't live in regret for not having checked the next ridge etc.

While I like to hunt with others, esp introducing new people to the sport, I also like going by myself, for quiet hunting and for some quiet time.
The main thing I do differently when alone, is give a more detailed trip intention, this is for if I become unable to activate the PLB.

I have traversed some places with friends that if I was alone, I would have turned around, it wasn't because having friends made it safer for me, it was because I didn't want to cancel the trip half way and ruin their experience.

I don't think the distance in should make a difference to how careful you are.

I had an experience early on, falling hard against a tree in a deep little gully about 2.5 hours back from the car park. I cracked a rib and remember thinking how it could have easily been much worse, and how difficult I would be to find even if someone knew my general location. Bought a PLB after that, and always tell someone my intentions before heading in - with options in case I decide to head in a different direction depending on wind, etc.

There’s definitely positives for going solo - you can do everything on your schedule, and I think I get more animals by myself too. I guess it comes down to individual risk tolerance at the end of the day. The instance that got this to the front of my mind, was when I was walking out yesterday. Heading in there was a technical bit of track high above a gorge section of river. No problem heading in, but shit it got me thinking on the return leg weighed down with a pack full of venison and antlers on top. A fall would have been real messy…. Unfortunately no other way out, just take it slow and careful. Good job my lovely lady doesn’t see where I get to….

99% of what Ive done is solo, admittedly a lot less than some on here.
I wouldnt say its more dangerous, often the opposite. We are generally a stoic bunch, no one wants to admit to their hunting group that they dont know where they are, or that they are really cold or the river crossing looks sketchy etc. Often everyone is thinking the same thing but dont want to be the 1st to say it.

Most of my "moments" have been caused by casually dropping down into areas and finding I cant get back out the same way.
Oh and carry a PLB in an accessable place in case you find yourself in a pile of your own broken bones

I hunt alone as I hunt mid week being as I have a job where I'm working weekends, would like to hunt more with others but only because I am not great at finding animals so an extra a pair of eyes would help.

I'm very cautious once off track, my PLB is on my belt at all times, its useless in your pack if you get separated. I don't carry an inReach as can't justify the cost but do leave the wife a map and good intentions

A mentor I had in a previous time of my life. Said "It is better to have thought about it and tried, than to have thought about and not tried at all. " He was a person I still look up to. If your young and can do it. Just get out there and try it.

Originally Posted by turtleSO

A mentor I had in a previous time of my life. Said "It is better to have thought about it and tried, than to have thought about and not tried at all. " He was a person I still look up to. If your young and can do it. Just get out there and try it.

I get out as much as I can but I'm not young will be 57 this year.

In the early 1970's the cullers in the NW Ruahines supposedly had to make regular contact with Mangaweka by dial up radio. We knew one culler who hardly ever made contact.They were all super fit and could cover a huge amount of territory. We used to do 2 week trips with out seeing anybody.

I don’t think so. Just make sure you have the usual measures in place to keep yourself safe such as a PLB or satellite communicator and route intentions with someone at home etc. Be conscious of not doing things that are overly risky for no apparent reason but as an individual you will have a gauge on that anyway. Just carry on, far crazier things were done in the days before GPS and satellites. Sounds like you are doing some cool trips.