Are you afraid to hunt/fish by yourself?

[ranchwife]

Being that fishing season is just around the corner, I'm anxious to get out on the water. If my husband can make it out of the field or away from the calves, he goes with me. Most of the time, however, I go alone. Part of me doesn't see anything wrong with going by myself. After all, men go out by themselves all the time. And I have my cell phone, so what's the problem? But the scared part of me reminds me that I should not be in any situation alone where I can be accosted. I went to my favorite reservoir by myself last year. I was feeling all confident and happy until I got there. I was the only woman fishing the reservoir, and there were 3 groups of men. Having watched too many CSI's and Forensic Detective shows, my mind started to wander. I ended up ignoring my fears and stayed there and fished, but I was wishing my husband was with me, and that I would have brought his pistol (I'm not sure a fly rod would hurt someone enough to keep them away).

I would have to pick - Yes, I'm afraid of the people that I may encounter. What would you pick? Guys, would you worry if your significant other, or female relative, went hunting/fishing by themselves?

[scruffnbeez]

I think it would depend where I am hunting. If it is where I deer hunt, then I have no problem going out by myself. When we go Elk hunting or camping in Colorado, I'm very nervous. Not of who I'll see but of what I'll see(bear) or that I'll get lost. I'm not married so I still have my mom to worry about me. My dad doesn't seem to worry. He never says anything if he is worried.

[Icequeen]

For me it depends on what I'm hunting. For big game I never go alone, if I got something there's no way I'd be able to get it out of the bush on my own and when I go by myself everyone else is at work so there would be no one to call the help me.

Otherwise I have no problem going by myself. I always have the dog with me so she warns me if there's something not right, and other people don't bother someone that has a large dog with them. I also always leave a note to let whoever gets home first where I went and when I'll be back, just in case something does happen.

[pinkarrow]

I have never been afraid to go hunting by myself.I have been going out alone for 15 years.The area I hunt is fairly open and no big hills or streams to worry about.I always let hubby or someone know exactly where I will be and about what time I should return.As for getting big game by myself I have learned how to load them alone(much easier with someone)but you do what needs to be done and complain after.Working on an Ambulance crew for 10 years certainly helped me to lift and position the weights in the easiest way.I have loaded whitetails and mulies by myself.I would never go for moose or elk as I know my limitations.A day in the woods alone is much needed at times,even when Hubby and I go out together we split up and go our seperate ways as we each have our own favorite little areas.We agree to meet at a certain time and place .Now that we are getting older we bought a set of radios to use this year just to keep in touch when we go to a new area.If there were bears where I hunt I probably wouldn't get out of the vehicle LOL,so I always check with the locals first.
Pinkarrow

[mudwalker]

I admit, I am spoiled when it comes to hunting. Spec often does the scouting and planning. I just have to be ready to roll when he says.

I don't think it is as much that I am afraid of anything out there... just that I don't know all the things to look for and do yet.

[AnnieAK]

I go both hunting and fishing by myself. Most of the time I'm more worried about humans than I am animals. Maybe there's more weirdos and jerks around here than in most places, but frankly, I'm alert about human problems every time I go anywhere.

[MoHuntress]

This year will be my 23rd year of deer hunting and I have hunted alone from day one. I like it that way! http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-biggrin-aqua.gif

MoHuntress

[girlbowhunter]

There was a time when hubby and I first got married, he would do the scouting for me, walk me to my stand or blind and come back for me.........that didnt last but a year or two, I wanted to go more than he had time to, so I have learned to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the woods all by myself. I look back and it&#39;s kinda funny. I have to admit, there&#39;s been a few times I had felt uneasy bowhunting, I encountered a Mountian Lion, and that kinda made me be a little more cautious. But mostly, I think a woman is safe, unless you are in bear country, then I dont see myself going it alone. I love the "my time" that i can only seem to get in a tree stand, not to mention the challenge.
Same goes for fishing, I remember the first time I took our boat out to fish a ladies only bass tournament, hubby drove to several spots to make sure I made it ok. But he has come to realize I can hunt and fish as well, if not better than he can, and seems to be proud of the fact.
as far as human danger, what idiot in his right mind would tackle a woman packin a pistol? or a rifle?with a cell phone and telling someone where you are, i think we are ok.
now that my son is old enough to enjoy hunting, I take him often as i can, this is what is really rewarding, at 11 he has taken more deer, quail, pheasant and squirrels than i did in my first few years. now i am looking forward to getting to teach my 8 yr old daughter. i believe God intended for the animals to make quality family time this way, fathers and mothers have to take the young ones for them to learn.

[AnnieAK]

girlbowhunter:You ask what idiot in his right mind would tackle a woman packing a pistol? Well, there&#39;s two things. One, they&#39;re an idiot and aren&#39;t thinking like a normal person to begin with, and Two, up here (and in a lot of places I&#39;ll bet) they&#39;re probably packing a pistol too. Crazies are just that: crazy.

[GuidesForHire]

I normally go alone but I do enjoy fishing and hunting with others too.

Lisa Weber

[NewMexicoHuntress]

I almost always hunt alone; I like the serenity. However, I do let family know where I will be, when I will return, and I check in with them via cell phone daily. I don&#39;t take any chances and I always go prepared to be out overnight if something does happen. The only "problem" I&#39;ve ever had was an "encounter" with a mountain lion early one morning before sunrise, hence my selected avatar! In looking back on it, I can see how lucky I was but I learned some valuable lessons: take a flashlight you can SEE with, not a mini-mag and bring along the .357 mag, not just your deer rifle! I&#39;m more concerned with the 2-legged variety of animal than I am the 4 - but even those are pretty respectful. Think it has anything to do with the hogleg strapped to my waist? http://www.jesseshunting.com/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smiley-wnk-yellow.gif

[slanttop357]

The only fear i got is bears i know this sounds silly but its the truth i think about it each time iam afield dont ask why i dont know just dont care for them at all. mountain lion no problem.:skeered:

[slanttop357]

Is this a Women thread only ?

[Jules]

I'm not afraid, but I am cautious. I've had a bear walk right up close to me, but the lions unnerve me more.

But really, I've encountered more creepy people while hunting alone than dangerous wildlife.

Now that I'm married to another hunter, all the alone I'm likely to get is sitting on the opposite side of a ridge or clearing, so it's not exactly an issue any more. I did a lot of solo hunting when I was single though. I pack a pistol, except that time I was bowhunting (that's when I ran into the bear, of course) and let people know about where I'll be hunting and when I'm coming out. Camp gets a little spooky at night alone.

[Jean]

I will hunt by myself just fine. I will go fish the ocean by myself just fine. I don't creek nor lake fish by myself because I can't adequately protect myself from creepy people.

Jean

P.S. I don't think this thread is exclusive. Thanks for reviving it, Slanttop357.

[slanttop357]

I will hunt by myself just fine. I will go fish the ocean by myself just fine. I don't creek nor lake fish by myself because I can't adequately protect myself from creepy people.

Jean

P.S. I don't think this thread is exclusive. Thanks for reviving it, Slanttop357.
Your welcome Jean :) thank you

[thedogmother]

I go by myself all the time. As a matter of fact I will be heading out deer hunting this weekend by myself. Sometimes I worry about running into a Mt. Lion while by myself but I never worry about who I may encounter.