Let me start by saying that I believe there is immense value in being a capable hunter on your own. You learn a lot about the woods, about hunting, and about yourself when you spend time alone in the mountains. Solo hunting, especially in the mountains, can be incredibly demanding. It’s not something to take lightly, and it should only be attempted if you’re truly prepared to handle whatever challenges may come your way.
That said, I also believe time spent in the woods with family and friends is about as well-spent as it gets. Sharing campfires, long hikes, and the highs and lows of a hunt creates a kind of bond that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. There’s something about working together toward a common goal in wild places, whether it’s packing out an elk or just glassing a canyon at first light, that brings people closer. These moments build trust, create lasting memories, and strengthen relationships in a way few other experiences can.
Most of the greatest days I’ve had in the woods were spent with a family member or a good friend. I’ve been lucky to go on some truly epic trips, days where success was sweet and defeat stung a little. When success comes on solo hunts, there’s always a deep sense of accomplishment that comes from reaching a goal on your own. But if I’m honest, there’s often a slight void too, something missing in the moment without someone there to share it with.
Just this past fall, for example, I had an unforgettable encounter with a great bull elk here in Idaho, and I was fortunate enough to make it happen. I can tell the story a hundred times, but it still would’ve meant more to have one of the special people in my life there beside me when it all unfolded.
Adventure Hunts and the Company You Keep
Going on an adventure with a good buddy is tough to beat. Some of the best memories in my life have come from being deep in the backcountry, sharing the grind, the laughs, and the long days with someone I trust. (Small disclaimer, though: I highly recommend vetting that person—or group—before diving into a big hunt together. The wrong partner can turn a dream trip into a disaster in no time.)
When I talk about an “adventure hunt,” I’m referring to something that requires genuine commitment and dedication. It could be a weeklong backpack trip for high-country mule deer, a road trip to Alaska to chase caribou on the Haul Road, or a multi-day elk hunt right here at home.
These hunts aren’t just about hunting; they’re about logistics, physical effort, and how well you and your partner handle the ups and downs together. You’re not just sharing a camp; you’re sharing stress, success, fatigue, and maybe even disappointment. It’s not a casual weekend hunt where you’re back at the truck by dark and sleeping in your bed. These are the kinds of hunts that can forge lifelong friendships or test them to the breaking point. There is just something about doing hard things and coming out on the other side with a good memory that has a way of creating bonds between folks.
Low-Pressure Hunts with a Great Group
I could say it a thousand times and still not fully explain how much I love adventure hunts with a good pal—or a group of them. But I’d be lying if I said the real reason I wrote this article wasn’t to talk about this section right here.
By 2018, I’d been on numerous hunts, both in-state and out-of-state, with groups of friends. Every one of them was a blast, and I wouldn’t trade those memories for anything. That said, hunts like that always come with a certain amount of pressure. As I’ve grown older, I’ve gained more perspective and learned that success isn’t the only goal on these trips. But if I’m honest, the driver each day is still the chance to notch a tag. Even so, I’m able to walk away from these hunts feeling fulfilled, regardless of the outcome.
Then, something special happened in the winter of 2018. My buddy, Dan Whitmus, invited me on a javelina hunt in Texas with a group of his friends. It sounded like a good time, so I booked a plane ticket—and a couple of months later, we were in the brush country of Texas.
The hunt lasted just two and a half days, but it was life-changing. Yeah, everyone tagged a javelina or two, but that wasn’t what made it a success. What Dan had figured out, maybe without even saying it outright, was that the real goal was camaraderie.
Dan might not have said it outright, but looking back, it was clear he had a vision for what that hunt was about. He knew how to gather the right people, set the tone, and keep the focus on connection rather than competition. That’s not easy to do, and I’ve come to admire how intentional he was in building that kind of hunting experience. Getting a good group of people together to share camp and chase critters wasn’t just fun. It was something more profound. He’d found a kind of cheat code for life.
Following Dan’s Lead
Since that trip to Texas in 2018, I’ve made an intentional effort to follow Dan’s lead and plan at least one low-pressure, camaraderie-focused hunt each year. I’ve invited Dan, of course, but with his guiding schedule taking him all over the world, our calendars rarely line up.
So, what have I done instead? I’ve taken the spirit of that Texas hunt and recreated it in my own way, organizing trips with people I’ve met from different parts of life. A few years ago, I organized a baited bear hunt in Idaho with five other guys. I was the only connection between them; none of them had ever met before. We all got together in May to set up baits and then met again in June for a long weekend of hunting. Yes, we managed to kill a bear, but that wasn’t the most significant takeaway. We laughed, told stories, and left with a new circle of friends who now share a deeper bond through a shared experience in the woods.
More recently, I’ve been organizing a turkey hunt in Oregon with what started as a random group of strangers and has now become a close-knit crew. That group includes Joe and Dennis from here at Initial Ascent, Dustin Hollowell from Oregon, and my brother Jeremy. This past season, a great guy named Scott Harris joined the mix.
Let me be the first to tell you: this crew is not exactly what you’d call a bunch of turkey-hunting savants. We’ve had a few close calls and even more misses, and I’m pretty sure Dustin is going to disown us if we don’t start figuring things out soon. Still, this trip is easily one of my favorites every year. I look forward to it as eagerly as a child counting down to Christmas. We eat good food, hang out, laugh until our faces hurt, scare a few turkeys, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. No egos, no pressure, just friends spending time together in the woods, with a bit of hunting thrown in.
If I’m being honest, it’s hard to put into words just how much fun these kinds of hunts are. When chasing a giant buck or bull is always the main focus, it’s easy to miss out on some of the best times hunting has to offer.
Try it, I Promise You Will Love It
Hunting means different things to different people, and that’s the beauty of it. There’s a time for grinding solo, chasing big goals, and pushing yourself to the limit. But there’s also something special about slowing things down, gathering a few good folks, and just enjoying the time afield. The laughs, the stories, the meals around the fire- those are the things that stick with you long after the tags are filled or the season ends. This year, consider setting aside a hunt that’s not about inches or pressure. Just make some memories. That’s the kind of success that never fades.
