So, my DH has been really into the idea of hunting for the last couple of years. I think he has this weird instinct to go out and find food for his family. LOL!
Anyway, this year he has been even more into the idea and has recently started to look for places where he can go hunting. He is thinking about buying a Public Land Permit, this would allow him to go onto specific public lands (owned by the state) and hunt.
I am perfectly fine with this except he has yet to find someone who will go with him. I don't mind going on hunts with him, but I know that eventually I will get bored and we're not sure if it's worth buying two permits just for me to tag along. The problem here is that I don't want him to go alone. So far he has agreed that he won't go alone, but I am afraid that if he doesn't find a friend to go with him that eventually he will insist on going by himself.
My fear is that something might happen (with guns and wildlife involved you never know) and he wouldn't have anybody with him for help. My question is, do y'all think that I am being silly? Is this just me being paranoid or would you be worried as well? Also, any ideas as to how to make it safer for him to go alone would be greatly appreciated!
Re: For those who DHs like to hunt...
No I'm the exact same way! I would never let DH go by himself. Although I like hunting, and usually go with him, if I don't go he won't go by himself.
*I wish our season opened earlier like yours. Ours starts this Saturday, finally.
My DH doesn't hunt, but my dad and brothers all did. My dad still does; he'll disappear from dawn to dusk.
I can understand your worry, but really he should be OK by himself so long as he knows how to use a gun (if not, target practice first), wears bright colors, and carries a cell phone with him (turned off unless he needs it of course). Oh, and obviously make sure he's not in the woods unless there's daylight.
I can also understand your desire to tag along so he's not alone, but I can see how you'd get bored and if you're not serious about it, you'll just scare off any of the animals.
I'd suggest making a plan with him so you both know what hours he'll be gone and always make sure you know where he's going.
Nope, not silly at all. We've never discussed it but it's like an unspoken rule that he doesn't go hunting alone. It only takes a second for something to happen. Fortunately for us, we both come from families full of avid hunters so there's always someone who will go with him.
I don't think you're being paranoid at all as I wouldn't be comfortable with him going alone either. DH isn't a hunter, but he's really into snowmobiles. We have an unspoken rule that he's not allowed to go out riding by himself either in case something should happen to him. He carries a cell phone at all times, but it doesn't always get a signal when he's on the trails in the middle of the woods.
DS #1 born January 2010. DS #2 due June 2014.
My DH is an avid hunter, like I won't see him until mid-December!
99% of the time he goes out by himself, and yes I worry a little. He always has his phone and sends me frequent texts, and always lets me know if he will be later then expected. I need to get better about knowing exactly where he is, I will definitely start doing that this year.
I don't think you need to buy a permit just to go out and sit with him, though maybe its different for your state.