2X1 Hunts - How does it work?

[Divernhunter]

I do it here in the states with family/good friends. It is just more fun. I have killed so many deer that I enjoy helping to get someone else theirs.
I did it in Africa with my daughter. Actually she started out just wanting 1 animal. I was going to be "back up" shooter but she dropped everything with one shot each. But she ended up shooting 7-9 animals. I shot 15 plus a bunch of monkeys. It was a 10 day hunt that we actually hunted 11 days all spot and stalk. Never any problems. We both had enough time to get all the animals we wanted. Well actually could afford. I would have not done it any other way. We both have great memories from the hunt and sight seeing before the hunt. There was no regrets on shot opportunity as we both got great animals and all we planned to take plus extras. Something else the "hunt" is more than just killing certain animals it is the experience.

I would love to go back to Africa.

I might feel different if it was someone I did not know or knew to be a bad attitude hunter. Then I would opt for one on one.

 

[gizmo]

My opinion on this has fluctuated back and forth on this. I've come to the realization that it greatly depends on how serious I am about the hunt. If I'm specifically after a particular animal or species and I'm serious about it than 1x1 is the only way. If it's not a situation like that and I'm not serious over what or if I take then I really enjoy a 2 or 3 X1 hunt. For wing shooting I always prefer a group as opposed to being on my own. Just my two cents.

 

[MI Adventurer]

Really it's fundamentally about what what you want out of the hunt. Assuming that you have a vested interest in sharing these memories and experiences with a particular someone else (be they family or friend) then a 2x1 hunt may be for you. If you are hunting for trophy or thrill of the chase (or don't have a suitable partner) then 1x1 is likely more up your alley.

For me, I hunt for the experiences and the memories (and the meals made from the critter,) so I would do a 2x1 hunt as a preference. This is only so that I could share in the experiences of others and they could share in mine. I can appreciate outstanding specimens of a particular animal as much as the next guy, but that typically comes with a cost that I might not be willing to pay.

Besides, I never know when I'm going to need an alibi.

 

[Longwalker]

I had an absolutely wonderful time hunting 2x1 with my brother on a plains game hunt in SA a couple years ago. But then I get about as much enjoyment just being part of a hunt as pulling the trigger when hunting with someone who I am so compatible with. We never had a problem, just alternated opportunities on the same species of game or switched turns when game showed up that was not on the designated shooters "want" list but was on the others. I would certainly do it again. Twice as much hunting for half as much trophy fees is how I looked at it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

........... Twice as much hunting for half as much trophy fees is how I looked at it.
......

That's a good way to look at it.

 

[SPAD]

Usually one is hunting and the other one is running the camcorder, camera, rangefinder, snack bowl, etc... The transition back and fourth can be very quick.

 

[watman]

Yeah put me in the 2X1 camp. Took my Dad to SA last year in April and he just wanted a few animals, he took 2 and I took 5. This was over 7 days, we really enjoyed the time just hanging out and riding around together. Some times he stalked with us sometimes he'd hang around the Bakkie and take pictures. Either way we both had the time of our lives.

I'll take my boys in the same method; likely the inverse proposition they with a lot of opportunities I'll be looking for one or two specific animals.

Now if my friends and I were going I think we'd hunt 1X1, but again if you've salted your game, I'd probably hop on someone else's truck just for the experience. But remember spotting another set of eyes is good but stalking another set of feet make noise.

He really just wanted the tail for a flyswatter ;P

 

[Aegis]

I haven't made it to Africa yet...still in the saving/researching/planning phase...but my trip is intended to be a buddy hunt from the get go, so will almost certainly be 2x1. In fact, it was my friend's idea to go to Africa in the first place. We've discussed 2x1 vs. 1x1, and we're in agreement that we'd rather hunt together. We'll work out a way to share the shots, and just enjoy being in Africa together.