I'm looking forward to the coming season but I'm dealing with serious back pain. I've got a first season cow tag near Gunnison and 4th season bull tag in the Sangres. Also 2 deer tags and a ewe tag.

I've gone middle-age crazy doing all those things to try to give the finger to the reaper and deny my own reality - bought an ATV, begging the Dr. to shoot me full of cortizone before the hunts, wondering if I can accept the role of camp cook and wondering if the guys will accept me in that role, practicing long shots, rented a horse for one hunt.

Every day they put me in traction and stretch me and it is helping. Wish me luck.