Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire I'm no longer a killer

Shooting prairie dogs is mighty easy going in a target rich environment. Surprises me more older hunters don't give it a go. Was out today in 72 degrees walking soft rolling hills banging away with the little Sako Vixen.

This thread reminded me of one of the best scenes in movie history. Watch.

That was extremely difficult to watch. Perhaps is would be better to not know it was a last go around. I do remember watching that portion on the big screen and marveling as how those shakey fingers deftly tied that turle knot.

I believe that gentleman is one of our more famous fly casters. Anyone remember his name?

Thank you for posting though.

OP, I feel your pain, and I'm almost 10 yrs. younger than you. Done a lot of big game hunting, in a lotta places. Shot over 100 whitetails in my home county. The facination is running out for me on big game. I'm having more fun squirrel hunting, the last couple of years, than anything else I do. Matter of fact, I'm going this weekend!!


maddog

Hunters, anglers, and pilots are a lot alike. They all seek something they can't really articulate in beautiful and untrodden - but hostile - places. Their search never ends, but it does come to a halt. A pilot either knows this will be the last time he straps in, or he doesn't know this will be the last time he straps in. It's not much different for a hunter or an angler.

Pard you can come up here and I will take ya hunting!

I would love to hear that you retooled your game and adjusted to the situation by heading south or going after small game. I hate to hear of hunters giving it up.

I can get ya a bear any time you want to give it a go. We'll set you in the right place at the right time and you can wait him out, to get him or watch him walk by, your choice. Hunting doesn't have to be done at the speed of light.

Tracks, wish you the best regardless of what works out for you...

I'm not ready to give up hunting, but I find it a thousand times more enjoyable to help or assist others in getting a head of game than myself...

be it friends or my son and his friends that I take hunting because they have no dad in their lives to take them, or one boys dad is handicapped and just can't do it...

not a lot of people always understand that....

My Dad was 80, was in great shape and always did stuff until he did 1 thing to many. He helped out elderly neighbors by cutting a branch off of their tree. Unfortunately, somehow he fell from the ladder 10 feet onto concrete. A concussion, brain damage and broken bones put an end to his doing just about anything. It also brought on Alzheimers which didn't help either.

Real sad thing that the neighbors didn't need my Dad's help. They had plenty of money to hire a professional to trim their tree.

Try to recognize your limits and don't cross them. 80 is too old to be climbing ladders and cutting trees down.

Tracks, I wish you all the best.

I'm 30 years old. And I haven't hunted as hard this year as I typically do. Wasn't even going to hunt tomorrow. I think I'll go pack my stuff up so I can be sitting in my favorite basin at daylight in the morning. Thanks for the inspiration sir.

In Calif we have a special dispensation for physically disabled hunters which allows them to hunt from ATVs or other vehicles. I bet you could get a note from your doctor and get one of these permits. Let you hunt for quite a few more years.

Also, consider acquiring a pack horse, burro, donkey or goats to carry your gear which would make it easier.

Lastly, consider getting one of those emergency locator beacons so if you really need help you can call for it no matter where you are. Spot is one and it sells for $150 and $100 a month. You can summon emergency help; and send messages and location to your friends also.

You are a lucky man, fewer and fewer have those links to that time in our history, any more.

+1

Thanks for inspiring me as well. At 46 I can start to feel it coming on and figure I have only a limited number of good years left. Need to live them to the fullest. Took my dad (72) on a whitetail hunt last week and he's really slowed down. Hard for me to watch, as he was always the leader of the pack.

Not a matter of giving up my friend. Its about listening to what your body is telling you and obeying.

I share your sentiments.

Hunt smarter

Hate to hear it when anyone hangs it up. I know I will never quit. I sat on a stand with an O2 tank when I had complications from brain surgery. I can barely walk right now needing to have 3 disks fused in my neck and 3 fused in my back. The only time I do not enjoy any type of hunting is when I run out of snuff.

I'm not a touchy feely guy but I have to admit that your post brought a tear to my eye. Best wishes to any and all outdoor adventures that you have in your future. Sounds like you've had a good run so far.