I'll be 60 in June. I'm 5'10" tall and 150 (or a bit less) pounds. I can still pack out an elk from anywhere even if I don't like it. I eat a whole food, low inflammation, plant based diet. I work out for what I call "lean strength" with an emphasis on cardio/stair climbing and push ups/pull ups added (an Arabian will bury a Quarter Horse in the mountains). Mental toughness can't be taught. Desire can't be taught. Some aspects of endurance are just genetic gifts. I have many of these gifts in spades. I realize they are gifts. I haven't had anyone help me pack out an elk in 21 years. All mine come out miles-in from public ground, and unfortunately sometimes from super-steep, blow-down ridden hellholes. I don't like those spots. Last bull I packed out was when I was 55 from one such hell hole. Took 3 trips. I can still carry 80+ lbs, but don't like it one bit. I missed last season due to Covid (first missed hunting season in 33 years). I passed on a number of lesser bulls since my last 6x6 kill in 2016. I'm happy not to punch a tag. I'm likely not the toughest or smartest elk hunter. I'm not a meat hunter (though as far as red meat goes, elk is as good as it gets). I hunt for the best, oldest specimen in a given area I can find. If I can't find that type animal I don't pull the trigger. A couple key guys in my life really gave me some helpful bits of information that helped me early on... I've tried to pay that forward to a couple guys I think deserve the information.
Couple rambling thought's...
Good post, but the bolded point is debatable. I think I've taught it to my boys.
I also think every Marine from my Boot Camp platoon would think otherwise.
