I knew the day was coming! My father said no more hunting!

[Todd_ID]

Very sorry to hear this.  Make sure this years elk camp is one to remember!!  I can only dream of another hunt with my dad, even though he is with me in spirit every day.

I could only wish for one more minute sitting in the snow next to my dad as we plan our next push down a ridge.  2001 was the hardest year of my hunting life.  I'll never forget those times we had.  Ever.

[kentrek]

my dads getn to be the same way...really hope he has a couple more seasons left in him but its not looking good..really wish i coulda hunted more with him

good luck everyone

[SniperDanWA]

I feel for you guys.  Thanks for sharing.

I only wish my dad would have taken the initiative to go hunting with me.  I've had to learn on my own, trust others to give me pointers, etc.  That is why when my son asked to go hunting, I said you bet.  I has not been hunting for 20 years.  A lot has changed.  So far, no harvest, but that may change this year as he drew elk multi-season.  If he gets any draws, there may be a good chance.  I'm hopeful, for him and me too as it will be a great father son experience.

[Fullabull]

My dad has been coming up to WA from CA to Archery elk hunt with me for the last 5 years or so. Each year it gets harder for him. He is now 74 so I have been very lucky to have him still go and hunt. We can't go much more than a mile in on good trails but I'll take whatever I can get. Last year he had a much harder time of it. I shot an elk and I hiked out to get bags and a cart, when I returned he had tried to start gutting the elk but found he could just not do it. He felt really bad that he was not able to help much. I told him I was just happy to have him there with me. I ask him every year to walk and get exercise. This year he has done some walking but it's getting real close to him not being able to hunt. He is still shooting a 60# bow and has the will to give it another try this year.

Now I need to talk him into taking his bow poundage down to may 55# so he can hold it more steady.

Sorry to hear about your dad, I hope I can hunt with my son for another twenty some odd year.

[MAVsled]

I'm in my mid 50's, my father in his early 80's.
Dad hasn't been able to get out in several years now, due to health.

I miss him a lot while in the elk woods, hunting various special areas of ours.
but pictures and video of my hunts keep my father pleased to at least see the woods.

take lots of pics on your last trip together and share pics of your future hunts.
my dad and I sit down after a nice dinner and review my elk & deer seasons in January each year.
He really wishes he could have joined me on my out of state hunts in AZ for archery deer!

[cem3434]

My dad has lung cancer, and his time with us is running short.  The last few years he has made it out hunting, but is limited to watching from the truck and taking short 10 yard walks to watch certain draws. 
It has been one of the hardest things to deal with, knowing he taugh me everthing I know out in the field. He has never taken a trophy deer or elk and has hunted on public land forerver.  I wish the state had something for people like this.....I am hoping to get one more season with him..My son is 12 and I would love for him to see my son  harvest his first deer.

I went through the same thing with my Dad. I cherished every moment hunting with him and will never forget the lessons in life that I learned while in the field with my Dad. Enjoy what time you have with him and make some last ing memories.

[Boss .300 winmag]

My dad has lung cancer, and his time with us is running short.  The last few years he has made it out hunting, but is limited to watching from the truck and taking short 10 yard walks to watch certain draws. 
It has been one of the hardest things to deal with, knowing he taugh me everthing I know out in the field. He has never taken a trophy deer or elk and has hunted on public land forerver.  I wish the state had something for people like this.....I am hoping to get one more season with him..My son is 12 and I would love for him to see my son  harvest his first deer.

Have you thought about putting your son in for a doe permit?

[Old Man Yager]

Been there with my Dad too. He's almost 83 now, but he hung it up 7-8 years ago. 2 of my best hunting memories were spotting 2 deer for him, and he was able to harvest them both. It's funny how you come full circle sometimes. After he shot his last buck, we were laughing because he said " Man, you guided me to this deer, and coached me through shooting it, just like I did for you when you were starting out! Good job, I guess you learned something from me." Thanks Dad!!

[buckhorn2]

My Dad was 83 on our last hunt it's still such a great memory. He had a cow permit and a disabled permit and were parked on the side of the road looking at some elk. A sheriff pulled up behind us and ask what was up we told him about dad and he said if he has the permit shoot and I will help Dad was in the back seat and my boy loaded his gun for him and helped line him up and he shot and down went a cow. The sheriff went back to his car and as we were getting ready another sheriff showed up and they both helped us get Dads elk out and helped load it in our truck.

[zagsfan1]

Thanks for the encouragement. Last year we went over Northeast and tried to get both dad and my son  a whitetail doe, but those darn things are fast.....Especially for a 12 year old. Maybe...he will be around to try one more time this fall.  We definitely learned a lot about how to approach them for this next season. thanks rtspring for starting this conversation. tough topic and helps to talk about it with others.