Not Going for 1st Time in 30 Years

[baldopepper]

I'm around a lot older people near my Wetside home and I run into two types.  There are those who can only talk about their various ailments and what they can't do anymore and those who mention their ailments in passing and talk about what they still can do. Guess I'm one of those old people myself now and I realize there's lots of things I can't do the way I used to and a few things I can't do anymore at all.  BUT, I still find plenty of things I can do.  Can't walk the steep hills as quickly, can't roll over a big elk anymore, can't walk up and down a fishing stream all day .I can still get up those steep hills a ways, not embarrassed to get help rolling over that elk and certainly fish some of those good closer fishing holes a little longer.  Point is- those older people I know who concentrate on what they still can do are a lot happier than those who lament what they can't do.

[OutHouse]

Pianoman, very sorry to hear this. I know a guy with similar issues. His thing now is to hunt out of his camping trailer because he can do the CPAP in there at night. Next step is camping in the right place so that all you have to do to hunt is do a walk over to a ground blind. I think it was back in 16 I had a bum ankle in a boot from a surgery. I hobbled up hill a few hundred yards and got into a blind. Wasn't perfect but I got to hunt and even got a deer that year somehow.

[MADMAX]

Where there’s a will there’s a way
Hope you get out there

I hunt with a cancer survivor and 2 quadruple bypass guys well into their mid 70s
Im one of the younger ones @ 65
Knock on wood
I hope to make to the Yukon before I curl my toes

[Buckjunkie]

30+ years ago an older guy said I would pick up a camera someday. I brushed it off and thought he was crazy because the drive was so strong. Now at 57 I appreciate the time in camp with family and friends more than ever, knowing my drive is fading. I still want to kill big stuff, but I am more content with relationships. The drive has slowed, but I am content.

You can still play an important part in a great hunt. Camp cook, driver, photographer…you will find a way.

[bornhunter]

Hey Pman welcome to my world. I can not give it up although my body says I should. I am 70 and my life long huntin buddy is 68. Cant do the day after day pounding anymore. We buy Idaho whitetail tags every year for the late Nov hunt. Rent a motel for 8 or 9 days. Have to get up about an hour earlier and get back to the room a bit later but nothing like 3 fingers of the queens piss, hot shower, 5 minute wallk to the restaurant then lights out. My cpap sits in the room the whole time. Always back at the truck for lunch then its road hunting till dark. Two of my other huntin buddies in their 70's did the camp thing and told us we were crazy for spending so much on motel, meals and fuel. After last years hunt they wanted the name of the motel I stay at. They said never again. Its not like the old days but it sure beats staying home. Wish you the best.

[hunter399]

I know you bought your tags already for the draw.
Your on the hook for the year,can't give up till next year.

I have had a series of health problems lately.
Seems like one after another ,on and on.
And I'm only in my fourtys .
I'm feeling it and a lot of guys will tell me I'm young.
They don't know the punishment and hard life I put on my body.

Anyway enough of my bagedge.
Gotta a least do one day for the season. At least you have a chance,odds suck,but you never know. Even road hunting.
One day at least.

I have a spot on wanna go for opening deer season,not sure if I'll make it.Dont know how my health will be October.Dont know if there is any bucks up there.Been up there many times when I was younger. Most guys would climb up there no problem an a hour.
It may take me longer. My legs probably won't wanna work the next day.
Ohh well.
Still gonna try,unless I'm in the hospital,I'll be out there somewhere.

[hunter399]

There is no shame in my game.
This thing here has been a life saver.
I keep it in the truck,throw in my day pack.
Perfect for blind hunting,or glassing for an hour.
Those younger guys can have there pad.
As I get older and  unhealthy,this thing goes with me more and more.
And it supports the boys downstairs.


https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-travel-lite-tripod-stool?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CPMax%7CProprietary%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CNVol%7CNMT&&&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrfymBhCTARIsADXTabnqnnxfJEWkb8zMquiys84wowTaJvurBDjPWiv46JZhxqA_QD07o90aAn1PEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Russ McDonald]

I hear you John.  I am younger than most on this post not all but most.   Starting having hip pain and leg numbness in December foals after a cortizone shot in back then MRI.  2 herniated disc's and bulged disc in my lower back.   Got my turkey tags and for the first time only a deer tag.   Second shot helped some but turkey season came.  Got one person out with success and never went again.  I have always been that tough guy stuck out up and move forward.   This is the first time ever realizing i can't do alot with my back the way it is.  Now surgery coming not doing any hunting at all the test of the year. Not being able to take more people out turkey hunting  even my self is killing me.   So i know how you feel my friend.   All you can do is get fixedNd look forward to next year.  I am scared as hell for this surgery coming but I also am looking forward to what is to come and looking for better things.  Hoping the best outcome for you.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

[Alchase]

I honestly believe when people decide they can’t do that hunting trip or that favorite fishing trip anymore, is when the mind switches to “I’m to old” mode, I do believe if you keep doing those things, obviously at a lesser level, but continue, find a way. Your perspective on life will remain in a positive and fulfilling mindset. So you can’t do the 4 mile hikes up and down steep trails or roll that elk by yourself. Just hunt smarter,  and call a friend when Needed or shoot a bull on a hill.   
Or just be at the campfire after the hunt, if that is all you can do.
I have seen way too many friends who give up because they can’t do what they did 20 years ago.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but just walking down a closed road, with my rifle, wakes up my senses and make me realize it is in my blood.
One of the most influential hunters in my life, I met at eight years old on my first elk hunt. He was in his 70s and limped badly from a WWII wound. My uncle had so many stories of the two of them, there was never a doubt of his hunting prowess.  When I new him He never left camp. Yet everyone would ask his opinion. And when we got up in the cold, he had the fire going and coffee already to go. When we can back to camp, the fire was stoked, and some chili was ready to take the cold away. I could listen to him and his stories all night!

Never underestimate the value you can provide others!

[Ingwe]

No fun getting old. I am 74 and in fairly good health. I have had both knees replaced and have a few other minor health issues. I have mostly hunted by myself for last 30 years after my dad gave up hunting. I know I can’t hunt a lot of the places I used to hunt. I do still really enjoy looking for a big black tail buck. I sit and watch trails some and I walk real slow along old logging roads. I also drive real slow an logging roads in the afternoon. I used to say I would never be a road hunter. But when you get older you do what you have to to keep doing what you love to do. As far as elk hunting I am not to serious anymore. Last year I saw a herd with a legal bull cross a road and go down into  creek bottom. So like I was 40 years old I took off tracking them. Luckily I did not find them. I would have had to get friends to get one out that I used to pack out myself even if it took 2 days. Now elk hunting is more driving around and glassing a little then finding some other older hunter who I can spend a few hours talking to. I have lots of memories from all the years I have hunted and hope to keep going out for many more years even if it is just driving around or taking short walks.

[buckfvr]

Plenty of hunts that are less work and more fun, like roading around for grouse and maybe a deer, stay in a cabin somewhere that rents them out and do what you can and enjoy it.  The meter definitely swings farther towards luck than skill as you get older but hang in there, Im 69 and enjoying easier types of hunts and not focusing on success.  Smarter not harder, keep your head out from under the black cloud of mortality.

[pianoman9701]

Hope you figure this out.  I don't look forward to the day that this reality sets in.  In your position, I would strongly consider going with your hunting partners....even if it is to sit in camp and share stories.  I actually look forward to the day that I am the camp chef.....looking forward for the kids and grandkids to come back with their game and stories.

I looked for a good hunting partner for years, found one, and he had a stroke 6 or 7 years ago. Found another one, CAB was his username, and he moved to Minneapolis. I have some friends on here. If I could figure out the sleep apnea thing, I'd make a great camp cook.

Do you have a CPAP?  I had sleep apnea and have a CPAP now and it makes a world of difference.  I bought a 12V converter for it and take a 12V battery with me.  It is good for a few nights and then charge the battery during the day with the generator.  Just a thought - it can be done!

As Karl said find something that makes you happy.  My grandfather spent hunting season driving around looking for grouse and the occasional stupid buck that stayed in sight of the dirt road the last few years he was alive (didn't matter where the deer was as we were a phone call away....) but he was always there at his house with the fire going and coffee on every morning!

I've done the battery thing with converter. It took me two years to figure out charging directly to the battery instead of charging through the trailer - much faster.

[Fidelk]

Two ways to make it easier:

1. Stay in a motel and eat in restaurants. Eliminates the work and effort in setting up and breaking down camp, cooking and getting firewood.

 2. Or book a hunt with a guide/outfitter.......can be costly but cheaper for cow elk/meat hunts......I've done this in Oregon........fun and 100% success. Go to Sportman's Show in PDX.

[pianoman9701]

Another issue is the expense. I won't go into details on that but mortgages have been in a big slump, industry-wide for about the last 20 months. Experts say it'll continue now for another year or maybe more.

[bornhunter]

Hope you figure this out.  I don't look forward to the day that this reality sets in.  In your position, I would strongly consider going with your hunting partners....even if it is to sit in camp and share stories.  I actually look forward to the day that I am the camp chef.....looking forward for the kids and grandkids to come back with their game and stories.

I looked for a good hunting partner for years, found one, and he had a stroke 6 or 7 years ago. Found another one, CAB was his username, and he moved to Minneapolis. I have some friends on here. If I could figure out the sleep apnea thing, I'd make a great camp cook.

Do you have a CPAP?  I had sleep apnea and have a CPAP now and it makes a world of difference.  I bought a 12V converter for it and take a 12V battery with me.  It is good for a few nights and then charge the battery during the day with the generator.  Just a thought - it can be done!

As Karl said find something that makes you happy.  My grandfather spent hunting season driving around looking for grouse and the occasional stupid buck that stayed in sight of the dirt road the last few years he was alive (didn't matter where the deer was as we were a phone call away....) but he was always there at his house with the fire going and coffee on every morning!

I've done the battery thing with converter. It took me two years to figure out charging directly to the battery instead of charging through the trailer - much faster.

I still havent figured it out. Converter? Charging the battery?