It just won't be the same....

[GrainfedMuley]

  After seventeen years of hunting with my Dad and a close friend...I will be huntung alone this year. First off, I lost my close friend last December to a brain anurisim. Then yetserday, my Dad tells me that he has been diagnosed with diabetes and has bad knees. So he tells me that he won't be going hunting. That kind of bums me out because that is the only thing that my Dad and I have in common is hunting. Plus the fact that he lives 300 miles away and that is almost the only time we get together. He is 71. In all the years that we have been hunting, he has never brought home a deer. I have seen him shoot at a couple, and even hit one, only to have another hunter kill it. I do have a ton of great memories from all the past years. I haven't even gotten my license yet and already it seems to feel rather empty.   I even bought a travel trailer so my Dad could have a decent place to sleep and not on the ground. I have alot of feelings and emotions to deal with so I think I will just take one day at a time and go from there. Oh...and yes I am still going to go hunting this year. It has become my pilgramage.    

[oneezreiter]

Sorry to hear about your luck man.  I am sure that there are plenty of people who could use someone else around there fire.

[cackle]

see if he can in get a disabled hunter program

[NW-GSP]

see if he can in get a disabled hunter program

Ya maybe you could use a quad to get him around

[jackelope]

you may be good finding a new spot to hunt if the area you hunt is too rugged or steep.
my father in law has had brain tumor surgery 12 or so years ago, was only supposed to live 5 years or so and he's still kickin...he has balance issues and stuff, but knows his limits and he still hunts with us every year. we just walk him to a draw and he sits on it all morning or all day. we come back to pick him up and walk out with him. i am guessing it's up in the air whether or not he'll hunt with us this year.

maybe your dad wants to go and be the camp cook...especially if you have a travel trailer...he'd still be there with you, just not in the woods.

[GrainfedMuley]

 I haven't thaught of the disabled hunt issue. The land owner where I hunt holds a diabled hunt 1 week before modern rifle. That's a good idea. As far as using the quad...I had already begun to make that happen. I have a trailer that I got at Joe's a couple of years ago and made a nice soft cushion for him to sit on. I have thaught of him maybe coming out for an evening hunt or something. He only lives about an hour away from where we hunt. For the camp cook idea...well I am the camp cook and always have been since we started hunting together. I will still go hunting this year. I can't get that out of my blood. Right now it just seems that it will be rather lonely. Besides...I have a 5 year streak going. I want 6......

[JackOfAllTrades]

I fished a lot with my dad since the day I could walk till I left home. Man those were some good years. When I came back near home I've hunted more than fished. Still whenever I'm out on the water or in the hills I know he's still with me.

I know how you feel, that your best buddy won't be with you. But he will be! Whether he's sitting at home watching the ball game from his easy chair, or he's takin mamma out to breakfast that opening morning, he'll think of you sitting on stand or hiking up that hill you've both hiked up countless times before. He will think of you, just as you will remember him being there before.

There will be new hunting partners. A son, niece or nephew. A good friend. You will pass on the good times you've had with your dad. You're a hunter.

Hopefully your dad will still make it to hunt camp this and coming seasons. Camp cook? Fire tender? Keep a rifle in his hand. You know.. I bet all of us have seen Deer walk through camp before.. Ya never know!

-Steve

[GrainfedMuley]

  Thanx...Jackofalltrades...That's touching.....

[Ridgerunner]

That's got to be tough, I feel for you, my dad never was a hunter but when I was still too young to hunt on my own he'd be out hiking the woods with me, the kills were few and far between back then, but those are most of the memories I have of spending time with my dad in my teenage years.  It'll get easier with time I'm sure, but this year will definately be different for you I'm sure.

[Alchase]

What Jackofalltrades said!!
Bring him to camp if you can. I can't count the times someone has shot a deer within sight of our camp while we are up on the mountain.
Plus his company around the campfire would make the whole thing worth while.

My family does this if someone in our family is missing from an event.

If he can't make it, get a stuffed critter/charactor the more outrageous the better) that reminds you of his personality to represent him and put it in a chair around the camp fire/table whereever. Take pictures of him with everyone doing normal stuff (things can get a little abnormal sometimes) like he was involved in the whole hunt experience. When you get home you tell him the details of the whole trip.
We really have a blast doing this and it makes the person feel like not only were they missed very much, but that we were constantly thinking about them while we were having a fantastic time.

[littlebuf]

im in the same boat this year, pop is getting his knee replaced. im going to try to get him out for late buck and maybe do a little road hunting. its not the same and its not our style but its time in the woods together, and as much as i dont want admit it that time is getting shorter every year.

[salmon]

Sorry to hear about your losses, I have a buddy who I would feel the same, As for your dad, maybe he will change his mind and just go and cook etc to be with you. I hope so. Good luck.....T

[Backstrap]

Sorry to hear about your sitaution. Do spend the time with your pappy, even if it cramps your style a little. Before you know it, he'll be gone, and there are no do-overs.  That's my two bits.

[GrainfedMuley]

 Thanx...Backstrap!

[rasbo]

my dads gone to the other side..I would pack him into camp if I could..theres plenty around camp he could do,just to be with him.never pass a chance to be with the ones you love.In a blink of the eye they are gone..I hope you can work something out to get him out there.family first