How Important is Hunting to You?

BritChaser

BritChaser

Well-known member
Now that I am in my 60s, I worry that I will lose my physical capacity to hunt through joint detioration, heart attack, or whatever other affliction can come to an older person. I would feel a certain devastation if I could not hunt again and I take measures to prolong my physical abilities. I do not get the satisfaction I get from bird hunting from anything else I do. What are you doing to ensure your ability to hunt in the years to come?
 
grooming my sons so they can take me out even when i cant drive or walk at least they can take me for a ride along
 
Gove County Britts said:
grooming my sons so they can take me out even when i cant drive or walk at least they can take me for a ride along
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In a nutshell, this is my approach as well. I hope to get a 6-wheeled gator machine or a 4-wheeler so I can travel from field to field and block for the next generation.

I should probably quit smoking cigarettes to ensure my capacity to navigate the fields in 30 years, but I don't see that happening anytime soon:rolleyes::mad:
 
How about some stuff from a guy that is there right now. I'm 77 years old, Had Open Heart Surgery on March 31, 3 new valves..Plus 3 by-passes, so I'm still recovering. So what am I doing to get in shape for fall hunting. I plan on short hunts just a few hours a day, but every day. I am walking fields 30-45 minutes everyday possible. Watching my weight, I am down to 173 which is good for 5 foot 10 inch man.There are a lot of things I'd like to do, but the Breast Plate Incision won't heal right if I do. I will be good to go around the 4th of July so I will do more then........Bob
 
bobeyerite said:
How about some stuff from a guy that is there right now. I'm 77 years old, Had Open Heart Surgery on March 31, 3 new valves..Plus 3 by-passes, so I'm still recovering. So what am I doing to get in shape for fall hunting. I plan on short hunts just a few hours a day, but every day. I am walking fields 30-45 minutes everyday possible. Watching my weight, I am down to 173 which is good for 5 foot 10 inch man.There are a lot of things I'd like to do, but the Breast Plate Incision won't heal right if I do. I will be good to go around the 4th of July so I will do more then........Bob
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I didn't know you had all of that done, Bob. I'm glad to hear that you are making progress in your recovery.
 
kansasbrittany said:
In a nutshell, this is my approach as well. I hope to get a 6-wheeled gator machine or a 4-wheeler so I can travel from field to field and block for the next generation.

I should probably quit smoking cigarettes to ensure my capacity to navigate the fields in 30 years, but I don't see that happening anytime soon:rolleyes::mad:
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i quit smoking about 12 years ago. Best thing i ever did. On the matter of 4 wheelers, you can hunt from them pretty well. Ten or so years ago I stepped from the truck on the first morning of a 3 day hunt and broke my 5th metatarsal in my foot. Hunted 3 days ( before going to the doctor) and shot pretty well. Even got a double. I need to lose some weight though. One of the by products of not smoking.
 
Basic physics: Inertia.

Things in motion tend to stay in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force.

Things at rest tend to stay at rest, unless acted upon by an outside force.


;)
 
bobeyerite said:
How about some stuff from a guy that is there right now. I'm 77 years old, Had Open Heart Surgery on March 31, 3 new valves..Plus 3 by-passes, so I'm still recovering. So what am I doing to get in shape for fall hunting. I plan on short hunts just a few hours a day, but every day. I am walking fields 30-45 minutes everyday possible. Watching my weight, I am down to 173 which is good for 5 foot 10 inch man.There are a lot of things I'd like to do, but the Breast Plate Incision won't heal right if I do. I will be good to go around the 4th of July so I will do more then........Bob
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Bob, good to see you are healing well!! One of my mentors had the same procedure and the next year was hunting elk at 10,555ft to 12,000 ft and leaving the 24 yr. olds behind. I couldn't believe my eyes, straight up the mountain. He was as well 77 years old!!!! He has retired from elk hunting now at 84 up in the high country. I hope I can fill a portion of his left shoe!!!:cheers:
 
Kismet said:
Basic physics: Inertia.

Things in motion tend to stay in motion, unless acted upon by an outside force.

Things at rest tend to stay at rest, unless acted upon by an outside force.


;)
Click to expand...

Ah yes Newtons 3 rd law of motion.


Pm sent Bob.

I wondered why you have been missing from this forum. God bless
 
Since I'm relatively young at 41, I'm trying to get out ahead of this one. I smoked for 18 years, and quit cold turkey on 1 Apr 11. Almost all of the urges are gone, haven't gained any weight. I get my daughters for the summers and we ride bike quite a bit.

I band woodcock in the spring and hunt grouse/woodcock in the fall with a gentleman that just turned 80. Hills slow him some, and if it's unseasonable warm we take a few more breaks, but I hope to be going as well as he is when I get that age!
 
Well I'm somewhere in the middle, 57, physically best days are gone, but the memory is fresh, measuring how long and how far these days, rather than just plow in. Notice I prefer light 20's to 12's. The heavy cover wears me down these days. Never a smoker, but I have had to have a pacemaker for the last 4 years, along with a drug regime to regulate a balky heart rythmn. I try to walk 4 miles around the section I live on at least 3 times a week. If I'd do it everyday it gets easier. Not ready to hang up the spurs and become a duck hunter, but the uplands, especially on long birdless walks we seem to enjoy more often these days in my area, are a struggle. I don't do it now, but may restart and would suggest a lifting routine after age 40, to retain muscle mass, and as much off season walking as a person can get in. Fight the weight. Give yardage grudgingly !
 
Bob glad to see that you are doing ok. Next time you have to do something like this lets us know so we can send you some dirty get well cards :p

How important is hunting, now I think it is very important having two boys 6 and 8, something that I can teach them how to be responsible and respect for nature. With all the video games and and social networking I personally believe that kids should go out and enjoy the outdoors and not sit behind their XBOX or computers all the time.

For me I enjoy the physical and mental challenges of hunting whether it be duck or upland and having a successful hunt on the decisions I make, also just to get away from all the BS I think it is good mental therapy to go out and to enjoy hunting by yourself or with friends :cheers:
 
Enjoy it while it's here!

Fellas: Having missed the most of the last two seasons, I can testify that it's one hell of an adjustment. Fall of '09 I ruptured the L5-S1 disk in my back right as bird season was beginning. Fall -10 I had lost my dog to illness and not having a dog, I went only a few times. It was tougher than when I was laid up, as I really loved that dog.

I'm 52 and feel the aches and pains many of you have mentioned. I also work out and try to stay as active as possible. My doctors all told me the more active I am, the better. Sitting behind this desk is the worst.

My dad is going on 80, is still physically pretty healthy, but suffers from dementia and we're not letting him go any more. It's not safe. He's the guy I grew up following around in the field and woods, so to see him unable to go is hard. This coming fall he'll talk about going, but we're going to have to leave him at home.

On a positive note, I brought home the next great bird dog this past weekend. At 7 weeks, he's a cute little bugger. We're working on potty training and getting outside to explore the yard. This morning he discovered pine cones and was pouncing on them all around the yard. We didn't get much walking in:) I've got him retrieving a toy and he's always carrying something around in his mouth. Setters aren't known for their retrieving instinct, but these folks have got dogs that retrieve naturally.

Good health to all of you and enjoy the summer.
 
I'm within an eyelash of the mid-50's, but am in decent shape from never smoking or drinking much. My wost ailment was having a dirtbag break my tail bone in HS football, which has given a lifetime of back pain. Keeping up with agressive labs in a heavy cover is getting a little tougher every year.

However, my biggest concern is my main hunting partner who is almost 70. After a lifetime spent "burning the candle at both ends", his bod has about had it. Bad knees and back will be grounding him soon, unless he goes in SOON for an "overhaul"............... I don't mind hunting by myself, but hunting with a good friend is a lot more fun.
 
Mr. Hyde has made a very good post and touches on some very good points. Hunting for your Mental Health. Don't laugh Mother Nature takes good care of us in that department if we give her a chance. I quit smoking a month before the surgery after 65 years of doing it, man cold turkey is hard to do. But I have not had a smoke of any kind since March 10. That is making me fight to keep my weight down. I have only gained 3 pounds, thank heavens. Life in the golden years is a fight, don't expect them years to be easy..........Bob
 
I'll be 62 this fall and I can feel the slowdown. Never smoked so the lungs and legs are still pretty good for a flatlander, but about 4 years ago I suffered an occular aneurysm in my left eye and it is gone for all intents and pruposes. I can see light and dark and big blurry movement if it is close enough, but no color, and depth perception is nil. The right master eye is fair for my age and glasses help it somewhat.

There is a laundry list of upper body structural damages from wrecks and mishaps on the farm and in the field that keep me from lifting anything very heavy so weight training is not a good option, however I do everything I can on the farm and around the house to try and keep muscle tone.

Teaching a 10 year old grandson how to train and follow a birddog, proper lead on a buzzing teal, and how to field dress a whitetail helps a bunch. Answering all the questions of the other 6 lesser aged ones keep the mind alert. When I can't go anymore I think one of them will haul me around for sure.
BobM
 
bobeyerite said:
How about some stuff from a guy that is there right now. I'm 77 years old, Had Open Heart Surgery on March 31, 3 new valves..Plus 3 by-passes, so I'm still recovering. So what am I doing to get in shape for fall hunting. I plan on short hunts just a few hours a day, but every day. I am walking fields 30-45 minutes everyday possible. Watching my weight, I am down to 173 which is good for 5 foot 10 inch man.There are a lot of things I'd like to do, but the Breast Plate Incision won't heal right if I do. I will be good to go around the 4th of July so I will do more then........Bob
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What drive you have! I think it's great that you're back in the fields building your strength for the hunting season. You are an inspiration. Best of luck in making a complete recovery.
 
Hunting is my life

I wrote an article for my local newspaper about 15 years ago about the joys of the hunt and how much my dad, my uncle, and their friends have influenced me over my many years.

I just turned the big "50" earlier this year and every fall is greeted with as much anticipation and optimism as ever.

The gist of the article was about how my uncle and his friends would travel from all points below the 49th parallel and meet up in the small community of Medicine Hat, Alberta for an annual Hun Hunt....this hunt was ongoing for 15 years before I joined it and I participated in 10-12 years of hunts following the innaugual hunt.

I remember driving my uncle's truck for the last few years and he would never even take out his gun ( and he was a World Class Champion Shooter). He just wanted to see others out enjoying this love of the hunt. We had a great friend from North Carolina, who would drive himself from N.C to Medicine Hat, Ab, Canada....every year until he was 93 ( no lie).
When He didn't show up the last time, a call to his housekeeper explained that he had passed away, just prior to the trip.

How important is Hunting to me....It's My Life....for the rest of my life.
 
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