My Pheasant Hunting Farewell

I can only hope for a run like you have been able to do. I’m 67, and find my interest waning already.

I’m totally enjoying my time with the grandkids more and more.

I’m just not mad at the ring necks anymore. Walleyes, now they’re another story.

Best of luck, enjoy whatever occupies your time from here forward.
 
Sorry to hear that Zeb and best wishes for your trip down to Arizona and future hobbies. Please have JonnyB keep me posted about our prospective "Geezer" hunt. I was looking forward to meeting you there.
Tom
 
I think it's great you're calling the shots and going out on your own terms. Three of my high school coaches, died hunting after retirement. I think about that all the time for some reason. We all have to measure ourselves more carefully as we get older and know when to call it a day or know when it's time to stop. Enjoy your time with family, friends and Bree.
 
Best of luck, Zeb. Keep in touch and help keep us all straight on our adventures and stories!
 
Mosby said:
I think it's great you're calling the shots and going out on your own terms. Three of my high school coaches, died hunting after retirement. I think about that all the time for some reason. We all have to measure ourselves more carefully as we get older and know when to call it a day or know when it's time to stop. Enjoy your time with family, friends and Bree.
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Wow, I hope I can go out while hunting AND while retired. In my opinion, those are some extremely lucky men. Your post makes it seem that you have a better idea on the way to leave this life. Those fellas left just as I want to.
 
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Glad you're sticking with the UPH Forum. Always good to read your posts. Field retirement-wise, I'm not too far behind you. Have had had both knees doctored and, like you, have bagged plenty of birds over the years. Got a couple of hunts planned, nothing too ambitious, and we'll see how they go. You and your dog enjoy some relaxation and easy times together. Stay in touch.
 
Wise decision, my friend. There comes a time to quit. I'm 75 with an ankle that has been fused three times and broken twice. That means the knee on that side is shot and the hip is going. I have at least this season left, if I'm careful. Yesterday I took a friend out hunting sharptail. My friend is, in some ways, in better shape as I, at least as far as walking is concerned. Normally I would have quit when I couldn't take the pain in my ankle anymore, but yesterday my friend wanted to go on one last "walk". After picking myself off the ground because I couldn't feel my right ankle/foot and being almost totally lame this morning, I have come to the realization that I prefer to hunt by myself, as I have done for over 60 years, for the most part, and quit when I start to hurt. I hunt for enjoyment, not to win the race. I lost one dog in August and the new, and last dog is not quite two so she has a lot of years left that I won't be able to hunt her, but she's still my best friend. I suspect folks will occasionally see an OF with a young lab stumbling through a field or down an arroyo on occasion. If that turns out to be my end, so be it. Take care of the dog, love her and take her hunting.

Be well. Enjoy the memories!
 
remy3424 said:
Wow, I hope I can go out while hunting AND while retired. I my opinion those are some extremely lucky men. Your post makes it seem that you have a better idea on the way to leave this life. Those fellas left just as I want to.
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None of them were over 67 or retired much more than a year. That's what always bothered me and I'm 66 now...so I'm trying to learn from their mistakes. One had chest pains the week before, ignored them, didn't go get it checked and went back out the next weekend. That was a mistake. They were climbing mountains they could no longer climb, ignored warning signs and their own limitations. Sometimes we have to be smart about it. Pretty traumatic for the people that were with them too. I just think it's important to accept our own limitations and be honest about them. We make better decisions when we do and maybe live longer. But I get what you're saying. All things being equal, going out hunting is better than in a nursing home.
 
Thanks for all the best wishes. I appreciate it. I knew the day would come, just never sure when that would be. I'm at peace with my decision. I'll still get the dog out running to keep her in shape. Thinking back over the years, I've hunted pheasants, Hungarian Partridge, Sharptails, Ruffed Grouse, Woodcock, Spruce Grouse, turkeys, rabbits, fox, coyotes, antelope, deer, elk and moose. The pic is of some of the better trophies I've collected.
 

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I forgot to congratulate you on your career. I started hunting pheasants with a great uncle 70 years ago. I sent a picture of the 2 of us to the PF magazine and got it published on the back page. It has been a great ride. I still have the Winchester 1200 my dad gave me for Christmas in 63. It looks very good for it's age.
 
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