To What Degree?

pheasantaddict

pheasantaddict

New member
As the years go bye, I'm curious to what degree are you able to pheasant hunt as you get older for a die hard bird hunter? For those 50-60, 60-70, and 70-80, assuming a person is relatively healthy at those ages. Ex. Can you walk through knee deep snow for a mile? Or Can you still walk cattails? Do you hunt consective days or break it up? I'm in my 40's and will walk miles just to get a bird or chance at one.
 
Being 51 myself and having had 2 knee replacements, walking a mile in knee deep snow for anything and your going to have to send in a medi vac chopper to air lift me out. That said, I do ok on multiple day hunts as long as the terrain isn't too crazy. Just have to learn to take it slow sometimes as the new knees are nothing like what mother nature gave me originally. And of course we all could probably get ourselves in better shape before the season starts.

P.S. I've got a laundry list of other aches and pains but won't bore you with the details. :D
 
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56, last 3 years have changed me, heart pacemaker/defibulator to handle a dangerously irregular heartbeat, no heart attack, thankfully, but prior to that walked, or should I say attacked, everything and anything. Now I pace myself, avoid some deep snows, though I did go a mile and 1/2 last year in 24 inches, ( I won't do it again either!). Beginning to see the reason lots of my older bird hunting cronies went to the ducks, as years go by. I'd sure hate it to come to that, but better than nothing.
 
My ole' man is 58 and he's a walkin' machine still. Doesn't matter the terrain or conditions, he's going all day w/o complaint....a little wheezing, but no physical problems. Not sure how he does it, none of his brothers can hang with him and they're both 8 years younger than him. I guess spending a lifetime in a manual labor job keeps a guy in good health.....oh, and a couple shots of whiskey EVERY night:rolleyes:
 
Don't let age be a excuse. I'll be 61, still do it all.
Walk as much as ever, maybe a bit slower.:cheers:
 
70, knee replacement, pacemaker. Always yearn for opening weekend. Hunt 3 days, mostly blocking and some mild walking. The birds continue to drop, and the whiskey and smart talk is still part of the weekend!
 
At 52, I'm in good shape, but the L5-S1 disk I ruptured in October '09 slows me down some. I may be a little slower, but am still going and a hard days hunt seems to have it's impact. It isn't stopping me from doing whatever I want, though. I just need to take it a little easier, which sometimes isn't a bad thing. I figure with the family history I've got another 25 years in me. My dad is 79 and suffers from dementia. This fall we really saw him slowed down and I think he's done his last hunting. He's too feeble and too forgetful to be able to go. The end of an era for our family.
 
My hunting partner is 72 and I'll be 62 this Saturday. We both are in excellant shape and hunt 5 days from 10am until we get our limit or the day is done. I get the cat-tails because I have the dog but I'm ok with that. We went out twice this year-got 26/14 between the 2 of us and lost 4 each trip. Not too bad considering bird numbers were down in the Brookings zone and all the standing water on our 1st trip. I hope to be able to continue until my last day on earth:cheers:
 
Dad's 58 and he seems to do almost as good as always. This spring he had a greenbroke mule put him in the hospital for a week, walker for 6 weeks, addition of a plate and some screws in his pelvis. He was still good to go for an elk hunt a couple months ago and hung with us on opening weekend chasing pheasants. He does volunteer to block a little more than he used to though.
 
I'm 64 and in pretty good shape. (Losing 15-20 lbs. wouldn't hurt, but not likely) I do alot of walking behind my Brittanys but I've noticed that in the past few years I can't do it for as long or for as many days. Back to back days can be tough and 3 days in a row is really tough. I now try to stay out of the cattails as much as possible. I also like hunting every other day or maybe even a 2 day break between hunts. Gives both me and the dogs a chance to re-charge. You just have to learn to read your body and accept the fact that you can't hunt as hard as you did 20-30 years ago.

I think as most of us avid hunters get some years on us we all start thinking about how long we are going to be able to do this. I hope forever, but I have to be a realist and know the day will probably come when I have to hang it up. I love being out there walking with the dogs so becoming a blocker is not an option. I'd rather quit hunting than just stand at the end of a field. But that's just me!

Got my Medicare Card in the mail today. Four more months and I'm on the Government Plan. :D
 
I am 71+ and hunt every opportunity. 2 Brittanies I use to guide for on a local private club & local quail hunting. Travel out of state 4-5 times a year for 4-5 days grouse & phez. Lots of hunting by myself. GPS or pedometer shows 5-6 miles a day is something I can sustain for several days. No heavy snow or vertical hunting situations. Pacing yourself at my age is very important so I can continue the entire season without getting stove up. Knees okay but arthritic back slows me down at times. Never give up!
 
I'm 53 and my main hunting partner is 69. We hunt almost every week during the SD season and go to ND 3-4 times a year, mostly late Nov and Dec. While he doesn't walk as much as he used to, he can still put many younger guys to shame. Our last trip to ND last week had us both walking through 4-6" snow and heavy cover. We agreed that was probably more than either of us needed.

I try to walk my two labs daily in the off season to keep all of us in shape, but it is getting tougher to keep up with the younger dog. My dad died at 89, but shot his 3 birds on our last hunt together at 88. Based on that, I should last a while longer.

The key to being able to keep hunting is to eat right and EXCERCISE all year, not just during hunting season! Most of the folks with health problems have simply not taken care of themselves. Eating and drinking to excess takes a toll on the old bod, along with too many hours on the couch.
 
Hunt till you drop

Hunting is a sport that has been enjoyed by many over the years. I have a neighbor that just celibrated his 92nd birthday, and he was hunting last week. He tells me and my daughter that hunting gets better with age.
 
I went pheasant hunting last weekend with both of my 81 year old parents and my 12 year old daughter, I am 47. I hunt almost every weekend with my 81 year old father whether it be archery deer, rifle deer, or pheasants. Hunting is a great multigenerational family sport!
 
II will be 77 in in just a few weeks. If this will tell you anything.My
Motto is; "I'm young and in my prime and ready anytime." I do notice my hunts are shorter than they were a few years ago..........Bob
 
pretty close to 62- can't seem to go like I used to- let my big running Britt's cover the ground- while I mossey along

sister tells me- need to slow down- she's right- I hit a tree skiing the mountians last year- cracked a couple ribs- going to meet her again in February- she going to really get on me about this age thing

guess that's why I let my Britt's roll while I enjoy the country side- if they find birds- hold em till I get there

ahhhhh big running pointing dogs- with tracking collars
 
Shadow said:
guess that's why I let my Britt's roll while I enjoy the country side- if they find birds- hold em till I get there

ahhhhh big running pointing dogs- with tracking collars
Click to expand...

Amen Brother! You and I need to get together for a hunt and we'll have 4 big running Britts. :)
 
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