happytohunt
Active Member
- Messages
- 546
How many of us are so suddenly "elders?" And still have yet another elk hunt that we aspire to?Knowing what it takes but still willing to try?hth
Motivated
- Thread starter happytohunt
- Start date
elkassassin
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 36,949
Don't Call Me Old!
[Font][Font color = "blue"]I Changed My Signature Just for NVB!
Like 6 Damn Times Now!
[Font][Font color = "blue"]I Changed My Signature Just for NVB!
Like 6 Damn Times Now!
happytohunt
Active Member
- Messages
- 546
That word ... Might cause a feller to head up the mountain in search of antler and tenderloin again and again...hth
I THINK ABOUT THIS A LOT!!!! I HAVE 3 MORE QUALITY BULL HUNTS HANGING BEFORE ME, AT 63 I STILL LOOK FORWARD TO THEM. I KNOW ONCE I GET THAT TAG IN MY HAND.......I WILL THINK ABOUT NOTHING ELSE !!!!
THE GOOD HUNTS ARE HARD TO DRAW, AS WE ALL KNOW. COMMON TAG GODS !!!!!.....................YD.
THE GOOD HUNTS ARE HARD TO DRAW, AS WE ALL KNOW. COMMON TAG GODS !!!!!.....................YD.
littlebull209338
Active Member
- Messages
- 973
Well, I am arguing with myself about this very real event. I am 74 and think this will be my last elk hunt. Hard to realize that the mountains haven't gotten any steeper but the guy trying to climb them has slowed way down. I will be hunting with my hunting partner (50 year old son) on a private ranch in the Meeker area. I have taken him with me for about 45 years.
eelgrass
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 31,432
At some point your eyes get bigger than your stomach. I had no comprehension of that a few years ago.
In my mind I can see myself hiking up a big mountain with a full pack but reality hits when I try it. Then the mental game starts, and I tell myself it's not worth the effort as there probably aren't any deer up that high now anyway.
But my pride is hurt.
I was doing a solo hunt last year and a stranger stopped by my camp to check out the buck I killed. As he was leaving, he said "You really shouldn't be out here hunting by yourself at your age." Screw that!
In my mind I can see myself hiking up a big mountain with a full pack but reality hits when I try it. Then the mental game starts, and I tell myself it's not worth the effort as there probably aren't any deer up that high now anyway.
But my pride is hurt.I was doing a solo hunt last year and a stranger stopped by my camp to check out the buck I killed. As he was leaving, he said "You really shouldn't be out here hunting by yourself at your age." Screw that!
littlebull209338
Active Member
- Messages
- 973
I had that solo hunt experience myself a couple of years ago on West Divide Creek. But,... a group guys that were camped a mile away found out I was by myself and every evening stopped by to see if I was okay and did I need any help packing my elk out. Looking back I realize how kind they were being. BUT if I meet my end in the mountains doing what I enjoy the most......so be it...a smile on my face permanently
feddoc
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 7,223
Taking your kid with you must be an awesome experience.
I think about that one last hunt...and then application time rolls around, I'll burn a couple logs in the fireplace, pull out some deer chili and put in for tags, again.
Had to alter the way I do things with having a couple fake body parts, but it still happens.
I think about that one last hunt...and then application time rolls around, I'll burn a couple logs in the fireplace, pull out some deer chili and put in for tags, again.
Had to alter the way I do things with having a couple fake body parts, but it still happens.
littlebull209338
Active Member
- Messages
- 973
You are right about being in shape and desire. I started my 2 mile a day walking about a week ago.....................long way to go.....I gained about 15 lbs. this winter.
DeerHunter53
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 3,058
I am getting ready for a grueling elk hunt this year at 63. My kid asked if I were up to it and I said hell yes let's go. So I started working out now as last year I waited and the hunt like to kill me. Everyday at 8500 feet up to 9000 and boy did this old body hurt. I said then that might be my last elk hunt as I left it all on the mountain.
Now fast forward to 6 months and my memory has faded and I have forgot how hard it was and I am ready to go again. Only this time I am starting sooner as it seems to take longer to get in shape each year.
My wife and kids thought that maybe something was wrong with me so I went to the Doctor. I asked him about the trouble I had breathing at the altitude and asked what was wrong. He said you are 62 that is what's wrong and if you only have a seven day hunt you are just getting used to he altitude about the time you are leaving.
So long story short it sucks to get older
Now fast forward to 6 months and my memory has faded and I have forgot how hard it was and I am ready to go again. Only this time I am starting sooner as it seems to take longer to get in shape each year.
My wife and kids thought that maybe something was wrong with me so I went to the Doctor. I asked him about the trouble I had breathing at the altitude and asked what was wrong. He said you are 62 that is what's wrong and if you only have a seven day hunt you are just getting used to he altitude about the time you are leaving.
So long story short it sucks to get older
I have noticed that most people seem to lose their desire to hunt before they lose their ability to hunt.
As we get older, we all start to wonder how much longer we can keep it up. When will we have to quit, or at least slow down and not stray too far from the road anymore? At age 67 last year, I could still hike 10 to 20 miles of harsh Wyoming country in a day, partly because I had my son who is 30 years younger to push me along. But I used to be able to cover twice as much ground when I was younger. Also, the recovery after a hard day of hunting gets a little tougher every year.
I have a grandson in Wyoming who turned 5 today, and he loves hunting. I sure hope I can still hack it at age age 75 when he get old enough to hunt.
I can't imagine my hunting career ending before I am at least well into my 80's. My dad is 93 and still going pretty strong, but I watched him pruning some peach trees today and noticed that he does move pretty slow and walks like an old man. He wouldn't make it very far from camp in the Wyoming high country, that's for sure.
As we get older, we all start to wonder how much longer we can keep it up. When will we have to quit, or at least slow down and not stray too far from the road anymore? At age 67 last year, I could still hike 10 to 20 miles of harsh Wyoming country in a day, partly because I had my son who is 30 years younger to push me along. But I used to be able to cover twice as much ground when I was younger. Also, the recovery after a hard day of hunting gets a little tougher every year.
I have a grandson in Wyoming who turned 5 today, and he loves hunting. I sure hope I can still hack it at age age 75 when he get old enough to hunt.
I can't imagine my hunting career ending before I am at least well into my 80's. My dad is 93 and still going pretty strong, but I watched him pruning some peach trees today and noticed that he does move pretty slow and walks like an old man. He wouldn't make it very far from camp in the Wyoming high country, that's for sure.
littlebull209338
Active Member
- Messages
- 973
No doubt a lot of our being alive and active is genetics. No male in my family has lived as long as I have. I have friends who are in the 80 yr. old stage doing pretty darn good. I took my first elk when I was 14 and the between years have been a blast. My bucket list has been completed.....except one more bull.
happytohunt
Active Member
- Messages
- 546
well,this feller plans to hunt until I keel over.I am lucky to have nephews in their 20's to share the woods with..So to keep up with them might keep me spry.Plus sharing the outdoors with family and also solo is rejuvenating.Good to get up the mountain,brave the elements, and good to get back to camp and or the truck.Gratitude...
2lumpy
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 7,991
I don't think I'm a pessimist. I see myself as more of a realist but I suppose most everyone else does too.
Here are some real statistics, in spite of what we hope, want, or believe about ourselves and our hunting longevity.
1. If you are 50 years old today, 45% of us will be dead before we reach 80. If your a woman 33% of you will be dead.
2. Although different terms are used in the literature, gerontologists have identified three broad categories of seniors: 1) old-old, or frail old, who are over 75 years of age, 2) young-old who are persons between 65 and 75 years, and 3) athletic-old, elders who have maintained a high level of fitness throughout their life (Elia, 1991)
3. At age 50 most of us outdoors types still believe we are ten feet tall and bullet proof. Some still do at age 60. Check with 15 of your outdoors type friends, that are currently over 70, and see how many of them believe, they have the ability to "get after it" and still think they are going to be up for it, regardless of how much and how hard and how long they exercise , prior to their hunt. It will surprise you how many of that 15 have slipped into group (1) old-old, or frail old listed above. Many of whom still try to exercise aggressively, but are, due to disease, joint failure, muscle failure, lung failure, heart failure or digestive failure, entirely beyond any ability to control their physical fitness through aggressive exercise.
4. There are anomalies, and while I don't mean gentlemen like Zeke and eel are abnormal, but it would be interesting to have them tell us, at there age, how many of their good outdoor friends are still able to keep up with them, in spite of how dedicated they were at age 50. We should believe and hope that we are one of the anomalies but if you're being realistic, you may want to begin, somewhere around age 50, to plan for the end game, so far as tag acquisition, hunting styles and "modified" hunting activities, so you are still able, when you reach 70-75 years of age, to continue to enjoy a meaningful outdoor lifestyle. For example, I see no reason what a sportsman, or woman, who has been a high country back pack hunter, shouldn't revert to hunting from a ground blind, if at an older age their lung capacity, their joint conditions, their heart condition etc. precludes them from do the long steep hikes, into the back country, and planning for that general inevitability is not admitting failure anymore than planning for retirement is for a high rise steel worker. In my opinion, it's wise on not to ignore reality, even if we hope to be an anomaly.
5. With tag drawing systems being what they are, and quite different from State to State, it is very possible to do a great deal of hunting at younger ages, say from ages 18 to 50, after that, if your wise, you will begin to bank points and build options, for those inevitable years, when you will be more limited in your ability to "get after it".
As I said before, I'll be 70 in three months. I hunted alone, at least 70 days last year. I expect it will be about the same this year. But I certainly hunt differently than I did 20 years ago. I have to accept that I'm a different person, mentally and physically than I was at age 50. I hope to be hunting a age 80 and beyond, but I'm realistic. I've got a lot of very good friends, that were as intense, and rabid, that are now between 75 and 80, I can tell you, it ain't happening for hardly any of them. Some are content with it, and others are not in a good place, mentally, because they never have been able to accept the realities of live and aging gracefully.
Go out to your local golf course and watch some of those old timers, limping and wheezing around the club house, about 2 o'clock, any week day afternoon, and take a look at what 75 years old looks like, for most people.
For sure, I'm not attempting to disparage anyone on this thread. It's a legitimate discussion and the comments have been worthwhile but don't ignore your future. I believe you can plan for a good one, just saying, try to accept the reality of the aging phase of your life. Plan for it, and if you're lucky, it will happen.
DC
Here are some real statistics, in spite of what we hope, want, or believe about ourselves and our hunting longevity.
1. If you are 50 years old today, 45% of us will be dead before we reach 80. If your a woman 33% of you will be dead.
2. Although different terms are used in the literature, gerontologists have identified three broad categories of seniors: 1) old-old, or frail old, who are over 75 years of age, 2) young-old who are persons between 65 and 75 years, and 3) athletic-old, elders who have maintained a high level of fitness throughout their life (Elia, 1991)
3. At age 50 most of us outdoors types still believe we are ten feet tall and bullet proof. Some still do at age 60. Check with 15 of your outdoors type friends, that are currently over 70, and see how many of them believe, they have the ability to "get after it" and still think they are going to be up for it, regardless of how much and how hard and how long they exercise , prior to their hunt. It will surprise you how many of that 15 have slipped into group (1) old-old, or frail old listed above. Many of whom still try to exercise aggressively, but are, due to disease, joint failure, muscle failure, lung failure, heart failure or digestive failure, entirely beyond any ability to control their physical fitness through aggressive exercise.
4. There are anomalies, and while I don't mean gentlemen like Zeke and eel are abnormal, but it would be interesting to have them tell us, at there age, how many of their good outdoor friends are still able to keep up with them, in spite of how dedicated they were at age 50. We should believe and hope that we are one of the anomalies but if you're being realistic, you may want to begin, somewhere around age 50, to plan for the end game, so far as tag acquisition, hunting styles and "modified" hunting activities, so you are still able, when you reach 70-75 years of age, to continue to enjoy a meaningful outdoor lifestyle. For example, I see no reason what a sportsman, or woman, who has been a high country back pack hunter, shouldn't revert to hunting from a ground blind, if at an older age their lung capacity, their joint conditions, their heart condition etc. precludes them from do the long steep hikes, into the back country, and planning for that general inevitability is not admitting failure anymore than planning for retirement is for a high rise steel worker. In my opinion, it's wise on not to ignore reality, even if we hope to be an anomaly.
5. With tag drawing systems being what they are, and quite different from State to State, it is very possible to do a great deal of hunting at younger ages, say from ages 18 to 50, after that, if your wise, you will begin to bank points and build options, for those inevitable years, when you will be more limited in your ability to "get after it".
As I said before, I'll be 70 in three months. I hunted alone, at least 70 days last year. I expect it will be about the same this year. But I certainly hunt differently than I did 20 years ago. I have to accept that I'm a different person, mentally and physically than I was at age 50. I hope to be hunting a age 80 and beyond, but I'm realistic. I've got a lot of very good friends, that were as intense, and rabid, that are now between 75 and 80, I can tell you, it ain't happening for hardly any of them. Some are content with it, and others are not in a good place, mentally, because they never have been able to accept the realities of live and aging gracefully.
Go out to your local golf course and watch some of those old timers, limping and wheezing around the club house, about 2 o'clock, any week day afternoon, and take a look at what 75 years old looks like, for most people.
For sure, I'm not attempting to disparage anyone on this thread. It's a legitimate discussion and the comments have been worthwhile but don't ignore your future. I believe you can plan for a good one, just saying, try to accept the reality of the aging phase of your life. Plan for it, and if you're lucky, it will happen.
DC
It is interesting the responses people have. Everyone is different. In 2005 I had a heart attack which started me looking at things different. I drew a muzzy bull tag on the Wasatch in 2012 and tackled it with three sons. After the first day of hunting I was wondering if I should have followed Dr orders and not go. We spotted a pretty bull, not a monster but over 300 and I shot him. I boned him out and we started off the mountain where I collapsed and ended up in trouble. Dr's say I was lucky but needed to think a lot stronger about giving hunting up. This passed year I hunted deer for the first time in 10 years from a side by side. Shot a 3x3. My goal I have left is a moose. Size no longer matters. Just shooting one.
One can only do what their body allows them to do. If you can hunt I admire you. I know my days are limited but I can and will except.
One can only do what their body allows them to do. If you can hunt I admire you. I know my days are limited but I can and will except.
I'll be 59 this fall, will hunt elk alone and may backpack in a few miles to do so. I think of every season as possibly the next-to-last one, keeps me hunting smart and enjoying it. A big eye-opener yesterday when my dad and hunting mentor phoned to say I should come get his guns, he won't be needing them. "Except maybe that 20 gauge, and I'll know where to find it." Right you are, Dad. Hope he has one or more bird hunts left.
littlebull209338
Active Member
- Messages
- 973
In spite of "me" age I am getting excited for the next few weeks. I am going to be turkey hunting in Kansas with my two sons and two granddaughters. Then I am going in Colorado and then Nebraska. Hunting with my granddaughters is as good as it gets. They both have gotten turkeys with me the last two years. If I have any energy left I might go in WY>
littlebighorn
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 5,315
I turned 68 on Saturday so I think that makes me more than a wannabe.
About 10 years ago I was winding down my mountain hunting days, but then I drew a long awaited Sheep tag. That forced me to "step it up" both in exercise and diet. I believe that one event has extended my hunting life span by decades.
Then I drew another sheep tag, and I have since been on several sheep hunts (for myself and others). Those hunts were so incredible it changed my mind set. It seems that the mountain air breaths new life into old lungs.
No doubt I have to work harder at staying in shape, but having something to motivate me physically is invigorating and gives me something to "be Young" for!
We all need to use wisdom and frequent medical reviews are critical, but I don't see me putting down my hunting boots any time soon.
About 10 years ago I was winding down my mountain hunting days, but then I drew a long awaited Sheep tag. That forced me to "step it up" both in exercise and diet. I believe that one event has extended my hunting life span by decades.
Then I drew another sheep tag, and I have since been on several sheep hunts (for myself and others). Those hunts were so incredible it changed my mind set. It seems that the mountain air breaths new life into old lungs.
No doubt I have to work harder at staying in shape, but having something to motivate me physically is invigorating and gives me something to "be Young" for!
We all need to use wisdom and frequent medical reviews are critical, but I don't see me putting down my hunting boots any time soon.
eelgrass
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 31,432
On the other end of the spectrum is my good friend Garland Hamilton. We graduated from high school together. He spent 27 years in the Marines and then he joined the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks as a warden for the past 18 years and just retired. He still runs 5 miles a day and has several hunts planned for this year. He only has 3 or 4 animals to complete all the North American species. He refuses to own a computer or a cell phone though. He's stopping by my house on his way to a Tule Elk hunt in August. The toughest old man I know.
