|
Post by richg on Nov 12, 2012 15:36:14 GMT -5
So all season I lug a climber up and down ridges sometimes a mile one way.At 54 I feel I'm in pretty good shape from walking year round.However at the cabin there's always one of my sons within cell phone reach.So today being off work and wanting to hunt the last day I head to the local gamelands.There's a big clearcut where nobody was hunting that had a few rubs but was a good mile walk to get there.A mile walk is nothing but with a climber it gets harder.So I decide to skip it thinking a 54 year old man has no business going back there by himself.My buddy thinks I'm paranoid and says if you're going to have a heart attack it's your time anyway.So what do yinz think?Am I paranoid or being smart?It ruined an oppertunity for me to hunt this last day.At what point do you slow down and face the facts?
|
|
|
Post by Dutch on Nov 12, 2012 15:53:55 GMT -5
Meanwhile, the deer you thought were a mile back in, probably were 200 yds off the road. LOL
I am firmly convinced we now carry just way to much crap. I didn't when I was younger, but now, all these little "just in case" things get in my pack.
The other week, I climbed up the mountain with a climber, and 2 crossbows. That was enough.
|
|
|
Post by richg on Nov 12, 2012 16:15:57 GMT -5
I don't carry a whole lot,basically a climber and my bow with some small doo dads.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2012 16:40:20 GMT -5
What what is the definition of old coot?
|
|
|
Post by dennyf on Nov 12, 2012 17:10:04 GMT -5
Coots? Such discussion is grounds fer dismissal here. I'll be 66 this week and usually don't feel a day over 46. Unfortunately, my feets, knees and shoulders have decided they're closer to 86. I don't tote anything I don't need, which often now includes a little aluminum legged folding stool with canvas seat. At least it came with a shoulder strap?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2012 17:26:02 GMT -5
Rich, Invest in a Loc-On Limit and ultralight climbing sticks and your good to go. My Limit weighs 6 1/2 pounds and my 3 piece sectional weighs about 3 pounds. It feels like you're packing in feathers when you have it all on your back and I can get up about 12 feet and in the stand ready to hunt within about 10 minutes. Btw, I'm 54 as well.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2012 17:40:51 GMT -5
What what is the definition of old coot? Don't know how old this Coot is, but a pic, none the less.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2012 18:14:08 GMT -5
What what is the definition of old coot? Don't know how old this Coot is, but a pic, none the less. lol is it me or does that coot resemble Dutch? ;D
|
|
|
Post by dennyf on Nov 12, 2012 22:23:33 GMT -5
Dunno, but would bet a nickel is has better legs?
|
|
|
Post by richg on Nov 13, 2012 6:58:06 GMT -5
Thanks kodiak,I'll have to look into the loc-on.
Denny there's basically to choices here,old coot or codger.I kinda like coot because old codger kinda reminds me of an old grump. ;D We get a kick out of the older old coots at walmart a few days before the rifle opener.Though they aren't going out they dress up in orange walking around bowlegged picking up food to cook for the younger fellers.Someday I'll be walking around in there doing the same.I told my sons if I;'m not bowlegged by then I'll fake it. ;D
|
|
|
Post by dougell on Nov 13, 2012 9:00:09 GMT -5
At least you haven't hit the diaper stage yet Rich
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2012 9:24:17 GMT -5
What what is the definition of old coot? I may be qualified to answer that, stroupy. At 71 and with a not so great knee to contend with, I am finding that it isn't as easy to get out there as far as I would like. At age 54 I could outwalk guides out west, but no longer. Rich does not qualify for "old coot" status. Denny and I do, whether or not he wishes to admit it. ;D As to Rich's original question, let your physical condition be your guide. When it is your time, you will go, but why miss doing what you love to do just to prolong your time? On Sunday, our group (Me, age 70, Larry, age 69, and Dave, age 61) covered over three miles of mountain and hollow helping a youngster find his wounded deer. We were successful and he is a happy hunter with his first archery killed buck. He shot just at dusk on Saturday and made a not so perfect shot, but with three old coots following blood and scuff marks in the leaves we finally found it. My knee is still complaining a bit, but I ain't givin' up just yet.
|
|
|
Post by dennyf on Nov 13, 2012 11:22:09 GMT -5
Bummer, ain't it Mutt? All this wealth of accumulated knowledge and not enough "go" to get out there to share it with youngsters that might need it. Or as one told me once, "You're confusing knowledge with BS, I've already heard it and don't wanta hear it again". I now prefer geezer to any of the alternatives.
|
|
|
Post by bghunter on Nov 13, 2012 11:53:20 GMT -5
ya old Coots that's what it's come too HA HA. My daughter fought me tooth and nail about her boys hunti. She grew up with my huntin and she even tried a go at it but ended up not to found. She is a good fisher and still dose st times. Anyways the thing that got her I guess was the boys said to her let pop pop teach and show us now before he's dead PLEASE. She let me get them compound bows and off we went. I've tried to help them so much but without them knowin sometimes. Not cause they are my G/kids but they know and can go take off and come home with a deer I feel good about that my reward. I've got them shootin trap and sportin clays also and have passed me for birds on avarage. They kill me on trout and bass but all in good fun. My daughter and wife get mad cause I drag out my own deer most times other times when I can I use quad an ol mans drag rope I guess. I'm still humpin up the mountain in rifle just more rest time an extra 1/2 hr. to get up in mornin. If and when it's my time I hope it's headin up that mountain, and hope I've told my family how much I love them enough. Guess what us coots have the hardest time with is how much huntin has changed but I still live for it anyways. I still remember my dads last couple of deer he was gettin older and so many more problems with simple things like taken saftety off, and his fogged up glasses, and cold feet all the time. One thing he always had a jug of coffee with him and I'ed bum some and he'ed give me a bunch of crap why I didn't carry my own, and why I move around so much. I can sit longer now adays seems like it anit worth the walk to see the other side. When we hunted Slate Run area everything UP I worried more about him then deer huntin but couldn't let him know. Guess in a few yrs. my G/kids will be checkin on me without me knowin. I guess I'm fallin into the coot club but funny thing my feet stay warm yet......
|
|
|
Post by richg on Nov 13, 2012 12:45:09 GMT -5
Mutt and Doug made me feel better.Being in the diaper stage would stink.Pun intented.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2012 17:31:58 GMT -5
I'm an old fart plus hunt alone a lot plus ice fish in some remote mountainous areas where cell coverage doesn't exit. Last year my loving Wife got me a SPOT Emergency Satellite tracker device. It has an annual service fee of $100/year & unit only cost $50 after Rebates. If you get into trouble...by pressing the SOS button it sends out an Emergency Message to 911 & local rescue contacts etc. giving your precise location. It has a test feature which i tried & show within 100 yds your local via longittude/latitude coorindates. Also, per my testing works in heavy tree cover. Guess the Mrs does really love me!! ;D
|
|
|
Post by dougell on Nov 13, 2012 17:46:01 GMT -5
Rich,every year you say we're gonna get together and hunt.I end up packing a cooler with all kinds of good food and drinks but you never show.Are ya tellin me that I have to pack a diaper bag to get you to show up?It's no problem.I can round one up.
|
|
|
Post by Dutch on Nov 13, 2012 21:21:57 GMT -5
bghunter, I DO enjoy your posts. Thank you.
|
|
|
Post by richg on Nov 13, 2012 21:41:27 GMT -5
lol Doug.Hey don't forget to powder me. ;DWouldn't wanna get diaper rash.
|
|
|
Post by Dutch on Nov 13, 2012 22:15:06 GMT -5
Ok, this is getting weird. LOL
|
|
|
Post by dennyf on Nov 13, 2012 23:24:48 GMT -5
Might soon need another forum?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 7:02:44 GMT -5
Ok, this is getting weird. LOL Thinkin the same thing Dutch! Makes me feel older than I am! ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2012 7:12:49 GMT -5
Your only as old as you want to be! In a couple days my grandfather will be dead for 10 years (it went by too fast) he was up in NY hunting when he shot a four point and walked up to it and took a heart attack. He didn't make it home but I can tell you this he wouldn't have wanted to go any other way he was doing what he loved and even if he knew it was gonna happen he still would have gone. you only have one life live it to the fullest.
|
|
|
Post by bearslayer on Nov 14, 2012 9:46:53 GMT -5
I am in that situation now with my dad. He is 71 and acts as if he is 21 and to be truthfull it scarse the hell out of me, but I dont say much but take it easy. I do find myself checking up on him more often and hunting alittle closer to his location but for the most part he is still one of the boys. No matter what we do and how we hunt he is always right there and I wouldnt want it any other way. He still climbs the mountains and lugs his stand but I do tend in be his pack horse more often then not. Like alot have said if somethings going to happen it dosnt matter what your doing, I just know this is what he wants and makes him happy! So I say to all you old coots! LOL If its what you love have at it and dont look back because those that are close to you know your passion and know that your living your dream! With that said everyone have a safe and happy hunting season!
Bearslayer
|
|
|
Post by dennyf on Nov 14, 2012 12:20:39 GMT -5
Many years ago a friend's dad passed away during buck season at their camp in Potter. He didn't come in that night, so they went out looking, found him dead at the base of "his" tree, still leaned back against it, rifle in his lap. Tore them all up. The ol' boy had no history of ailments or heart problems, but IIRC, he had a heart attack and that was that. Wasn't even all that far along in years as I recall, maybe mid 60s? Sometime later we were talking and his son was still very upset about his dad's passing. Told him it wouldn't soften the blow of losing his dad, but at least his dad went while doing what he loved to do and in a spot dear to him. As it turned out, few in their family had gotten around to thinking about that yet and it eventually did soothe 'em a bit. I've joked for years, that The Lord can take me any time he thinks I've been sitting under a favorite hemlock long enough? My only hope is, that it ain't until after a nice buck had been taken there, too?
|
|