Go stumnp shooting

no pressure and good exercise and fun

carry a broad head or 2 and maybe sit and rest and wait if desired?

I know a little of how you feel. I realized a few years back that I enjoy shooting and all the preperation, sharpening heads and knives and such and I believe I have more enjoymennt gt etting ready to hu n t more than actual huntig. I still enjoy it but shooti n g is my biggest enjoyment and stumping.

Gotta be honest, I’m starting to feel the same way. I love the preparation and practicing with my hunting setup. I love trad archery so the downfall to that when I hunt I don’t shoot much, So I was thinking of trying 3D next spring. Can’t stump shoot here. That should keep me going.

When that happened to me, I Started hiking and hammock camping, I realized I still needed to be out there, just not in the killing role.. God bless..

Take your time, remember why you hunted; the sights, smells, the successes and the failures, the close calls, the animals, the sunlight on your face, seeing game, walking back in the dark, getting that perfect bow that you dreamed about, and just enjoying the great outdoors, and all of GOD's creation!@!!

Daryl, your words express my own feelings perfectly. Since I no longer have opportunity to hunt with the hunting buddies I shared hunts with for years, I don't have the same drive either. This fall I'm just sort of messing around with gear like you.

I've been there . Divorce , job layoff, relocation.. life has a way of getting in the way of what you you really want. Sometimes you you don't know what you got Til you lose it. Sucks

I like hitting woods where I know I am the only one around. Unfortunately, that possibility is getting less abd less. I will be heading out tomorrow if all goes well. Public land hunting during smoke pole season is challenging with a stickbow.

Dan, I wished we lived closer so I could get you out into the woods. Hell I couldn't care less if I shoot a dang deer, it's just extra work...bloody hands, draggin it back to the truck. I will still shoot one though and I love the woods. I know about the camaraderie thing, several of my buddies are no longer around...a few have passed and one moved away. Hunting season is more interesting when you can share it. I still have a few guys that can go out now and then, but I make up for it by just making arrows fly.

Box call. I don't know you but my divorce set me back a few years in the woods so I understand. It gets better buddy. Don't let this take anything more from you than it already has. If you need to talk you can pm me.

I got to the point where I no longer wanted to haul out the carcass, but still wanted to enjoy the hunt. My hunting partner felt the same and would say as we split up for the day. "Be carefull that you don't shoot anything." Of course, a couple grouse were always welcome and required no heavy lifting.

What part of Ohio are you in Dan? I am In Muskingum County.

Don't sweat it either way! If at some point you get the passion back to hunt, great! If you prefer to tinker and build/create things and then go stumping, that is great too! Do what makes you happy, whatever that is.

You need a trip Dan!!!

You need togo somewhere and hunt,,,something different,,,ya gota get motivated to do something different yet something that will help ya get back to an old state of mind Theres gota be someone round here that can set you up on some pigs! There not what your used to,the shootings quicker,,they live where the weathers better,,and itd give ya a reason to load up the Jeep and TAKE OFF Just sayn,,IMHO ; )

Nothing wrong with just getting out and shooting your bow, spending time with friends and being in the woods. Nothing to drag out, no tags to pay for, just pick up your toys and go home.

I just had open heart surgery and survived,,,,,, I cherish every day,,,,, go out and have fun, thank God for your days in the field,,,,, want to feel better, go help someone else, doing things for others, brings a lot of joy,,,,,,

Wishing you the best, my passion runs so deep, that is a reason I made it thru surgery, that's what the doctors said,,,, You have goals, you bet I do......

Take the time, to meditate, talk to God, listen to the wind, appreciate watching he red squirrel on the stump, just take in the natural world, no need for killing all the time,,,,, just go shoot your bow,,,,,,,

I have to work hard, to get back to my house in the wilds of the UP, by January, and I am going to do it,,,, can not wait to trap again....

God Bless

George, you and Dan-O are both retired, bored and typing on here all day :) Put that keyboard down and you two get together for a good old fashioned bow hunt! I'm sure PA is much cheaper than OH for non-residents. Then when you guys are done we will have something NEW to chat about for a few weeks. Do it, do it, do it!

I have the desire but cant get out:(

Also am having shooting issues so I opted not to hunt this year.

I enjoy the prep more lately than the hunt

If you want to stump or hunt smaller critters yell at me Im not that far from you

Or we can drink coffee:)

Dan, hope you find a way to make your hunting work towards making some new memories for you again.

Haven't been hunting for a while. Never got much out of hunting on private property unless it was a big ranch or farm and my family or friends were with me. Social hunting I suppose. Those hunting camps on public lands where we had big deer camps won't happen anymore 'cause they are now way too crowded, and camping is done in controlled areas, and you need a draw to use. My best friend, a people magnent I introducued to archery ion '64, won't be getting all those good ole boy Oklahboa cowboy characters to show up anymore 'cause he passed on. Gotta make new memories I suppose.

Would really like to pack back in, as some here have described, and those stories really get me dreaming of doing it myself. But in reality it ain't gonna happen. Too old, too out of shape, too poor.

At a prayer breakfast last week a fellow in his early seventies like me, came in talking about the buck he had hanging in a cooler. Got me to thinking. Yup, there's some folks round here I need to drink some coffee with. Got to make some new opportunites 'round these parts of the Adirondacks next year.

However, my dream for extra money next year will be to get my 78 year old brother out crappie or catfishing, so might not get out chasing those deer next year either, but hoping.

Dan what you said about preparing might be an important part of the enjoyment, so thanks for the thought.

Was just looking at my '61 honey colored Kodiak with the screw on quiver I bought off Johnny Razorhead a few back. It just looks like it needs to get out there. What a sweet shooting bow. Better save some time and money for next year and get that bow out doing what it was made for.

Well said PD.

Several of you have noted a crucial fact. We want to hunt mostly because of some social aspect. It can be family participation, the tradition of trips with friends, etc. For me, a big part of hunting enthusiasm began when I was a kid reading Outdoor Life.

That was the magazine's purpose: get people enthused about outdoor activities so they will buy from the advertisers.

As we get older, friends and family pass out of this life leaving us wondering why the old activities lose their allure.

The fact is, hunting and fishing were never really as important as we thought they were. It was the social aspect that we craved.

Bottom line is, God and people area more important than anything else. If we remember that, we can retrieve some enjoyment from those faded activities in the brighter light of a new perspective.

Small game hunting is my way these days. Lots of exercise, plenty of shots some days, some meat for the pot.

Ever thought about becoming a mentor for some young person in your area that may be wanting to learn how to hunt and/ or fish? . Revive your passion through their eyes and share your experience and knowledge with them.

Box Call. When i go out to hunt, i find myself stump shooting all the way back to my ground sit, and while coming back to the truck, at sun set. I took a deer last year, my first in eight years. Didn't have much desire to shoot a Doe, because i don't see the deer i use to. I still went out, if nothing else, to help the deer by shooting a coyote or two. I like to see how close i can get deer to come by me. Don't need to shoot it. Just experiencing the outdoors, is worth a trip to the woods. My boy picked up archery hunting last year. He told me on his first hunt, Dad, i don't know if i can shoot a deer or not. He is 26 years old. I told him, you don't have to, and it was up to him, to shoot one, on his own liking. Go out and take the challenge of getting them close. Stump shoot to where you are going to sit, and back to the truck. It'll be a GREAT hunt!

I am feeling the same way box call.Sucks, I would of never thought this day would come.

Having a buddy or two or three to hunt with makes a big difference, and hunting in the rain and high wind gets old quickly. Lately, I've been trying still hunting a lot more when I don't have a hunting partner...scouting, watching for small game, paying attention to trails, other sign, forage, other folks stands in the woods, and seeing how close I can get to critters. I spend the same amount of time as if I had been sitting but have more to remember from the outing.

At 65, I've felt the same for over 10 years...and actually hung it up until my son voiced his desire to hunt again with the Old Man. Can't say no to that, eh?

So, I've been "back" for 5 years...during which I've I killed exactly 1 buck. I'll never take another doe, our numbers don't warrent the need...niether does my freezer/wallet.

As many have noted; I still love to shoot and enjoy the preparation aspect, but lose my fire fast once the time rolls around...I'm on vacation as a type this.

Another aspect for me to factors others posted is the loss of hunting spots from my early days. I could never afford nor justify spending thousands of dollars on land strictly for hunting. Family comes first for me.

So, I hunt some...on my terms...but live vicariously through the exploits and successes of my son.

I had a good friend in kind of the same spot Not a hunter but same issues in life He joined the big brother program and enjoyed it and it helped him as much as it did his little brother

You guys talking about divorce,,,I got hit pretty hard when my wife left.Really felt like the world had came to an end. Re married and doing ok but the first one was the love of my life and i still think about her. Bow hunting/shooting helps alot.

I think BK may have had the best advice of all. Become a mentor. Couple things are up for this in my mind. Some mention the social aspect and you mention being alone. Some little kid or even just mentor a new hunter/shooter may jog some life out of you. Being around it and yet not having to actually perform lets you go at your pace. I bet it all comes back. Challenge- I mentor a lot. The game would be positively dead 100x over before you coached a newer hunter to their success. It's positively addicting. Most of all, some little kid needs you. Maybe start out just youth days. Again your handle is BOXCALL I'm thinking this means turkey. Start anywhere, even bluegill fishing with some kid. You'll feel needed, wanted and why waste the valuable information you have? Mentoring is always a great idea. Another option to stay somewhat involved is a hunter ed instructor. Shooting coach too. There's many certifications you can get and lots of clubs need someone

I'm feelin ya, going through the same thing. I take my self bow out for a walk once in awhile but killing a deer isn't on my mind.

I really appreciate this thread since many of you guys are mirroring my own feelings. Nice to know that others understand. The social aspect has been immensely important to my hunting over the years and now that several things have changed in that regard I find a diminished desire to hunt alone. Often I feel like I should be out there but at my age lack some of the drive I once had.

I am a 100% traditional bowhunter and hunt with recurves 100% of the time but...I am slipping from hunting desire for 3 reasons.... (1) I simply can't stand seeing this epidemic of posers carrying stinking cross guns around and pretending to be bowhunters.... (2)Bowhunting has become this ridiculous tv sponsored long range rainbow arrow launching circus...and (3) The hunters around here are so stupid by pounding the doe, pounding the doe, pounding the doe over the past years causing the deer to be far and few. It is pathetic. Going to start doing much more fall fishing !!!

Mentor ship or teaching-I have a 4-H archery program that takes up much of my time. I teach fletching, stringmaking and a shooting foundation. Even had a kid that wanted to and made a hill style in my oven. Turn your life partially to kids- you will never know the positive impact you will have

i lost my brother to cancer last Sunday. my few bowhunts have thus far been exercises in walking through the woods remembering the past. we have done everything together for the last 55 years, but now it just seems a waste of time. i hope i can learn to enjoy life again... :^(

When I get burned out on hunting because dog hunters out in force, I just go fishing ! Don't let it get you down take a break and try something new.

I think this a natural progression for an experienced hunter.

No rule that says you gotta hunt to enjoy the outdoors.

Boxcall, You should check into tying flyfishing flies. Bet you would be great at it, and some guys will buy them. By the way, I live in Westerville, so I bet we are close. If you need help on a drag out, just text. Steve

I still have the passion but my shoulder does not

Maybe try to stop thinking about everything Dan it sounds like that is the issue possibly? Just a guess based on what you mentioned? Easier said than done I live there in that bush also myself too.LOL

I do know the feeling that's why I walk around angry and take it out on animals, birds and fish and kill so many.

Right now I am frustrated too myself. I sat all day Sunday and all I saw was squirrels. Night before big buck was at the blind and made a new scrape and beautiful rub could see it from blind window when it started to get light in morning. Buddy texted me when they checked disc and told me what time day before last light was fired up. I wonder if he did that to keep me sitting there all day he brought me lunch and drinks anyways.

I was pretty beat up then had to drive 1.5 hours home that night. Got home and herd about the shooting and was so angry about that I went to bed and prayed and cried and loved dog who missed me before turning in for couple days I didn't see her.

Sat got a Turkey another long beard but no deer only saw 3 does at stand and 8 or so hens different area than sat Sunday.

Yeah I'm frustrated also it's hard to keep fire going. I think when we get old we have to surround ourselves with younger people to draw off their strength also.

Working past couple days trying to figure out around weather which days to hunt wanted to get bird hunting now its cooler out get some Pheasants and quail.

Top it all off didn't I fall again in dark going in Sunday morning. I got cut on stickers walking in and was bleeding out.LOL Then tripped and knocked down blind had to put back up and situate chair. It was raining but stayed dry in blind and it was quiet. I should get a go pro set up and could show hunting comedy always something happening to me.LOL

Did;t get hurt but sure was sore on Monday.LOL

My shoulder hurts also that's killing me from another fall about 4 weeks ago. Sux getting old it really sure does.

That's what we get for being bad boys. Does give you their walking papers.LOL

Dan with your respiratory issues I imagine it is very difficult for you to get out. The weather here lately makes it real bad. Thing is you tried. Maybe change the way you hunt. Later in the day or morning instead of being there at first light. Sneak hunt, carry a light weight stool, go so many yards and sit down rest & hunt, move some more rest & hunt, there is no hurry, enjoy the woods and it peacefulness. See a deer great, take a shot great. Miss the deer, the excitement was there, besides then you don't have to worry about how to get it out :'). I understand what you are saying, I know for me, it is just about being there, enjoying what the Creator gave us, and what so many will never see. DANNY

Desperado. Sounds just like the Illinois DNR. Money hungry fools that pretty much let the Ins. Companies, and the farm Bureau manage our deer herd. All the hunters are doing is paying for salaries, and retirements. You are right, it is pathetic.

I still love to hunt but do admit that I can pass on the days when the weather is nasty. I don't think that I would enjoy it near as much if I had to hunt public land. I can honestly say that I live in deer hunting paradise. I see deer probably ninety five percent of my hunts so that keeps it interesting. I read the stories that some of the guys post about seeing none or one or two deer a season and think to myself that I could not do that. That is a level of dedication unknown to me.

But, every year when the season comes I think to myself about just how many seasons are left in me. Even if God gives me a long life, that doesn't mean that I will be physically able to do it for many more. Boxcall, only you know when that time comes. Just do it until you can stay at home and not regret it.

I love to hunt but I'm sick to death of lousy hunting.

I think we all get that way some as we get older. I do most of my hunting by myself as other guys gave up or their wives bitched about em hunting. I found that I actually like the hunting more that the tinkering. I just don't have much to tinker with I have a trad bow and some arrows and don't need to tinker with it. I have found I hunt smarter and now kill more game than ever. I don't constantly move stands and try to get new places to hunt. I simply hunt where the deer are and do much better. I love the deer meat but like the backstraps the best sip it takes me a lot of deer to fill my freezer. I give what I don't want to my friends and patients.

At 71, probably never lose the desire to hunt, just enjoy being in the woods, enjoying the solitude, woods sounds and smells, watching a kit fox chase a butterfly, bucks chasing does, squirrels chattering, leaves dancing on the wind, and on and on! And the sit is not too hard on my body, yet! And still hunting large bone, which still gets the old thumper thumpin'! Most of the meat goes to "hunters for the hungry", if I happen to get lucky! We feed about 200 families in and around Gillespie Co., TX, so it's all good! And most of all, I really enjoy the archery practicing, 3D shooting, fiddling w/ making bows, fine tuning arrows for my bows, selling and buying bows, etc.! For me, it's the best and most enjoyable hobby, other than golf, that I have. Hopefully I can enjoy it into my 80s, GOD willing. Wyatt

Dan maybe look into a permit to hunt from car. Now I didn't say hunt with the car either like Joey.LOL

If the lungs bother you especially when it gets cold sit in car or truck in the bush as a blind maybe.

I vasalate quieting all the time just depends on how I feel and wind blows that day.LOL

I tell myself just how many more do I need and get asked this always too that gets me thinking and then feeling low about having to kill so much all the time or catch the most fish or shoot birds.

I figured be plenty of time to chase women when if I go into old age home. They tell me those women in there are very loose too so we still might have time.LOL

Brad said "I can honestly say that I live in deer hunting paradise. I see deer probably ninety five percent of my hunts so that keeps it interesting. "

I can't even imagine something like that.

Yep.....it was a hell of a party eh Woodrow. Miss the campouts and all the now gone hunting buddies. And all the great places we used to be able to hunt.

Interests change with age. Losing interest in some things you were passionate about in your youth and middle age is common. .

However, if you are losing interest in everything, are irritable, don't even want to leave the house or get dressed every morning, are negative, feel hopeless, lay in bed until noon or something absurd like that, have little energy, those are some of the classic signs of depression. If many of those are true for you, then you definitely need to see a health care professional. Talking with your pastor, priest minister, Rabbi etc is good as well. Best of luck.

Sorry to hear it, BOXCALL. Prayers for you and your health as well as your passion to hunt to return. God Bless...

Dan come down hang out with the hillbilly a few days we can shoot talk eat etc havent felt like hunting my own self this year Buddy

Get involved in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Take a kid hunting. I promise you that passion will return when you see a kid fall in love with the outdoors and your a part of it. God bless, MH in ALaska.

Good post Michigan hunter.

Dan, come on down and hunt with us. You'll get the desire to be around deer camp again. PM when ready.

What Jim D said above makes some sense about sparking our interest such as we did long ago reading Outdoor Life, Fur Fish and Game, that fired us up. Shoot fire, get a new bow, a new tent, a new place, some new opportunities, along with doing some reading, planning, and preparation, and I bet that'll do it. - Think I'll go get horizontal, and give that some thought.

The desire to hunt long gone. but still love to be out in the woods hiking. taking in the fresh air and late fall smells. also shoot at stumps,watching wildlife.

Dan, Its never too late to find a new flame. My Mom did it at 87. She was depressed and had lost interest in most everything, then met this nice old fella where she lives, 90 yo, an awesome man that I am now very acquainted with and they can't be without each other. She's regained her attitude and enthusiasm. Maybe something work considering... Just sayin'. It might help you regain your passion for stuff you like to do, plus you won't be so alone, which is unhealthy, hope you can find someone, if you want to that is...

Lots of good advice above!!! The sun is just cracking the horizon here, as I write this. out back I see a good buck following a doe closely, just waiting for the right time. Something I seen elk and moose do numbers of times and sometimes bears too! Still enjoy hunting the big ones however in my memories just as good is that first squirrel, duck, goose, rabbit or pheasant, shot with my .22 or dads shotgun. Just as good as this years bull elk with the longbow! Boy, what a beautiful morning! Praise the lord! Patience.

I went through the same thing in the 90's. I got divorced and lost my Dad, my best hunting buddy, within weeks of each other. I was depressed and didn't hunt for a few years. I've always loved to hunt and just spend time in the woods, but I just didn't care about it anymore, or much else for that matter. Then it dawned on me one day, that if I let it happen, it was just one more thing my ex wife would take away from me. Then I thought about my Dad. The last thing he would have wanted was for me to stop hunting. I could almost hear his voice saying "get you're _ _ _ out there and shoot a deer". The way I choose to look at it, my ex is somebody elses problem now and as always, Dad's going hunting with me this afternoon.

I don't know your situation and what I've said may not make you feel any better. I know advice is a lot easier to give than it is to take, but IMHO, attitude and the way we choose to look at things can make a big difference. I wish you the best.

Hunting is not a life or death situation to most of us, and it isn't something we have to do to be happy. We are social animals and that's why you see us old farts gathering together when an event occurs that allows it. Interaction with people is important and enhances our zest for life, especially with those who are like-minded. Some of us old pharts couldn't care less about killing game, but the hunt is still valid, as much or more for the company and camaraderie than the kill.

I did and do a lot of hunting. In the big picture of my life hunting really means very little, and is not too relevant. I never let it consume me and always hunted for enjoyment, challenge and culture, not bragging rights. There are really more important things in life than hunting, far more important.

Ditto that George. :o)

Dan, Sounds like you need a good like-minded hunting partner. Visit some 3D shoots this coming year and seek out some like-minded fellas to strike up conversations with. With your kind-hearted personality, I'd bet you'd find a good hunting partner soon.

I can also relate a bit to how you feel, but I haven't lost the desire to hunt, yet. I have been in the woods quite a bit this fall so far. I cant tell you how many does I've had within easy bow range that I've just passed on. I've given thought to shooting a few times then just eased off the string and watched them. Told myself I was waiting on a decent buck...but meat in the freezer is meat in the freezer. I guess it's time for me to put an arrow in the wind before season ends on me and my freezer is still empty. Just get out there and enjoy whatever God sends your way, whether it be a shot at a fat squirrel or a P&Y buck. Soak it all in.

The ebb and flow of life.

I've had times in life when I thought about the next evenings hunt and the possible kill.

I've had times in life when I could think about was shooting my bow.

I've had times in life when I wanted to sit in a tree stand more than shoot or kill.

I'm in a stage where all I want to do is kill a wolf, and make arrows, not enough shooting, enjoy looking at the whitetail but not motivated to sit on stand for a deer.

I'm anxiously awaiting the time when all I think about is killing and elk, have plenty of elk around and time to hunt, but usually end up at the cabin, playing cribbage with my family and not getting out for the hunt.

Love what ya do. It doesn't have to be hunting, find something that you enjoy and dominates your thoughts and gets you out of the funk of depression, and do it with passion.

you see it on this forum all the time, knappers, string builders, bowyers, hunters, arrow smith? is that a term hehe, hikers or hinderlanders? find what fires you up and do it if it is building clothing and being philanthropic with the products, than enjoy it.

oz

all life is a cycle, actually many cycles running concurrently, understanding this can give us insight into finding some moments in every day that we can celebrate.

BOX CALL, get yourself a hunting partner that you can hunt with. I think it might be a little more fun for you. The camaraderie may be all you need............Jim

X2 George

Anyone want to get into that hunting spirit, read those old stories or a book by Russell Annabel who wrote for Outdoor Life. He was a great fiction hunting story writer from Alaska. Was trying to think of him when Outdoor Life was mentioned in a reply above. The illustrations that came with those stories were good too.

I agree with George.

In "the day" I hunted with 3 to 4 great guys...good hunters. We had several hundred acres to hunt, so we weren't tripping over each other.

My favorite part was the end of the day..."shoot anything? See much? Any bucks moving?"...what have you.

Then maybe grab a cold one....we ARE in Wisconsin...

3 of my buds are colorblind...couldn't see blood if they were knee deep in it. So, I got a lot of tracking calls...lotta work...lotta fun...lotta late nights. My wife had a kinda 6th sense, in that she always had enough chow whipped up to feed the crew either before heading out, or upon return.

These fellas are all still vertical, but hunt no longer. I miss that camaraderie.

Today, it's me and my son...which is great...he killed a nice 10 point whitetail with his longbow 2 weeks ago. But once he tags out...my "fire" kinda tags out too.

I'm on vacation this week...one of the best weeks to hunt here...I've been out twice.

Depression is a killer - figuratively and literally. Depression also is a thief - don’t let it steal activities that you enjoy.

I have heard that a 25-30 year old hottie can relieve symptoms of depression. It might be worth a try.

Good post by Stout.

Just the opposite for me. Setting in the woods is very therapeutic. Two years ago my dad was diagnose with cancer and the news had me down really bad. I grabbed my bow and stuff to hit the woods. Sat there the entire day just clearing my head. I told my wife that was the best thing I could have ever done. On the other hand, if depression is an issue, seek help!

I also love getting ready for the season, practice, getting gear in line for up coming hunts......where my passion goes south is going out and never seeing any game. If I saw some activity I could keep my head in the game. But hour after hour of no deer, small game or anything.......I love to watch the birds, I'm not even seeing chickadees or nuthatches, no blue jays either. I hunt alone most of the time, love hunting the mountains but my knees [replaced] won't let me go like I want to. I think I may just stump shoot with a broadhead in my quiver just in case.

Well, I'm "hunting" this weekend. It's the last weekend before gun season. My wife says we're going camping because she hasn't been able to get out all year.

Our Hoosier National forest isn't an easy place to find deer...especially with no recent scouting but she's making me go. It'll be in the 20's at night and 30's or maybe low 40's during the day but she doesn't care. I don't like the cold anymore.

The important thing is that she's going to really enjoy the weekend. I'll enjoy that she's enjoying it. LOL

Buy a bird feeder! Beats TV and keeps you entertained for hours.

Had a cold front come through last night. Only 32 today and very high winds. Supposed to be even colder tonight and tomorrow with no abatement of winds. I still go out in these temps but that wind just takes out all the fun.

And I will admit that getting out of a nice warm bed is getting harder and harder as the temps drop.

Supposed to "warm" up some next week and I will definitely be out then.

It's not that the passion for bow hunting is waning. Can't take the cold like I used to. Still get as excited seeing a deer coming in to range now as I did forty years ago. Hope that never fades.

Dan, if you also like guns, and started as a gun hunter, try a gun hunt! A few years ago I broke out the single shot 16 ga my father bought me as my first gun. I took it rabbit hunting and had a blast, felt like I was a teenager again. This year I opted for an archery cow elk OTC if I did not draw. I did not draw. So I got to bow hunt cow elk. This option also allowed me an OTC rifle bull tag. Yesterday I got back from rifle hunting bull elk for 6 days and had a great time. A good gun hunt my help refuel your passion for being out there by mixing it up a bit.

Not about archery, about loss of interest in things.

Another couple points.

Volunteer. My wife is coordinator of volunteers at the police dept. Many of the volunteers are retired, but have a TON of life experience to offer those in need. Aside from PD, there are volunteer jobs with Fire Dept, and many hospitals and city organizations need volunteers. My mom volunteered at the hospital every week on Sunday for many years in her fifties, even while she still worked a forty hour week.

Also, if you are retired consider getting a part time job. They are plentiful. It isn't about the money so much, because many of the jobs are low pay. But, having a place to go and a purpose for being there is a VERY good thing for your mental health. You're make a contribution, and that gives you reason to not just dwell on your own issues.

Late, but there you go.

Get a dog and bird hunt if you can...keep him in the house and spoil him.

Dogs are awesome companions, great idea from Lost Man. Now, if you can't have a dog, combine his idea with Bob Rowlands and volunteer at the local shelter. I did that when I first moved to Colorado even though I had a dog. I walked dogs, played with them in the outdoor pen and met some great people of the community.

Dogs are awesome companions, great idea from Lost Man. Now, if you can't have a dog, combine his idea with Bob Rowlands and volunteer at the local shelter. I did that when I first moved to Colorado even though I had a dog. I walked dogs, played with them in the outdoor pen and met some great people of the community.

The build up to another hunting season is a year long feeling. From taking your bow and arrows, quiver, broadheads, and setting up for the season is an awesome feeling. Then the seasons here and the feeling starts to fade a little bit when you realize it's not like it use to be.. I'm just glad I'm a REAL archer. Reliving Early Archery Legacies. Just like you guys.

10-4 on brainless yappy dogs. They drive me nuts. Actually what they need is to get out and run ten miles every day. A long day at work is good for animals as well as men.

There's ALWAYS birds around! Even if you think not,put out a feeder and something will find it.

Hope and pray your health and passion get better for you.You sure are getting some good ideas on here, to try.

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