From: Laserman
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I just can’t get excited about hunting anymore. I already get up early every day for work and the last thing I want to do anymore is get up early on Saturday’s. I love to make and eat venison and jerky but don’t get excited about the kill anymore. Do some of you go through this and does it go away or am I just getting older and changing priorities? I also lost my sister in law 3 months ago to cancer and know her husband rarely missed a hunting opportunity. I want to spend as much time with my wife of 25 years as I can. I’m thinking about not renewing my lease. Any advise will help.
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From: Chris WIlson
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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Been there. Life brings changes and with that, our priorities change. I took a hiatus of about 7 years from hunting due to family and work. Got back into the woods in 2017. Love to hunt but in no way regret taking the time for kids basketball, soccer and taking care of my wife...she was diagnosed with a neurological disease in 2009. Take some time and enjoy these moments with your wife. I doubt you'll regret it when looking back in a few years.
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From: Gray Goose Shaft
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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Laser, I don't hunt anymore, but I had a great time chasing small game and big game for most of my life. Then I lost the buzz at about 52. Bowhunting is a lot of work if you don't have the buzz. According to the NY Dept of Conservation, a lot of hunters drift off when they hit 50 or so.
But, bowhunting was just one avenue of archery for me. I'm having a ball shooting an old, short 52" Pearson recurve, a few reflexed and deflexed hunting bows, and an old Hoyt Pro Medalist. My goals are to post a respectable score at 100 yards, hit a ping pong ball at 10, and tag some cardboard discs out of the air with fluflu arrows. I can't get enough.
Life is short and I think it is wise to re-evaluate one's priorities.
Photo courtesy On Target Events.
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From: Dkincaid
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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Do what makes you happy life is too short to do otherwise
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From: David Mitchell
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I have hunted far less the last couple of years than I used to. I still enjoy shooting and I enjoy time spent with archery buddies whatever we are doing. For me the best part of a hunting trip is the time spent just hanging out with friends and having someone to share tales of the day to in the evening.
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From: Clydebow
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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Well I'm 71 and still looking forward to Oct 1st here and hanging my stand, but that's me, so do what you feel works for you. I sometimes have trouble getting myself up and getting going, but once I'm out and settled in, I'm glad I got out.
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From: M60gunner
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I still get a Javelin tag. Each year less trips a field. Don’t mind the walking but my back isn’t what it used to. Taking game used to be my motivation but lately just being able to get out satisfies me. I do have one wish left, there is a ridge line behind my son’s house in Pa. that runs about 5 miles. I would like to “hunt” that before it’s to late.
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From: shooter
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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Know what you mean Laserman. I stopped about 20 years ago & never looked back. Exploring the woods is still great fun but killing just became a bad thing for me.
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From: shooter
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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Know what you mean Laserman. I stopped about 20 years ago & never looked back. Exploring the woods is still great fun but killing just became a bad thing for me.
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From: Andy Man
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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get your license- but go only and when feel like it - no pressure to go just a little quiet time in the woods if and when the mood strikes?
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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X2 David. On one of the places I hunt I've known the landowner for close to 30 years. The best part of the hunts I do there is hanging out with him in his shop drinking coffee and talking.
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From: elkster
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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Things Change.
And that's o.k.
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From: Brad Lehmann
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I can say that I have lost the urge to kill. There have been a few seasons where all that I would do was still hunt or sit and watch but not take a shot when it was there to take. I've walked the fields and pastures since I was a boy and I just cannot miss that part of life when Autumn comes around. My wife is welcome to come along. She missed several years when her knees got bad but that is fixed now. She enjoys going with me or sitting with a grandkid in a blind. Hunting in some form or fashion is too much a part of who I am for me to miss it.
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From: Seneca_Archer
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I can relate Laserman. While I enjoy time in the woods, especially in the fall, but more and more have been thinking about setting the bow aside and hunting with a camera....
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From: Bogenschuetze
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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At the age of 67, I no longer have the hunting drive I used to have. As today's youth know very well, there are many recreational time options that are far easier with much more instant gratification than hunting, especially with traditional archery equipment. If you are no longer interested in harvesting animals, but still want to get out into the woods, you might try taking a small, handheld video camera with you. When I'm not hunting or in the off season, I carry a small SONY handheld video camera that also takes still digital photos. In addition to bowhunting and hunting with firearms, including flintlock rifles, I also bicycle, canoe, kayak, fly fish, ride a Suzuki DR350, ski and XC ski, depending on the season of the year. My favorite spring and summer activities are attending the Baltimore Bowmen Traditional Shoot in May, the Ski Sawmill Traditional Archery Rendezvous and Rainbow Bowmen Traditional Shoot in June, the Pinehill Sportsmen Traditional Shoot and the Denton Hill Traditional Archery Rendezvous in July and several other shoots in August and September. At these traditional archery events, it's more about sitting around the campfires with fellow attendees than anything else, but there is a lot of non-competitive shooting as well during these events. Just do not just stay at home, sitting in your lounge chair, watching TV!!! That will kill you quicker than anything!!!
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I still have the same drive and desire as ever, but today being my wife's birthday, it would be the best gift she ever got if I said what you did about hunting. So maybe this year she will finally get what she wants because it is not much fun going when I know it is a craw in her side. Takes the joy right out of it.
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From: Sarge
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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It is not about the kill, really? lol I killed a deer with a Bow last year and then killed two with an old Mosin I accurized. That was fun and good eatin but this year is the year of the Bow, I hope!
I have to have a back surgery in the next couple weeks but that is so I can move in the woods and be active. Bowhunting makes that so more than just hiking.
It is in the blood. get moving and shooting bro. shalom
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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Man I'm not like that. I just retired and bought a camper to go hunt the Midwest and west. I didn't get to hunt much last year,due to a shoulder injury. I have a cabin in the west va mountains and like spending time there.,
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From: Bassman
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I have opened, and closed chapters in my life. That is just the way it is.If I live long enough I may not be able to build bows, Bass fish, or hunt or even shoot a bow.My advice after 71 years on this earth is do what you want while you can, and have fun doing it what ever it may be.LOL
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From: Buglmin
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I used to live to hunt, would start in August and hunt till Febuary. But all that ended last September when my mother passed away. After that, till spent in the woods in November wasn't time spent hunting. Now, I went to hunt, but I'm dragging my feet. I should be shooting broadheads now, ordering equipment sponsors want me to use, but I haven't done that. Haven't spent time going photo shoots for sponsors, haven't done shows and events at Cabela's and Bass Pro at sell this year. Some sponsors told me to take time and there was always a spot for me, some dropped me like a hot rock. The last few years, it stopped being about the kill. I'm not in a rush to kill an elk, won't shoot lil bulls or cows, won't kill does or lil bucks. I always draw a bear tag, but I'd rather just sit and watch em swim in the ponds below me then kill one.
Good luck to you, hope you get to spend the time doing what you want to do. Sometimes, we learn that some things are just a lil more important then hunting.
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From: msinc
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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The older I get the busier I get and I find that by the time I actually have some time I just don't feel like it. The kill itself, the act of getting the game, is not so much as important as it once was. However, not being so wrapped up in killing something has caused me to slow down and enjoy my time out in the woods way more than I ever did. Not worrying about "scoring" and not caring so much about it has let me relax and I find myself seeing more game, feeling way better about going out into the woods and also shooting better. I am not as nervous when a big buck approaches and not as disappointed when one don't. Sometimes I think I should have slowed down a long time ago. Now I have a 12 year old son that is getting into it. I get more excited shooting with him and going out and teaching him things. The point to all this is that slowing down might not be such a bad thing after all.
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From: Boker
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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Been there and still there in a sense, I love every aspect of being in the woods but the desire to kill deer has left me. I don’t think anything is wrong with it if you eat the meat. I just have personally grown to dislike that part of hunting. Sounds silly but it’s just the way it is. I go every year and sit there with bow in hand to watch the deer. I tell ppl now days I am a deer watcher not a deer hunter.
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From: rferg
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I lost the desire to hunt for my self when I started to guide hunters. It became a job and the pressure of trying to get the paid hunter an experience and a quality animal was overwhelming. Every hunter wanted to kill the diggest deer of that camp and I got to the point of, this isn't fun any more. So I quit guiding and hunting all together for years. But now my sons are at a hunting age, it has brought a new desire and enjoyment taking them out and letting them by the hunter and me being their guide.
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From: grizz
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I can't give advice but I can state how I feel. I'll soon turn 68 and while I've lost a step as well as my huntin buddies over the years, I have lost no desire. I plan on going tomorrow and do some work on stand sites. As for my wife, she knew she was marrying a hunter from the git go. We spend much time together as neither of us work anymore and when I say I'm going hunting, she usually says "oh thank God". Besides, she goes when she wants too and knows she can always go if she wants. Do what makes you happy. But maybe take the wife along on a hunt, you might find something you both like to share.
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From: Viper
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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L -
I got that feeling over 30 years ago, and never looked back. Do what makes you happy and don't sweat it.
Viper out.
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From: rallison
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Date: 29-Jul-19 |
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I hunted like a madman when younger, but not so much now. I still go, but on my terms. If I choose to shoot, fine...give a pass, also fine. Things change. I'm closing in on 67, and keep busy & moving doing things now I want to do rather than things I had to do.
I love shooting, now more than hunting. I also love playing golf, coaching hockey, cutting wood & rolling my smoker, and playing bagpipes.
Keep busy...keep moving...do what you love. It ain't that life is so short, but that yer dead for so long. :)
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From: Lost Man
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I’m 36, the last season or two I’ve noticed killing a deer has brought a little more hesitation and I pass more often but still round out every season with a couple successful hunts. Despite the slight oddness I feel for killing lately I still hunt as hard as ever every chance I get and will do so again this season. I can’t imagine a time in my life when a deer picking its way through the autumn woods won’t be special and necessary to me.
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From: Kevin Dill
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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If you're tired of eating cake, eating more of it isn't going to help your appetite. Time for a cake-break.
You can't love hunting because you ought to love it...or because you once loved it. Inner drive, emotions and interests change as we age and as our lives change. Personally, I think it defies logic to believe we all should remain passionate hunters right through the golden years. There isn't anything wrong with, or abnormal about a decline in hunting interest, but it can be hard to watch yourself experience it. The way I see it, the vacuum created as we hunt less is an opportunity for other interests and activities to take root and grow.
What should be noted is the possibility that declining interests could be related to physical health issues, financial challenges, emotional health problems, or even the onset of depression. Ignoring these things only makes it more likely that a hunting career is ending.
As for myself: I still like to hunt and be challenged. I'll be back in Alaska in less than 6 weeks to do a 16 day wilderness moose hunt, unguided as usual for me. BUT...for the last 5 years I'd rather be schlepping around with my wife on a weekend road trip in October versus sitting in my best deer stand. I still hunt them, but whitetails interest me about as much as cornflakes.
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From: hawkeye in PA
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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When autumn comes I still have the desire to be out and love watching a sunrise. Getting out makes a successful season for me anymore, instead of being obsessed. Maybe take a kid out, it will bring a lot of joy, especially when you don't have to kill something.
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From: shade mt
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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When I was younger my bowhunting turned into an obsession. I worked ate and slept hunting. Hardly a day went by that I wasn't thinking hunting.
I was so obsessed with hunting that it drove me to the point that I was not satisfied until I filled my tag. I've never been a bloodthirsty killer, never liked to see anything suffer alway's hunted ethically and lawfully. But I was driven by the success.
I still love to hunt, but I've slowed way down. I'm no longer driven by success, I've had opportunity's and success far beyond what one could hope for.
I'm far more patient now, I'm driven not by success, but by the whole hunt itself. I notice things now.
A whiporwill early in the morning in spring gobbler season. The way the first morning sun turns the side of the mt golden. The sights, the sounds the smell of the mts. I pass now on far more deer than I ever thought I would. Either because the shot doesn't suit me or I just don't feel like killing that particular deer. I might watch a nice doe her movements, how alert she is, feeding and constantly on the look out, sleek and beautiful, and just decide I don't want to kill her. Or the little buck you see over and over and just don't want to kill him. Not because he's small, I'm no trophy hunter, but because I just don't want to kill him.
funny though I have more patience,i'm not driven by the kill anymore, yet I still fill my tags, And hunting has gotten more enjoyable.
There is a bounty to collect that goes far beyond horns on the wall.
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From: arrowhead
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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lost my desire 12 yrs ago. Still love exploring but life changes. We had the best of hunting in our day anyway. Love taking pics still.
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From: RC
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I've lost my desire to hunt also.
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From: Nemophilist
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I have just as much desire to hunt ( specially bow hunt ) as I did as a kid. The only thing that has changed now that I'm a old guy is I'm more selective of what I kill. Plus I love being out in the woods.
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From: Smokedinpa
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Well put Shade mt. I feel the same.
Hunting is different for all of us. Feel lucky you lost the drive and not the ability. Now you can find something else your passionate about.
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From: Elkpacker1
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Every year I do.Then the signs of fall start creeping in.
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From: Jon Stewart
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I am right there with you. Since I lost my wife I could care less about hunting anymore. I told her years ago that I would give up hunting to go to the desert and look for arrowheads. That stands even more today. Problem is, she was my hunting partner. We did everything together. Now that ain't so.
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From: Laserman
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Guys, thank you for all the input. I am not going to stop shooting my bows, just all the time and energy spent away from home every weekend. The last couple of years I would sit in a Treestand or blind and think the whole time about things I needed to do at home. I’ve even gotten up on Sunday, climbed a tree, thought about my wife going to church by her self, figured out the timing to get home, climbed down and been ready to leave with her for church. Maybe this empty nest thing has gotten to me. Once again thanks for all the advice.
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Sid, no one here is qualified to tell you what to do. They can only tell you what they do and that isn't the same thing. There are some who will have that killing fire all their lives, and in some it abates quickly....others maybe off and on, so it's as personal as it gets. No one's business but your own as they say, certainly no one is qualified to judge what you do but you.
I could care less about killing a dang deer. Anyone can do it that puts in the time, so it's not like it's a mystery. I bought a lifetime hunting/fishing license when I turned 65, eight years ago, and I still 'go to the woods'. What I do there is no one's concern nor does it affect them in any way. Sometimes I may decide to shoot a deer or whatever is in season, sometimes I quite happy with stumping and thinking about silly things.
My prerogative nowadays is to do what I darned well please and maybe this year I'll take it a tad more serious because I want to can some deer meat. My fire is to be in the woods as much as I can. When you live in a "one buck per year" state, you don't want to end your season too soon either. Do what makes you happy.
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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One thing about hunting is it only lasts a few weeks. You don't have to let it consume you. I have noticed that I used to bust my butt and hand a ton of stands and trail camera's and didn't kill any more deer than I do now. I eat a lot of venison.. Not much meet on the deer here in WV. A hind quarter only makes a bag of jerky that is gone in no time. I just go out and sit and relax and can still kill 6-9 deer per year.
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From: Live2hunt
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I guess to each there own. If you have lost the desire for something you loved, take a break or relax and still do it. At 57, I still do not have enough time to hunt every year. No, hunting is not the kill and it should not be. But, the kill is eventually part of it and it brings us back to the instinctive part of who we are as mammals. I do have to say one thing after reading the posts above, please refrain yourself from stating in your comments that killing an animal is a bad thing. This is not the PETA site and I hope it never becomes that. You hunted at one time and now killing an animal is bad? That sickens me and puts you on the side of the people I despise. Sorry, but that is how I feel.
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From: 76aggie
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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For most of my life, hunting has been an obsession. I hunted with my Dad as a kid and my son while he was living at home. While he was overseas we did not get to hunt togather much and now he lives on the east coast. My attitude started to change when I no longer had a family member to go with. I still like to hunt but am no longer as mad at the deer as I used to be. My son, son in law and I will be in AK in Sept and I am looking forward to that as much as I ever did. Perhaps when I retire next year I will be able to get grandkids to visit us during hunting season and become revitalized. Having grandkids living on the east coast takes the "J" out of joy.
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From: Will tell
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I sure like to hunt and see wildlife but am not to quick to shoot anything. I've killed a lot of game over the years but lately I've become more of a observer than a hunter. I'm still old school and if I'm not going to eat it than why shoot it.
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From: Krag
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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As hawkeye in PA mentioned above put a twist on the hunting experience by finding someone new to share it with. I don't think I will ever get tired of being in the VT woods in the fall but this year will be special as I'm hosting a fellow from the UK where bowhunting is not legal for nine days and his first hunt in the US. I have had more pre-hunt involvement and put more thought into this year's hunting than I ever had. Nine weeks to go and I can't wait. I'm probably more excited about experiencing this adventure than he is -if that is even possible!
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From: Nybubba1
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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My wife and I have recently (2 1/2 mos) ago changed our diet to Whole food plant based. That means vegan without the need to tell people who eat meat how awful and cruel they are. I've lost 41 pounds and the inflammation on my joints and ankles is now down to nill. Looking forward to my next blood work panel at the end of Auhust. I still love to shoot all my bears but now only hunt for mushrooms and take pics. You do you brother and be proud of it. Nybubba
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From: Bowguy
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Priorities change and age takes some edge off. Anymore my favorite thing to do is take kids out. The edge comes right back and I’ll bet you my percentages are crazy high because of that. Got a whole phone full of kids pics. I still enjoy time out alone too though
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From: George Vernon
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Sid, Look up 'Five stages of a hunter'. You will find a summary on a number of websites of the work of Dr. Robert Norton and Dr. Robert Jackson of the University of Wisconsin about 40 years ago. They interviewed over a 1000 hunters and came to the view most go through a series of phases in terms of hunting passion and goals. One of the trends is less emphasis on the harvesting part of hunting. Now I'm not saying all will fit this model. And, even though the phases are described as distinct steps, I think it's more of a fluid process where one can be in more than one phase at a time and can actually repeat.
Several writers have suggested theories about why this process seems to impact a high percentage of hunters, but I don't think there is one 'right' answer. As you have seen from other posts, you are not alone.
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From: shooter
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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My "experience" came in the late 80's during a hunt in Canada. Hunted grizzly & moose for two weeks & on the last day I shot a bull moose.
While all the photos & back slapping stuff was going on all I could think about was that in just a few seconds I had made a corpse out a magnificent animal that meant no harm to me at all. I don't even keep the photos of that hunt and remembering it is anything but joyful.
Later my brother assured me that another hunt would "fix my ass". We went hog hunting & I killed a hog. That did it. I haven't killed an animal needlessly since.
Still love to walk the woods & watch wildlife but I my weapons are intended more for strange two-legged critters than I for the four legged kind.
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From: jjs
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I use to hunt like it would be my last and now I hunt just to take in the creation, no pressure just enjoyment.
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From: David McLendon
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I still like it but I don't feel obligated to drop the string. It has to work into my plan for how I want to spend my time. A successful and satisfying hunt does not necessarily require a dead animal as a result to take up your day.
I also fly fish and a great time to be hunting the rut is also a great time to be standing on the front of a boat with an 8 weight catching surface feeding Stripers, which also don't have to die for success.
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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As you get older it happens however if you were a real killer and by that you hung your hat on success year after year and multiple kills and stacked them up its hard to die in you. I am having that trouble myself but for health issues its held me back. The kill is still there but the lack of health is hindering me.
Things change i guess for all of us and we come in and out of things. Can't climb anymore, family priority's change and even financials but for whatever the reasons its not the same for each of us i don't really think.
the shear work of it all is exhausting as well. You wanting to stay closer to your wife there's nothing wrong with that. I have had 2 wives and I'm closer to each of them. LOL
You get worn out of it all and getting up early especially turkey hunting well in the married years you just had to Pat it and leave it early. LOL
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From: George D. Stout
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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The worrying about anti-hunters will drive you to drink, and they aren't new by any stretch. I'll tell you what is worse than worrying about anti-hunters, and that is publicly running down someone else's choice of weapons to hunt with. It's a game here on these forums to put down, or even hate crossbow hunters and they are part of us more than not and they are a valuable lobby when push comes to shove with those who would see hunting ended.
It's numbers that keep hunting valid, not misspent notions about what is the right bow, or even gun to carry. Better to start supporting the entire sport openly than worry about someone's comment about not wanting to kill, or chomping about compound bow or crossbow hunters.
Here in Pa., our hunter numbers in general are down by a significant amount. In the past three decades years we have lost nearly 300,000 hunters overall, and that's a huge number of folks. So when you want to worry about what someone says on an archery forum, better look at the entire process and what keeps us valid as a hunting entity.
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From: Shorthair
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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dont get up early anymore. wake up at reasonable hour...go mid morning and hunt through middle of day near bedding areas...or go early for afternoon/evening hunt.
keep em sharp,
ron herman
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From: Trad Rick
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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For myself, I lost the desire to hunt about ten years ago. I still go and track animals whatever time of the year I desire. I just do not want all the work after the shoot. My love for the outdoors and wildlife has been with me since I can remember. I still love killing 3d target, no work after the shoot. However, my friend and I are getting excited with going rabbit and bird hunting with bows this year.
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From: okiebones
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I think our brains are hard wired to ease off hunting in old age.
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I honestly think we just sometimes get lazy.
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From: newell38
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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My desire to hunt started to fade about 4 or 5 years ago. I went and sat in the stand last fall for a few hours taking in nature and enjoying the brisk autumn air. I had two does come in and I didn’t even pick my bow up. I’ll still buy my license every year but I’m over it. I enjoy 3d shooting, fishing, and shed hunting more than anything else as far as outdoor activities go. If my son or daughter shows interest in hunting I’ll pick it up again but other than that, I think that chapters coming to a close. You’re not alone....nothing wrong with moving on
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From: PhantomWolf
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Last week on my way to work at 4:00 am I spotted a fawn on the side of the road that appeared to be hurt.
I stopped my truck, backed up and went to it. It appeared to be only slightly hurt, perhaps barely clipped by another vehicle.
I talked to it, rubbed its neck and decided that its mother was probably very close and it would eventually be fine.
I made sure it was in the undergrowth a ways back from the country road, got back in my truck and headed to work.
It really bothered me all day wondering if there was something else I could have done even at that time of the morning.
Quite honestly @ 73 yrs. of age it has made me re-think my desire to continue hunting. Perhaps just the beauty of nature will suffice now.
Ralph
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From: StikBow
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I would find it hard to resist a nice stand in the autumn whitetail woods-always did like the show nature provided from a tree stand. Now living out west, hunting is work! Climbing up to 8 or 9000 feet to outdistance road hunters is hard on my old frame, plus it it’s in the 90’s during our archery seasons. Packing out can take over a day. I will admit my ewe sheep tag has me excited to climb up in a mountain range i have never beeen in to hunt what i have never hunted. I also get jazzed over a pig hunt in California
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From: shooter
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I never put down hunters. Heck many of my friends hunt & I was once a hunter myself. However I appreciate people that feel empathy & compassion for animals & prefer to not kill them unless it's absolutely necessary.
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From: Briar
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Hunting for me at 44 was about one thing, people. I enjoyed the companionship more than anything. Most guys I know are loners and after the big one. My wife hunted a little at the start, but as usual that faded. My dad still goes but more or less in his yard and at least 45 minutes from me. Without the buddies it's just me sitting in a tree and it isn't enjoyable. Add to that fact that we don't enjoy venison and the cost to get it processed for someone else and my excitement level is limited to a few times a year
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From: South Farm
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Go fishing...and when the fish don't bite bowhunting will take on a new and fresh appeal;)
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From: sir misalots
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Like Kevin I have somewhat got bored with whitetail.
I would like to go south for javelina, maybe wild hogs also
Im also thinking turkeys in spring.
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From: Live2hunt
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Shooter, alot of your comments are pretty anti-hunter. I feel empathy in killing anything, that is our human feelings. My omnivorous human side that we all have just provided me and my family more food that we enjoy. We do not have to kill any animals because most of us do not Need to. But, I, I am a hunter and a omnivore. I enjoy the hunt, and if I do my job I enjoy the meat. My feelings of the kill go to the wayside.
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From: reddogge
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I'm 75 and still like to hunt but not so passionately as when I was younger. I do take a week in Oct for Sika bowhunting. I still like to take that week of rifle season too down in the Sika swamps. Fortunately I still bass fish and do a week at Lake Champlain every year. I like to shoot 3-D and field archery and play golf. So I guess I'm pretty busy for an old fart.
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From: dean
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I love hunting cottontail rabbits so much, that i even have a pet cottontail rabbit in the yard. He keeps me company when I go out and shoot. My pet squirrel died, i think he may have been hit on the road. I passed on the chance to shoot a moose, it came too easy. I have had days where the weather was so nice that I just go out and declare, 'nothing dies today'. some years I regret those days, when i am out freezing my butt off during late season, declaring anything dies today and I'll put my tag on it. .
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From: shooter
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Live2hunt: I said it before & I'm repeating it now; I'm not anti- hunter. I also don't like to race cars but I'm not anti-car racing either.
I didn't start this thread but I told my personal story because like others I too once decided to stop killing animals needlessly. I changed my way of thinking, I'm fine with my decision & you should accept it without taking it as a personal attack on how you decide to live your life.
I didn't condemn hunting or ask anyone to justify why they hunt. I simply added myself to the list of guys that feel as I do.
If you feel OK with what you do you shouldn't feel obligated to explain or justify yourself to me or anyone else. And especially you should not insist on calling me something I clearly said I'm not.
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From: 3Ditional
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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About 20 years ago I ran into an older hunter who owned/ran his own archery (trad) shop in the 60's and 70's. I asked him if he'd done any hunting lately. His response was "No, I haven't, I gave up hunting, I've killed so many animals (sheep, goats, hogs) that I don't have the desire to kill anymore."
I couldn't understand how any hunter could say a thing like that. That was about 20 years ago, mind you. Today, I know EXACTLY how he felt.
Laserman, I know where you're coming from.
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I'm 67. Over the last decade my definition of a "successful" hunt morphed from hanging one in the barn to simply being able to go and hunt them. If I choose to kill one it's a bonus (I love to eat the meat), but it's not the requirement for a successful hunt.
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From: Kevin Dill
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I don't view shooter's comments as anti-hunting or anti-killing toward the larger sport at all. In fact, I think it's perfectly acceptable for a given hunter to reach a point where he has no further interest in killing, and would feel bad to take another life. That's not a judgment of others...it's a personal insight and any man is entitled to have it.
The fact that I might consider myself to be wrong, stupid or bad for doing something?....It doesn't mean I'd put the same standard on anyone else. Period.
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From: dnovo
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I’m 63 and still get after them, but I’m not as eager to get out in lousy weather as when I was younger. I don’t feel bad about killing whatever I’m hunting. Death is a part of life in the real world. My biggest regret is not being quite as able to go like I used to. I still plan hunts and look forward to them.
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From: Silverhawk
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I always liked the hunt but never really liked the kill and passed on many. I still go up and meet up with the guys but don't hunt anymore. The fellowship was always the big thing. Pretty much stopped at 68.
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From: timex
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I refuse to hunt my food in the grocery store with a credit card. I consider myself a modern times homesteader between hunting fishing chickens & a garden we are pretty self sufficient now that said it gets harder & harder for me to kill deer first out come the fawns I cant kill them then here comes momma & I can't kill her in front of her baby's & I don't care to eat buck's plus in my area there are way to many doe's so best case scenario for me is doe's born last year that don't have fawns the older I get the more conchense I have but I still manage to kill a minimum of 10 deer per year plus small game & fish... check out the fish we got 2 weeks ago now that's a lot of food 520#
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From: timex
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I refuse to hunt my food in the grocery store with a credit card. I consider myself a modern times homesteader between hunting fishing chickens & a garden we are pretty self sufficient now that said it gets harder & harder for me to kill deer first out come the fawns I cant kill them then here comes momma & I can't kill her in front of her baby's & I don't care to eat buck's plus in my area there are way to many doe's so best case scenario for me is doe's born last year that don't have fawns the older I get the more conchense I have but I still manage to kill a minimum of 10 deer per year plus small game & fish... check out the fish we got 2 weeks ago now that's a lot of food 520#
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From: Woods Walker
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I have no qualms about killing...when I choose to do it. I've just become extremely selective as to when I decide to take a shot. Let's just say that part of it is that I've finally learned from my mistakes. I don't care how big a deer it is, if I'm not 110% positive that I can make the shot and I'm not 110% SURE of the shot situation I let them walk. I don't have to prove anything to anyone.
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From: Rick Barbee
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I haven't lost the desire, but I have certainly lost the drive.
Rick
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From: Gofish
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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I haven't lost the desire, but I have certainly lost the drive.
Me Too
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From: stykman
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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At 75, I still get excited seeing a doe approach my stand. I hope that continues for many more years. Still love scouting and putting up my ladder stands. Just being in the woods in the early morning and watching the woods come alive is worth the effort.
I will admit that as the weather cools, a nice warm bed has a much stronger pull than it did a few years ago.
No one can tell you what to do. Go with your own feelings.
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From: Live2Hunt
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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Shooter, I guess I was not calling you an anti hunter, but some of the wording you are using sound like it.
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From: NBK
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Date: 30-Jul-19 |
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It was one of the Wensels that said, "I don't hunt to kill, I kill because I hunt". That sums me up pretty good.
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From: DanaC
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I like to hunt, not so keen about sitting still for hours on end.
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From: shade mt
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Kevin made a good point, lots of folks have no desire or lost the desire to kill, nothing wrong with that. My wife couldn't kill anything, yet she supports hunting 100%.
I think it was 3 years ago I had ample tags, filled my buck tag and if I remember a doe tag. I still had tags left, and we planned on making bologna and hot dogs, and could have used more ground venison, so I was going to try and fill all my tags.
I was in a treestand and hit a doe to low the shot angled out the bottom of her paunch and really opened her up. I trailed her down over the mt and began finding intestine. The farther she went the worse i felt, at one point she had lost so much i thought how can she still be going! I found her over a log she had died on the run. My first thought was not happy, but rather "you poor thing" i gutted her the rest of the way, drug her home and simply said to my wife. Despite still having tags,I'm done, no more killing.
I had lost my desire to kill anymore. Obviously i still hunt, but that year i simply wanted no more.
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Shade, It's good you have a soft spot for the animals, that is not a bad thing. So do I. I had a doe I shot thrashing around bleeding everywhere, still alive when I approached, and trying to get up and away at the sight of me. That was kind of a sinking feeling seeing that, that I caused that. That doesn't mean I'm gonna stop killing them though, I just try to make sure it is clean and quick more-so now. I don't want to cause that again. If I'm not sure it is a quick killing shot, I won't take it. I am never going to lose the desire to hunt and kill, and eat wild game. When that happens, I'll be dead. It is a major part of who I am.
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From: Nybubba1
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I honestly think we just sometimes get lazy.
Babysaph, My intentions are not a heated debate and I'm not disagreeing with you but not this time for me. I'm busier now and involved in more things. Just kind of replaced the hunting aspect of my life with other stuff. Nybubba
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From: Fatboy
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I'm only 52. I've killed plenty of deer in my life. I still love to go but it's getting harder and harder every year. Unfortunately my body is giving up on me already. I'm trying to get prepared for the season but it's not going so well. May be the season that I don't hunt very much. I knew it was coming. Didn't think it would be so soon.
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From: timex
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I'm perhaps somewhat different in my way of thinking but as I see it if you eat than you hunt & if you don't raise it grow it or kill it yourself than you do your hunting in the store buying what others have raised grown or killed for you to purchase. and that's perfectly fine we don't do cows or goats so we buy dairy products & other stuff as well but compared to most folks I know the grocery store gets very little of my $$$
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From: Kevin Dill
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Quote: "I honestly think we just sometimes get lazy."
I had every intention to wake up early and address this, but...well....maybe later.
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From: spook
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I like many of you used to hunt every opportunity I had. I no longer hunt. I have no desire to kill anything. One of the factors in my attitude change was ironically dealing with the trespassing and other hunter infringement when I owned property. It took the joy out of being on the property, much less the hunting. In fact, truth be told, it made me rather anti hunting in many aspects. The heads on the wall now seem to be a reminder of bad memories rather than good. I knew it was time to quit hunting when I used to sit in stand and hope nothing would come within range so I would not be faced with the decision to kill or not. Not sure if this attitude change came with age, or just a greater appreciation of living creatures. In many ways I miss the being in the wild, but certainly do not miss the self imposed pressure I felt to hunt.
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From: timex
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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last night's supper was sauteed yellow squash & onions baked redskin taters all from the garden grilled Spanish mackerel that I cought so the only store bought items in last nights supper was olive oil salt pepper & butter I like beying self sufficient as possible not to mention the health benefits that comes along with growing & killing your own food. jmo of course
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From: RymanCat
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Rick summed it up right I been thinking about this. The drive to do a lot is gone.
Plainly worn out and worn down with the fight to survive alone. Is enough some days.
Signora
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From: South Farm
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Take a kid with you, mentor them, and I guarantee it'll give you a new lease on life. Their enthusiasm can be contagious once you get them out of the house and in the woods. Might even remind you of the passion you once had for the hunt; ya never know..
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Nybubba, I was speaking mostly for me. I have learned to work smarter. I play the percentages. I know you can see deer anytime of the day but I see more in the evening., That works out good because I can sleep in some., I dont hang on trees anymore sweating to hang stands. I use ladder stands., kill just as much as I always did. I love the meat., Imdont like a wounded animal either but it is part of hunting. I don't care that guys don't want to hunt but if you once hunted you can not speak bad about hunters.,if you decide killing is not for you then don't do it. Nothing worse than a reformed alcoholic. Lol
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From: Babysaph
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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That is great Timex. Now that I'm retired Id like to do more of that. But I know I would have to buy the tater seeds and spend money on the fishing trips. It all costs money. One way or the other.
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From: Nybubba1
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Main thing is for all of us to maintain our sanity and enjoy friends and family.
Babysaph. That's a whole lotta truth what you said. Ha ha.
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From: Live2hunt
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Babysaph, what you said is the point of my above statements. Too many were making it sound that hunting/killing was a bad thing and it struck a cord with me.
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From: babysaph
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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i agree Live2hunt. When I was a kid I had an uncle that was an alcoholic. He stopped drinking and then anyone that drank a beer was a maggot. I used to laugh.
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From: grizz
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I'm with Timex and Live2hunt. My pantry is full of canned goods that I canned, my freezer still has venison in it and if I want fish I catch them fresh that day. It's several miles farther to the grocery store than to hunt and fish so cost isn't an issue. No one respects wildlife any more than I but not all are cut from the same cloth and that's ok. Just do what makes you happy, you are the only one who can make that determination.
Oh yeah, and 5 dollars worth of seed potatoes will make a hundred dollars worth of potatoes. Good Trade! ;-)
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From: gluetrap
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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OP I feel the same as you until I get in the woods :) as for the drunkards? if you have a bad habit, its hard to quit, unless you hate it or fear it. jmo
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From: Nybubba1
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Ok I'm ought of here before I'm told I didnt quit hunting "traditionally".
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From: timex
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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one of my oldest & best friends battled alcoholism his entire life & recently drank an outrageous amount of beer wine & vodka in the same day & never woke up. been 6 months & I'm not over it yet I miss my friend & am somehow mad at him for beying so stupid.
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From: Dan
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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A lot of insightful posts on this thread, many of which were probably hard to write, considering the potential reaction from some readers. When I was a young single man, I hunted and fished as much as my time and money would allow. Later, career and family dominated my time and budget, so I spent less time afield. I consoled myself thinking that when I retired, I would either be hunting or fishing, or planning my next hunting or fishing trip. Now I am semi-retired with more time and money and an able body, but I am just not "feeling it" like I thought I would. I don't know why, and it leaves me a little confused and questioning my earlier priorities. Not sure what the lesson is here, but I think all of see our personalities and interests evolve over time.
I understand the OP's reluctance to invest money in a hunting lease he will feel obliged to use but won't enjoy, while also feeling like there must be something "wrong" with him for having diminished interest in hunting. He might be concerned that if he gives up the lease, his spot will be snatched up by someone else and he won't be able to get another one if the desire to hunt returns someday. Good luck with your decision, Laserman.
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From: RC
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Todd, sorry about your friend.
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From: BigHorn
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Do what makes you happy. i got bored with compound so i switched to trad and that got me pumped again. about the same time i got a new hunting partner that i work really well with and that helps get me fired up too. its much more fun when i can share the hunt. it makes the drags out easier too lol
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From: treepasser
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I made the mistake of watching "The Deer Hunter" and "Bambi" on the same day... haven't been the same since.
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From: Surveyor61
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Hunting with a good friend or members of your family are what keep my fire burning. If I didnt have either I likely would not enjoy or spend as much time hunting as I do.
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From: Wapiti - - M. S.
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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For me maybe it's part of getting old. After tearing my distal bicep tendon and having gone through therapy and being in a cast for so long. I wondered if i would ever be able to pull my recurve back again.So I didn't push myself hard and did the complete opposite. Waited almost 3 years and I'm finally able to shoot again, left or rt handed. This year just getting out in the mountains,fields and rivers and hunting another season will be an accomplishment.I also Hope to spend some more time with my wife,and family and my grand children.
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From: TrapperKayak
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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I live around the corner from my two cousins who I grew up hunting with, but fell away from these past several year once I moved back east. We have gone a few times, but we kind of just grew apart. We lost their Dad, my uncle, last summer, who was a big part of my hunting life. They don't bow hunt much nowdays though. So I mostly go alone. I have never leased or even remotely considered it. Well, a couple months ago my younger cousin asked if I wanted to go in on their least this year. I said yes since I thought it would be a good way to reconnect. Its only $500.00 a year. More than I need to spend on land to hunt since all my closest to home huntimy is free access. But I am doing it for the closeness of family. We are all getting older and my older cousin (a year younger than me) has Parkinson's now and is slowing down and shakes some. His hunting years are are waning I'm afraid. So I agreed to go in on the lease. Its nice land, we went up to look at it last week. Couple hundred acres of soybeans and woods interspersed. It is not always fun hunting alone, so this gives me renewed interest. I will bow hunt my home haunts alone, and gun hunt with them on the lease.. And will be thinking of my uncle in his absence. He would be happy to see us all together again.
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From: r.grider
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Date: 31-Jul-19 |
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Used to could hunt all the time, and I still love to hunt, but killing not so important now, grandson has been hunting last 6 years, and it’s way more fun watching him get it done. Just the natural progression. The campfires and camaraderie is more enjoyable than the killing now, and talking about past hunts.
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