what if

[SHLEPROCK]

What if you were to go hunting with a senior citizen that had the only tag for that hunt and they were unable physically to track and kill a wounded animal? I could track it for them but if it is just wounded, well I think there should be allowances to help our seniors even if they dont have documented disabilities. Or do you think it is time to sell your gun when you can't pull your weight. I'm not sure how the disabled hunter permit holder even does it.

[bigshark]

Shleprock

I think you make a good point but I have to tell you how I feel about what it means to be a senior. You do your best to show you have many years of skill which means you practice a lot more than the weekend warriors. Shoot much more, practice, practice and more of the same. When your a senior you are not at work everyday so use the time to be better at it than you were when you were younger. Your eyes are not as good so use that scope or take that closer shot. That dosen't mean that you have to hunt out the window of the rig, it dosen't mean that you get special brakes, it means that your darn lucky to get to go and even luckier that someone thinks enough of you to take you along. Being senior means you try your very best to not be a liability and you do your darndest to pull your weight. It means you think of all the rest of the group before you think of yourself. Most of what you had when younger is gone, but not your pride.
When a senior goof's he hurts, he asks " please dear God, no mistakes today". He will know when he shouldn't go along as a hunter when the time comes. No help required by the laws. The fellowship at camp becomes so much more important.

[ 12-10-2002, 09:29 PM: Message edited by: bigshark ]

[SHLEPROCK]

Thanks Bigshark, I think that I may want to go shooting with him, I could use the practice myself. I will be doing the scouting and hopefully I will be able to find animals that are close to the roads. I would never express those concerns with him, I will just hope for the best and have fun. :smile:

[skein]

Nicely said, Bigshark. We're all headed in that direction - steeper mountains, colder mornings, older eyes. Pride, practice, and commitment are always welcome in my camp though. I have some friends who are about there, and I (we) continually look for ways to make it happen. No free lunch, but hunting and fishing opportunities that capitalize on experience more than legs or lungs.

Shleprock, send me an email. I might have some information you could use.

Skein

[Bait O' Eggs]

I called and wished my long time (over 20 years) hunting partner a happy 40th birthday yesterday. The first question I asked him was if he was losing the desire to hunt? His answer was, He figure he had 15 or 20 good years of hunting left in him, then a few years of diminished hunting and then it would be nothing after that but some camp fellowship. He told me has a stronger desire to hunt harder and more than ever now knowing his optimal seasons are counting down fast.

I hope to spend hunting seasons with him till we can do nothing but the camp dishes. True friends are made in hunting camp. :smile:

I think we all know when it is time to hang up the gun. May our pride not get in the way, and our sons help carry us those last few years.