Too late to start?

[misterc01]

I remember when they said that 70 is the new 50. So far, so good, just seems some things take a bit longer to do..............

 

[oneeyejohn]

I have not read every comment about your question, Let me ofer my idea. If you have a camera, go to the woods with a hunting buddy and film or picture every thing you see. This will get you into the woods and your wife will know you are not bringing anything home. Look at the pictures often to see what you have missed for years. If you get any joy out of the experience it will be worth your time to explain the joy to wife about going to the woods with frinds. Ask Her if she is willing to give up the activies she derives great Joy from.

 

[James K.]

That is an excellent idea.....& a great perspective......Maybe i should take the best photo, frame it, & hang it up over the sofa??

 

[_omg_]

I say do whatever you want to. I'm 86 and still shoot, hunt very little, have a 22 foot boat
and still go salt water fishing. Belong to two gun clubs that have decent ranges for both
pistol and rifle.

Zeke

you are my hero

 

[Pulpwood]

I have been married for 35+ yrs. I have never hunted anything but fish & only then a few times a year with 3 fishing buddies. Now my fishing buddies have either retired & moved away or have plain retired. I am the last one working & a co-worker whom i have known & worked with for 25 yrs has invited me Deer Hunting for several years now. I want to go, the deadline for getting tags is in 2 days. This fall i will be 60 yr old. I did not bring it up to my wife before because i know how she feels about hunters......because her dad & uncles hunted & she grew up & did not appreciate their demeanor. Last night i told her i wanted to go this fall, She gave every reason under the sun ranging from , "This is not you" to , "i don't want the mess in the house, i will not eat deer meat, Your 60 yrs old, you have a bad back, you could get shot. You are not going to do this. You did not grow up this way"...…..My question is , How do i get thru to her? I do not want to be insensitive but is hunting worth pursuing at my age? I feel i would regret it if i didn't at least try. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Perfect opportunity to show her all hunters are not a pain in the butt types . I grew up hunting with my dad and brother although I turned out the opposite of them so all hunters are not the same . As I grew older I realized hunters are just people, some are wonderful and some are not . Since your wife knows the person you are I would think that she realizes you would not be like some hunters that she grew up knowing. I think it's great that a friend has invited you to go and it could you something to enjoy in your later years . Hope you work it out

 

[zb338]

Thank you guys. The folks on this blog are the very best. Keep up the
good work.

Zeke

 

[villagelightsmith]

Perfect opportunity to show her all hunters are not a pain in the butt types . I grew up hunting with my dad and brother although I turned out the opposite of them so all hunters are not the same . As I grew older I realized hunters are just people, some are wonderful and some are not . Since your wife knows the person you are I would think that she realizes you would not be like some hunters that she grew up knowing. I think it's great that a friend has invited you to go and it could you something to enjoy in your later years . Hope you work it out

All year long, I enjoy the hunts of past years and the anticipation of hunts yet to come. That's hunting. Mostly it's what I see and experience on the hikes out from Base, inventing new ways of doing things, and the stories and banter while sitting 'round the fires with old friends. Just 'cause you're out hunting doesn't mean you have to shoot anything, get loud or get stupid. My wife (a quiet one) will not stay home, but she's mighty good in camp and on the trail. And though she doesn't carry a gun, she sees about 5X as many animals as I do.

 

[Tidus56]

All year long, I enjoy the hunts of past years and the anticipation of hunts yet to come. That's hunting.

I agree with 100%, I never understood all the guys who mount heads on the wall when I was in my 20s. It didn't bother me and I thought they were cool but never figured I would want it or my wife would be okay with it. Two years ago I went and hunted a Bison in Wyoming and had the skull euro mounted. I figured my wife would let me put it anywhere other than the living room. After I asked her where she thought it should go she told me above the TV in the living room. It's interesting now that everytime I see it I think of how much fun I had on that hunt. As for anticipation, Africa 2021 with all my siblings, their spouses, my spouse, two of my best friends and my parents. I am sure those mounts will bring memories forever. Nilgai 2022, stoked for that too.

 

[Orange Dust]

There is just something about pouring a cup of coffee from a thermos early on a cold morning, and sitting in the woods, sipping it, waiting for daylight. Cannot be explained to anyone who has not been there and done that. Add mountains or an Aurora and you can talk directly to God. Always my favorite part of the day in the field, no matter what we are hunting, and I always get there early enough to have time for it.

 

[Don A Parsons]

Good on you Zeke and everyone,,, thats what really counts,,, make part of the day ours,,, at least try too get moving a little bit...

Easy for some folks,,, a bit more challanging for others...

Some folks can run a 100 too 120 miles in the mountains in 24 hours in broken down sets,,, others like my self would rather walk slowly over a 1 too 1 and a 1/2 hour tour covering 3 or 5 miles,,, sit or lay down too fully relax with our lite weight day pack,,, then slowly or brisk-fully """at our choosing.""" head back out...

Do it in 1 none stop set,,, or make lots of stops along the way,,, who said we cant bring the walking sticks or old ski poles if it helps support us threw the day...

Like I mentioned,,, Im no out door fitness rock star,,, far from it at 55 +,,, I dont fear bumping the edges or pushing my self a bit at times,,, or taking it easy on the next ruck...

Change it up each time,,, different things,,, different areas,,, or keep it the same...

I call my pedal bike the off road rolling walker,,, no one said that I cant walk up or down the hills or on the flats with my bikes,,, I strap my back pack onto the bike and away I go,,, my back and knees like the idea of not hauling weight on the body...

The do anything rolling walker

If other folks can pedal the hard stuff,,, thats awesome,,, the rest of us will walk it...

I push my bike from 1 side,,,, force myself to do the same from the other side,,, pedal a bit here and there,,, then walk some more...

Then take a break too relax,,, water or juice,,, lay down in the dirt and strech,,, relax totally,,, dust off and carry on...

I dont plan nothing when I leave the trail head except I know that ill take my time or push the limits at my pace,,, relax when my body tells me so,,, do all kinds of streches threw out the day,,, then carry on...

Write in stone what we choose to do for our selves since we walk in our own shoes...

I agree,,, take a few photos,,, write a story about the day on this thread,,, enjoy doing something """if""" we want to...

1 day on,,, 1 or 2 days off... plan a bit of how we want to go about it,,, get creative,,, make it easy for our selves and easy too do...

Think out side the box like pedal bike walker,,, waking sticks,,, go on foot alone,,, lite weight day pack,,, bring some water and a snack... plan on 1 or 7 strech things threw the day...
Stand in the frozen creeks with the boots on...
Fall in the shallow frozen creek with cloths on...

Who cares,,, we know our cloths will be dry by the time we get home at night.... Ha

Make our own story about us,,, thats what really counts...

PS: i should mention,,, I dont push my rolling walker bikes with my arms and hands,,, I use my hips or stomach up against the back of the big fat @as seat too push,,, change it up with different ways to push it along...

Every trip out gives me a chance to test and try different ways to move me and the bike up and down the trails,,, use the brakes to get better support,,, let it free wheel when its needed...

If the terrain gets hard going with the bike,,, I pull my day pack off of it,,, stuff it hidden into the trees or behind a rock... un-strap my ski pole sticks and go on foot at my pace and choosing...

My plan,,, my way,,, my pace...

 

[Don A Parsons]

A pedal bike or power bike at our choosing,,, or boots on the ground !!!

Just a plain old steel frame bike that sat in the barn for 27 years...
Now its back at it with Middle age pork Chop Don...


The best part about this build isnt the engine,,, its actually the 13 inch fat @zz seat... Ha...

More so the build,,, getting too ride it is the rewards,,, all 8 of the units I put togther this year...

Lots of walking,,, riding slowly,,, covering ground,,, and relaxing...

Go when I want too,,, don't if if thats the plan,,, at least I get to stay in shape tuning and building power bikes...

I would of gone electric,,, but fuel is cheap,,, ive been doing the 2-smoke engines,,, of course they have the 4-poke'ers too... LOL...

This unit will be a trike starting out,,, big fat @zz tire will go on the back when its done

Activities is what its all about for me,,, hunting,,, fishing,,, archery,,, camping and sigth seeing,,, with lots of relaxing

At times I have too force myself,,, at other times its get up and go... All good no matter what plays out...

I tell my self 1 thing before I leave the trail head,,, I can always make it back to the staging area on foot if I have too...

I never go too far these days,,, always go up on foot or on foot with bike and tools/ supply's,,, free energy if I have to decend the mountsins or hills... Ha...

About 20 too 25 ish minutes per mile taking my time on foot,,, dry single track that i can ride down on using the bike,,, if I get too a wash-out,,, i jump off the bike and walk it threw the stuff that looks risky...

Normally I can drop down off the mountains in 20 minutes on the bike,,, but I take my time and do it in sets,,, always have time for a coffee,,, water and lite snack...

Leaning against a big old tree taking in the day,,, afternoon nappy naps too...

None of us need to over think this either,,, start off simple,,, 1 day at a time is the easiest way too get going,,, do it for our selves,,, and tap it kool...

Set our own pace,,, enjoy what we want,,, it will put a grin on your face as we think about the next outting and ways to improve the quality of doing it again with more comforts built into the mix...

Bring your day pack is a must,,, 1 mile or more,,, never leave the vehicle with out it...

Water,,,, bring water... sun screen,,, hat,,, rain cover,,, and boots on the feet...
Life is simple,,, the best part is kerping it that way...

If your mind says you will walk or bike that far even if its only a 1/4 mile ,,, then there you go...
Who knows where the next outing will take you...

Broken into sets at multiple levels and locations threw out the day...

Who said we cant go here and there threw out the day,,, walk that trail here,,, bike this trail there,,, relax over at that spot,,, then drive over too that area to jump in the lake...

Nothing like wrapping up the day in another spot of our choosing...

1 area or more,,, i bet it keeps life intresting...

Isnt that what its all about,,, humans like change,,, why not hit up a few different things threw the day...

Throw in some archery,,, walk around the football field too watch the kids play the game,,, head down to the creek... walk over too the group of trees...

Anything goes my friends...


Again,,, keep it simple,,, fun,,, push the limits then relax,,, or relax then push the limits...
Lite weight day pack with water,,, and see where the day takes you as you take on the day...

Win Win as it gets us thinking about us and how we want to address things for our selves...

Nothing happens over night,,, but over time all of us might see some kind of change,,, like my old friend said...

We wont know if we dont try,,, nothing wrong with stepping out side of our comfort zone too find out,,, I bet we'd be suprize how well we would do...

Don

 

[Don A Parsons]

Just getting my Fat Flying Pig number II power bike sorted...

Its the pillow of off road,,, a bit of pedaling at my choosing,,, or power up if it makes life simple

Taller handle bars and a pack system too be added,,, we tested these engines up too 700 lbs of pulling load using a 10/48 gear set,,, they pull better in the 5 too 600 lb range...

Of course we have gear sets in the 10/56 on 10/60 that work way better for off road...
This is our groups 8th build,,, pretty sure that it will be fat tire bike from here on in...

Easy to float down any goat path that stands in the way...

Foam liners in the tires prevent flats,,, bolt on the largest disk brakes,,, gear them down for off road,,, and put on the slow speed miles...

All new at $750 Cnd funds/// $500 ish Usd...
This unit ready too ride at the trail head is 42.87 lbs with fuel and extras... super smooth and lite too throw around...

Its sure easy on the back and knees...

Thats what really counts,,, and we can ghost pedale behind the engine if we want too...

A bit of exercise,,, or relax...

North of the 49th Don

 

[Laguna Freak]

She needs to know you are not the same as her dad and uncles . Either she respects your needs and understand s you wanting to try it or not . I'm sorry but a person has to enjoy something.

I dont disagree with this assessment. I would just caution to not abandon your careful consideration and patience with her. Obviously y'all are in the sunset decades of life and hopefully it is beautiful.

If it were me, I would likely implement the advice given above in hope that she will show enough care for your desire to relent in her adversity for the sake of your enjoyment.

If your marriage is otherwise a good and mutually fulfilling one, I'd say there is a good chance she will come around to your thinking and offer her blessing in the hunting endeavor. Even if she doesnt like it.

Peace at home is important...
Good luck!

 

[Laguna Freak]

She sounds very unreasonable and selfish. It sounds like you have let her be this way for 35 years.

This is a great example for younger guys to not allow their wife to behave this way early in the relationship. Set a higher standard early on and she won't turn into this later.

This!

Choose carefully. The young guys and divorcees should try real hard not to settle for less than ALL of who you NEED in a wife. Unfortunately it is only hindsight that is 20-20. Most of us suck at praying and being patient enough to wait for God to do the match-making. Because we are "so smart".