colorado bob Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 Anyone else losing the fire in the belly. I'm almost to the point of not having any hunts that I have to do. If that makes sense. Years back, I had to bear hunt, got into baiting-----had them coming in real good. Then it was sheep hunting---I became a sheep nut. I was on 4 sheep hunts in 6 years. Now, if I get drawn in Colorado great----but I don't put in for other state tags like I use to. Then it was moose----got a nice bull a few years ago---now it looks like alot of work after you pull the trigger. Been to South Africa, it's OK. I'll go back-----I liked Kuger Park better than the hunting. I elk hunt ever year but it's more for the camping & see elk. Than it's about pulling the trigger. But I still pull the trigger cause they are good eatin. I got a nice 300 class bull-----I shoot cows now, much better eatin. Have a great spot on the river for ducks----but I hardly go anymore. I love to see them come in----but after you shoot them you have to clean them & then you have to cook & eat them. Thought about a DIY caribou hunt-----more I think about it----rain, bugs, backpacking----more it sounds like work than fun. About the only hunt I WANT is a interior grizzly. But for the price I could get a new F150. Guess I'm getting old & gray. I'm liking camping, poking the campfire, long hikes, barBQ ribeyes over the coals---more & more. Thanks for listening, CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 Well that is quite the problem to have.... I have too many irons in the fire with my job, EMS, and family that I can't go like you do but want to. So I can't really say I feel sorry for you. Try getting some less fortunate/experienced or youth envolved. It would be quite rewarding and add that extra spice to what you would consider an average hunt. The world can use more volunteers who are out there because they love what they do, not love what they get paid. Maybe you do some of that already, I don't know, but just my 2cents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 Yep, know the feeling. I worked 25 yrs back east to come to Colorado to work and live and HUNT. Been here 7 yrs and aint fired a shot in anger at a bull elk, tho I passed some up. Mulies and antelope frustrate me due to draw sytstem, short seasons, and inability to draw tags closer than 300 miles from home here in sou CO. Colo is definitiely OVER$OLD. Knees wore out from walking trains, so am a cripple waiting for the next fall to happen. Hands are bad from working on rr cars so I cant reload any more. Am gonna give that stuff to a friend, when I find one. The benchrest is more and more appealing every day. 2009 I'll just buy a case of ammo ev month, lots easier. Wife is just as frustrated at lack of hunt luck as I am. We are DIY people and dont use guides( most Ive met thru work were drinks and dopers). We work hard, $pend hard, sweat hard, hike hard( when I can ), hunt hard, and shoot a lot of paper in off season. My northcentral PA home or wifes central GA home is looking better and better the older I get. Long seasons, plenty game, and no freakinnn draws. Yep, I know the feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 i hear you, bob. i haven't shot anything since '87. i've got 4 sheep in 8 hunts, too many caribou, moose, elk, lion, and more. i'll still hunt and shoot animals, but only if they are bigger than what i already have. i'd rather help others get a trophy than shoot one myself. and with 4 grandkids & 2 on the way, i think i'll be hunting for years to come.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted January 2, 2009 Report Share Posted January 2, 2009 This is one of the reasons that everyone is getting so alarmed about the average age of hunters continuing to climb every year. Sure, there is a burn-out factor after a lot of years. There is also a physical deterioration that takes place. Hunting is a physical activity, and there does come a time when it gets very difficult, and eventually impossible, to participate in. With hunting heading for the status of "older man's sport" because of lack of new hunters coming into the ranks, those concerned about the future of hunting are rightfully worried about this trend. In my case, my participation has taken on a growing importance as an activity that promotes better health. It is now one of my reasons to climb the hill almost every day. My daily walks for scouting or hunting serve the purpose of exercising my cardi-vascular system. So for a while at least, it has all taken on a new purpose. However, I realize that eventually, I will not be able to do that. At that point I will have to turn the activity over to the ever shrinking, more youthful participants. Couple all this with the fact that good hunting land is getting more and more scarce, and prices of everything from equipment costs to lease prices to license fees are climbing through the roof, along with the steady advances that animal rights organizations are having on our youths, Societal shifts in attitudes toward hunting, we find very little that is actually working for the future of hunting (and other outdoor activities). It's unfortunate, but I believe there will come a day when it is difficult for the various state game management agencies to find enough hunters to successfully control populations. Yeah, that's a long way off, but everything we see today says that it is inevitable at some point in time. So, if you are feeling a drift away from hunting activities, it really is not all that surprising. Distressing though it may be, I think it is quite normal and natural. Someone mentioned bringing younger hunters into the sport. Perhaps that's not really all that bad an idea. It would be nice to at least replace yourself before you finally throw in the towel. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davetucker Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 Man o man!!I hope i never lose the feeling of not getting excited!!I get excited like a kid a christmas!I can see getting older and not being able to do the physical part of it but i hope the excitment of doing all that work never bummes me out!!Here in maine i guess it's not an easy hunt!!One yr you might get a good heavy bodied/horned buck,the next you might get a spike!! I will never turn on down due to size(we cant afford it here in maine)!!Thats just the way 90%of us mainers were brought up!!I am however putting into effect(on land we own) a managment rule!!I hope i never lose that fire in the belly and when i do IT will be time to hang up the old rifle's and pass em on down!!I DO FEEL FOR YOU CB!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I know exactly what you are saying! After many years of hunting and getting animals, my old legs and back couldn't take it anymore. Even with the physical problems, the flame just went out and it wasn't any fun to "kill" anymore! Several years ago, my second cousin and my uncle were talking and my cousin said "I have killed enough, walked enough and the fun of hunting is gone"! I thought he had flipped his lid! Well folks, here I am now and I can understand what he said completely! Now my wife and I, will take short trips and have the camera with us and really enjoy watching the animals and taking pictures! It is a whole lot easier and more enjoyable! I make a phone call once a year, and order a buffalo to be slaughtered. When it is cut and wrapped, we go and get the meat. I can handle that! Don't get me wrong, I had some wonderful years hunting, but that is behind me and I can look back with some great memories! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvertip_co Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 ...all griping about poor Colo hunt luck aside, I did meet some great folks from here and from www.huntingresource.com on different hunt meets we had in last 7 yrs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 This is one of the reasons that everyone is getting so alarmed about the average age of hunters continuing to climb every year. Sure, there is a burn-out factor after a lot of years. There is also a physical deterioration that takes place. Hunting is a physical activity, and there does come a time when it gets very difficult, and eventually impossible, to participate in. With hunting heading for the status of "older man's sport" because of lack of new hunters coming into the ranks, those concerned about the future of hunting are rightfully worried about this trend. In my case, my participation has taken on a growing importance as an activity that promotes better health. It is now one of my reasons to climb the hill almost every day. My daily walks for scouting or hunting serve the purpose of exercising my cardi-vascular system. So for a while at least, it has all taken on a new purpose. However, I realize that eventually, I will not be able to do that. At that point I will have to turn the activity over to the ever shrinking, more youthful participants. Couple all this with the fact that good hunting land is getting more and more scarce, and prices of everything from equipment costs to lease prices to license fees are climbing through the roof, along with the steady advances that animal rights organizations are having on our youths, Societal shifts in attitudes toward hunting, we find very little that is actually working for the future of hunting (and other outdoor activities). It's unfortunate, but I believe there will come a day when it is difficult for the various state game management agencies to find enough hunters to successfully control populations. Yeah, that's a long way off, but everything we see today says that it is inevitable at some point in time. So, if you are feeling a drift away from hunting activities, it really is not all that surprising. Distressing though it may be, I think it is quite normal and natural. Someone mentioned bringing younger hunters into the sport. Perhaps that's not really all that bad an idea. It would be nice to at least replace yourself before you finally throw in the towel. Doc With the the experience and environmental wisdom that has certainly been accumulated by many of you folks, it is in a way your duty to future generations to help perpetuate the activities that you love. Heck, it's all our duties. If we don't take an active role, so many are missing out and the demise of our traditions comes that much faster. Fading off into the sunset is for cowboys, not conservationists and sportsmen. JMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 Silvertip, I know what you mean about being beat up. I went to Colorado for arthritis and am now in Arizona where it is better. I love to hunt which forces me to stay in shape. The doctor said if I stop moving I'll set up like slow drying cement. I guess if I didn't love hunting I'd be in serious trouble health wise. I go to Utah and Colorado yearly and tent camp and bow hunt mulies. I'll elk hunt too this year. Arizona has liberal OTC bow hunts so I've hunted about 7 months this year here. Got one cow elk. No deer yet, but have shot at two. I've seen 2 P&Y mulies in the last two weeks and have 3 weeks to hunt. I just started bow hunting after a 9 year layoff with a low poundage bow 2 years ago. Shot two bucks last year. One the year before. I pick my days now. Today is rainy and I can barely move my neck so I'll hang around the house until I can, then go to the archery range for awhile. There will be a few basket cases there who the "experts" have nearly ruined buy tuning their bows and teaching them to shoot, that I can get shooting straight. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davetucker Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 The responses here are shocking the crap out of me!!Jmho!!Like said above i can understand getting up there in age and not being able to get around so well,but to say the excitment of having a big ol buck,bull,doe,cow,ect....standing in front of you i hope i never,never dies!!I guess some people (like me) that haven't the resources to go on all the great hunts every yr might never feel like that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly Posted January 9, 2009 Report Share Posted January 9, 2009 You started something here CB. My passion for hunting big game (mostly deer) is still with me at (nearly 38). I'd be just fine keeping it until the good Lord decides my days on this earth have come to an end. I've spoken to my father about this. He had the passion when he was younger, but each year I see less and less of it. He said an ailing body takes some of the fun out it. He said there was more, but I'd have to wait until I'm older to understand. (Been hearing that one from him my whole life). Perhaps you need to mix it up some and try something new? If bringing kids into the sport isn't an option for ya then perhaps a traditional black powder hunt, or handgun? Maybe a Red Stag hunt in New Zealand? Let me ask ya CB... what is about the interior Griz hunt that makes you want it more than something you used to be passionate about? With a modest income and three small kids it's hard for me to take out of state big game hunting trips. When I do I'm cutting every coupon I can find. DIY out of state big game hunting can still be a reality for the man without a huge bank account if he's willing to "shop around". I did an 8 day Idaho black bear hunt with a buddy last spring that cost me a little over 1 thousand dollars (over half was for gas at 4.00/gallon). If gas prices stay down I could do one for about $500.00 this year. (Best part: no draw!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redgreen Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 I'm with you, Charlie! It's getting harder and harder to climb mountains that used to be mere hills. Before I'll shoot a moose,elk,deer,bear,antelope or whatever I'm after, "how much trouble is this thing gonna be to get it to my truck" goes through my mind before I pull the trigger. Age sure takes the keen pleasure off of a days outing. The best part of the hunting is getting as far out into the sticks away from civilization as is possible and laying back against a tree or rock and having a nap.Watching grizzly or elk is a lot easier than hauling one out. The adrenilin rush just isn't there anymore. Just joint and heart trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Not me! I've still got 20 or 50 good elk hunts out west left in me as well as countless deer and antelope hunts...of course...I'm only 18 though too! :D:D I can see where y'all are coming from though. Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colorado bob Posted January 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Flyer------Give it another 20 years. Pretty sure you'll see where I'm coming from. The grizzly------It can bite back, if that makes sense. I've done everything DIY----bighorns, mtn goat, elk, black bear, deer. Hunted moose & mtn lion with outfitters. No one, I mean no one had the passion that I did. Hunting was my life. Something happens when you hit the 1/2 century mark-----maybe you can start seeing the end of the trail? Things just change. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PotashRLS Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 Flyer------Give it another 20 years. Pretty sure you'll see where I'm coming from. The grizzly------It can bite back, if that makes sense. I've done everything DIY----bighorns, mtn goat, elk, black bear, deer. Hunted moose & mtn lion with outfitters. No one, I mean no one had the passion that I did. Hunting was my life. Something happens when you hit the 1/2 century mark-----maybe you can start seeing the end of the trail? Things just change. CB Then do what you can to pass it on.........cause without others with the fire you used to have, we will lose our rights. Kids are the place to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
double_H Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I am only 37, yet i think can see where CB is coming from. My father has a remarkable trophy room. he has big rams, bucks, a huge cat, wolf, etc. and seems mainly content to talk about it. I seem to be headed in the same direction and can't say i can do anything about it. I really envy friends that get revved about taking anything but i have no interest in shooting anything unless its big (this is not good) or i just need some sausage. Unfortunately, some 'hunters' are not hunters at all, they are 'shooters' and do not embrace the exhiliration that comes from the work associated with a real DIy hunt. For true hunters, think there are two forces at work, one being the normal desensitization that comes after a repeated stimulation is applied, and two, the individuals measurement of success. No challenge, no reward. If there were piles of big whatever in your backyard, the challenge of taking a big whatever ceases. the sense of accomplishment is what drives most real hunters. Once these accomplishments are achieved, it makes sense that doing it repetitively doesn't offer the same satisfaction. therefore, you can raise your goals or you can change the way you obtain them (ie switch to bowhunting over rifle). Also, sharing your experience know-how, etc. with others, offers and entirely different satisfaction. it also gives you a sense of worth and chance to brag a bit! As for the body being worn out, that is another topic entirely. I rodeoed long enough to know what an old man feels like. i've told my wife i will defy the effects of age as long as i can and then she can wipe my bum for me. don't dispair if you are content to 'poke the fire' at hunting camp. This means that you truly know and understand what being a hunter is about. Note that you are still in hunting camp, not at home or golfing. Those of us that enjoy just being outdoors,being with friends, and sharing with others are lucky enough to have experienced what true hunting is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I took about a 20 year break from hunting ducks. Reason? I'd shot so many it was more work than fun. Got back into it to be able to spend some time with some old friends again. Unexpectedly, I discovered something, I suddenly really like duck hunting again. Sometimes you can take a break from something long enough for it to become brand new again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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