Getting Old.....

[Colorado Cowboy]

I realize most of you are not in this situation....yet, but over the winter I've spent a lot of time thinking about it. I am 73 now and have been hunting since I was 7. Over the years, I have learned a lot and can put a lot of this knowledge into practice. I have mentored several young people (including my son who is going to be 50 this year) and passed on lots of this to them. This is exactly what my Dad and grandfather did for me.

This winter I had a total ankle replacement (to go along with a knee replacement on the same leg) and thought a lot about my body wearing out. I walk slower, have more joint pain and take more medications. My desire has not gone away, but after hard workouts at the gym, I sometimes ask myself..."what the hell are you thinking"! I am not looking for sympathy, just telling all you young studs to savor your youth while you have it, take nothing for granted and look around you while you are out there. It is Gods gift to us and we to appreciate it while we can enjoy it. Memories are great, we all have them, but making them is way better.

Just sayin...........................

 

[Againstthewind]

Thanks CC. I sometimes need a kick in the butt to start making some more memories. My grandpa is 78, almost 79 and still can out hike me like the ages were switched. Its crazy. After he got his eyeballs fixed up, things really turned around for him and he can do pert ner everything he used to do, he just needs a power nap in the pm lol. I have some good memories with my mentor I guess. Winter is long sometimes.

 

[Timberstalker]

Your the stud CC, keep it up my friend. I hope to be in as good of shape as you in 28 years, there are times I feel 73 and I'm only 44.

 

[hoshour]

I'm in good shape but put on some pounds last year and at age 60 it comes off really slowly. It's the only thing holding me back from being in really good shape.

I really want to hunt sheep and don't know how much longer that is realistic. But, I am determined to go from good shape into great shape to give it a shot, even if it only comes off less than a pound a week despite several days a week of tough workouts.

Still, I wouldn't trade the wisdom learned in 60 years for my old photographic memory and lean body.

 

[NDHunter]

Thanks CC! Yea I've decided I'm going to just go for it and do as many hunts as I can. My one buddy says "holy crap all those tags are expensive." Which he's right, they are. I don't regret any money I've spent in the past hunting though and doubt I will in the future either.

 

[RICMIC]

You're the MAN CC. I hope I can do as well when I get there. Hoshour, I've got a suggestion for you. It sounds like you can do the workouts okay, but as far as weight management, I have found that the magic bullet for me is the "protein diet". The experts do nay-say this diet and it is not something that you do for a lifetime, but it clearly does work. I find when I get 5# or so over my comfort range, I do the protein thing (don't cheat), and BOOM, the weight is gone. I do lard up some in the winter, but by summer am back to my Marine Corps weight of 40 years ago.

 

[Gr8bawana]

I hear you CC. I'm almost 53 and my brother who I hunt with a lot is 57. We still hunt the stuff that most hunters will not. Lucky for us my son who is 28 also hunts with us and he is one heck of a pack mule. Although he is still skeptical when we tell him how we used to pack those bucks out whole on our backs.
Every year we ask ourselves how many of these rough hunts we have left in us. I hope to still be hunting like you for another 25 years.

 

[Sundowners@5?]

In a few months I'll be 67, and yes time hasn't slowed down for me on the aging process. Some of my previous hunting buddies who no longer hunt ask when I'm going to slow down? The answer, when they pile dirt over me! Been very blessed over the last 35 years to hunt and fish from Alaska to Mexico and have never regretted the expenses or the disappointments. I was once asked, doesn't your wife complain about all the money you've spent? My reply, I have life insurance for her, the cash is not being left for the next guy!

 

[stevevan]

It could not be better said CC. Being 62 myself (young 62) I'm realizing that I just can't do the hunts I once did. I'm blessed to have taken 4 North American rams and my share of high country mule deer. My advice to those who are young is the same you hear from many. Do those dream hunts when you're young and physically in your prime if you can. You'll enjoy your hunts much more and have that many more years of good memories as life runs it course. My personal plans are to continue hunting 'til I'm called from this life as the passion remains strong. I'll just gear the type of hunt to what I'm able to do enjoyably.

 

[CrossCreeks]

At 55 I look back on all my hunts with big grins and hopes that I will be able to finish the large number of hunts I still have on my list. Being able to work out at the gym at 73 like you CC , I will take that at 73. Thanks for all your advice, encouragement and your mentoring !

 

[25contender]

53 here which is quite a bit younger than you and when I was 50 I almost gave all this high country stuff up. I had my good hunting partner of 20+ years pass away at 40 and really lost that fire to do these tough hunts. It was then I had to make a decision and with the help of my nephew and getting back to the doctor to have a few things repaired I feel that I have really turned a big corner in my life. I feel better now then I did in my 40s but its not easy staying that way. It is a lot of physical work but I think the mental part is harder to overcome than anything else. CC I know now that it is possible to keep this up for quite a while. The good thing about getting older when it comes to this game is we do have experience. And with that experience comes the knowledge of hunting smarter than we used to. I really hope you make a full comeback from your two surgeries and stay the course. Mark

 

[xtreme]

I can relate, I will be 73 in June. One full blown heart attack, another that caused open heart, stints for aneurysm, and both hips replaced. When I read that last sentence I fully understand how lucky I am to still be able to hunt the mule deer, bear and antelope. I have four points for elk in Colorado but I would need help getting one out.
This brings me to the changes one has to make to get another good hunt. Like Cowboy, I have ankle problems and believe me that can be a show stopper. Changes have helped, I shoot farther with better equipment, better glass, better range finder, better bullet, and I scout more. Slowing down hasn't hurt as much as you might think, its the stopping. I don't see as much game as my grandsons see when they are with me. I saw on another post a fellow hunter said his 60 year old dad was wanting to quit, then someone answered to get him in a more comfortable camping situation I thought that was really good advice.
Like Cowboy, we have memories galore and I am willing to go a while longer if possible. I sure don't want to leave any preference points unused.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I'm trying to last as long as my Dad!! He shot his last elk at 90 while hunting with me in 2002.

I will definitely leave no points on the table.

 

[Wyoming Hart]

My father is 56. He had a heart attack in 2012 before our elk hunt in Wyoming. Ever since then he has been a little slower on our hunts together. I can actually keep up with him now! That is not something that I like though. He gets tired a lot sooner and doesn't have as much energy that he once did. He still can outdo most people when it comes to hunting though. 30 years of logging has definitely taken it's toll on his body as well. Colorado Cowboy I hope that I can have the same opportunity that you had with your father and to be able to be with my father hunting till his 90's. I cherish every hunt that we have together and will not take anything for granted.

 

[Zim]

55 Here and wheels started falling off last year for me too. Ran 20 miles/week my whole life but then had ablation for heart flutter, pinched nerve crippling tight arm, and worse yet plantar fasciitis in right foot last 18 months. Had to stop running that time. Healed now so I can resume.

I am glad I have many mountain memories. If I were forced to stop I would not regret anything.

 

[Matthoek21]

CC you're the MAN! I love the wisdom. I am 42 and still a young buck in many ways, however I have tried living my life to the fullest in this aspect. I cherish all the moments in the outdoors that I have experienced. I told my mama when I was 21 that I never wanted to look back on anything and say "man I wish I would have done that when I was your age". And that is the statement I have lived by. Many of my friends and family wish they could have half the experiences I already have had. So like CC says get out there and enjoy it while you can.

 

[AKaviator]

I'm 60 with 5 knee surgeries and a shoulder surgery behind me. The hills in front of me look steeper and steeper every year! I think the reason I'm into photography so much is in case my mind goes as fast as my body, I'll still enjoy looking at the pictures of my adventures!

 

[Tim McCoy]

Wise advice. At age 55 last June my body decided to try and kill me twice, just after I drew a sheep tag in WY. Thankfully modern medical science and a very talented vascular surgeon saved me after two major abdominal surgeries over a 15 hour time period. Was able to defer the sheep tag to 2015 and just Monday walked up hill for over 1/4 mile for the first time without severe consequences in my legs. After being told to plan on a wheel chair or amputation, I will be on the mountain in August chasing sheep, using both legs, God willing. My youngest son will be my Sherpa. Do not put off until tomorrow what you can reasonably do today. Most of us will face a time when our health changes, or have it suddenly just end, we do not know which or when. I watched my sister in law fall over dead at 30, brain hemorrhage, no warning. At that point, in my early 30's, I stated to play more, buy points and save a little less and have not regretted it. I have a lifetime of memories outdoors with my family if I am taken suddenly, if not, I plan to make some for my grandkids (4 so far, all boys...).

 

[Eberle]

CC,

The outdoors is what keeps you in shape & gives you the drive to keep going. I admire you & have alot of respect for you. I enjoy your posts and advice. I can tell that you are a straight shooter. Sir you are a very interesting person with your career (Original Rocket Scientist!), USC football player along with hunting, fishing & cowboy action shooting! I hope our paths cross one day. It would be an honor to hang out with you for a day & listen to your stories! May God continue to Bless You!

 

[tim]

you only live once, but if done right, once is enough.

I did not grow up in the bonafide hunting family. But my dad always had the desire to live in Idaho. in 1978 he moved to North Idaho from new jersey. I was in the 4th grade. My dad passed away at the age of 63 in 2008, a couple of days before his 64th birthday. I thank the man for taking me into the mountains, My dad didn't know what he was doing, but we figured it out together, until I took the lead and never looked back. One of the best memories I have is kayaking the middle fork of the salmon in central Idaho. a 100 mile river run, in 2001, (it takes a couple of days). I am so glad I got him on that river in 2006.

I guess my dad never got to get old, so live the life you were meant to live. And fight for the life you want to live.
rip dad.

CC good for you and keep getting after it.