To all you young hunters (and maybe for you old guys too), here's something to think about:
An Old-Timer
There was a time when I could run up mountains with my rifle and pack and think nothing of it. In fact, I could do it more than once in the same day if I had to.
I never felt uncomfortable. Even in the wettest, coldest weather, it was a welcomed challenge, if not out-and-out fun.
I could drag a deer out with or without help - no big deal.
It's not quite like that any more.
I look for more level ground to hunt, or go really slow and easy up hill and down.
I pick my days - not too cold... or too wet... or too windy. Comfort means a lot more than it used to.
I use a deer hauler (or my daughter's boyfriend) to get the animals back to the truck.
And I shoot what I call "old man's deer". That is a deer that's just big enough so that I'm not ashamed when I get it back to the truck, but just small enough so I don't have a heart attack getting it there.
I don't have anything to prove any more.
You guys who are over sixty know what I'm talking about, you younger guys, if you are lucky enough, will find out!
An Old-Timer
There was a time when I could run up mountains with my rifle and pack and think nothing of it. In fact, I could do it more than once in the same day if I had to.
I never felt uncomfortable. Even in the wettest, coldest weather, it was a welcomed challenge, if not out-and-out fun.
I could drag a deer out with or without help - no big deal.
It's not quite like that any more.
I look for more level ground to hunt, or go really slow and easy up hill and down.
I pick my days - not too cold... or too wet... or too windy. Comfort means a lot more than it used to.
I use a deer hauler (or my daughter's boyfriend) to get the animals back to the truck.
And I shoot what I call "old man's deer". That is a deer that's just big enough so that I'm not ashamed when I get it back to the truck, but just small enough so I don't have a heart attack getting it there.
I don't have anything to prove any more.
You guys who are over sixty know what I'm talking about, you younger guys, if you are lucky enough, will find out!