Older Hunters

Having hunted for the better part of 6 1/2 decades I consider myself an "older hunter". What I'm curious to know is how many THF members consider themselves in the same older hunter group and what are the problems they experience. I see comments every once in awhile that mock someone for not doing something that may require the physical strength someone my age doesn't have. Are there other limitations that prevent hunters from going out into the field alone to do what they love? I hunt every week at night for hogs with thermal equipment and I suspect there are some who don't go simply because there is no one to join them. At age 76 I know I'm probably hunting on borrowed time but I'll keep at it as long as I can. I love seeing the photos and videos of young hunters with their family out sharing hunting experiences.

I'll be 60 this year, Had cancer treatment, spine fusion, numerous arm surgeries, etc. A few years ago I bought a receiver mounted winch to lift deer and pigs into the truck. Made a heck of a difference as I don't need the help anymore .

I'll be 69 this Fall, and love the mountains. Lots of restrictions on motorized retrieval of animals on public land, more lenient on private tho. . Still love to hunt and fish for everything. Until I was 60, I would routinely pack up to a 100# every day when retrieving game in the mountains. Now, with a bad ankle-bad knee-bad hip I can do 60-80# and I feel it for 3 days. Doesn't stop me, just more trips and conservative where I shoot big animals. For states which don't allow me to bone out deer, I have started using my wheeled cart or poly sled more often.

I'll edit this to include some additional info. Of the group of 10 or so close friends who have coffee regularly and hunt together, two have Parkinson's, one has throat cancer and one has lung cancer/emphsyma. One died of an aortic aneurysm early. One just got too old and fat, and gave up hunting for RV'ing. My partner and I must be too old to know better so we keep abusing ourselves and hunting wherever we can. Never give up!!!

Gotta find different ways to do the same things. NEVER GIVE UP. It’s what keeps the old man out. I can put up with the soreness and pain and the recovery. It’s still a labor of love. I guess my body will eventually tell me what I can or can’t do....but nobody else can.

I’m 40 and would most likely prefer to share camp with “old hunters”

I’m still at the age to do heavy lifting but had rather not have to deal with the younger crowd

I am 60 and feel it but don’t give up. My Dad always said the older you get the wiser you get ! He was so right Being Hercules in my younger days did not pay off

I'm definitely in the group that has far more opening days behind than ahead!

My biggest complaints center around vision (especially since I love to hunt with open sights!) and a slight tremor that plays hell with shooting bug-hole groups anymore.

I'd still rather be afield than anywhere else. There's always cows to check, feed or doctor...always coyotes and hogs to chase.

When we moved out here I told my bride that I only had one more move remaining in me...either to the nursing home or the cemetery and when it got to that point I wouldn't much care which!

Mark

70+ and my biggest issue is having outlived or out healthed my hunting friends. Hunting by myself is not an issue but no one to share a lease with is an issue.

You guys are an inspiration. At 58, I hope to have a few more seasons in me. I'm at the stage that some of you have already been through - playing "whack-a-mole" with pain and minor physical issues. You know the drill - one thing will subside and some other issue will rear its ugly head, over, and over. I think it's a warm up for the "big stuff" coming down the pike and, to gain a little humility when it comes to truly elderly folks talking about nothing else but their physical ailments and doctors appointments.

A couple of the younger ones on here have been kind and patient enough to let me tag along on some hunts and it's been great to see new places and see the excitement of younger guys.

'Hope to close on a ranch in the next month and I plan on spending the next 10 years trying to make it the best place that I can. I like to think of myself as a realist, so I know that my son and son-in-law that live close aren't going to have a lot of time to help the old man with a whole bunch of stuff, but I can still do a lot of stuff myself (slowly and safely) and hopefully I'll get to spend some time with my grandkids, showing them a little about nature and hunting, small amounts at a time.

Good hunting to all of you.

Seventy-five here. Swapped slogging through the swamps for sitting in a box stand years ago. Sure don't miss the strenuous stuff. One day they're going to find my body in an elevated box in the piney woods with a gun clutched in my cold stiff hands and a big smile on my face.

70 plus years of hard living. Agent Orange victim along with a spinal cord compression. 20 years ago I was in a wheelchair for about 6 months, finally with surgery and rehab I graduated to a walker and cane, another AO problem put me back on a walker a little over 2 years ago. I pay no attention to the BS of the younger bunch, I have been there and done that and done other things they can only dream of.

76 and still in pretty good shape. I live in Hurst but own my own place around Bowie. Stock tanks, hogs, and deer. Have 4 wheelers and a tractor with front end loader. Used to be covered up by Grandson and his buddies. Now they are grown and have their own lives so don’t see much of them. I kinda feel like the song Puff the magic dragon. They still show up and help me fill feeders but that’s about it. The desire to hunt is still there but I killed 2 bucks last year that I couldn’t find. That makes me sick. Not sure what I’ll do this year.

I’ve killed my elk, antelope, mulies, and lots of white tails. Been to Africa and killed some animals that I wasn’t mad at.

Can’t shoot off hand any more and have to work to overcome a flinch. I guess I’m pretty well used up and worn out.

My Trophy Wife retires next year and we’re going to do some traveling. I doubt that I’ll ever hunt anywhere but my own place again.

I know one thing. We won’t go anywhere unless I can calm her down about going to Winstar.$$$$$

Age 74 and still love getting out even though two bouts with cancer, weigh gain and just getting old have taken their tow. Have been able to complete "bucket lists" hunts and fishing in Alaska, Canada and the near Arctic. Will keep hunting until it is time to go. Planning hunting/fishing trips is as much fun as doing them.

This, ^......Im 69 and I tried yesterday to put 50lbs on my shoulder and climb up a ladder to fill the feeder. I could not make it. I had to just pour 25lbs out on the ground and then carry 1/2 sack up the ladder. I used the empty bag to pour corn into for the other 5 bags. It took 12 trips instead of 6, but I got it done.

Find a young hunter and take him under your wing. Teach him how to hunt and let him do the hard manual labor. One of my best friends is PitchforkPredator on this forum he isn’t a young buck but still very capable. I help fill feeders, fix blinds, move blinds and feeders around and all sorts of stuff. I get to shoot some hogs and coyotes from time to time but would help him out with anything if he ask. Some of the best friendships I have were made because of hunting.

You need to get some stand and fill feeders. I did this a few years ago and it sure makes it easy.

My greatest concern as an older hunter is seeing the current generation of new and younger hunters who care nothing about learning the hunting knowledge and skills that people my age learned when first starting out. There isn't much to learn when your tactics equate to just waiting for something to show up and eat. And the far greater challenge made ANY deer that hung from a meat pole a trophy animal.

I'll be 60 in December. I still love hunting! I don't do much still hunting these days. My deer hunting us mostly from the comfort of a blind. Thank goodness for receiver hitch game hoists!! Still love dove and turkey hunting. I get out as often as I can. Now that I'm retired, I'm in the woods two or three days a week during season. I'll keep on keeping on as long as I'm able. Best part of hunting is the fellowship of sharing camp with good friends.

the greatest concern is older people who are stuck in their ways and aren’t willing to change because they are too close minded.

I’m 55 so not “old” yet, but I can see it coming much sooner than it used to be. I am trying to get my mountain hunting in while I can, because I know that’s a younger man’s game. Other than that, getting older has been a blessing when it comes to hunting. Experience trumps everything-and there’s only one way to get it. Plus, you learn to slow down and enjoy life, which is probably getting older’s greatest gift.

WTH is up with you olds? I'm 60 and just now hitting my prime! <sarcasm>

Been lucky on my health, weight is still good, and only some minor joint issues. I did have to quit running a few years back to save the knees. I'm sure at some point knee surgery is in my future. The one big thing that bothers me now that didn't before is extreme heat and cold. The days of working outside all day when it's 100 or hunting without a blind when it's below freezing are definitely behind me. And shooting open sights is sure a struggle. I really miss doing that the most.

+1

At age 83, I can no longer put a 50# sack of corn on my back and climb a ladder to fill a feeder. Solution?? I carry a Home Depot 5 gallon bucket in my truck and make 3 trips up the 14' ladder per sack.
It will be a while before I get too old to hunt!

I'm at the point where I don't mind getting those 40 pound bags instead of the bigger ones.

10-4 on the 40 # bags. At 72 I hunt 2 or 3 days a week during archery and gun season. No more climbing stands for me. Ladder stands or tripods. Still pull a 63 lb compound and 40 to 50 lb. long bow and recurve. I know my shoulders won't last many years longer, so xbows in in my future . !

57 here. Bad neck, back, arthritis, worms. You name it, I've got it. Still get out there and hump it. What else you gonna' do? Sit on the couch watching Oprah reruns? I'll probably die in a deer blind, a happy man.

In a deer blind is my second choice.

Scotch neat, on a regular basis, will take care of them worms.

Thanks to all those that responded and I did learn that I'm not the only one who has to split a 40lb bag of corn in order to fill a feeder, has more aches and pains than I can count and who still loves to hunt. Someone much smarter than me once said "the truly smart man is the one who knows what he doesn't know". I find myself learning every day how much I don't know....

Keep hunting and the best to you all!

I am 77 still enjoy the outdoors very much Had a round with cancer and survived that. Two cornea transplants so vision is some better. Those 50 lb. bags of corn are heavier than they use to be. I can still go up the ladder with a bag on the shoulder but have been know to take a 5 gallon bucket along. Joint pains and walking in the pasture or to the stand is a bit more difficult than I like. Still most of the bad stuff goes away when you see that nice buck or look up at the sky to see that red tail hawk flying by. I don't plan on changing my activity, will just continue to enjoy. Thankful for the tail gate hoist as well.

I'm 'only' 60 but I'm starting to feel it. Can no longer pull a 60 lb bow back due to shoulder issues. Need to get my fat a** on a treadmill more often. I still go hunting by myself and still can load the deer in the bed of the truck. No hogs on the place (yet) but I'll take those when they do show up. Still fit enough to do some semi-mountainous hunts if/when I get drawn.
My Dad passed away 11 years ago. The fall that he passed away, we still went out dove hunting together just 3 months before he went. I have friends of mine that have stopped hunting all together or, just hunt from a stand watching a feeder.
Easter Sunday, I hunted and watched the sun come up. Then proceeded to hike some 3 miles around the property trying for an axis. I'll probably do it again before summer hits too hard.

I just hope I can still be out hunting when (and if) I do finally get 'old'.

I have an 'adopted' 9 year old grandson that has the 'fire' to go out any time he can. I'm glad I infused that into his system at an early age.

some of ya'll make me feel young at 60 ... but I am definitely feeling some aches and pains following 2 back surgeries and 2 shot knees. I too took my dad hunting up until the end of deer season of 2003/2004 right before he passed (spring 2004) at 87 years old. I did 100% of the heavy lifting and chores like he did for me in my much younger years. He taught me old school tactics from a very young age when hunting was actually hard, no cush stands, feeders, heaters, etc. it was stalking or leaned up against a tree or on a couple of 2x6s in a tree. Times have changed and hunting has changed to some degree and I do enjoy those comforts. I still hunt by myself most of the time and tend to all the game I take. But I have also found that the deer have gotten much bigger bodies with better game management and letting them age to 5+ years old. On one of my current leases that is MLD3, I have found loading a fully mature buck (192 lbs) into the truck or RTV requires some help or engineering ingenuity, thank God for the hydraulic bed on the RTV. Hogs get a rope around their leg for the ride to camp or bone yard. I do plan on hunting as long as I am humanly able to do so and plan on helping teach our 4 grandchildren properly also.

My wife doesn't get how i can spend all day or weekend long out in the woods by myself and not kill anything ... I merely tell her that's why it's called hunting, not shooting. As someone else mentioned, I can sit for hours out in the woods enjoying what God has provided, seeing anything from birds, squirrels, bobcats, hogs, hawks, turkey, deer, etc. and that passes the time faster than I care for it to pass.

Closed-minded people usually have just one or two methods they follow to complete a given task. I can think of at least a dozen setups for killing deer that don't require feeders or bait. So who is really closed-minded when it comes to deer hunting, the one who follows one approach, or the one who knows and follows many?

Texas Dan, Texas Dan, if you're looking for a purist then he's your man. He doesn't use corn, he won't use bait, he crawls on his belly and lies in wait.

Scott makes a good point......I am 58 and feel the same as I did when I was younger but am reminded now when I try to do what I used to I need to slow down and be more careful. I got dehydrated this summer working in the heat and passed out at the ranch. Luckily Scott was there with me if I would of needed help. I have made some great friendships with younger members of this forum by hunting with them. tdecker22 comes to mind as well met him on a bow hunt in Missouri he organized and we have been good friends for many years now and hunt together regularly. He's a young buck like Scott which keeps me younger lol. Scott and I met when I offered to take him hunting when he returned from Afghanistan. I look at age as just a number when I'm choosing who to spend time with......my wife and I go to rock concerts with our daughters and their friends because we enjoy their company and they ours. Music is alot like hunting IMO in that it bridges potential generation gaps that might exist otherwise....FME.

I have got in my mountain hunts already when I was younger and hope I still have a few in me. I'm fortunate I still have good health and take no meds. I will continue to hunt until I can't.....whatever age that ends up at.

I am going to be 63 this summer and still enjoy hunting as much or more today than I ever have. Still enjoy both mule deer and whitetail hunting. I am lucky in that I can hunt and do hunt almost every day of the season. I am still just as serious about finding the buck that I like to shoot, but will take a camera with me every time I go hunting to photograph the wildlife/landscape. I enjoy the photography these days as much as the hunting side of any day I spend in the field. Like someone above posted about the heat and cold weather, it effects me also as I have gotten older. I still enjoy the colder weather much more than the heat though these days. I still hunt alone about 90% of the time also. When I was managing ranches I was outdoors working alone everyday of the week and learned how to safely do projects for that day without any help. I still practice safety first today when I am out working by assessing the project I am working on first. Then make a plan on the safest way to do the task Work smarter and not harder. I am hopeful that I can still enjoy working outdoors and hunting as much/long as my Dad did since he was still hunting at 87 years of age.

Just read these again. Glad to know that it’s not just me. My Daughters and Wife say that, at 76, I need to realize my limitations. I tell them that the old man is sitting on my shoulder and I’m not going to either encourage him or even grow up and be an adult.

That is exactly what I have been considering. I don't want to give keys to anyone and I don't want a crowd. But a single hunter with his wife or child could do some great hunting if they lived near me and were willing to go when I did. I'll talk to my wife and see what she thinks of the idea.

I'm 75 with arthritis in my thumbs and both knees. 11 years into a liver transplant. Only 8 years ago, I was climbing ladders with 50# bags of corn, but like some of you, I must divide it into buckets and use crank feeders or low platforms I can reach.

If I'm hunting alone, I have to shoot the deer with a camera but I don't care much about hogs. I can't lift much without help anymore, but I can maintain my hunting trailer and Ranger as long as it's simple stuff.

I don't want to give up my lease for two reasons: 1) I'm the only one on it and I enjoy the solitude of the country even if I'm not hunting and 2) It would be a hell of a lot of work to move two blinds and three feeders along with a trailer and UTV.

Hang in there fellow "old guys". The occasional outdoor jaunt beats a porch and rocking chair any day.

Just a thought......but perhaps us "old guys" could meet for lunch or dinner sometime. Being a spring chicken myself, I'd be willing to travel to meet some of you old codgers. Dallas/Fw might be a good place. Its 200 miles from me, but what the heck. Just have to be on a weekend as I still work.
Again, just a thought.

I'm in for that.

BTW, how many of you old goats are afflicted by CRS?

I am 78, had nice set up to hunt 15 minutes from the house (two different spots) have had two back surgeries, 5 fusions that are defect, also barrettes esophagus, my shooting buddy died last year his heirs have sold the ranches so I lost a good friend and the hunting. Is hard for me to get around.

Guilty as charged.

I used to know what that stood for, but t I forgot. :-(

I'll be 60 next month. Five years ago I was running around 50 miles a week. I walk with a cane a lot now. But I'm not giving up. My BIL (67) and I had a great season last year. Getting a hip replaced in a few months and hopefully will be healed up enough to hunt by November.

Coming up on 67. Still enjoy hunting, but don't have any hunting partners anymore - moved away or died, so just miss the enjoyment of sharing the experiences with somebody. Bad back, crohn's disease and a few other assorted maladies keep things interesting. Missed all last season with shingles. Hope this year bodes a bit better.

Today's technology has made it easier and safer for guys to hunt alone. And as a result, hunting alone is more common in today's world where folks can be more focused on trophies than building relationships.

That is what is wrong with today's world. We have become more focused on the trophy than building life long friendships.

Agreed.

God has been good to me, turned 65 in March and still hunt anywhere I want to go. I love hunt lion and bear with hounds in the the mountains and while I can tell that there is a shorter life span on this type of hunting, I will do it as long as I can. I am one of the blessed few who makes his living in the hunting/shooting industry so I hope to keep hunting another ten years.
I just returned from the NRA Convention where I spend most of the show in the Ruger booth visiting with hundreds of great patriotic folks. After an event such as this, I am humbled to be associated with so many great people and realize how lucky I am.
Adios,
Gary

just turned 67, share everyone's physical hardships.

I have quit hunting on leases and go on 4-5 "package" hunts a year, Deer, axis, dove, prairie dogs, Redfish. No BIG MONEY hunts.

I need someone to do all the hard work, filling feeders etc, dragging game, lifting anything.

I still love it, it is harder to get ready.

it is harder for me to get up a 4:40am, everything hurts when i get out of bed. gotta wait for the "chemicals" to kick in.

Still like shooting in informal rifle and shotgun matches

I have turned into a FAIR WEATHER everything. If its rainy, cold, crappy, I'm staying in. Just not that mad and anything for that.

True to a point but there are many old timers that both meat and trophy hunted at the same time. I had family born in the 1910-1930 era that trophy hunted at a very early age and had deer mounted they killed. The meat hunted also at that time since the oldest, biggest buck had the most meat on it. Does were not legal back then. They also hunted alone most of the time back then when they were younger with none of the technology we have today. They usually did not hunt with family or friends till they had kids old enough to hunt or went out of state on hunts with family/friends. Most all of them hunted till their health did not allow it anymore in their later years.

Dan, I shot my largest buck three years ago hunting alone. While I will remember that hunt, I have had many hunts with family/friends where either nothing was taken, or we shot does (WY antelope hunts). Those hunts hold more memories for me than the large buck. Each is a trophy in my mind and I will always enjoy sharing hunts with others. JMO

Yes, there is something unique and special during that first instant when you tell a hunting partner that you just got one. And likewise, hearing that a partner just put a deer on the ground can be equally exciting, if not more so when it's a younger hunter. Just the anticipation of seeing a fellow hunter's kill can be a thrilling experience, not to mention their account of how it played out.

I'm 66 and still love to deer hunt. I have 100 acres in Fairfield Tx. that I hunt on. I have a knee replacement, sciatic nerve problem, AFIB, over weight, and back pain. I have a atv with a small trailer I use to retrieve my deer and take to my cleaning station. If I shoot a large hog I use my tractor with front end loader for retrieval . After I get the animal hung up I remove the hide and jut the animal. I then quarter the animal and chill the meat overnight. Next I debone all the meat and make summer sausage, steaks, ground, breakfast sausage, or links. When I was 64 I shot my biggest deer of my life. It took me many years to get a good one but I feel blessed now to have done it. This last year was my best ever deer season. I didn't kill a deer all season. But I saw more deer than I have ever seen in my life. Several times I had as many as 10 bucks at one time. I passed a 10 point and several nice 8 points all season. At my age I'm finding out it's not all about killing a deer each season but enjoying their beauty. If I'm able to hunt 3 or 4 more years that would be great if not I've have a great run.
Take care and God bless!

I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I'm not 70 yet but getting scary close, I don't seem to have the endurance I used to have butI haven't lost any strength. The working out seems to help in that department. Around 2 1/2 to 3 years ago I was getting damn close to benching 250 before my left elbow said it's time to back off, I cleared 240 one time. I can still put a un-gutted buck in the back of the truck and regularly feed out 50 lb bags of feed, throw it over the shoulder and take off walking. With that said I think most already see that I'm hunting less and taking more pictures. Them bucks ain't near as heavy sitting on a camera card as they are laying on the ground.

Turn 53 this month. Back surgeries, left bad leg (walk with a severe limp due to spinal injury from wreck) I have more metal in my neck than most old barns. My body has wreaked havoc from two auto crashes and another "unfortunate incident".

I was in a crash a couple of weeks ago (rear ended) and my body is just not doing like it did in yrs past. Add spinal stenosis in the mix. my C2 and C3 levels with the metal screws pushing my spine causing a recent 20 percent paralyses to my left arm and 10 percent to my right arm.

I have ok days never great days. Life is grand and I keep on chugging. Some days I feel like I need to crawl but gotta pay the bills.

Passed 63 not to long ago and still love it all, what I mean by it "all" is just exactly that just being out there with Momma Nature and all her splendors. I was never mad at the animals I hunt except Coyotes and Pigs everything else has and will be just another part of the adventure.
Enjoy the camaraderie of good like minded folks who want to have a good time without doing the stupid or illegal stuff.

Still in fairly good shape so no limitations on what I can do.

Almost 68.........Shoulder and back gets sore after carrying corn up the ladder...can't stay out in the hot summer sun as I use to do...Getting up more to pee at night but......Love my trips to the farm.....love to watch the grandkids...camera is a must...and...still always lookin for a bigger un.....................

At 57 im surprised how well my body is holding up after years of bull riding and breaking horses. I do plan on switching to stand and fill feeders soon. Have a son and daughter that hunt and several nephews. Cant wait to be able to hunt with my three grandkids ages 2,3,4,. They have already been in stand many times and have killed many deer with their bb guns.

Or as pappy once said..

When ya huntsolo, your memories die with ya...

Hunting has become a Richmans Sport.... still got cheap posts, ain't worth

I to am 67 still doing it my wife laid some 8x10s of a buck I killed in mexico in 1979 every one involved is dead but me and I thought the memories are now mine alone

My FIL turned 90 back in February. He and I still get out in the pasture near New Braunfels and whack n stack. Every year he says it's his last one. Been saying that for 20 years.

Enjoyed all the posts, keep 'em comin'...

My best older hunter story, I turned 59 in August of 2015, wife passed about 3 weeks before my birthday...I was a solo hunter with an outfitter on the Katy Prairie, and the first Wednesday of teal season I met up with 5 other guys in the parking area near Egypt. It was a pretty good spot, we all could shoot and there were 2 good dogs working, my 9 year old Raelette, and a younger yellow lab. Rae made some good retrieves and the younger dog found that there were enough birds for both to get plenty of work. During a lull we were talking and lying, like we all do. One guy brought up his knee replacement and how he wasn't quite as steady in waders as he had been, then a hip replacement came up, I mentioned my cataract surgery, then a squamous cell removal came up...I finally said " Wait, we all sound like a bunch of really old guys"...and I asked how old each of my blind mates were...the ages ranged from 77 to my 59...that's right at 59 I was again the youngest guy in the blind...that hadn't happened to me since I was 12 and my younger brother got to go out with my dad and grandpa and I...still makes me smile!

cool thread...

still think pappy said it best:



its all about the big Buck$... just look at all d HF threads in open discussion... they get locked down... it was buck only when moved ta

in the county was 4 years, Smith Co. couldnt get a doe tag, not enough deer... got on a lease, less than $1.00 a day cause it had 24-7-365 hog hunts.. had no hog problems were was at... Was a family outing, we been taken kids camping since in diapers... Chance ta put on d & freezer...
Leases kept going up, twas a Blessing when a WMA opened up down the road, affordable hunt for low-income... gave up leases,, price per # twas cheaper ta hunt bargens at grocery store...
Did archery, deer&hogs, & the any legal means hog hunts 3 months, till health went bad, workmans comp twas a joke, laughed at made fun of, had ta quit archery but kept the hog hunting, helping with the hog problem...
it went to a 4 deer county ? Could have taken 4 deer at place... kept going ta WMA archery, till shoulder went kaput, & helped with hog problem... Its now (hog problem) turned inta big buck$ ... got put on d ignorancelist by many cause of me posts... truely did get D- in grammer...
can b tough seperating from d rest of D crap...
how much Ya'll paying 4 price of hunting ? got Gov issued stamps, taxes, here, hmmm jumble the letters texas... people here loosing places ta hunt 4 big buck$...

just my still got cheap posts.... Do miss the hog hunts at OSBWMA, it was best kept secret, even with dee's alien body parts would have been thar during the Jan-March hunts... tis not an execative hunt...
edit : tis sure some one can translate 4 those who what it... most just ignore... i gotta b me, no one else wants the job... it dont pay much...

I'm there. No problem getting up early and getting out but now a days the work of dragging a deer is a concern. Game cart essential. I recently took up doves. LOVE IT. Taste great, lots of shooting, just sit and wait. Easy to clean. No need for a dog.
Teaming up with a younger hunter on deer/hogs is a good idea. On the bow, might want to think that over. I "train" on an old 50 lb recurve and then start on the compound a month before the season.

I’m 87. Still shoot trap skeet & sporting clays. Dove hunt most every day of the season. Was a taxidermist for the last 23 years. Killed all animals I care to. Use cart for clays & 4 wheeler for doves. Just enjoy and do it easy. Enjoy life.

In my early 60's and still like to hunt and fish. I retired last year and plan on hunting more mid week this year but it will be alone. We all know where each others stands are and use friend finder to locate someone if they don't come out on time. It may be time to get on a place where I can drive in and out instead of walking and dragging.

I hope I am as going as good you guys in a few years. Some true outdoors-men/hunters on here.

Glad to see all these responses and know I'm not the only one! I live in Montana and hunted my butt off up here all my life, but the days of climbing the Rocky Mountains and personally hauling elk back down are over! I'm 66 and have the requisite amount of broken parts that don't wake up easy in the morning...and luckily I discovered warm weather hunting, Texas box blinds, and young fit Texas guides to do the hard part...I still hunt-alot- but its a LOT lower impact for me these days!