Hunting With Dad

[bigoak]

Ok my father is 70 years old and he is still in relatively good health but it is getting harder and harder for him to hunt. He can't walk as far, can't take the cold weather, etc.... This was the first year that i really saw the difference and he did not hunt near as much as he normally does. I am having a very hard time dealing with this because I am having to come to grips with the fact that he will not be in the woods with me too many more years. I can't accept that this is happening and I can't imagine going hunting without him. Anyone else going through this? How do you cope with it?

[msdeltadawg]

My Dad is 76, has had 3 hip surgeries, and had one hip pop out of joint 3 times this last year, once while hunting (luckily I was with him when it happened). He is about the only person I've hunted with, because he is the best duck hunter I know, been hunting with him for 32 years now. When all my friends in high school were hunting together, I hunted with Dad. When duck season rolled around, I told all my friends I'd see them at the end of January. I hunted with him more this year than I have in a long time, because I know his time to hunt is getting shorter and shorter. I have been asking myself alot of questions about what I will do when he gives it up, it's tough to think about. For me, I just enjoy the time we have together in the blind, knowing any one of those times could be the last time makes me happier and happier when he calls and asks what my plans are for the following week. I hope we have alot of years left to hunt together, but I know that's not realistic, so I just enjoy when we can do it. My biggest regret in life, is that I had a period, like most folks, where I wanted nothing to do with my family, thought I knew it all, and I missed out on a couple of seasons with him. Now I wish I had them back. Don't miss an opportunity to go if he wants to.

[ransco33]

I don't have that problem with my dad. He just turned 50, so hopefully he's still got a good many years left, but my grandad is getting on up there in the years and my favorite weekend out of the year is when we are all together at deer camp on opening weekend. I see him every weekend when I'm home from working out of town, but when me, my brother, dad and his dad and uncles are all there at the cabin together is the best time we can have, just sitting around camp watching the ball game and shooting the chit. I thought when I bought my new four wheeler a few years ago that getting an automatic with power steering would make it easier for me duck hunting. I never realized my pop would get more use out of deer hunting than I would duck hunting. He has the longest walk of everyone and every morning, me, him and my brother all pile on and he drops us off at our stands on the way down to his. It's times like that that keeps us going out there year after year, even with the lack of trophy bucks.

[randywallace]

I lost mine way before he turned 70 so I cant tell you how to cope with watching something slowly fade away. What I can tell you is to enjoy every day you have already had and dont skip any opportunities in the future.

[RDB]

Enjoy every chance you can get with him no matter how little it is. I lost my father in 1990 the day before he turned 50. He was the reason I have such a passion for the outdoors now. I would have loved to spent time hunting with him during his golden years. Cherish everyday you can, you won't regret it.

[cwink]

Lost mine in 06... I took him on his first duck hunt in 2005.. I didn't know it then but he was already sick.. Just didn't have the energy to go like he normally did... All I can tell you is to take every chance you can to get him out in the woods.. I still miss calling him after a hunt to swap stories..

Miss you Dad..

[BR549]

Ok my father is 70 years old and he is still in relatively good health but it is getting harder and harder for him to hunt. He can't walk as far, can't take the cold weather, etc.... This was the first year that i really saw the difference and he did not hunt near as much as he normally does. I am having a very hard time dealing with this because I am having to come to grips with the fact that he will not be in the woods with me too many more years. I can't accept that this is happening and I can't imagine going hunting without him. Anyone else going through this? How do you cope with it?

How? You just take it one trip at a time! Mine hunted up till 7 months before he died. He was 83. Like you he was my biggest best friend and hunting partner. One of my most coveted pictures is a stack picture frame with pics of our first turkey together in 1964 and our last pair of turkeys together in 1991. Many a bird died inbetween from the both of us! As far as him getting cold? You go out and buy him the absolute best cold weather gear there is! My dad used to dress up like a mummy! Had on so many of them old ass clothes he couldn't hardly move, let alone be comfortable! Too much gear on the market today to make people comfortable in most any condition! I was fortunate to hunt with my dad for a little over 30 years. I know how you feel! Some mornings he won't want to walk a hundred yards. If so you sit down and hunt right there! Some morns like mine used to do he'd walk so much I'd have to go get him with the 4 wheeler or truck. Just buy him the best, warmest, lightest weight stuff available and enjoy the rest of the time you have anyway you can with him. Trust me the gear will make a difference! I hunted my dad in his late 70's and early 80's in single digit temps on the river! Keep encouraging him to go! It will keep him going longer than you realize!

[Hambone]

BR549 knows of what he speaks...

My Dad is almost 73, and has some physical problems that limit his endurance and mobility. He started me hunting 40 (!) years ago and I'm sure I was a bit of trouble as a kid. Now it's his turn. Yes, we sometimes have to set up our duck hunts so that he can shoot from the boat, instead of hide the boat and wade. He can't walk far for gobblers anymore, but we just figure out ways to make it work. It's tough sometimes, but well worth it...and goodness knows we get our share of game.

Despite his limitations, Dad's interest in hunting hasn't failed, and I really think that's what keeps him going. Another thing that hasn't failed is Dad's shooting ability - just ask Wildfowler, Double R and some others about that!

[jacksbuddy]

My Dad is 70+, and he doesn't go hunting anymore. He'll still get up with us and make some coffee and cheese toast before we go, but once we're out the door he's back in bed. Of course, after the hunt, he'll want to hear all about it. There's a picture somewhere at my parent's house with him, my brother, and me next to our old john boat with a bunch of ducks we killed in Yalobusha County. (Wish I knew where that picture was and I'd get it framed.)

Anyway, just because Dad doesn't go out hunting anymore, doesn't mean that you don't keep making memories with each other. You just make different memories with each other.

Enjoy the ride.

[cwink]

BR549 knows of what he speaks...

My Dad is almost 73, and has some physical problems that limit his endurance and mobility. He started me hunting 40 (!) years ago and I'm sure I was a bit of trouble as a kid. Now it's his turn. Yes, we sometimes have to set up our duck hunts so that he can shoot from the boat, instead of hide the boat and wade. He can't walk far for gobblers anymore, but we just figure out ways to make it work. It's tough sometimes, but well worth it...and goodness knows we get our share of game.

Despite his limitations, Dad's interest in hunting hasn't failed, and I really think that's what keeps him going. Another thing that hasn't failed is Dad's shooting ability - just ask Wildfowler, Double R and some others about that!

You don't always have to go to the most difficult spot or walk the farthest or do to the "best" plot to have a good hunt.. Let your Dad pick the spot, let him decided how far and where to go that he is able to comfortably make.. One thing that I have learned over the years hunting is not alway about what you bring out of the woods as much as it is who you take in with you.. And besides sometimes those "easy" hunts produce some great results..

[timbertalk]

My dad is 63 and starting to show signs of aging. He still hunts as much as he can(every weekend), but one thing that he will not do is put on waders. He only hunts out of a boat on the big waters now. Nothing that needs a mud motor either. He may not kill as many as he once did, but he gets just as much enjoyment out of going. Really cold weather bothers him more than it used to, but a good secured wind gaurd and a propane heater makes it tolerable.

[Bonecollecter1111]

i promise its easier to wonder how you can keep getting him out there than wishing he he was still around to go. my dad died the week before turkey season this past year, he was not an avid deer or turkey hunter although we did do both together on occation, but he lived to go duck hunting. he took me on my first "duck hunt" when i was 3, he and Buddy loved to go out the weekend before the season to scout and take pictures. i will never forget that "hunt" in Buddy's old alumn boat, i can still see my dad and Buddy taking a wizz off the front and rear of the boat as i stole the calls and wailed at some passing ducks, i was forever hooked on chasing waterfowl. They brought that story up each time they got together if i was around, and to the day he died my dad had not lost his amazment that those green heads turned and set in the deeks while they were standing up relieving themselves and a three year old had just made the most awfull sound to proably ever come out of that old Faulks call. he would bring that story up on hunts when a perticulary skiddish group would finally change there mind and totally commit. when i was 12 i bought one of my own Faulks calls in Jennings LA on a hunt at my uncles farm there, and only set it down this past season to use the old one of my dads.

I made sure that the day we buried him that he had some of the curly tails and sprigs in there with him from our hunts together on that rose butineer . but even with the great company of good friends this year somehow felt hollow knowing that i could not take him. the only hunt that seemed to be truely awsome this year was when i used his old lanyard, hunting coat and cap, along with his old S*S 16 ga. the birds were few, but worked like they had read the script for the days sky ballet. my good friend let me take the first shot that morning, and i downed a woodie with one shot. and so the morning went, we ended just shy of our three limits, i had bagged 6 birds and still had 2 shells left out of the box of classic double. i cannot remember the last time that i had shot so well and i accredit it to the Lord above letting me share one last hunt with my dad.

we made alot of memories together while duck hunting, but i still regret not going with him more especially after i got married started working for real and thought i was too busy and that other things in life were more important, i fully intend on taking my kids early and often as they want

to all those with dads still alive, take them as often as you can, for none of us are promised tomorrow.

[BR549]

BR549 knows of what he speaks...

My Dad is almost 73, and has some physical problems that limit his endurance and mobility. He started me hunting 40 (!) years ago and I'm sure I was a bit of trouble as a kid. Now it's his turn. Yes, we sometimes have to set up our duck hunts so that he can shoot from the boat, instead of hide the boat and wade. He can't walk far for gobblers anymore, but we just figure out ways to make it work. It's tough sometimes, but well worth it...and goodness knows we get our share of game.

Despite his limitations, Dad's interest in hunting hasn't failed, and I really think that's what keeps him going. Another thing that hasn't failed is Dad's shooting ability - just ask Wildfowler, Double R and some others about that!

You don't always have to go to the most difficult spot or walk the farthest or do to the "best" plot to have a good hunt.. Let your Dad pick the spot, let him decided how far and where to go that he is able to comfortably make.. One thing that I have learned over the years hunting is not alway about what you bring out of the woods as much as it is who you take in with you.. And besides sometimes those "easy" hunts produce some great results..

Well all I was getting at was my dad didn't grow up in an era where they had 4 wheelers, or under armour, or anything for exteme conditions. You know all they had was their old cotton duck underwear (coldest crap ever made) Maybe a duxback coat and some non insulated hip boots at best! Didn't have 1200gr insulated waders. Didn't have the technoligies to find your way in the dark thru some of the things we go thru today. Back in Dad's day we didn't have the modern equipment (boats to safely navigate the river in extreme conditions that we have today!)Just get him the gear to make him as comfortable as possible and it will go a long way towards extending his time in the outdoors with you! First time I ever bought dad some thermax and silks and some good waders he absoulutly couldn't believe it! He was 72 and hunted with me on the river with the tmps in the single digits and not get cold! It seemed to give him a new found lease on hunting! It will make a big difference!

[Hambone]

BR549 knows of what he speaks...

My Dad is almost 73, and has some physical problems that limit his endurance and mobility. He started me hunting 40 (!) years ago and I'm sure I was a bit of trouble as a kid. Now it's his turn. Yes, we sometimes have to set up our duck hunts so that he can shoot from the boat, instead of hide the boat and wade. He can't walk far for gobblers anymore, but we just figure out ways to make it work. It's tough sometimes, but well worth it...and goodness knows we get our share of game.

Despite his limitations, Dad's interest in hunting hasn't failed, and I really think that's what keeps him going. Another thing that hasn't failed is Dad's shooting ability - just ask Wildfowler, Double R and some others about that!

You don't always have to go to the most difficult spot or walk the farthest or do to the "best" plot to have a good hunt.. Let your Dad pick the spot, let him decided how far and where to go that he is able to comfortably make.. One thing that I have learned over the years hunting is not alway about what you bring out of the woods as much as it is who you take in with you.. And besides sometimes those "easy" hunts produce some great results..

That's exactly what I'm saying.