44 years......

[WidowEater]

Im 29 now and the guy who taught me to hunt and shoot (dad) said big bucks are a dime a dozen these days.  Back when he was at it a big buck was a 2 1/2 year old 8 point.

He encouraged me when I wanted to go the compound route and endlessly said how they were inferior for serious hunting.  Glad he taught me the old way because I came back around after a few years.

Dont hunt anymore but still shoot recreationally.

[Ia Hawkeye]

44? Congrats. But heck you're a rookie. I'm 73 and have 60 years under my belt.
Keep the passion and I hope you have many more years!

[cahaba]

Dang I thought I had shot a number of years. I started when I was 10 yrs. old. I'm 54. I'm like you joe time sure does fly and if I could only turn back the clock I would of hunted and shot more!

[Hoyt]

I've been at it a few yrs. also..since the 1950's. I too remember when bow season was extra special. There were so few bow hunters in the woods it was the time to see the big bucks before they got spooked from the gun hunting crowds.

No days they are spooked before archery season from the scouting crowds.

[Pon]

keep on rocking Joe!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Wow Joe, you are 44?    

[Roadkill]

I have a Lot of respect for you all.  I grew up in KY and saw almost no deer.  I went to spend two weeks with an uncle in WI and saw many down in Spring Green.  I got a scholarship to 52 universities and I became a Badger, just because they had deer.  I killed one with a rifle my second year there.  I carried my recurve with me up there too. Our farm in Ky has deer and turkeys now!  Access is such a big problem, and one cannot blame fsrmers for leasing land, as every buck helps the bottom line.  This Fall will be a real £itch withe the drought.  Iwill be 65 soon, and had hoped for some SS to help, but working is a better option financially

[straight_arrow]

62 and haven't reached my prime yet.  Can' live in the past, thankful I have the ability to do what I do. Loving life ever day!

[Gator1]

Joe, way to go buddy... I wish I could find that PBS magazine pic, I posted a couple years back of the "younger" version of Jskipp...

I can't wait for another fall.  It is a blessing that is not taken for granted...

[njloco]

Now I really fell old, I started around 1957-58, but unlike some of you, I am 62 years young at the present time, and I plan on felling one year younger in a few months.

Hey Joe, hopefully I'll see some of you old guys at the Muzzy this coming weekend.

[bro-n-arrow]

Use to sneek a gun out of the gun case and chase rabbits in the local orchards at age 14.The gun shots would alert the farmers who would call the sheriff. We needed something Quieter so we saved our money and bought a bow. That is how it all began for me some 59 years ago.

43 years with the curves and longbows here.  I turned 59 in June.

Lots of great experiences and treasured memories. Still kickin' - although at a much slower pace.  

[reddogge]

Tell me about it. Approaching my 45th bowhunting year since 1967 and my 57th shooting a bow.

[joe ashton]

yup I hear you bro'  I'll be celebrating my 23 season this year (2 weeks, 3 days and 22 hours).  At 61 the Colorado rockies are getting a little bit steeper, the tree stands are heavier and my success rate has improved.