Advice to You Younger Hunters

[Bill Kissner]

When I was young and had little money, I wanted to go on several out of state hunts. Although I hunted CO every year,I had dreams of going on a couger hunt, moose and caribou in Canada or Alaska, and possibly an African hunt. I kept putting them off "until I had a little more time and extra money". Well here I am an old guy(turned 75 today)and now that I can afford some of the less costly hunts, my knees are shot and my days of climbing and walking long distances are about over. The only hunts I am capable of now are those that require little walking.

I know some of you have the same dreams and if there is any possible way to make it happen,you should GO! Tomorrow is not for certain.
I remember when Jeanne and I were first married, I spent a few hundred dollars and bought a small ski boat. I was gassing it up early one Saturday morning at our local filling station. My dad came by and started berating me for buying a boat that he thought I could not afford. A friend of his(about the same age as him)took my side and I will never forget what he said: "When he gets old enough to afford it, he will be too old to enjoy it"! There is a lot of truth to what he said. I should have paid more attention.

[Pine]

Well said .

[Carpdaddy]

Amen friend, good advice.

[Duncan]

Bill, I'm only 60 but I feel the same way. I did as many hunts as I could afford with good friends, mostly DIY trips. Wish I had done more of those trips but we split up and went separate ways and I never made those type of friends again, doing most of my deer hunting on my own. Didn't know then how much I would miss hunting with those guys as I do now. So, yeah, I agree that if you want to go on a hunt out of state for elk or bear or deer do it while you are young it'll be alot easier.

And Happy Birthday to Bill!!!

[Friend]

We live moment by moment. It is a gift to live one day a time. The next day is a gift to us for which would be unwise to be taken for granted.

What are we doing today...this day?

[fnshtr]

An old codger here that agrees!

Happy birthday.

[Mike Vines]

Happy Birthday Bill.  

You are 100% correct.  I'll NOT be that guy, who on my death bed says "I wish I had done that".

[Friend]

Yes...Happy Birthday...

Happy Birthday, Bill!

And I agree with your advice to the younger guys. Work towards your goals, and make them happen!

Bisch

[4dogs]

I agree, live all the dreams that you can while you can. But be thankful for what you do have and can afford. Don't be bitter if you just cant do some of these. Count your Blessings, Aim High and be thankful.

[centaur]

Happy Birthday from another old fart, and your advice is good. Every day above ground is priceless.

[Mr.Vic]

True words spoken. Happy Birthday Mr. Kissner

[Alvey]

Bill,thank you for the Advice always wanted to go west but never did for that exact reason.I think things are about to change.

[Fletcher]

Happy Birthday, Bill!  I agree, our regrets in life aren't of what we did, but of what we didn't do.

[Alvey]

Bill,thank you for the Advice always wanted to go west but never did for that exact reason.I think things are about to change.

[Deno]

Happy Birthday Bill.  
Great advice for sure!!
Deno

[Captain*Kirk]

Happy Birthday Bill!
Age and infirmity gives no warning, and in fact, doesn't even bother to knock before entering.
Sage advice indeed. You younger hunters should take heed. Find a way. You'll have something to talk about when you can no longer go afield.

[Etter]

100 percent right. At 33, Ive been to Canada 16 times for bear, Idaho for lions, Arizona for javelina, Arkansas for ducks, etc, etc. I leave next week for arizona again and have an africa hunt in the planning

[Bowwild]

Very true advice. And happy birthday.

The reality for most of us is that in those early years we can barely make it to Friday with the budget and vacation time is so limited its seems extravagant to spend it all on a hunt while leaving a young family at home.

But, I agree so  much that DIY is very possible. I made several of those for mule, antelope, black bear and antelope which were very budget minded...money and time. I made three for elk.

The other thing I'd recommend is start building points in a state or states for a critter or two. Some point building protocols are quite cheap and nothing is more priceless than time.

Another significant thing that happens is your hunting buddies get old, hurt, pass on, or their finances are different. There are some hunts I haven't gone on because I wouldn't leave them out and I couldn't afford more than myself and son.

[Whip]

Happy birthday Bill!
I've been trying my hardest to live your advice for a number of years now.  I sure wish I had started earlier.  

Of course a person needs to make time for family as well or that could become another regret. But if a person really wants to do something like an out of state hunt there is almost always a way to make it happen if they just put their mind to it.  It is way too easy to just keep making excuses.