Contemplations about age

[Ceb]

57yrs now for me, been shootin bows for 40 of them. Don't see ever stopping, as long as I can pick up a bow. I remember when I bought my first real bow, my mom plumb threw a fit over spending the 40 bucks. Said in two weeks it would set in the closet and never be touched. She's still here and I remind her of that every now and again.

I never tire of watching arrows fly, God willing, its something I'll be doing till he calls me home. And then maybe after!!!

[Danny Rowan]

60 ain't bad Bubba. I can still do everything I could at 30, just takes a bit longer on some things,LOL. Shoot everyday, course I am down to 60# bows instead of the 80# I used to shoot but I can still pull that weight. Fairly healthy except for high blood pressure and they have me on 4 different meds for that. Gettin some weight off so maybe I can change some of that. The flight of the arrow is what keeps me goin.

[B/W lvr]

Hey Stone Knife what do you mean feel like a kid you are a kid and though I'm 15 years older than you I am too!!!!! And I intend to be until the day I die!!!!I shoot a hundred or more arrows on my clubs 3d course at least 5 times a week, walk at least 30 miles a week and going on my next elk hunt for a month in 1 1/2 months. If I kill one and I probably will I will pack it out on my back myself. Don't get old get better. FRANK

[bowhunterfrompast]

Originally posted by Michael Golden:
Time to step down and let us young bucks have a JOB! I'm dealing with the older crowd not retiring at my job and it's getting pretty annoying. I understand things are tough out there, but if you are financially stable then it is time to retire. Why would you not want to retire you can hunt and fish all day! Just my opinion about retirement sorry about the rant.

Mike

Mike...that sounds familiar  

[straitera]

Thrill to see you older folks out bowhunting & shooting! Hope I can do it for awhile yet within my set my limits. Not anxious for the dirt bed; but, if so I hope it's while I'm out hunting. I've been blessed.

[wulf]

I'm 53 and have been fotunate to have inherited good genetics healthwise .  I've had no major illnesses but I've had my share of injuries.  Shoulder separation, broken back, broken arm, degenerating discs, and separated back muscles are the major physical ailments that try to slow me down on a regular basis.  I fight back by working out through the pain and limitations and it really helps.  I might not have that motivation if not for traditional archery.  I still plan on hunting elk with my bow for many years and if I get where I can't hike up that mountain or pull enough bow back to kill an elk, I hope some younger hunters will need a camp cook or roustabout and let me tag along.

[Archer Fanatic]

I'm 63 and have been in the hospital 3 times in the last 6 years for my heart. Like you said when I pick up my bow and go shoot it does feel so good to watch that arrow hit the target. I can't shoot as much anymore but it is still fun. I have learned that bodies do change pretty rapidly after a certain age. Plus it didn't help my body any by operating heavy equipment for 40+ years. That bulldozer really beats you to death.

[Hopewell Tom]

I turn 60 this Fall, been chasing a powersaw for the last 35 years, up and down on the old skidder, outside almost every day. Arthritis now and some joint problems, but feel pretty good. Feel really good to have found the bow and arrow. Hunt with a passion, think about it every day. Live in a big old farmhouse on 250 acres, beautiful wife of 32 years, two grown children.
Like others have said, just do things slower now, actually works out for the better on most things. Just keep your nose into the wind and the sun at your back - should be OK.

[Stone Knife]

The older you get the smarter you hunt  

Amen, brother!

Bisch

[Bonebuster]

I`ll second straitera.

[Ken Taylor]

My body is 57 but my mind is 27.

I jumped out of a boat the other day as it hit the shore to remove my weight therefore allowing the boat to beach higher (I've been doing that for years)....that night my right knee swelled up and I limped for 3 days.

We got stuck in low tide another day and I pulled and pushed a 23' freighter canoe for a couple of hours (not a big deal for me before)....my wife had to massage my back that night, I could hardly walk the next day.

etc.etc.etc. LOL...But... I am looking forward to many more adventures and will keep going until I drop (I'll just try to be a little smarter as you say).

[Nakohe]

I feel the same way guys. I hunt a lot slower now and see a lot I missed when younger, and really enjoy hunting off the ground. Doctor put me on potassium the other day and a stronger water pill. Legs are a lot better, peeing a lot LOL, but the pain is almost gone. Thank you God. Hopefully I can get a lot of weight off before the season and that will even be better.

[Winterhawk1960]

I was out to a local "Wally World" the other day and this older gentleman was getting out of his early 70's model Ford pickup. He and I were walking side by side going in. I asked...."How are you doing today?" He replied, "Son, I spent a grand total of 9 months gettin' into this world and have spent the last 85 years trying to get out of it......and any day on THIS side of the dirt is a good one."

There is a good message in that statement and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. Life is a journey......not a destination and none of us are gonna get out of it alive. I believe that people were meant to be introduced into our lives for a reason......and those few words from that gentleman sure made me feel better about my aches and pains.

Winterhawk1960

[Bowwild]

I'm 56. My best friend is 64. I've been blessed to date with very few health issues. My best friend Jim is at least as agile as me, climbs, hikes, shoots, etc. -- I can't tell any difference in him since we became friends in 1977.  It did shock me to ear him reply a couple of times this past year that he hoped to do this or that at least one more time (elk hunt mainly). I'd like not to regret too many things. However, economics prevented me from doing a lot of "big hunts" in the 30's and 40's. Now that I can afford these better I'm not as confident taking the plunge. However, I'm getting very serious about trying to bother a moose next season and check one of my bowhunting dreams off the list. Looks like it can be done for $4,000 including license, etc. (Newfoundland).

[Gerry]

55 going on 30... shoot a bow and bicycle a couple thousand miles a year.

[Cherokee Scout]

I am 62. Had 2 operations last year that slowed me some. As I have gotten older I no longer want to kill things, I still get to the woods, now I just sit there and watch, I take my bow but don't pull on game very often.
The worst part of getting old for me has been losing several close friends, most died far too young. When I am in the woods or on the range, I find myself talking (to myself)to those buddies who can't be there with me anymore.
The best part of getting old is not having to work anymore and my shooting is better than ever. I have Rod Jenkins to thank for the improved shooting.