HOW OLD / STILL HUNTING

[Bowwild]

I'm 57 and moderately active. I've never worried much about not being able to get around to hunt until just a couple of months ago with some knee trouble. Thanks goodness, and after getting a different orthopedic MD I'm better today than I have been in 5 months!  

This past year I put in a 22-target 3-D trail in the woods my son owns next to my property. I try to leave the house and walk this trail at least every other day (90 minutes) shooting the targets out and back (44 shots). I think thi sis going to be good for me, I know it's more fun than shooting in the backyard and basement!

My best friend will be 65 this year.  I've always considered Jim more able than I in the mountains, probably because he is a carpenter and I've been and administrator most of my life. However, this is the first year Jim has started to talk a bit about a less rigorous hunting future.

I'm very cautious about dragging deer and I have been for about 6-7 years. I got light-headed dragging a big buck a few years ago and it spooked me. Now I simply call my 32-year old son and the UTV.

I can't imagine a life without bowhunting. I am very hopeful after reading this thread that there's no reason to plan on giving up, ever! In fact, this is the year, as I get ready for a moose hunt with my friend Jim (the most exotic hunt of our lives--by far!) this coming September.

[Archer 1]

I just turned 69 in Feb. And hunt deer almost every day of the season. Got some very bad hips, so I can't walk like I used to, but go about a 100 yards at a time, and get off them for a while, then another 100 yards, ect. Still can use a climbing stand, and lock on's, and ground hunt. Still shoot bows from 55# to 65# and work out with them so I can. Will be doing it for as long as I can pull a bow, and shoot where I look.

[Doug in MN]

I am only 58, but my rabbit hunting buddy is 76 he has slowed down a bit in the last 10 years. But we still go all day and have lunch in the woods.

He still shoots a 63# longbow and shoots it very well.

He calls me when he gets a deer if we are not hunting together and asks for help getting it of the woods if the deer is way back in.

I think the key is staying active. I like to stay active bowhunting so it should all work out.

[mcgroundstalker]

I'm gonna be 55 in September. Reading about you fellas ten years older and still at it gives me much to look forward to.    Stalking, still hunting, 3D and stump shooting is a great part of my life. Oh Yea! Can't forget the honey-do list.  :rolleyes:

... mike ...    ...

[LONGSTYKES]

Will be 63 this month. Look forward to deer and elk hunting every year. Last season I was lucky enough to take a nice 320 bull, my 69 year old buddy and I packed and dragged him out 3/4 of a mile. One half at a time, in 18" of snow. My buddy thinks he hates me now. Just keep in shape and keep going.

[Stickbow]

My buddy is 72 and is a hunting fool. GO go go all the time. He killed 4 deer with his recurve last year, and in the western states thats tough to do.

He is damn tough to beat at 3d too!

[hitman]

I'm 59 and will hunt as along as God will let me. I used to be that young strong son that drug my dad's deer out. Wish he was still around so I could  try to drag them out for him.

[straitera]

Hat's off to you silver hairs that refuse to take "no" for an answer.

Luckily, lifelong sound conditioning allows me into the woods 2-4 times weekly walking up to 10+ miles a trip. Still climb trees & shoot heavier bows w/long draw. I've hauled heavy animals out w/o deer cart. God has been good. When I can't handle my performance heavy bows to my standards.., I quit. Planning another elk hunt for 2 weeks this September. If you aren't excited everytime, you;re doing something wrong. Sorry for longwinded. But, I'm no better than any hunter.., just much luckier than most that I can still hunt my way w/longbows. Maybe this stuff keeps us young? 60 in 1 week.

[rdoggsilva]

I am one of the younger ones, only 62, but will hunt as long as I can.  

[Richard in OK]

I'm 66 and diabetic. The dog and I walk about 2 miles every day on land around our 10 acres. I pull 50 and 46#, but I've never pulled more than that. Family issues have kept me from hunting too much the past two years, but now that I am retired I plan to hunt as much as possible. I may go on a first pack-in elk hunt this fall with a friend.
Stay fit and healthy, treat your body with care.

Richard

[capt eddie]

My uncle is 83 years old and refuse to hunt off the ground.  He feels like he has to be up a tree to kill a deer or bear.  He killed his largest bear last June with his bow.  He is my inspiration.

[Eugene Slagle]

I've got a few friends that are in their late 80's & still get out there to hunt & shoot.

My one friend had a auto accident before Christmas & had 9 rods put into his back, he was walking around doing supprisingly well talking about picking up the bow again in late January.
I told hime that I'm only 40 but when I grow up I want to be just like him.

[redant 60/65]

Pushing 64 this year,don't plan on stopping anytime in the next 10 years, still hit the gym 4 days a week, and feeling good . Been blessed with some good genetics from my parents.  :D

[kongo]

I'll be 68 in June . Mix weight / aerobic /anaerobic & stretching on alternating days . Shoot the bow 3-4 times a week 36#s@25"s Bamboo Viper , Morrison Dakota & Dream Catcher . Thanks be to GOD , I've never had any problems out in the field . Anyway , when you're out hunting or fishing it's a good day to die .

[huntingwolf]

YOU ALL ARE AN INSPIRATION. MY GRANDFATHER PASSED AWAY A FEW YEARS BACK HE WAS 100 YEARS OLD AND IN FAIRLY GOOD SHAPE AND OF GOOD MIND, AND ONE OF THE THINGS HE USE TO TELL ME WAS LIVE YOUR LIFE DON'T WAIT, WELL I WANT TO HUNT AS LONG AS I CAN. I AM GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU GUYS OUT THERE STILL LIVING A FULL LIFE IT GIVES ME HOPE AND THAT IS ALL WE NEED TO GET THROUGH.
KEEP IT COMMING.

               THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR INPUT.

[durp]

56 and still out doing my 30 year old son and son inlaw...son and i packed half an elk each last fall about half mile to get to where the horses could do the rest...7 miles to the truck on foot and then 5 mile ride back to camp...

i sure slept good!!!

[Night Wing]

I just turned 61 this past February. I like to bowhunt whitetail deer, small feral hogs, javelina, rabbits and my old favorite, frogs.

[South MS Bowhunter]

Man!  I feel strangely young again       i'll be 50 in May and plan on doing this hunting thing that keeps me looking young as long as the Lord allows!

[B/W lvr]

I'm 67 and had a heart attack hunting elk last year. I'll be back at it next year and be packing the meat out on my back. Stair stepper is my main exercise cause its cheap and can be done when its raining outside. Frank

[Hoyt]

I'm 64 had multiple open heart (2), angioplasty (4) surgeries, back and knee surgery got 6 stints in heart (suppose to have as many as 7 more as needed).

I probably hunt harder than I ever have. Probably cause I try to cram everything into each season.

Thank the God Lord I'm still able to tote climbers bout 3/4mi. back into steep terrain and climb trees.

Don't drag deer anymore, bone and pack out, but still hunt alone just like I like to and hunt just about every day from Oct.1 thru Nov. till the real cold weather shuts me down.

Don't hunt but about half a day anymore (too much to make two trips back to where I hunt in one day and don't do all day hunts}.

The hardest part is making myself slow down going in and out instead of pushing myself through breathlessness I'll stop and lean against a tree and recoup. I also try to prepair myself mentally to stay calm when a big buck walks up. I've had some very severe chest pains after going through the shot on doe and bucks. Last couple of big buck misses I have stayed calm.

I think without a doubt my hunting life syle has kept me going as much as I am now. My first open heart was in 1989 when I was 43...told myself then I probably wouldn't live to enjoy a long retirement so quit work and have hunted every since.