Ramblings of an aging trad shooter.

[Straitshot]

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted anything here. It has been a little over two years now since I developed an inner ear problem that has robbed me of my equilibrium. Thought it might get better over time but it hasn't. I am not complaining just stating fact. It is what it is and you learn to deal with it.

I regret that I can no longer hunt from trees as that was one of my favorite methods. Now it is just too risky. It really doesn't make much difference however as I lost my place to hunt around the same time. My Uncle who is now 92 years old retired a little over two years ago. He had worked on a terrific ranch for about the last 30 years and I was allowed to hunt there for about the last 15 years. Since his retirement my opportunity to hunt there came to a halt also. I'll be honest, I was spoiled rotten. It was absolutely one of the best places to hunt in all of Texas. I was the only bow hunter on the place. There were a few gun hunters but they were never there when I was and they only hunted a couple weekends during the entire hunting season which for me was three months long.

I have so many good memories from there and am so thankful for having had the opportunity to experience some of my best hunting years there. At my age and now with the inner ear thing I realize my future hunting opportunities are very limited at best. If a new opportunity ever arises then terrific, but if not that will be ok too.

I love the sport of archery, so I still shoot. Admittedly not as well as I use to, but I still enjoy a good 3D shoot and try to make as many as I can during the course of the year. I am thankful there are guys who still like to have me around and still invite me to go to the 3D tournaments with them. At least they haven't told me otherwise yet.

Take my advise and enjoy it while you can. Make many friends to share in your experiences and then covet those memories. Be thankful for youth and ability and don't squander either.

A trad shooter always, Louis

[daveycrockett]

     I hear ya.

[Hopewell Tom]

Good words, Louis.
The last year and a half going through a hip replacement really woke me up. Back at it, but not quite as mobile. Sure is easy to take things for granted.

[Ron Vaughn]

Louis,

Don't give up the ship yet! Back in 2002, I was diagnosed with Meniere's Disease, which affects the inner ear (due to a crack in the bone that surrounds your inner ear.) It made me very dizzy and nauseated and I could not function. I was told by my ear specialist that I needed to retire and get away from stress. With rest, watching my diet and taking a small subscription pill, after 2 years I started to feel better.

I too was afraid to hunt from a tree or even trust going away from home because I never knew when a dizzy spell would hit--sometimes I would have 3 or 4 spells a week.  I still get a few dizzy spells (perhaps 1 or 2 a year), but they are not as severe and don't last as long as before. I now feel confident in hunting from a tree again. I do have some permanent hearing loss, but it is something I can live with.

Be sure to have an ear specialist check you over--he may be able to help you to get back to the things you love--archery/hunting.

Ron

[bowhunter@54]

Word's to live by

[The Night Stalker]

Yep, when your young, you can physically do it all. When you get older, you can afford better opportunity but you might have limitations. I will be 50 in a month and looking forward to retirement but I am afraid I will not be able to bow hunt certain places. That's why every chance I get to go on on trip, I take it. Going to backpack elk hunt until I physically cannot. Gout, broken collar bone , 16 broken ribs, shattered right elbow, contracture, two fingers with no feeling, yada, yada, yada.  Beats the hell out of the alternative though.

[gedman59]

Strait shot.   As said never take anything for granted.  Two years ago at the age of 52 had a stent placed in my right coronary artery.   No history of cardiac disease, fairly good shape, no smoking.     Six months later my beautiful wife of 25 years was diagnosed w breast cancer and chose to have bilteral mastectomies w reconstruction.  U never know what will be dealt u ... Please live each day to the fullest.   As I type this I have my entire family with me on sanibel island in Florida.  Life is short.   Enjoy it!!!!

[gedman59]

Strait shot.   As said never take anything for granted.  Two years ago at the age of 52 had a stent placed in my right coronary artery.   No history of cardiac disease, fairly good shape, no smoking.     Six months later my beautiful wife of 25 years was diagnosed w breast cancer and chose to have bilteral mastectomies w reconstruction.  U never know what will be dealt u ... Please live each day to the fullest.   As I type this I have my entire family with me on sanibel island in Florida.  Life is short.   Enjoy it!!!!

[Ron LaClair]

 '"It's a poor trade off when you can no longer count on the strength and youthful vigor that has served you all of your life and now your only attribute is wisdom and experience that comes with old age."  

[Caughtandhobble]

Well put my Brother of the bow  

[Straitshot]

Ron Vaughn,

Thanks for the encouragement. My problem isn't Meniere's Disease. I have been told by a specialist that I have suffered 80% permanent nerve damage in my right inner ear. They really have no idea what caused it. I am dizzy 24-7, 360 days a year. Don't know if I will ever get use to it, but I have learned to live with it. Thankfully the nausea only lasted two weeks at the outset but finally went away. Again, not complaining just stating the way it is.

I am thankful I still have the ability to shoot a bow. As I said, maybe not as good as I use to but still well enough to keep me continuing. I am sure age might also have something to do with my shooting ability but I'm not about to concede that.

[MCNSC]

Yes, we do not know what tomorrow will bring. I had the word VAPOUR put on a BW bow once to remind me that life is but a vapour that appears for a while and then is gone. I really need to consider that more, I let work get in the way of too many other more important things.

[Roadkill]

Seizures from no known causes caused my life take a turn.  Doctors love dispensing meds, the the side effects seem to magnify other symptoms.  Know how you all feel, BUT if you can still sling shafts, you are better off than many.
Do well, brother

[Bear Heart]

At 25 years old I had herniated four disks in my lower back and could hardly walk due to sciatica in my leg.  Had to change careers. Missed hunting seasons.  Lots of shots and physcial therapy helped a little. My wife working with me and prayer got me upright.  Still have pain throughout most days.  Nearly eight years later I am thankfull everyday for God enabling me to walk the woods again.  Don't give up until you're in the ground!

[longbow fanatic 1]

[Bowmag]

Louis, good to see you are still around. I haven't been down your way in quite a while. Arm and shoulder injuries had me side lined for a few years. We did have a lot of good times shooting with Butch, David, and everyone else. Maybe I can get back down there some day. Take care of yourself. Good to hear from you.

[Bowmag]

Louis, good to see you are still around. I haven't been down your way in quite a while. Arm and shoulder injuries had me side lined for a few years. We did have a lot of good times shooting with Butch, David, and everyone else. Maybe I can get back down there some day. Take care of yourself. Good to hear from you.

[centaur]

Life doesn't come with any guarantees; enjoy all you can, while you can. I am personally grateful to have survived as long as I have, with decent health. Too many others don't have that luxury. Keep on keeping on!

[Straitshot]

Colburn, It has been awhile. Hope you are doing well. The times you were speaking of are some of the memories I had reference to. I will tell Butch and the gang you are still alive and kicking. You take care too, and if you should you make it back this way lets all get together and shoot a round.

[elkken]

A great perspective Louis .... it's difficult growing old and dealing with health issues, but with good memories and good friends life goes on in a positive way...  I'm still a legend in my own mind ..lol