I didn't even read the replies to this thread, the topic hits home quite hard for me. I hope what I am about to type doesn't generate any discord or heated discussions, I just want people to understand how important it is to live every moment with your "crew" like life itself depends upon it.
I hunted with my father and many friends, we had a great group of fun, ethical, caring, wise, knowledgable and giving hard working men. The camp was something that was planned all year. I am not going to use any names but there was one dynamic individual that really held us all together, a very close friend of my Dads. He passed a little more than ten years ago and things kind of went quiet regarding our group and how lively and large our camp was. It was a hard time. But every year I would still make camp and my father would be there, memories and experiences galore. The last 5 years my son who is now 11 has been a major part of the whole experience. Last year my little man did more work retrieving three moose I harvested than most hunting partners I have ever hunted with, his grandpa was proud to say the least.
This year I lost my best friend, my mentor, my partner in crime, my father. Season is open now and I can't seem to find the ambition, drive, energy, or desire for what once was. Except for my son.
I have a different style when it comes to hunting ban most people I know around here. Most drive around and shoot from a road, or out the window, and to me that is shooting, not hunting. I find it very hard to find people of my age, or younger, I'm 44 now, that actually prefer "hunting". As in get away from any roads, get out on foot or in a canoe, and HUNT!! There is no greater reward than learning your games habits, areas, and either stalking or calling or what have you. Many many times I have just played with moose or deer watching their reactions to my own actions and learning from it or just enjoying the experience for what it is.
Those of you that still have those mentors, fathers, partners, or whoever it may be that you spend this time of year with, enjoy it and do not take a single minute for granted.
Three years ago back surgery left me not quite capable of what I was used to, a hard life of work and play can and will take its toll. The company I moved back home to work for went bankrupt, and I was in no position to take any sort of labour type work. Since that time I have lost my house, my wife to divorce, my stepdad passed in Africa, who helped make me a better person, my grandfather, three uncles, a best friend to a heart attack, another close friend in a freak hunting accident, and the hardest of all, my dad.... I could go on but I am not really posting this this to complain. I am just broke, financially and well, my soul has felt broke too. It's my son that keeps my head above water these days.
I would ask that if any of you have the opportunity to pass on or share our love of this life, sport, or whatever you feel it should be called, that you do not pass on the opportunity.
"It's not dyin I'm talkin about!! It's livin!" - Augustus McRae.