Have you every said this is my last hunting trip/season based on health?

[the spank]

I am having to deal with some joint issues the past few months. Wednesdays snow goose hunt made me realize my days of laying on the cold ground in a layout blind are quickly coming to an end. After a couple hours in -1 with a 30k wind blowing on my neck and shoulders getting out of the blind was much harder than it has ever been and that night in bed everything was hurting. I hunted the next 3 days from a seat in the treeline and that was enormously better. The success rate may be lower but we still got shooting and had a great time and having fun is priority 1. I'll hang on to the layout blind for next season and see what happens next year. If all I can do is hunt from an upright blind I will!!'

 

[Bland]

Three artificial joints have changed my approach but the desire is there. The shoulder replacement really messed up my shooting for a while but things are starting to come together again. To the OP, do not pack it in you will regret it. Opening day is still the best day of the year for me, just like a little kid again before a hockey game. Change your approach to accommodate your age induced deficiencies. I certainly spent more time on the quad than I used to. I stay away from steep climbs because I used up more than my quota of bounces already. Get out there in whatever capacity you can and you will not regret it. To the group with the guy with early onset dementia, check out those electronic deals like SPOT and you can keep track of your buddy if he wanders off.

 

[Bland]

ya, I have a great deal of difficulty hunting these days but I love it so much I would never make the decision to quit unless I was forced too physically.
It's too much a part of my life and what makes me the man I am.
BUT I'm very broken physically and with that i carry a lot of pain and it's really starting to catch up to me.
I will hunt till I'm in a wheelchair..... then we'll see.
I figure I got 3 to 5 years left on my legs and I'm sure when I can't walk anymore, my friends will still wheel me into a good shootin spot hahaha

As mentioned, three joint replacements from trauma induced osteoarthritis. Here's the deal, if your knees ( walking downhill is a special treat) are starting to grind get them replaced. Do your rehab properly and while there are concessions you have to make you are pretty much good to go. I can walk as far as my conditioning allows, just have to avoid impact inducing activity and not supposed to pack heavy loads anymore. Gave up downhill, hockey, horses etc. Can X-country ski, snowshoe, cycle; that sort of stuff. Get your name on the list, it takes a while, if you are done six months before opening day you will be good to go. Good luck.