THE DYING OFF .....of a hunting group

To the OP ...... For me it's not a group I lost, but my best hunting partner and relative. Age can not only ruin physical health, but it can sometimes take the mind too early as well. Memories are what make our lives real, so cherish them. Now, I just target shoot and as to the future ... Who knows? I'm the sole bearer of those memories now, but they're still real as long as someone is still there to remember them.
 
I know what you mean. I just hunt with one guy now and he's getting up there in years. Need some fresh blood or as the older guys at camp call them, "mules" to do the heavy lifting. Why drag a deer when you can get a 20 year old to do it ;-).

Very few of the guys I've hunted with over the years have engaged their kids into hunting to the point where it's a tradition. Whatever the reason, it's noticeable.
 
jraab said:
Sort of sad to see the once tough work horses soften and go to pasture....I guess its the circle of life.

Take the time you have with those seniors and tell them you appreciate them. Do the hard work knowing there is a lesson in it even if you do not see it.

No point to this post. Just wanted to get something in writing.

Jon
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John, I cant really relate in terms of the regular hunting party to spend a week or 2 in places chasen deer or moose for often decades, and then I guess it comes to this part you speak of.

What I can relate too is in Recent years I have tried to find myself among other hunters of the same interest... hardcore hunting... What I found was struggle to find consistency, most will do a hunt away for a weekend once or twice or get really keen but hardly get out there.

then I seen on a aussie forum about a 'members hunt', which I observed through the forums and being unsure of really who was behind the usernames, I never went for the first few years, time went on an through talking with other members an obviously spending 3-5 years on the forum with same bunch of names and with successful "members hunts" it was time for me to put my name on the list for the annual Wonnangatta Aushunt Members hunt for a week in the Victorian Highcountry ...

ive now been to this hunt for 3 years and its not with a bunch of dedicated hunters, or hardcore hunters... it with a bunch of blokes from all over, one thing in common, an that's the passion of sambar deer hunting, one thing is for sure though, the older fellows of the group are a dying breed..

and that's about as far I go with "hunting partys" or annual hunts.. hoping to as you want to do an encourage more to plan ahead and spend the week out somewhere regardless..

We did a 3 day weekend into Dartmouth Dam not long ago, from the forum a lot of talk generated but come game day 4 turned up haha

WL
 
Glad that I am not the only one feeling this.
My group has consisted of relatives, pals, friends, friends of friends etc. Tough to see the old get older.....
I have taken some steps to get others involved. Like I mentioned I have many friends my age who like to hunt but I think its a "phase of life" thing. Many guys are either trying to save for a house, save for a wife, save for a wedding, have a young family, and also just cannot make the time due to work etc.
And that is all fine. I will just keep pushing and see if I can build a new generation who want to do the bigger "hardcore" hunts.
Personally I have made choices to have access to hunting land so I can go it alone if I need to. I live on acreage with woods and have property up north that butts up to crow. It certainly is not the same experience without the old Generals.
 
I started deer hunting at the age of 9 with my Dad and 3 other good friends all of which were my Dads age.. 25-30 years my senior. I hunted with them basically my whole life. I am now 43 and of the 5 of us there is now only 2. 2 have passed on, my Dad can't seem to make the effort to drive the hour to hunt with us any more, and my remaining friend is fighting his 2nd bout of cancer. I have been very saddened at knowing the great years of hunting with the best of friends is coming to an end. OP I feel your pain.
 
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Chemmy,
Never to late to start hunting, hunt to your own physical limitations. I have mentored friends 50 years plus.
One of the best parts at this stage is hunting with my son.


CHEMMY said:
I wouldn't mind getting into hunting. Mind you I am late to the game at 36 yrs of age, but figure it is something every man should do.
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Touching thread starter, even though I can't personally relate to the situation...I think it touches on allot of things hunters/shooters feel, or will feel at some point in their lives. I personally have a love of varmint hunting (groundhogs here at home, coyotes, crows, gophers out west)/grouse....and while I'm content doing that solo about 90% of the time, I very much enjoy good company while I'm out there. I say "good" company because I've had allot of experience with the opposite. I've been out with guys (experienced, and who I like outside of hunting) who are incredibly competitive, have poor gun safety habits....and others who I'd be happy letting have nearly every shot. Guys like that feel more like brothers than anything else, every day in the field with them is made so much better because of their companionship. Seems the latter are content with a day or two a year getting out...and I pounce on every opportunity I get almost all year long. (maybe 3 outings a month) So, I'm flying solo...or...facing a day of frustration. I'm in the dark side of my 40s, so I don't often give-in to that kind of temptation any more. I know them, and myself too well.

I realize it may fall way short of the comradery (sp?) felt by a group of guys getting together for a solid week+ every year....but...I think I can relate on some level. Great when you can share your favorite pastime with people you care about, and there certainly is a sense of loss when you can't.

On a side note, a close friend of mine lost his dad recently (and suddenly) and the guy had a nice collection of guns he had told his son...my friend...he wanted him to have. My buddy got his FSC and PAL process going as soon as possible and is waiting for the PAL to come in. Meanwhile, nervous about the guns being in the house...his step-mom (widow) asked a local gun shop to hold onto them on her behalf until my buddy got his PAL. She's now having second thoughts about turning the guns over to him and my friend is distraught about it. Sounds as though she may not have all her faculties so it's a pretty sad situation. Anyhow, I thought about that situation when I read the thread starter as I'd heard so much about him and his loss was an enormous blow to my friend. As a younger man, he'd hunted plenty with his dad but years...marriage...kids all took their toll on that tradition. Not sure why I typed all that out, except to say that indeed...memories are what matters and at times, they're better than the situation we may find ourselves in at the moment.

Hoping everyone has a fruitful, safe fall hunting season.
 
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Here is a suggestion, I see newbies on this site all the time looking for a group to join in with......Now this thread for guys that are losing their hunting partners. Why not pm a few or maybe start a thread and see who is looking to join a hunt group.

I know that is a lot to ask as we are all fearful of the unknown. We want be sure that the guy that joins in, is a upper class individual. Not sure how to overcome that roadblock .....but for the sake of your camp and traditions why not take a chance on inviting a new guy along on a some kind of hunt??

Shameful to not at least attemp to continue a great tradition. I know the group I hunt with is at a bit of a crossroad but I would rather invite a new hunter and hope that it works out than to not get away for my November gun deer hunt. So when the time comes for a new recruit I will take a chance and hope it works out.

I look at it like this.... I never really had anyone to take me along hunting... I had a few very gracious people that allowed me to tag along and I became a member of a group. What if nobody was willing to take a chance on me???
 
geez I think they had a sight for looking for fishing buddies -plennty of fish and a sighting sight for hunting I think called cougars,there a pretty funney video out there,but in serious thought we should have a meet and greet so people can mingle and look for hunting partners
 
It's not easy keep a group going over many years or finding new partners to start a group. I Was part of a camp for a few years with good group of guys but it became more of a dictatorship when the land owner, who also hunts, decided to make changes so moved on. I've offered to take people out or exchange hunts and people initially get a all exited but as we get closer to the date the excuses begin. Busy, work, kids, etc... Or they don't want to put in the work of scouting, setting ups stands, etc... It's almost las if they like to call themselves hunters but don't actually do it. So for now I hunt alone until the kids are a bit older. Although I miss sitting around the camp table hearing the same damn stories for the 100th time. That was one of the best week of the year.
 
I feel bad for you guys, because the feelings sure seem to run deep. I am confused about these "groups" of hunters, though. What is the purpose of them? Where I hunt, people just head out alone, or with a friend or family member (or 2). The idea of a big group is hard to wrap my head around. Also, are there women and children in the groups, or just men?
 
ironsighter said:
I feel bad for you guys, because the feelings sure seem to run deep. I am confused about these "groups" of hunters, though. What is the purpose of them? Where I hunt, people just head out alone, or with a friend or family member (or 2). The idea of a big group is hard to wrap my head around. Also, are there women and children in the groups, or just men?
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Groups of men usually. Most will hunt the whole week together and share chores. Home base can be anything from a cottage, to a tent or RV or anything in between. Dogs are a component when I go hunting
 
OneBarfly said:
Groups of men usually. Most will hunt the whole week together and share chores. Home base can be anything from a cottage, to a tent or RV or anything in between. Dogs are a component when I go hunting
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Are we talking 4 or 5, or like ... 10 or more?
 
Bit of a different comment - but finding people to hunt with has been my biggest problem. I didn't grow up in a social group or community of hunters, and most people I've met with any experience aren't interested in hunting with anyone new - makes it mighty difficult to learn in that situation. I've been lucky enough to find a few people, but by and large I hunt alone because no one's interested in taking a chance. I take newbies out once I have the lie of the land, however moving every 5 years or so means I often have to learn new areas and hunting laws myself.
 
For me the golden years of moose were 8 plus guys. always paired up for safety.
Deer mostly it was ten plus. Most ever for deer was 18!
Everyone had a skill. Some were good with cleaning, others never missed a shot.
one guy was a WWII vet - he had some amazing stories.
 
Yeah - Currently I have a few new guys which make the shotgun hunt 4 while the rifle up north is only 2.
Moose this year looks to be 4 or 5 max.
 
I have never been a member of a camp but have hunted with many of the same people for many years until moving west for work. However one of my hunting partners moved here just before I did so we continue to hunt together and another of our group came out last year so the three off us still hammer the ducks and geese together. I am the reverse of the OP in that I am one of the two older fellows in our group of friends. The rest are half my age. I know there are times they get frustrated when they call and the enthusiasm isn't there at times to head out but it can be tougher as you age especially when you put in 10-12 hr shifts back to back then get called in to cover your days off as well. The tired factor is different at 51 than it was at 21. I only hope in the end they come away with as much from the experience of hunting with me as I have with them. Can't wish for any more than that.
 
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