the older i get the harder to get out.last year i went full bore and first hill i went up i could not beleive the pounding in my chest. i slowed right down and still had a hard time.went to the doc and he says im not a spring chicken anymore and to take it easy. im up to a few miles a day now but going slow .even bought an atv but sold it due to not thinking its the right way of hunting.so im gonna get a real light gun and make sure i go with a partner .any ideas for a good gun for walking the bush.i have a short winnie in3030 but its got no strap,its okay for deer but i need a scope as the eyes are getting tired also,looks like africa is not going to happen either so my big bore is going also,,,moral of the story if you got a chance to do something never say next year just do it,,
well its finally happend
- Thread starter dogger1
- Start date
Yeah time has a way of catching up with you. What type of action do you prefer? If levers are your preference a model 94 AE or a Marlin can be scoped very easily. If you go with a Marlin buy an older one (not Remington made). For bolt action the Savage Edge/Axis are light, accurate and not expensive. Good luck.
Age catches up to us all. At a time in our lives when the body starts to slow down it's time to start putting our experience to work! Hunt smarter not harder.
As for the body...excercise regularly, shed a few pounds and eat healthy. It makes a world of difference.
One of my dreams as I age is to hunt whitetail with a 44mag Super Blackhawk......Sadly I will have to go to the US to fill my dream but I would love to hunt my regular spots with a handgun.
As for the body...excercise regularly, shed a few pounds and eat healthy. It makes a world of difference.
One of my dreams as I age is to hunt whitetail with a 44mag Super Blackhawk......Sadly I will have to go to the US to fill my dream but I would love to hunt my regular spots with a handgun.
This will probably make your blood boil a little, but I'm 28, and starting to feel it! ha! I've had a bad knee for a while, which doesn't allow me to do a lot of sports anymore, which in turn weakens the back, so now that's a recurring pain.. And as a result of both of those is putting on weight, which led to poor posture.. etc, etc. I was told it's downhill from 30. I got a jump start. I think what sucks the most is that mentally I feel like I can still do it. My body just cant keep up. Sort of like a 4yr old. They truly believe they can do everything their older brother can, but physically just cant...
Yep, all us ol' codgers are going throught the same thing. I agree with your philosophy - do it today for tomorrow may never come.
Personally, I've suffered through some tough years when bad boots were chewing up my feet or knee problems were making every step painful. But, I've never let any of that stop me from enjoying my passion. Be careful not to hurt yourself, though, and hunting with a buddy is a great idea.
But don't assume that this is a one-way slide - it's possible to see some improvement from one year to the next, even if we're one year older. 7 years ago, I bought a bird dog. I resolved early on that I would ensure that the dog was well cared for, including plenty of exercise. I'm here to tell you that, if your dog gets plenty of exercise, you get plenty of exercise (as long as you gon't exercise your dog by having him/her chase after your truck).
I've learned from experience that plain ordinary walking is not just a good exercise, it's the BEST exercise for gradual improvement in overall health. Get yourself a pedometer and find out for a fact how much walking you do in a day. The consensus is that you should be walking 10,000 steps per day (the average is around 5,000). Gradually increasing your daily steps while being careful not to overdo it at first will make a remarkable difference. Taking your dog out for a 1 hour walk every day is usually enough to put you over the top. Furthermore, if you like hunting the uplands, your dog will amaze and delight you in the field.
Needless to say, if your lifestyle includes a questionable diet or really bad habits, you might want to get those under control, too. But, my opinion is that what you have been given is a "wakeup call", not an irreversible verdict. Yes, you need to adjust your lifestyle. No, it does not have to mean sacrificing the things in life that you enjoy most. But, you have to decide what's really important to you and act accordingly. Same old, same old, isn't good enough anymore.
Personally, I've suffered through some tough years when bad boots were chewing up my feet or knee problems were making every step painful. But, I've never let any of that stop me from enjoying my passion. Be careful not to hurt yourself, though, and hunting with a buddy is a great idea.
But don't assume that this is a one-way slide - it's possible to see some improvement from one year to the next, even if we're one year older. 7 years ago, I bought a bird dog. I resolved early on that I would ensure that the dog was well cared for, including plenty of exercise. I'm here to tell you that, if your dog gets plenty of exercise, you get plenty of exercise (as long as you gon't exercise your dog by having him/her chase after your truck).
I've learned from experience that plain ordinary walking is not just a good exercise, it's the BEST exercise for gradual improvement in overall health. Get yourself a pedometer and find out for a fact how much walking you do in a day. The consensus is that you should be walking 10,000 steps per day (the average is around 5,000). Gradually increasing your daily steps while being careful not to overdo it at first will make a remarkable difference. Taking your dog out for a 1 hour walk every day is usually enough to put you over the top. Furthermore, if you like hunting the uplands, your dog will amaze and delight you in the field.
Needless to say, if your lifestyle includes a questionable diet or really bad habits, you might want to get those under control, too. But, my opinion is that what you have been given is a "wakeup call", not an irreversible verdict. Yes, you need to adjust your lifestyle. No, it does not have to mean sacrificing the things in life that you enjoy most. But, you have to decide what's really important to you and act accordingly. Same old, same old, isn't good enough anymore.
I hear ya. I spent the winter chasing after a buddy hunting coyotes. Unfortunately, he is exactly 20yrs younger than I am. There were days just trying to keep up to him that I simply stopped where I was. I let him go down and set up decoys and calls in the river beds since I couldn't do it. I HATE this!! Never before has anyone outwalked ME. And now I am old!!!
For me I try to do as much walking is possible. I often hunt in tree stands back in the bush a way so I often have to pack in the gear. Working with weights is a big help as well. Like many of us age is taking its toll and it can be a bit discouraging at times.
Probably the biggest improvement for me was dropping 40 lbs blubber. Another 15-20 lbs and I'll be the same size as I was in my 20's. Another was to quit alcohol ( wasn't an issue but from a health point it is amazing) and also to eat well ( no sugar, white starches, or processed foods )
Spend the money for good foot wear and if you have bad knees or lower back invest in some good orthotics as well. I had a set made and no more sore knees.
My father in law has led an active life and has always taken care of himself. He's well into his eighties and has no problem keeping up to me. Don't let age slow you down.
Probably the biggest improvement for me was dropping 40 lbs blubber. Another 15-20 lbs and I'll be the same size as I was in my 20's. Another was to quit alcohol ( wasn't an issue but from a health point it is amazing) and also to eat well ( no sugar, white starches, or processed foods )
Spend the money for good foot wear and if you have bad knees or lower back invest in some good orthotics as well. I had a set made and no more sore knees.
My father in law has led an active life and has always taken care of himself. He's well into his eighties and has no problem keeping up to me. Don't let age slow you down.
I'm 54 years and a bit over-weight, however I get out and walk 3 to 5 km per day for about a month prior to September. I usually loose some weight and my legs and lungs/heart are in better shape. I don't go as fast, but I get to where I'm going. ATV's are great for hauling animal's out, but getting to your spot by foot is the fun part. Hang in their buddy and don't give up. Go slow, hunting is not a foot race, plus you will see more game. I usually carry a heavy than normal gun (Cooper, Sako, Weatherby) but it dose not bother me, plus I find that heavier guns shoot better than those ultra light rifles, however that's another story. Good luck buddy and don't give up anything related to hunting!!!
.243
My hubby bought me a Ruger .243 varmint rifle. It's short & light & is perfect for walking in the bush.
My hubby bought me a Ruger .243 varmint rifle. It's short & light & is perfect for walking in the bush.
I hear you folks when you talk about the years telling on you. I am still pretty active, but 66 years cannot be denied. The hills are a bit steeper, and the trails longer than they used to be. Fortunately, I have no health issues, so keep plugging along.
Eagleye
Eagleye
Well at 57 I quit smokeing & then found out I had heart problems,it was only pumping @ 27% so the great Drs. at the heart inst. in Ottawa put in a pacemaker & defibulator.Do not feel any different & it has not slowed me down.I would do morte but my wife keeps a close eye on me.My son cut my load of oak for me.I tried to help & got caught by the warden a few times.
Cut back on the salt & no processed meat.(None)
But I won;t be missing moose or deer season unless I am dead. DAN>>>
Cut back on the salt & no processed meat.(None)
But I won;t be missing moose or deer season unless I am dead. DAN>>>
- Location
- British Canuckistan
one light rifle is the Winchester M70 FW Compact. you can check out your options here:
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=001C&mid=535126
http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/catalog/detail.asp?family=001C&mid=535126
Good topic. Getting older is is a good sign. I just lost an old buddy. He was 66, had an aneurysm bust in his stomach, one thing led to another, and he's gone. We had been friends for over 50 years.
I am 63, in good health. I find the trails getting a bit longer, etc. My old body gets stiffened from doing a bit of work, but I still am active. I still work part-time, sort of on demand for the federal police, and work for a big grain farmer at home. The rest of the time, I pretty much bugger around. I am going to start putting more effort into walking, as I love to get out and walk.
As I said at the top, getting older is a good sign. We are going to plant my old buddy on Monday. May God rest his old soul.
I am 63, in good health. I find the trails getting a bit longer, etc. My old body gets stiffened from doing a bit of work, but I still am active. I still work part-time, sort of on demand for the federal police, and work for a big grain farmer at home. The rest of the time, I pretty much bugger around. I am going to start putting more effort into walking, as I love to get out and walk.
As I said at the top, getting older is a good sign. We are going to plant my old buddy on Monday. May God rest his old soul.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Sell the house, the truck and the car. Sell all your guns with the exception of a good .375. Put you wife to work on the street if you have to, but go to Africa! When you get there revel in the experience. For the hunter, nothing can compare.
Life is what you make of it, and most of us are able to acquire those things we truly want despite being financially challenged. As for physical limitations, I have a video of a fellow who despite having one arm and being confined to a wheel chair, takes an African buffalo in tall grass! If you want it badly enough, there's always a way, and a good PH will break his back to ensure you get the most from the experience. If you're still breathing its not too late. I got my buffalo on my 51st birthday, Jeff Cooper took two on his 80th.
At the end of my life I can die happy knowing that I tracked a 14' crocodile, was charged by an elephant, followed a black mamba into tall grass until I considered what is was I was doing, slept in a tent across the river from a herd of hippo, wandered into the midst of a herd of buffalo in grass so thick that they couldn't be seen at a range of 6', and saw more game each day than I could in a zoo. The cost was intimidating, but the experience and memories are priceless.
Sorry to hear you lost your friend, condolences.
^ this. - dan
