Are you a serious hunter ?
I started hunting when I was less than 5 years old. I can't remember when exactly, but I remember going hunting with my dad when my grandparents, long since dead, were living in their original hometown. My grandparents moved in 1966.
I only remember this because they had a Hudson, and when that eventually crapped out, they bought a 1966 Ford Falcon that eventually became my first car in 1977.
I came to the conclusion years ago that I'm a lazy hunter. I can fish against the best, but hunting season, I'll sit in a tree, smoke cigarettes and read books until I get tired, or my feet get cold.
I've been "hunting" every year. The reason, because I really value the time I spend with my dad. Things were rough during my teenage years. I was a rebellious punk, that knew everything, much like all other teens.
My first real "drunken" experience was spent at deer camp when my dad's friends kept encouraging me to have a little more scotch [:o)]
Much to dad's credit, he never snitched me out to mom, and explained my sickness away to "too many marshmallows" over the fire. She learned the truth on her own when doing my scotch-puke laundry. She was not happy, as I was only 14 at the time.
When we went hunting last November, again to his credit he went, but my dad's health prevented him from staying the entire time. I took him back home after 4 days. This was 4 days in the mountains, in November in a tent. I truly admire him for even wanting to go.
I went back into the hills, and stayed the week. It was lonely without pop, but I knew what was expected. He set the baseline.
The reason I'm posting this started with the "what was your first gun" post. Over 40 years have passed now, and my parents are still alive, although not all that well. If my dad wants to go "hunting" again this year, we will go. In all honesty, for the past 20 years we have gone into the hills because we eat great, and have a good time. I could care less if I kill a deer.
I just wanted to remind all of you younger parents to take advantage of your time that you have with your kids. Some things will stay with them their entire lives. I know my experiences have. And more than 40 years later, I still have not had the first sip of scotch [:D]
I only remember this because they had a Hudson, and when that eventually crapped out, they bought a 1966 Ford Falcon that eventually became my first car in 1977.
I came to the conclusion years ago that I'm a lazy hunter. I can fish against the best, but hunting season, I'll sit in a tree, smoke cigarettes and read books until I get tired, or my feet get cold.
I've been "hunting" every year. The reason, because I really value the time I spend with my dad. Things were rough during my teenage years. I was a rebellious punk, that knew everything, much like all other teens.
My first real "drunken" experience was spent at deer camp when my dad's friends kept encouraging me to have a little more scotch [:o)]
Much to dad's credit, he never snitched me out to mom, and explained my sickness away to "too many marshmallows" over the fire. She learned the truth on her own when doing my scotch-puke laundry. She was not happy, as I was only 14 at the time.
When we went hunting last November, again to his credit he went, but my dad's health prevented him from staying the entire time. I took him back home after 4 days. This was 4 days in the mountains, in November in a tent. I truly admire him for even wanting to go.
I went back into the hills, and stayed the week. It was lonely without pop, but I knew what was expected. He set the baseline.
The reason I'm posting this started with the "what was your first gun" post. Over 40 years have passed now, and my parents are still alive, although not all that well. If my dad wants to go "hunting" again this year, we will go. In all honesty, for the past 20 years we have gone into the hills because we eat great, and have a good time. I could care less if I kill a deer.
I just wanted to remind all of you younger parents to take advantage of your time that you have with your kids. Some things will stay with them their entire lives. I know my experiences have. And more than 40 years later, I still have not had the first sip of scotch [:D]
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When I lived in Montana it was very common for us to hike 10-15 miles hunting in a day. Lots of times that was through snow 10"-30" deep. We were not road hunters.
One of our party shot this elk one time, and it took four of us 20 hours of backpacking to get him loaded on horses. Then another 8-10 miles by trail to the pickup.0 -
Was it uphill both ways? 0 -
I have a good friend who is a serious hunter. He shoots deer from his kitchen door. Man, I wish I could do that. 0 -
In the pass when my best friend lived here we would go fishing and hunting together all the time. We would go duck hunting, deer, turkey, rabbit just about anyting. We did bag some game but for the most part we weren't very successful to say the least. We would talk up a storm laughing and cracking jokes while hunting, which I'm sure let all the animals know we were coming. Also we always joked about how we always found the highest mountain then climbed to the top only to climb back down five minutes later. We didn't do it just to get a deer or duck we did it because it was fun and we enjoyed being outdoors.
Now how ever my buddy is nolonger living near me I live in washington he lives in florida. So I solo hunt most times and have become more focused on filling my tags, but mainly still do it because I love the outdoors.0 -
Not sure quite how to respond to this, but here goes.
I consider myself a semi-serious hunter. Semi-serious because I do not hunt all year round, or plan off-season, or extra season, trips to other location to hunt. At least not often.
I enjoy the fun of small game hunting, primarily with my (now) adult son, and occasionally with a few select friends.. This only happens a few times per year and can definitely be classified as "non-serious". We hunt quail, occasionally rabbit and at least one trip per season, a squirrel hunt/weekend camping trip in the north country.
Big game season, when drawn, is serious business. Pre-season scouting, base camp set-up, serious still-hunting, off the beaten path. Tent living in areas where few other people are seen, non-scent clothes, hunt till dark, grab a quick meal, sit around the fire for a bit while discussing the days hunt and planning the next days, no real creature comforts, such as generators, trips to restaurants etc..
My boy and I have spent upwards of 14 days, living like this in the high country and hunting together. Harvesting is a nice by-product of the hunt, but the experiences we have shared are found no other place, doing no other activity.
I will relate one shared experience to illustrate. About 10 years ago, when the boy was 14-15, we were hunting cow elk in blackpowder season. We had spent several days of hard hunting, seeing a number of bulls and some far away cows, but no sure shots. He and I spent about 4 hours, beginning way before daylight, in getting up to a remote mountain that had a flat top. Daylight found us in thick cover, but with lots of elk sign. We heard a noise and I gestured for him to take a knee so we could see under the young pines. We watched two sets of elk legs working slowly toward us. A short time later, out into a small opening, increadibly close to us, came two massive bulls, one a 6x6, the other a 7x8. We were on a knee and they sensed something not right and stopped right next to us. They winded something not right and were laying their heads back and rolling their eyes to look down toward our position. I gave a quiet "sniff" and they whirled and left. Three paces is the distance they stood from us, approximately 9-10 feet. The boy was amazed to have been that close, still-hunting and not to have been discovered.
I occasionally hear him relate the tale to friends, even now and I must say, this brings back good memories, One of many we have shared.
When I am gone, I have NO doubt, that he will hold these memories dear. I know that the memories hold a special place in my heart.0 -
Not serious.
When I am gone, the game will not notice.
Doug0 -
I was given my 1st shotgun a age 8, bought my first rife at 10, packed out my 1st elk at 14, and shot my 1st turkey at 32 (yesterday). I am a very serious part time hunter. But I don't hunt for the kill or the meat. I hunt for the time with my dad and friends. Soon I'll hunt for the time with my son (age 4 now). 0 -
quote:Originally posted by He Dog
I have a good friend who is a serious hunter. He shoots deer from his kitchen door. Man, I wish I could do that.
Well, .............., maybe if you asked him nicely, you could! [;)] [:D] [;)]0 -
I don't know that I am all that serious, but I enjoy it a lot. I'm mostly into deer hunting right now. I started when I was a wee little kid and continued hunting until my Dad died in 1961. Then I restarted hunting big game while we were living in Canada in 1980.
I thought hunting was what shooting was all about, but down here around Boston a lot of people are shooters but not hunters.0 -
Used to be serious about it.Since my best hunting buddy died a few years ago I just go through the motions.I`m 52 and we hunted together since we were kids. I now hunt with his 17 yr. old nephew,but it ain`t the same. 0
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