A Bit Down

[Altjaeger]

This years deer camp will be without several of my favorite people. My wife today confirmed her decision last fall not to hunt anymore. The cold seems to have bothered her more each year and she has called it quits. That likely means the 16 year old will choose to stay home also. He will be absent or at least less frequently along, preferring to stay near the Wii and comfort of electronics.

I lost last season with my oldest son who is a dedicated hunter to rotator cup surgery. He was deployed to Germany in January and will be out of the picture for three years as well.

I will likely get one weekend with my brother and nephew, plus a couple with another old friend and his son but the numbers are dropping.

No doubt I will drive on and be out again this year, but it is an effort at times to maintain enthusiasm.

[Herne]

There comes a time when the company is more important than the hunting, and the killing not important at all?

Do what you enjoy most, since it isn't a competition?

[Altjaeger]

There comes a time when the company is more important than the hunting, and the killing not important at all?

Do what you enjoy most, since it isn't a competition?

Yes, Herne I think for those who have read my writings about deer camp the company has been about as important as the hunt itself the last 10 years or so. My brother and his son joined us about 2 years ago and that will make it easier. My wife of course will still be around all the rest of the year. The boy will soon spread his wings no matter what. Hopefully the oldest will be posted close enough to hunt most seasons when he returns from Europe in 3 years.

No it is really just more one of those transitions to be mourned a bit and then move on. Like you my hunting now is the exercise of a good day or weekend out with the satisfaction of a bit of meat in the larder. No longer is it horns or a challenge met and overcome.

[Herne]

And when he comes back from Europe he'll have done his Jagdschein and done a bit over there hopefully, so there will be some commonality there.

How about some tax free Euro-glass to brighten the day up? A pair of new Leicas to help decaying eyes, or a good fixed power scope, just so you don't get too US minded? :D

I think also as one gets a bit older and a touch more experienced it does become obvious that these deer are not too difficult to kill - especially the territorial ones - so its better to pass it one to another generation so they can make the same mistakes as we, and hopefully learn and laugh too.

I don't mean that I wouldn't shoot another deer, though I'm not bothered (perhaps I have had more than my fair share, even by European standards) but I'd be troubled if I couldn't see another.

[southtexas]

Gosh, Alt. Sorry to hear of your situation. My sons enjoy hunting but are not nearly as passionate about it as I am. They'd rather play golf (where, oh, where did I go wrong? :)). But I still have some old friends who like to sit around the campfire.

[Herne]

Judas ST - golf. Now I wouldn't have admitted that, not even in private.

I would spend every hour you are in a seat this season considering the errors of your ways, lest you make the same mistake in another re-incarnation.

See Altjaeger- there is always someone worse off that you. ;)

[ncboman]

Nearly all my out of state bowhunting trips are alone.

I've been known for falling off the map for over a week without anyone even knowing for sure what state I was in. :D

I enjoy meeting old friends and the campfire a great deal but an aweful lot of what I really like to do, I do in a lonely environment. :rolleyes:

[Sabre]

Alt, You'll kill more deer hunting alone but if you get too lonely come on up and I'll take you with me.

[Altjaeger]

Alt, You'll kill more deer hunting alone but if you get too lonely come on up and I'll take you with me.

Thanks, I appreciate the offer.
:)

[Altjaeger]

Nearly all my out of state bowhunting trips are alone.

I've been known for falling off the map for over a week without anyone even knowing for sure what state I was in. :D

I enjoy meeting old friends and the campfire a great deal but an aweful lot of what I really like to do, I do in a lonely environment. :rolleyes:

I have trouble finding kayak partners so most my trips day or overnight are alone. Many are afraid of the boat or of what comforts they might give up vernight. I just got my son in law into it with our May trip, but 2 weeks ago he learned he's being transferred to West Virginia in September, LOL.

I am sure deer camp in the future will be smaller or trips alone.

[Sabre]

Thanks, I appreciate the offer.
:)

Completely serious my friend. You're welcome any time. Gun season starts mid November here so keep it in mind.

[Hi Ball]

Alt......Cheer up old Chap! Your still able to hunt right? So take advantage of what you have and GO GO GO!!! Adapt and Overcome the absence of voices around that campfire.

A good friend of mine who won the St. Louis "Roller Pigeon" show (1,2,3,4 & 5) place last January, just got put into a nursing home. Yep, first his lungs went bad and then the guy was put on oxygen tank. Then he went behind the house and tripped and fell......he is 67 years young.

He ended up with a broken leg and is now in a nursing home trying to heal up the leg. He had to get rid of all his pigeons. Now that was like taking away his right to hunt period. Hell if you need faces at the campfire I am positive I can manage to gather a few extra hunters to sit in for your sake.:rolleyes: :D

[Altjaeger]

And when he comes back from Europe he'll have done his Jagdschein and done a bit over there hopefully, so there will be some commonality there.

That is something he has looked forward to since he entered the military 11 years ago. Sadly it is not to be.

I seems that since I retired in renogotiating the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) somebody gave away the farm on firearms and hunting. There is no hunting program and military cannot even carry their personal arms over unless they have the full German license. Then there is a required explosives license to handload. Of course in order to get these you have to already be in country. A nice Catch 22. Even if you jump all these hurtles, plus get your Jagdschein you still have to find a place to hunt. No longer is a quota set aside for the American Forces.
Sadly all his hunting gear and firearms are here with me waiting his return.

I know at one time the Brits used our Instructor Certification class (Where I learned not to try keeping pace with a Brit over an evening of drinks :D) and I believe our hunting quotas. If so I m afraid they may be screwed too.

[venado]

This discussion, though a sad one when hunting companions are lost for whatever reason, has a bright spot in that this new-fangeled medium the internet has permitted a much broader "campfire" for us to gather around. It is not the same as sparks going into a night sky filled with stars but is still a reminder that we have so much in common with each other in spite of our differences.

[Altjaeger]

You are right Paul. This is not something to go into a deep funk about either. I posted within the hour of our finalizing this decision.

During a military career I never established a permanent hunting camp, often switching partners as we moved in and out or hunted with no partners. Semi-permanent hunting camps and long term hunting associates are just a casualty of that way of life. I will move on, keep a few regulars, maybe add a few and hunt alone at times.

Nor do I believe I am the only one this has ever happened to. I remember lamplighter went through a similar experience last year only the have the man change his mind and return anyway. Other have for reasons of moves, deaths and other causes and such is life.

On this other I am sad for my son and not for me. I was fortunate enough to live while the getting was good.:)

[DaveHawk]

I plan to kind of hunts , me alone and with friends or my sons. I enjoy both equally. But when I shoot something when I'm alone it's more work LOL

[Herne]

I'm really surprised about the SOFA. We Brits gave away yards of ours, but we were all led to believe that the US was much better at looking after their peoples interests.

Things change Paul. Daughter is off to university. The lad has saved his money and is going to north India to conserve tigers for 3 months, and then to Oz, the US and Canada. The house will be very quiet for a year, and probably never as lively again as it has been!

Its the way of it I'm afraid.

I'm not sure I am looking forwards to it at all.

If you can in your free time totter over here, you'd be welcome to a bunk BTW.

[Altjaeger]

Thanks Herne. Maybe someday I can take you up on that. :) Yup, life runs in phases and this is simply a new one.

[ncboman]

When I'm huntin alone, I generally make some new friends before long. :D

A guy I met in Ohio called me today as a matter of fact. Haven't seen him in almost 2yrs but he calls once in a coon's age. Bruce is a good guy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/ncboman/Ohio%2007/12807Ohio188r.jpg
Rick and Bruce

:)

[Altjaeger]

When I'm huntin alone, I generally make some new friends before long. :D

A guy I met in Ohio called me today as a matter of fact. Haven't seen him in almost 2yrs but he calls once in a coon's age. Bruce is a good guy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/ncboman/Ohio%2007/12807Ohio188r.jpg
Rick and Bruce

:)

Well I am so upset I am thinking of loading the kayak up Wednesday and go play hermit on a Brazos sand bar until Friday running a few juglines attempting to get a chest full of catfish.:D

As far as deer camp goes I still have Ed and his boy Shane. Ed and I have hunted together 15 years now and Shane (age 16) with us 4-5 years. Later there is Evan (5) plus the twins Joel and Kyle (Boramius and Boragard) who are 1 year old. Also my brother Bruce and his son-in-law John and son Austin (19). Of course hopefully my son Bill will return after Europe and my stepson Conor, along with Howard may be occassionaly visitors. I will often have a few in camp so won't really be alone. Just missing the ones closest. :D

PS I see that trailer you restored a few years ago in the background. How is it doing?

[PALIDIN]

I too have lost some hunting partners, some to death, getting married, work but I still get out there. I hunt alone a couple of times a year and I love boats, canoes, any boats really. I spent the last three days on Richland Chambers juglining and rod and reel fishing for catfish. Jimmy an old friend that moved to Wyoming 12 years ago came down to fish with me. It was a bit warm for the old guy (52) and myself (53) but we caught em. I think I'll cut back on th July and August fishing trips someday but maybe not. I got lucky and have a great group to hunt with on our lease. We play poker, drink some good whiskey but mostly we have a good hunt every time.

[DaveHawk]

Seasons come and go, Time to look for a new season to begin and new friends.

I meet a young man 14 YO who my wife tough in school last year, He lives with his grandfather who is my age at the Maintenance home of one of the largest cemeteries here. The kid enjoys hunting so I invited him to hang some stands with me this Saturday and hunt this year. Mom is a drug addict no dad just Paps. I am Looking forward to hunting with this young man.

Keep you options open.

[GF.]

That's good Work, Dave... Let him sit in a tree long enough to clear his head, and he'll come out right.

'Course, down there that might not be possible - so many damn deer! :D

Who knows, Alt - maybe you can find a youngster like that who needs someone to bring him along his way....

[DaveHawk]

Thanks GF, I was starting to feel the same way and Alt was and when the wife asked this boy to cut the grass and I was able to meet him I found him very interested in bow hunting. The boy is starting HS this year and the school is known as a durgie school so I will do my best to help him out.

[Altjaeger]

That's good Work, Dave... Let him sit in a tree long enough to clear his head, and he'll come out right.

'Course, down there that might not be possible - so many damn deer! :D

Who knows, Alt - maybe you can find a youngster like that who needs someone to bring him along his way....

Thats basically how I got Ed my hunting partner of 16 years. :)

Like so many young soldiers he lived in the barracks and did not have a good way to access firearms that were stored in the Company arms room and knew nothing about a strange state having grown up in Washington state.

I was newly retired from the Army and back in my home state and met him through a friend. Loaning him firearms and taking him along until he seperated from the service getting his own guns from home we ended up sticking together. We have hunted a large amount of Texas public land and done fairly well on meat, if not antlers in addition to bringing in our sons and some adult new hunters. If I find such an orphan he likely will get invited.:D

[ADK Jakes]

Great post. This year deer camp will be missing a member and it makes me sad because it's ME! I am in between hip replacement surgeries and can't go. I'm taking the year off to rehab and get ready for the 2010 season. I don't like it one bit but it got to the point that I couldn't take the pain anymore so I had to do it. I'm sorry I waited so long now because I am in pretty good shape. I eagerly await next years season, along with spring fishing!