Im done

[saddlesore]

I guess it has come to the point that I can no longer chase elk. At 81 I gave it all I could this past week and it was not enough. Even using my mule and a small pack mule, I could barely lift 25 pound panniers and had to use Cordura nylon light weight saddle.

Carrying a battery powered O2 concentrator at 7 pounds and all that is needed in a regular day pack,that weight went straight to my knees and back. Most I could walk was about 100 yards. Normal camp chores were exhausting .

I did get close to a bull (had a cow tag) that I think the bull thought my mule's feet clicking on logs were elk. I saw no cows.

My good friend and outfitter had me camp at her place Her and her entire staff helped me a lot.

60 years of elk hunting, may be missing less than 4 seasons, it was a heck of a run

[Swede]

Vince, I am sorry about the situation you find yourself in. It will happen to all of us in time. I know I am not far behind you if I am not already there. Drawing my bow is getting harder and harder. Health is debatable and going out alone climbing trees is raising concerns on the home front. I did not get to hunt this season, but I got to help a couple of others get their bull. I know mentoring will not last forever either, but I get a lot of satisfaction there too.
Best wishes and stay here with us.

Swede

[Lefty]

Heck of a run
Heck of a run
Heck of a run!!!!

Think of it as a grand heck of a run!!! And a run most never have!!!

I understand No matter what the mind says or wants, the body cant do.

I always wanted to use my Father in law as example of an active life
Was called to be a Scout master at 69
Hunted and killed a bighorn sheep at 79
87 the last time he snowmobiled
89 tumble off an ATV and spent 14 days in ICU 9 broke ribs/ puntured lung
And killed a dandy 3x3 mulie at 89 hunting with my wife Luckily I was gone and my nephew had to get the deer the next day.
And last year was his last time on tractors and big mowers.
We had to purposely let his pickup trucks batteries die.

Thursday we found the bulls,, but after the days efforts I could do much yesterday and came home .

Swede as a younger guy I made my living off of ladders , I had help putting up a tree stand a few years back,,, and never hunted the stand.And last month after a fall well ladders trees and roos are off the list too.

[Indian Summer]

Ask her if you can keep going to camp. Just being there beats home. Take your gun for a walk here and there. You don’t have to be a killing machine anymore to have fun Vince. The hills and camp are good enough. I’ll be 60 next year. Feeling it for sure.

[7mmfan]

I'm sorry to hear this Vince. However, the fact that you can make the decision on your own is good, and a better option than your family having to go search for you in the mountains...

I'm with Rory on this one. If you can set it up that you can go to camp and at least be outside during these perfect months of September/October, you should figure that out. My Dad is 67 this year. He still gets around amazingly well. He will go anywhere I try to drag him and come out of it none the worse for wear. However, he's aware that those years are numbered. This year I'm taking my whole family to deer camp in Idaho, wife, and two young boys. He's excited at the prospect of spending some time in camp with the boys and noted that in the future, when he isn't hitting the hills anymore, he'll be more than happy to be camp cook and fire poker.

[>>>---WW---->]

Sorry to hear that Vince. But I know exactly how you feel. I'm done as well. My mind is still in the game but the old body just keeps saying, "What the heck are you thinking?" But, IT'S BEEN ONE HECK OF A RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[juglow]

Heck of a run Saddlesore. At 45, I was feeling it and didn't get close to a bull either unfortunately (had hi hopes). It was really packed in WY this year...BUT I met a good guy that is willing to help me when I go back for rifle in a different area which is super nice of him.
Its inspiring that you were among us at 81...hats off to you sir. I'm hoping you can still enjoy camp with your family and friends for years to come.

[Billy Goat]

Vince,

I think I've seen this post from you several times in years prior - but it's always turned out to not be your last trip....

I hope that may still be the case, but if it's not, 81's a danged good run!

if you want to sit in camp, you're welcome to join me + mine in western CO from Oct 5- 18. we're hunting 1st rifle. first week is just "acclimating" for us, and enjoying Gods creation. You wouldnt have to do anything but tell stories about elk and mules to an appreciative audience, and protect camp from grouse.

Billy Goat

[Indian Summer]

I’ll make the same offer. You’re always welcome in my Wyoming camp. I wouldn’t be the oldest guy in camp for a change!

[WapitiTalk1]

x 10 here mister. If u ever want to get a taste of a WA Roosey elk camp, you’re more than welcome. But, how’s your elk stew sir?

[saddlesore]

Thanks for the kind words and invites. However I would need to run a generator all night to run my oxygen concentrator and charge my batteries for my portable concentrators.

Because of heart and lungs, docs say no long surgeries for knees and back etc. Only life threatening conditions and even then survival rate is slim . I will be seeing them soon to see if they reconsidered, but not hopeful.

A few times in the past when I thought I was done I was able to work around it. Now I have too many body parts that don't work.