A little off season Fun.

[under H2O hunter]

So I want to know if you are a die hard elk hunter and you always go no matter what!!! What would you do if your first child is being born at the same time as your favorite season or week during the rut? Now what about a funeral of a parent? Last one is what about a class reunion? I personally would go no matter what. The first one is probably the hardest to commit to going however I think I could handle the wrath of anger that came from my kids mom. Better to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission. The second one hard but I could still go hunting as my dad would totally want me to go, my mom I am not so close to so I don't think I would want to go. I missed my 10year I could even miss my 20th. Probably pretty tuff for me to miss 30 or more but with facebook now I pretty much know what the important people from High School are up to. I look forward to reading all of the comments.

[WapitiTalk1]

So I want to know if you are a die hard elk hunter and you always go no matter what!!! What would you do if your first child is being born at the same time as your favorite season or week during the rut? Now what about a funeral of a parent? Last one is what about a class reunion? I personally would go no matter what. The first one is probably the hardest to commit to going however I think I could handle the wrath of anger that came from my kids mom. Better to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission. The second one hard but I could still go hunting as my dad would totally want me to go, my mom I am not so close to so I don't think I would want to go. I missed my 10year I could even miss my 20th. Probably pretty tuff for me to miss 30 or more but with facebook now I pretty much know what the important people from High School are up to. I look forward to reading all of the comments.

I go, no matter what (with the exception of when Uncle Sam had other plans for my September's when I wore the green suit). First child being born during the elk rut? Bad, bad planning. I have one crumb snatcher and she's 24 now.. born in March Funeral or serious illness of a parent, gotta put archery elk season on hold or cancel... that's a priority. They gave me life and the desire, ability, and love to hunt while growing up in the Big Sky state. Anniversary? Got married almost 28 years ago, in November Class reunion? Good riddance.. haven't attended one yet in over in almost 40 years .

[easeup]

class reunions? LOL!

[wapitibowman]

There are a few things in life that take precedence for me . . . family is definitely one of them. Kids grow up too fast, parents are gone too soon . . . nothing can bring longer lasting happiness than family - and I love hunting elk!! I would definitely miss hunting, but I would regret forever missing some of those special moments in life. Luckily, the hunting season is long enough, I could make other arrangements to get out there . . . hopefully!!!

Wapitibowman

[Swede]

I have been blessed with a long string of long hunting seasons. I have missed our anniversary several times and I am rarely home on my birthday. That said, I would be there for my wife in her hour of need, and I will be there for the funeral of a loved one. My wife is very supportive of my hunting, so I am blessed indeed. There are some things more important than even hunting.

[pointysticks]

class reunion invite would be stuffed into the pack for fire tender..

birth or funeral..you kidding? elk hunting would be the furthest thing from my mind..i wouldnt let some kid come into this world and NOT be there to introduce myself..

funeral? goodbye..i would need to say goodbye, and be there for the ones that got left behind.

[Toby]

With elk season being a month long it would take something pretty drastic to cause me to miss the whole thing. My kids are grown and I have six grand kids, next addition will be a great grand child, it hope I am still hunting by then. As much as I love hunting, family matters come first.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Yeesh! Elk hunting is fun but not the be all end all. It is one of my favorite fall time activities, but the people in my life always mean more than any amount of antlers on the wall and meat in the freezer. High school reunion though? That I'd miss...

[ishy]

I left high school two weeks before graduation to work in the Tetons. In 20 yrs I ran into one friend elk hunting, and had a few contacts when facebook first started up but have no real contact with any of them. As for the other stuff I try to work around it. I'm still catching grief for wanting to hunt the year my mil had a stroke. She was in a rehab facility and I didn't go on my planned trip to the other end of Idaho, but still wanted to go out a few evenings allowing my wife to go see her and help where she could. Ten years later I still hear about it.

[under H2O hunter]

These are all great i am glad to read you guys is responses.

[COElkFreak]

I've only missed a few seasons ever since I started elk hunting when I was 12. School was one and work just last year was the other one....pretty stoked about this year as I should draw a unit 61 colorado tag.

[jmez]

I've yet to attend a class reunion and it had nothing to do with hunting season. That wouldn't even be a consideration.

Child being born it wouldn't even enter my mind that I should or would rather be hunting. Elk season will come around again, the birth of a child won't. Some perspective on kids and hunting. Was a good article in one of the elk magazines I get a month or so ago. If you start taking your child along with you when they are 12 years old you will only have 6 seasons to share with them before they leave the house. Same with parents funeral. Would not even consider missing that for an elk hunt.

I love to bow hunt. It is my passion in life. It is far less important to me than my family.

[Lark Bunting]

I will never miss my daughter's birthday in September. I don't care if she's 30, married, and I have grand kids...if it's feasible to be with her on her birthday, I will be there.

Death in the family, I'm going to be there.

Pending divorce that could impact this September's hunt...??? We'll see...

[Muleskinner]

My anniversary is in September . I have a very understanding wife. Poor planning on my part yep. 30 years this year she said go enjoy.

[WapitiTalk1]

Hey mule skinner. Welcome to "the" elk forum. Glad to have at our camp fire.

[tdirks]

I love elk hunting but some things are far more important. My father had a stroke on the last day of August last year and passed away on the 21st of Sept. While I regretted missing elk season there was never a thought of it taking precedent over my father. Anything I am or aspire to be came from his motivation. I feel sad for those that have not had the opportunity for that type of relationship with a parent.

[Indian Summer]

Where there's a will there's a way. I will NEVER miss elk hunting. Never. I have missed every class reunion they ever had and even got in an argument with the chick that organizes them asking her to do just one in the summer for those who haven't made on in 30 years. I've missed countless weddings. I had a good friend tell his wife he had to ask me when a good date was for their wedding before he could commit. Is that funny or what! She rolled her eyes but her and I get along very well so she went with it. He wanted me to be best man. I picked the date, flew back for the wedding and jetted right back to the mountains.

Trumpkins post hit the nail on the head though. If it was a funeral or something extremely important such as a tragic event you have to be there. I'd just switch the dates of my hunt but make no mistake... the hunt goes on!

[elk.addict]

My sons birthday is September 17th (bad planning, I know). Usually I pick this day to come out of the mountains to celebrate his birthday, and grab a shower. Then back to the backcountry I go

[Indian Summer]

My sons birthday is September 17th (bad planning, I know). Usually I pick this day to come out of the mountains to celebrate his birthday, and grab a shower. Then back to the backcountry I go

LOL yep. I used to tell all of my guides... you're not allowed to um... have girlfriends in January!!! And for cryin' out loud if you're going to get married do NOT do it in September or October so it haunts you the rest of your life man.