She thinks I've lost it.

[tom black]

So yesterday I booked an elk hunt with Boulder Basin Outfitters in the remote back country of Wyoming. Only problem is the guide is back logged til October 2024. At that time I will be 2 months shy of 70. I'm in very good health, exercise often, still hunt, hike and camp around here on a regular basis. Good Lord willing, between now and 2024 I plan on doing several other out of state hunts. My little blue-eyed wife thinks I'm absolutely nuts for booking such a hunt at 70. I can't wait to see that country. There is a very good chance we will see a grizzzly. Would that not be simply grand? This trip will be the highlight of 6 decades of hunting an I personally see nothing wrong with it if I'm physically able. What say you gentlemen?
Tom Black

 

[Ugly Hombre]

Go for it! it will give you incentive to stay in shape and keep your shooting sharp.!

 

[WAYNO]

I say go for it.

If you cancel now, there's no chance you can go.

If you book now, there's a chance you can go.

 

[SamV]

What is the downside of booking the hunt and then not being able to go? Seems logical to make the booking. Even more so if you would not lose the entire cost of the trip. Could you get trip insurance for this kind of outing? I know my in-laws often used trip insurance in their senior years just in case a health issue arose. It sounds like a great opportunity.

 

[nekvermont]

You have to go for it, it will be easier at 70 than at 90.

 

[Heliman]

I say go for it.

If you cancel now, there's no chance you can go.

If you book now, there's a chance you can go.

Ditto... what ya waitin' for? I wasted an opportunity at 70 and totally regret it. Go for it!

 

[Watchman]

The most disappointing things in life are those things you wanted to do, but never did.

Live life full throated. Howl at the moon!

 

[blume357]

I bet just being out in the wild and seeing the various critters will be well worth it.... good for you.

 

[contender]

I've lived my life for a long time with a simple motto;

"I'd rather look back on my life & say I'm glad I did,, rather than I wish I had."

As such,, I can look back now,, and know, that if something happened to me, that took away my abilities to do stuff, (say I was paralyzed from the neck down,) I can smile at my already fully lived life!

 

[Johnnu2]

If I have the opportunity to pick my place to die, I'd definitely pick the remote back country of Wyoming for that event (preferably in my sleep, in a nice warm spot, after a good meal with my favorite dessert).

My opinion: Give it a shot, this isn't a 'dress rehearsal'....

p.s. Don't tell your wife (or mine) that I said that.

J.

 

[Tensaw]

Yes, go for it. I'm 70 and still enjoy hunting (or rather nice walks in the woods carrying a gun). Wife doesn't care for it so she made me get a Garmin inReach tracker. Just take your time and savor every moment which should be a wonderful adventure.

 

[Paul B]

I'm 82 and the only reason I didn't do my booked elk hunt this year is I got into a car crash 4 days before the hunt. My outfitter is booked up this year so I'm trying for next year.
Paul B.

 

[Rick Courtright]

I'm 82 and the only reason I didn't do my booked elk hunt this year is I got into a car crash 4 days before the hunt. My outfitter is booked up this year so I'm trying for next year.
Paul B.

Hi,

Apologies for the thread drift, but if memory serves, you got pretty well dinged up in that crash, Paul. Is it safe to say since you're still looking to rebook that you came thru everything ok? I sure hope so. back on topic, I'll be 70 in not so many weeks now, and still do almost all the stuff I did 20 years ago. Maybe not quite as quickly, but some years back I adopted the idea of "Go slower, go further" which I suppose is a takeoff on the old tortoise and hare fable, Or maybe the two bulls, one old, the other young, surveying the herd of cows down the hill. It seems to work.

Rick C

 

[daveg.inkc]

Absolutely! Best idea I’ve heard today. I wish I had moved to Wyoming when I was young.

 

[bogus bill]

A year and half ago I fell and broke a hip. Barely got healed up and fell and cracked it again. They dont want to operate again at my age (79). All my life I lived to ride motorcycles, fly, and the last 15 to trail ride on four wheelers. Now my wife wont ride with me as it beats up her knees and back. My hips, back etc give out on me if I walk fifty yards! She`s been after me to get a buddy to go along. When on the job I always had close friends that liked to do the same stuff as me. Now they are all dead, we retired and removed to a new area and I have no close friends. Yesterday I asked our preacher if he wants to go. He`s jumping at the prospect. He is almost as old and fat as me. However I know he is right wing and likes to shoot. Hope we dont break down. I doubt either of us is able to walk out. Hell to get old. The cell phone seldom works in the boonies. Hope you dont read about us. I did belong to a ATV club here but got in a fight with the president about five years ago. The smart thing is to ride in a club as there is always help but my wife also got in a fight with him too. About six months ago I met him in front of a store while waiting for my wife to come out. I apologized to him, my wife came out of the store and he tried to be friendly but she read him the riot act. Chise happens.

 

[mexicanjoe]

My daddy hunted up until his mid 80's and slowed down only because of arthritis ( much like me at a younger age). I remember he was horseback about age 88. He didnt not believe that age was a matter to consider. As a farmer he was very active and gave everything he had when doing anything. My buddy Andys daddy is 94 years old and still farms alfalfa every year. My buddy Tommy is 96 and goes his big west Texas ranch every day, although with a hired hand, now. Heck he fell down one evening, could get up so me rolled himself under the pickup and spent the night there. Next day EVRYONE in our little town went looking for him, He was in good spirits other than to say he wished it had rained more!!! Buddy, put your spurs and hat one and whip it on!!!!!!

 

[graygun]

Go for it. I'm close to 71 and bought a motorcycle last month.

 

[coach]

Don’t forget to take plenty of Advil with you. :wink:

 

[chuck]

Im 83 and can no longer hunt, one of the things I hate is that I never went on such a hunt when I was in good shape, the other one was I always wanted to see the pyramids. Do it you will have the memories.

 

[Poco Oso]

As has been said, go for it. I'm 71, not in the best shape for sure, but I'll be in the woods when archery season starts in August. I'm looking into booking a moose hunt myself. (Provided the cash flow improves and I can stay reasonably healthy) I don't want to look back and say "If only I'd"....Don't wait until it's too late.