"GO HUNTING NOW WHILE YOU ARE PHYSICALLY ABLE!"

[Tundra Tiger]

I missed this thread; I see it came out when I was in KS this summer for my dad's memorial.

Here is a quote I saw a few years ago that drives me every day, by a Brazilian author (Paulo Coelho) whom I've never read:

'One day you will wake up and there won't be any more time to do the things you've always wanted. Do it now.'

Short version of my adult life: sedentary life in my late 30s and 40s, ballooned to 275 (a problem at 5'9"), heart worked on in 2012, and a slow steady process of getting in shape and trying to control my health. I am 58 now. My current weight is 185. My heart doc praises my efforts at staying in shape. I have finally tackled my diabetes, and with meds my blood sugars are good. The next hurdle is my prostate, which is apparently the size of an orange. I will have surgery on it early next year.

I don't know how it is for you fellers and your cohorts. I have many friends my age who have gotten fat and seemingly thrown in the towel - they can't quite do what they used to, and have resigned themselves to the idea that well, that's life. Pardon my language but F**k that. A lifetime ago, in JH and HS, I was a sprinter (100m dash, 200m dash, 800m relay). I want my life to be like sprinting: run all the way through the finish line. When my final day gets here I still want to be running hard, at least metaphorically.

I am not poor by any stretch, but I don't have the financial means some of you do. That's not a complaint or a pity party attempt, just a statement of fact. I wanted to go back to Africa in 2025. Not gonna happen. Between paying for my prostate surgery and being newly divorced and paying off my ex, I am going to have to boot that to 2026. But make no mistake: I will be back in Africa. Heck, lately I have even been thinking that just once in my life I want to hunt elephant, so I have begun researching that. And until then? I have things to hunt here in Alaska, and by golly I am going to hunt every chance I get. Because one day I am going to be out of time, so I best do everything I can now.

 

[sgtsabai]

I never had the money, until late. I never really took care of myself, I guess a near death experience in SE Asia kinda' said live while you can. And I did, really did. Couldn't stand being cooped up, worked outside and on my feet all my life. Outlaw, wildland firefighter, LEO, surveyor, bar bouncer etc. Kidneys quit on me a few years ago, from not drinking enough, water. That was the beginning of the end. Triggered Agent Orange and it finally caught me. Throat cancer last year with total laryngectomy and part of my leg for a new throat (really just kind of a funnel). I walk with a cane, not far, and have problems with my "lary" tube that are too difficult to explain. I thought I would recover enough by now to hunt Buffalo next September but I had to cancel, recovery is not coming along like I thought.

Now, I haven't given up by any means. But in having to put if off my chances of ever making that hunt are slimmer. I'm walking more, going offshore fishing, need a little help there, and still hitting the bars, just not a "catch" for the "tigresses" anymore. Besides the ol' lady would frown on that...lol. Oh yea, here in Thailand/Lao the jungle drums beat loudly (cell phones) but the tigresses are always on the prowl. If you have the money, go go go. You may never get the chance. Live your dream while you can, live is damned short even if you live long.

 

[Whitworth375]

As a younger guy ive done my fair share of hunting and have great dreams of my next hunt, however ive got to lose some weight to hopefully keep ahead of any major health problems but you guys are a HUGE INSPIRATION to hit the gym and live out my dreams!

 

[50Gunner]

Agreed Gentlemen, I'm about to be 62, go as often as you can, while it's still legal, while legal to import animals and while we still have the physicality, eyesight, stamina and strength for carrying and accurately firing our rifles.

Firearm handling safety number one of course, but accurate damn hard hitting shots placed in the vitals is job number one for me, I owe it to the Trackers, PH's, and Animals themselves, no rodeos or injuries caused by my chit shooting!

I guess over 50 animals so far in Africa from 8 to 218 yards with one shot each save the insurance shots made at PH request, I AIM to keep it that way.

Ele and Lion left and i'll have my Big 6, yes Sirs, 6, a Roland Ward Hippo bull on Tanzanian dry ground at 18 yards with his cow and her calf at her side popping her teeth certainly qualifies to make Big 5, Big 6, as I was shouldering that 577 double knowing full well I'm about to be down to one shot left, was thinking, DAMN, I hope this young 28 year old PH can run that 450 Rigby bolt gun lol.

Thankfully that 750gr TSX dropped that massive bull, cow and calf busted down in a Karongo? and ran away with her new man, the two bulls had been verbally fussing I guess over that cow, that's how we first heard, then found them, Great, Great fun!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

As a younger guy ive done my fair share of hunting and have great dreams of my next hunt, however ive got to lose some weight to hopefully keep ahead of any major health problems but you guys are a HUGE INSPIRATION to hit the gym and live out my dreams!

Most important exercise for staying in shape is push-outs ... from the table. Good luck, young petiwan.

 

[Rare Breed]

Most important exercise for staying in shape is push-outs ... from the table. Good luck, young petiwan.

I agree. I do 100 in one set every other day and really helps my core. not bad at 65. lol!!!!