I lost the desire

[Toadkiller]

When my kids were little I would tell them "to make a friend you have to be a friend". I moved to the PNW at age 57 not knowing a soul up here. At first I felt lost. I'm 61 now and have made two friends I hunt and fish with. Both are quality men. One I met on a hunting forum like this one - he mentioned the area he lives in and I just threw a Hail Mary by sending him a PM and saying hey let's meet up at the gun range. The other I met randomly at a local park. I took my grandson there and he had his two boys there. I saw his Ruger T-shirt and just started a conversation with him. Now we're hunting buddies. I realize not everyone is comfortable putting themselves out there. But if you try, you might be surprised how receptive many guys are. Not all to be sure, but many.

 

[Koper]

It's tough to see that part of your life change. You've got a lot of memories with those guys, and it's hard to let go of that chapter. Sorry you're going through this.

 

[Rat44]

Kinda in the same boat too.
All of my hunting partners have either passed on or are unable to participate due to health reasons.
Makes it hard to get out there although I tried.
Last time out I wound up spending 3 days in the hospital due to my own mistake.
My wife says I am too old to be out in the mountains for days at a time myself .
I am only 68 years young but I can see her point.
Good luck in finding your way back out there .

 

[nwwoodsman]

This hunting business is a strange game. It's memories made, stories told, time together and sometimes that time comes when the time for time together passes.
I've over shared this story on here before and I'll do it again. I raised my oldest boy in the woods. My two younger children weren't much into it, while him and I were deer hunting, grouse hunting, picking mushrooms, building shelters and feasting on Vienna sausages and snickers bars. The last year he hunted was almost physically impossible for him and took an emotional toll on me. He was only 17 years old when he passed away 5 years. I never wanted to set foot in the woods again without him…but I did, and I did it for him.
Opening day that year was a hard one. Some days I'd get to the gate and turn around for home. Some days were spent sobbing while sitting on a stump. Most days that time in the woods was the only time I felt still had a part of him around me. Ended up bagging my biggest buck in my life at that point that year he passed.
One of the best things I did for myself was not giveing up the game, but it did change the way I played. It became less about hunting and more about just spending time in the woods, cherishing memories and enjoying sunrises and sunsets, thinking about the good things in life and not worrying about all the bullsh!t. At this point I don't even care about the kill and have even passed on a few deer as I didn't want to ruin the "hunt" I was having.
I'm glad I stuck it out. Last year my youngest boy finally decided he wanted to pick up a rifle and head out there with me. He had a helluva season, great memories were made and the hunt will go on. He has that same enthusiasm for taking animals that I had years ago and I get far more joy watching him be successful than doing the hard part myself.
I'm not one to tell strangers, or anyone for that matter, what they should do or how they should do it. But, I think if one still has a little bit of that spark left, they can find a way to make it happen. Find someone to mentor, just gas up the rig and go for a drive with the rifle and your old man beside you, or perhaps go find a stump to sit on a reflect on life and maybe even take that animal that slip up and shows itself to you, or not.

 

[orygun]

This hunting business is a strange game. It's memories made, stories told, time together and sometimes that time comes when the time for time together passes.
I've over shared this story on here before and I'll do it again. I raised my oldest boy in the woods. My two younger children weren't much into it, while him and I were deer hunting, grouse hunting, picking mushrooms, building shelters and feasting on Vienna sausages and snickers bars. The last year he hunted was almost physically impossible for him and took an emotional toll on me. He was only 17 years old when he passed away 5 years. I never wanted to set foot in the woods again without him…but I did, and I did it for him.
Opening day that year was a hard one. Some days I'd get to the gate and turn around for home. Some days were spent sobbing while sitting on a stump. Most days that time in the woods was the only time I felt still had a part of him around me. Ended up bagging my biggest buck in my life at that point that year he passed.
One of the best things I did for myself was not giveing up the game, but it did change the way I played. It became less about hunting and more about just spending time in the woods, cherishing memories and enjoying sunrises and sunsets, thinking about the good things in life and not worrying about all the bullsh!t. At this point I don't even care about the kill and have even passed on a few deer as I didn't want to ruin the "hunt" I was having.
I'm glad I stuck it out. Last year my youngest boy finally decided he wanted to pick up a rifle and head out there with me. He had a helluva season, great memories were made and the hunt will go on. He has that same enthusiasm for taking animals that I had years ago and I get far more joy watching him be successful than doing the hard part myself.
I'm not one to tell strangers, or anyone for that matter, what they should do or how they should do it. But, I think if one still has a little bit of that spark left, they can find a way to make it happen. Find someone to mentor, just gas up the rig and go for a drive with the rifle and your old man beside you, or perhaps go find a stump to sit on a reflect on life and maybe even take that animal that slip up and shows itself to you, or not.

I'm very sorry for the loss of your son. I have friends who have gone through the same thing. I can not imagine the pain and loss you feel.
The rest of your story I can connect to, as I had the same connection with my dad.

My wife feels the same as I do. The woods are our church.

 

[dangerranger60]

I'm another that's too old and beat down to hike or even ride a horse. So I now hunt small game, varmints, ground squirrels, and the occasional coyote.
My hunts are now mostly in sight of my truck, the game are so much easier to pack out, and it involves a lot more shooting!
I do though miss deer camp. DR

 

[wolfman63wagon]

I know all our times are coming. But I would hate to give up early. Just getting out there even if you don't get to hunt, just getting out and camping brings a overwhelming peace to the soul. Seeing the Stars away from the noise of town. Is a true blessing.