I have been reading all of the threads about taking kids hunting, and they are fantastic! I am into this as well, as my kids are 14 and 4. However, my few days of bow hunting with my father ended tonight, and I got to thinking about how things have progressed over the past few years. We canoe in the BWCA, 2 weekends of rifle hunting each year, bow hunting, grouse hunting, fishing trips, etc. Things have rapidly drifted to me doing all of the preparations, planning, scouting, and all of that so he can just show up. I wouldn't trade any of these experiences for anything. How many of you are returning the favor by making the outdoor experiences possible for your aging parents? Do you have any great stories?
Not sure how to take your post. It sounds as if you're upset that you "do all the work." I did the same for a few years, to get my dad out until he I found that he really only hunted because he didn't want me to have to hunt alone.... About 5 yrs. ago, I found that he just really didn't enjoy it anymore, and I had to tell him that I didn't mind hunting alone, I was trying to get him out in the woods, while he was just going because he didn't want me to have to go alone. Truth is, I never minded going alone, and I got frustrated dogging deer for him only for him to have moved or not shot anything. In all the years the old man hunted, he only ever killed 2 deer, and I think both of those were killed to show me he really could do it. After I started killing quite a few of them, he just never killed another deer after 1990. I took my 4 yr. old with me last night, she had fun, scrounging on the ground for acorns, watching squirrels and birds and while we saw no deer, it was a nice evening in the woods. I think one of the more touching stories I've ever read about a son and father was one in which the declining father with Alzheimer's snuck out of the house on Thanksgiving with his son's 30-30, and took the son's truck to a spot where they'd hunted years ago and proceeded to shoot a nice 10 or 12 pt. buck, illegally as the father didn't have a license or deer tag. The son put his tag on the deer, and dressed it and took it home. Had the animal mounted and shortly thereafter his father died. He said that to date, that is the most important "trophy" in his home........
I could be wrong but I don't interpret his post at all like you did. I believe he's saying things have come full circle. His dad used to help him out and now the roles have reversed and he's fine with that. Some things are a labor of love.
Agreed ^ I plan on helping my dad get out as long as he still finds enjoyment in it. But for now I don't have to worry about it. Seems like every night he's either in his stand, walking with his dog or paddling in his kayak with his camera.
I think I know what you're getting at. I do try to get my parents out fishing or hunting when I can. They spent a ton of time doing that for me as a kid. They live far enough away to make it tough, but I still make an effort to get them out. Most of the time they feel like they're inconveniencing me. Thats just the way they are. Had plans to get them out hunting tonight, but it feel through with the property owner. Kind of bummed about that. Making alternate plans to take them trout fishing while they are here.
I've taken my father fishing several times this year and bought him a bow and complete setup last year so he could get into bowhunting with me (he introduced me to the outdoors through frogging and rabbit hunting).
Sorry to hear about your Father Wables, mine passed when I was 15 and there is not a season or hunt that goes by that I don't think of him, usually standing in front of the stove in the cabin cooking his famous SOS, scrambled eggs and onions, and taters and onions, if something didn't taste right he added more onions. Camp was not camp without a pot of my Dads Pinto or Great Northern Beans. I could go on but I'm sure you know what I am talking about.
I'm fortunate enough that my Dad is still around and actively bowhunts. In fact he helped me set up the stand for my son and I. I'm sure he will sit there with him a few times before the season ends too. I'm sure I will do everything I can to keep him hunting as the years go by. It all comes around full circle and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I definitely didn't want my post to come off as complaining about extra work taking him out. I am sorry if I wasn't clear. I guess I was just trying to remind everyone that there is another spectrum of hunting to think about. One really neat experience we had last year was my dad and my daughter taking a buck together. Both had a great time! It is great to hear that this is important to others as well.
Fortunately my father is still around and is taking my littel ones out for me this year while I am away on deployment. He lives for hunting and while in Ohio last year with his younger brother and myself made he made mention that once deer season is over it is a count down to the next opening day. I will do all I can to keep him out there as well as getting the little ones out as often as I can. My father was lucky enough to have drawn a moose tag for Vermont and his hunt starts the 16th. I wish I was there to be his guide and expierence that with him. I tell friends that do not hunt that it has much less to do with the harvest as it does spending time with family and friends.
My father still comes to the cabin during rifle season and comes out around 9 with 44 mag in holster and coffee in hand to chat with the boys. He started hunting to become closer to my late grandfather. (his father in law) My dad tells a story alot. One day (when my brother and I were maybe 4 and 6) a rabbit got hit in front of the house. He told us to stay in the house, we watched him and when he started across the lawn with the shovel, we ran out yellin' "let us do it dad, let us do it." He knew then he was in trouble. We have been hunting crazed since. I can relate to you, I know my dad likes hunting, but if we didn't like it, he probably never had continued to hunt after my grandfather passed. I'm anxiously awaiting the time he will get to spend with my kids in the field as I know it was his favorite part of hunting. (when we were just learning)
This is my dads Blog on his music website. When i read it It brought a tear to my eye, and is about this exact thing. http://www.madewellmusic.com/news.html The Jan 3 2010 entry
