The old man is creeping in
- Thread starter fairchaser
- Start date
BSK
Well-Known Member
I want to hear back from you tomorrow!
I'm only 52 but the worst part for me is packing and loading everything for the hunt. I'm an hour and a half from my lease so no quick 1/2 days hunts. I pack for the weekends or a few days and it takes forever to get all of that together. The hunt is the least of my worries.
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
jfelts1994
Well-Known Member
3 years ago I went walking for a potential hang and hunt and I found a damn good spot. Never once did I consider how far I was back in there. I shot a buck at 4:45 that afternoon and mind you he is at the bottom of a 250-300' deep holler. I called my dad and we went through the hunt, the shot, the usual congrats and then he brought me back to reality and asked if I had anyone to help me drag it out which I did not and my dad was going through some heart issues at the time so he was out of the question. I pulled up Huntstand and figured out I was just about 1.75 miles from the truck.. I gutted him and then took my gear back so I wasn't lugging it around as well and tried to walk the path of least resistance along the away so I could mark that on Huntstand and follow that path out when I drug him out. I called the WMA manager and let him know that I had killed a deer deep in the land and was gonna be a while getting him out. He informed me I could use a 4wheeler for recovery if I had one which I do not. I got back to the buck at 7:00 or a little after and started the drag. When I got him to the truck at 2:45am I literally collapsed and just layed there for a half hour or more. When I finally had it in me to stand up I got him in the bed of the truck, got in the drivers seat, and passed out. About 5:30 that next morning I awoke to a knock on my door and the managing game warden standing there. I got out and showed him the deer and told him upon getting him to the truck I didn't feel confident I had enough energy to make it anywhere else for the night. He understood and congratulated me on my buck. But, I learned a valuable lesson that night. Know where you are and be ready for a drag you won't ever forget if you're way back in there especially if you're in hill country.
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BSK
Well-Known Member
I feel your pain! I truly do.
Consider the Hawk Crawler cart or the Vevor knockoff. If where you are hunting is not too steep, you can throw your gear on it and pull it to hunting spot. If you kill a deer, throw it on there and roll it out. I did that on Catoosa hunt recently. Worked like a charm.
OldFart
Well-Known Member
Try 84 (on 5 DEC 2025) + a stroke. And I ain't close to being ready to quit! Heading to W TN Thursday of next week. Honestly, I do require help, sometimes lots. Have cut back some, too. The game cart is a super idea. I once got a bull moose out with a cart but took two trips and not too far. Also got black bear out with cart.
Iroquois
Well-Known Member
I understand your situation very well. I've decided that I'm not going to be dragging a deer out. My plan is to slice and dice that critter right where he falls. If it takes me 3-4 trips to haul it out, that's ok!
I'm there. 
71 and can still do most anything I want, but am really slow at it nowadays. What use to take an hour, I'd better plan for 4 at least. Last week I decided to hang a lock on in a spot I've been eyeballing a couple years. I carried the 20' climbing sticks in & got them up. Did a little trimming, then carried the aluminum Millennium stand in. This is less than 75 yds from buggy and I was give out 
. Left stand on ground and going to hang it this morning. Only putting it 12-15' high & will attach safety line first. Ladder stand or on ground not a good option at this spot.
I started rethinking my stand locations a couple years ago and now have 4 that are within 100 yards of road or trail. All are small niche spots that we've driven past for years. Easy to get to with some pretty close to camp. Trying to hunt smarter instead of harder these days.
I did assist in backpacking 2 elk out of mtns this fall. One was about 2.5 miles in & the other about .5 mile. Again, I was really slow at doing it & surprised myself that I got it done.
. Left stand on ground and going to hang it this morning. Only putting it 12-15' high & will attach safety line first. Ladder stand or on ground not a good option at this spot.I started rethinking my stand locations a couple years ago and now have 4 that are within 100 yards of road or trail. All are small niche spots that we've driven past for years. Easy to get to with some pretty close to camp. Trying to hunt smarter instead of harder these days.
I did assist in backpacking 2 elk out of mtns this fall. One was about 2.5 miles in & the other about .5 mile. Again, I was really slow at doing it & surprised myself that I got it done.
Iroquois
Well-Known Member
As the saying goes "better slow than never". At least you haven't quit! Thats the most important thing.71 and can still do most anything I want, but am really slow at it nowadays. What use to take an hour, I'd better plan for 4 at least. Last week I decided to hang a lock on in a spot I've been eyeballing a couple years. I carried the 20' climbing sticks in & got them up. Did a little trimming, then carried the aluminum Millennium stand in. This is less than 75 yds from buggy and I was give out
I started rethinking my stand locations a couple years ago and now have 4 that are within 100 yards of road or trail. All are small niche spots that we've driven past for years. Easy to get to with some pretty close to camp. Trying to hunt smarter instead of harder these days.
I did assist in backpacking 2 elk out of mtns this fall. One was about 2.5 miles in & the other about .5 mile. Again, I was really slow at doing it & surprised myself that I got it done.
JJ3
Well-Known Member
At 63, I'm not too far behind. I've reached a point I have no desire to be in a climber — 2 man ladder stands are just fine. I'd really like to try to get an elk out west, but the people I talk to — that seems like a whole lot of work, especially packing one out 5 or 6 miles. I really like being able to drive the 4 wheeler up to a deer I shoot. Although as we were loading a buck on yesterday that my daughter shot, she asked me how I managed to load them when I kill one on solo hunts — with a lot of muscle straining …..
I was out in Idaho flyfishing this fall. After spending 2 days wading, stumbling over football size slick rocks, climbing up and down the river bank, hopping boulders, I woke up every hour that night with severe leg cramps. I had to take a couple of days off before I could do it again.
I'd sure like to be able to wade in rivers and to hunt at least another dozen years. Decided when I got back from that trip that it was time to get back in the gym and work on muscle strengthening and stability exercises.
Time catches us all …
I was out in Idaho flyfishing this fall. After spending 2 days wading, stumbling over football size slick rocks, climbing up and down the river bank, hopping boulders, I woke up every hour that night with severe leg cramps. I had to take a couple of days off before I could do it again.
I'd sure like to be able to wade in rivers and to hunt at least another dozen years. Decided when I got back from that trip that it was time to get back in the gym and work on muscle strengthening and stability exercises.
Time catches us all …
BSK
Well-Known Member
Others wonder why I'm so focused on road-building on my place. The reason is the days of throwing the basket of a 2-person ladder over my shoulder and carrying it a half-mile cross-country are over! Before I'm finished with my road-work, I want to have a road passable by a side-by-side up every valley and along every ridge on the property. Don't mind carrying ladder stands 50-75 yards up or down a hill, but any farther and the answer is NO!
Wrangler95
Well-Known Member
I skin my deer right where they fall dead instead of a drag out and killing myself.Deer hunting is fun but punishing yourself is not fun.I have bags with me and two good skinning knives.I debone the meat and have a small bone saw I use also.Where I hunt it is pretty steep hollers!
I'm 67. Killed a nice 8pt yesterday. Drug him with the four wheeler to our hanging pole, skinned him, deboned and put in cooler. Hardest part was the chore bucket full of carcass and hide. Like to have never got it on the trailer to haul it off to our disposal site on the property. He was on the ground at 6:30 am and in the cooler by 9:30.
I used to hunt solo a lot but now, only when necessary. Still have the urge to hunt but this torn meniscus in my right knee tells me to cool it... :p :p :p
I used to hunt solo a lot but now, only when necessary. Still have the urge to hunt but this torn meniscus in my right knee tells me to cool it... :p :p :p
Iroquois
Well-Known Member
I totally agree with your method! Mountain hunting is a whole different story to get them out.!
BSK
Well-Known Member
I'll tell on myself: killed a really good mature buck last night. Usually takes 3 or 4 of us to load a mature buck in the bed of the side-by-side (we don't field dress them until they're back to camp). However, only had one brother left in camp. I was worried about how we were going to load that buck. Backed the side-by-side right up to the buck, I climbed into the bed, my brother handed me the antlers, and before he could grab a leg, I just yanked that 187 lb sucker right into the bed. "Well, that I was easy" I thought. Now, today, my back and hips are so sore I can barely walk. Don't let adrenaline fool you into doing stupid things! I'm lucky I didn't blow a couple disks.
megalomaniac
Well-Known Member
This was the first year age affected my hunting....
Monday, I had what I thought was a 4.5yo 120in buck tending a doe about 250ft elevation below me in an inaccessible valley. I've killed deer down there before, but I just couldn't get myself to pull the trigger on this one, as I didn't feel like going down there to get him out. I told myself, if they come up to the top, I'll kill him so I can drive right to him.
After an hour, they made it halfway up to the top. I thought I could get my vehicle to the bench they were on below me, so I killed him. thankfully I broke his spine and he dropped. Couldn't get my truck to him, too steep. Drove all the way home, got the sxs to try to retrieve. Buddies had called asking if i needed help, told them I didn't think so.
When I got to him, I realized he was way heavier than I realized, prob 5.5y/o and 220lbs. No way I could get him loaded, so I had to cut him up on the spot and haul all the meat out. Just sick I couldn't get actual weight as he was my 3rd or 4th heaviest buck I've ever killed.
Monday, I had what I thought was a 4.5yo 120in buck tending a doe about 250ft elevation below me in an inaccessible valley. I've killed deer down there before, but I just couldn't get myself to pull the trigger on this one, as I didn't feel like going down there to get him out. I told myself, if they come up to the top, I'll kill him so I can drive right to him.
After an hour, they made it halfway up to the top. I thought I could get my vehicle to the bench they were on below me, so I killed him. thankfully I broke his spine and he dropped. Couldn't get my truck to him, too steep. Drove all the way home, got the sxs to try to retrieve. Buddies had called asking if i needed help, told them I didn't think so.
When I got to him, I realized he was way heavier than I realized, prob 5.5y/o and 220lbs. No way I could get him loaded, so I had to cut him up on the spot and haul all the meat out. Just sick I couldn't get actual weight as he was my 3rd or 4th heaviest buck I've ever killed.
killingtime 41
Well-Known Member
I've not pulled the trigger more than once with the thought of the retrieval being near impossible. Look up some videos on block and tackle. Pretty simple and makes a huge difference in steep situations
X-Tennessean
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2009
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It's the things we do that make us question ourselves after the fact which is to late in most cases!
I am only 45...I do have a bad back, broke it when I was 20 and have rods and such. Nephew killed our target buck opening day of muzzleloader (thread titled "Heavy Weight") in trailcam forum. I was on vacation all last week but spent the next 3.5 days in the house relying on muscle relaxers and Ibuprofen....couldn't get out of bed on Sunday!! I messed it up helping him load his deer on the 4 wheeler and dragging it the little distance we had to drag it.
They didn't weigh it at the taxidermist (dunno why?) but did at the processor's, of course he was minus guts, hide and head but still weighed 167 lbs!!
I hate it happened but proud to help him and be a part of his biggest deer
I don't load them anymore myself and just tie the rack up (if mounting it) and drag them out with the 4 wheeler but he was afraid of messing something up.
I am only 45...I do have a bad back, broke it when I was 20 and have rods and such. Nephew killed our target buck opening day of muzzleloader (thread titled "Heavy Weight") in trailcam forum. I was on vacation all last week but spent the next 3.5 days in the house relying on muscle relaxers and Ibuprofen....couldn't get out of bed on Sunday!! I messed it up helping him load his deer on the 4 wheeler and dragging it the little distance we had to drag it.
They didn't weigh it at the taxidermist (dunno why?) but did at the processor's, of course he was minus guts, hide and head but still weighed 167 lbs!!
I hate it happened but proud to help him and be a part of his biggest deer
I don't load them anymore myself and just tie the rack up (if mounting it) and drag them out with the 4 wheeler but he was afraid of messing something up.
I just turned 73. I've got cardiac stents, and a knee replacement. I've always been active, and tried to stay fit. But, about 5 years ago , I could tell my stamina was starting to decline. So...about a year ago I got serious about lifting weights 3 days a week, and walking more. I don't lift heavy anymore, because of bad shoulders, and knee. This season I have much better strength, and stamina! I've read some Doctors say wait training, building muscle, especially leg strength can add years, and quality to life. Hit the weights, and you will be amazed at the results!
BigAl
Well-Known Member
I'm 59 and seem to steadily be going downhill. Last few bucks I've killed, I've just pulled the ATV up to it and dragged the deer back to the truck. Don't even try to pull it up on the ATV rack anymore.
@fairchaser so the new place that Ames sold is now huntable? And why don't they allow ebikes?
@fairchaser so the new place that Ames sold is now huntable? And why don't they allow ebikes?
Old man really creeped into day now i got hearing aids lol
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
We've asked but the state won't relent on the use of e-bikes or any motorized vehicle. I think they just want to make it difficult for hunters. Only the fittest will be able to hunt the best areas. I know where they are but probably can't get to them!
Those are the good deer.
Usually I can drive the tractor to them.
I am only 56, and have outlived my natural life expectancy with the parts God gave me. I wouldn't even be alive today, if not for modern medicine intervening 4 years ago to replace what i was born with. Have a bioprosthetic aortic valve and root. Get fatigued easy and have other parts that are wearing out. Herniated my L2 when I worked at ups in my 20 's and have had on and off back issues ever since.
Had arthroscopic shoulder surgery in May, expect to have complete shoulder replacement for left shoulder in 5 to 10 years. Have noticed more arthritic pain all over lately and more muscle pain/fatigue after doing too much.
Moving helps!!! If I stay with 3 to 4 40 minute workouts on elliptical a week I generally feel better, but that doesn't always happen.
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