Deer season used to be like Christmas for me, opening morning like Christmas Eve. Hunted with my dad for years, then he moved away, his body would not allow it anymore so he hunted thru me. He died last year.

My hunting partner, (my father-in-law) was the perfect substitution for my dad. He treated me like a son and in someways was more of a dad to my than my own father. He died a week after my dad’s funeral last year.

My 15 year-old is showing some interest, but I think he could take it or leave it. The private land we hunt on is for sale and I refuse to gun-hunt on public land.

I love venison, but I’m finding that the process is becoming more work than I care about anymore.

Maybe it is time to start fishing again.

Any of you guys ever get ‘here’?

My Dad is 73 and an avid deer hunter and shows no signs of wanting to slow down, but he has remarked that he sees and hears fewer and fewer guys in the woods each year now and that the younger generation just doesn't seem interested in it.

I still go with him on opening day in Pennsylvania and the couple days after that, but he goes all the time for every season; deer, bear, turkey etc

They used to excuse us or sometimes even have no school on opening day for buck season in PA, I'm sure that's all over with now.

I'm not sure if I will go with my own sons (currently 1.5 and 3.5) when they are 12 on my own, I'm sure by then my Dad will have stopped or may even be gone.

I'd give it another season with the 15 year old. See if his interest grows. God only knows you'll be glad for anything he likes to do with you in the next couple of years...I'd try to get whatever I could.

If he doesn't get into it this year, then re-evaluate.

I don't have children, but from my own childhood (oldest of eight), it's a parent's duty to develop the child. As hunting is a tradition in your family, I'll suggest you try to develop the interest in your son.

Loss of hunting areas has been a problem in our country going back generations. I remember reading articles in various outdoor magazines as far back as the early 1960's about development at the expense of open land. One of the original goals of Ducks Unlimited was preservation of habitat.

I'd at least try to instill a sense of history and tradition, including family tradition, in your son. With the impending loss of your favorite hunting ground, and your son growing up, time is running out on this opportunity.

I got there about 10 years ago.

My dad had died and it was just my brother and me left. As you said, a lot of work. We tried leasing land and that got old too. I never really considered paying a few hundred thousand for a place to hunt a few weekends each year.

I think mostly, I felt like I had shot enough deer and my life wasn't going to be enhanced by shooting one more.

I've hunted on public land in MN twice during rifle season and won't be doing that again - just too many idiots out there (and I thought I was well off the beaten path).


Took up archery shortly after that and while I haven't taken a deer with my bow yet, I find it a lot more fun and peaceful (except for the occasional squirrel hunter that walk by). However, they guys that I go with have been using their vacation time elsewhere and one has MD that has been progressing over the years that's making it harder for him so I'll probably be sticking closer to home and going a few weekends rather than taking a week off. I miss that comradery we had during deer camp.


So to answer your question - I feel like I'm on my way there - perhaps until I'm able to purchase some land, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

I would continue. Especially with your son at that age. The greatest gift would be if he has a son or daughter and would want to teach them how. That would be because of you.

Hunting is also a part of the firearm tradition of our country. Providing for oneself and his or her family.

We hunt for the meat. Is our primary source. Venison is my favorite. Ohhhh, so good.

One aspect of our failing society is that we give up on traditions that go back to our roots as a country because we are so wrapped up in stuff that really does not matter.

What would your father expect you to do?

Try to change up your hunts. I have started using my pistols/muzzleloader rifle during firearm seasons. Try archery hunting if you have not already.

There are good opportunities hunting public ground.

If your getting old and lazy I get that also. I no longer will hunt in single digit temperatures or rain/high winds anymore.

I can identify with you. My hunting buddy, who lived next door to me, moved away 25 years ago. I haven't hunted deer since.

Not sure I still know how.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
My 15 year-old is showing some interest, but I think he could take it or leave it.

As some others have mentioned, give it a year with your son - 1 more season. If the seed grows with him, great. If not, call it good.

I understand where you are. I love to hunt.

But... I don't have a hunting buddy, and I don't have access to private land. Like you, I am not going to hunt the public land around me. I have researched it; there are scant prospects of success, and high prospects of bad redneck interaction.

I'd love the opportunity to contribute to a private land situation; pay part of a lease, do feedplot and cabin maintenance, etc., and then have a group to hunt with.

I think you owe your son a good faith effort introducing him to a great sport. Your father and father in law as well as yourself loved it. To give up on a 15 year old seems a bit early.

Having said all that I understand fighting a running tide. I've slowed quite a bit on deer hunting. Access, losing dad and other hunting partners, and a daughter caught up in life. I replaced it with a 2 week trip out west with 4 like minded guys. This has me hooked like I was 30 years ago with whitetails.

I hope you can get through this with a great hunting partner on the other side.

I'm older. The things I did with my Dad, just he and I together, stick out so clear in my memory. Do not know now if they were all my choice at the time, but would not willing give up any one of them now.

Getting out in the woods is a special and unique time, as is on a lake or stream.

Don't have nearly enough time to hunt like we used to. 3 hour road trip on a Friday night, hunt one day then head home Sunday morning. Just not worth it anymore.

My daughter is into it far more than my son is. They're the only reason I get my license anymore. Maybe one day I'll get back into like I used to be.

I am 'there' now. I'm in my 70's and have missed drawing a license two years in a row now. I no longer have anyone to hunt with anyway, and when I see fewer and fewer hunters, while getting a license seems to be harder and harder, especially for South Dakota, I've decided to "pack it in."

My Uncle (hunting partener) pased last Sept and it was hard to go out by myself. It isnt that we hunted hard, he was 80 I am 64) it was just the time we spent together that ment so much.

I'm still very much into it, though I am only in my late 40's so it's possible that I may slack once I get older. Definitely more incentive this year though as my almost 15 year old daughter has taken an interest in it. She and my wife are both getting into bow hunting this year, couldn't really care less if I take a deer but would love to see either or both of them get one.

I will encourage you to keep it going. I find it's a time to remember my buddies who have passed on. To laugh again at the fun we had and walk the spots we walked together in years past.

As our group gets smaller each year - deaths or diminished mobility - I wonder how long it will last. My kids are too small to join in yet, but once they hit 12 I'm definitely taking them.

I see a few guys have brought up bow hunting and I think that is a fantastic idea. My oldest is 8yrs old and he gets more joy taking game - or missing game! - with a bow then he does with a rifle. No doubt about it.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
My 15 year-old is showing some interest, but I think he could take it or leave it.

As some others have mentioned, give it a year with your son - 1 more season. If the seed grows with him, great. If not, call it good.

Agree. My father didn't hunt when I was growing up (due to injury in his youth) so my hunting knowledge/tradition is fairly light. One of the few disappointments of my childhood.

I had hunted with friends in my teen years but hadn't hunted since college until several years ago when my second oldest son convinced me to take him. (I am currently 52 and luckily my brother-in-law has some nice property with a cabin about 2 1/2 hours away). Although I really didn't want to go as the notion of freezing my ass off in the woods didn't really appeal to me I quickly grew to love every minute spent up there with the both of them. Although I have absolutely no interest in killing anything I loved disconnecting, the hardware, seeiing the wildlife and family, and the quality time spent with them. My son entered college this year and I doubt I will go this year and I am already missing it. I would suggest taking your son and seeing what happens. Little to lose but a lifetime of memories are entirely possible even if you aren't lucky enough to harvest.