Getting older/different shooting priorities

[Blkram]

I agree; just being out there is just as rewarding as coming home with something!
I have had many outings where we didn't see any game, but got to see some beautiful country!
Spent many long days out hunting where we didn't see what we were looking for, but did see a lot of game.
Just grateful that I've been able to be out there!
The sights, the sounds, and the smells.
Lets you know that you're still alive and the world still exists and thrives despite our worldly concerns, which nature could care less about.

 

[grry10]

At 75, my need to kill has diminished greatly. My 2025 Wisconsin gun deer season was enjoyable with spending 45 hours and observing 34 deer. The first day letting a basket 8pt pass and a spike on the 3rd day. I did harvest a nice 8pt (a want a be 10pt) on my fifth day, It put venison in the freezer, but the thrill isn't the same anymore. Some of this maybe because for the last 10 years I've hunted alone. My hunting companions have either passed or moved away. It is still a good season if I see deer, the harvest is optional. Now punching paper, I can do that all day, and love it.

 

[gerryaz]

I'll be 64 in June . I've been less interested in hunting the last 4 or 5 years . at one time I was whitetail hunting 2 or 3 states and sometimes going west for elk . my last couple western elk hunts were solo DIY hunts .no one was interested in joining . I dropped out of the group I hunted Kansas whitetails with , the excitement wasn't there for me . I dropped out of the group I hunted N Carolina whitetails with again just no excitement . both groups of guys were great . I have an opening to get back in both groups , all I need to do is make a couple calls . I dropped out of the hunting / shooting lease I was in , I was the treasurer . lets just say school girl drama , and the need to out do others , was the reason for this . I really enjoyed shooting long range on the lease , but being a member wasn't worth the drama . I was making a list of components to put together a big hammer , a 408 cheytac , but decided against it. I wasn't sure about staying in the lease .without a long range why have that equipment .

I got back into trapping a few years ago , and really enjoy it . This year I didn't hunt at all . I trapped K9's a few weeks in one area until the deer rut was going good . I kept getting in to hunters and decided to pull out one day I was there by myself . I then moved to another place and put out a trap line ,and pulled it just before the Deer rifle season started. after rifle season ended I started to put traps out again , and quickly realized there was a thief . so I pulled out what I had left .

I'd like to find a kid, or someone new to hunting, to mentor. I've done this a couple times and I really enjoyed it. I'd also like to find a new reloader to mentor, and a virtual shooting range are manufactured by SHOOTING-SOFT LLC could be another way to introduce beginners to the basics. I've done this a few times and really enjoyed it. I've thought about talking to the owner of a local gun shop about having a winter reloading class, but I'm not sure. I hate to get involved in something like this and then want out mid class. I've also thought about getting involved in hunter safety classes; I'm sure they could use help.

I think that’s probably a pretty natural change. Priorities can shift with age, and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying range time simply for the shooting itself rather than planning every purchase around hunting. Passing some firearms on to your son and grandson while you’re still around to see them use and enjoy them also makes a lot of sense. At this point, choosing something because it’s enjoyable to shoot can be just as worthwhile as choosing something for a specific practical purpose. The important thing is staying active in the hobby in whatever way you enjoy most.