The end of the road
 

I posted this in my team thread but decided to post it here because i think it has a place for everyone that ever hunted.

Heres' a not so funny story about shooting today. The place I shot at is also the qualification station to hunt Patuxent Wildlife Refuge. There was a gentleman probably in his mid to late 70's. Maybe older than that trying to qualify with a crossbow.

He actually used 2 kitchen sponges to grab the cable on his crossbow to draw it. You had to line up 2 yellow rings on the string on the outside of the cocking mechanism or it would shoot left or right. The crossbow was probably 15-20 yrs old. A old PSE that used a V rest on the front and thebolt sat up in the lock pin. Most crossbows today the bolt sits down on the rail.

Anyway, he shoot poorly on the first 2 shots. missed far left on bothand missed the 3D deer with his 3rd shot low. At that point he said he couldn't draw his crossbow back anymore due to back pain and to be honest probably tired too.

So, I climbed the elevated platform and cocked his crossbow for him so he could shoot and made sure it was aligned properly for him.

He told me that it was his last year hunting and that he hadalready sold his fishing equipment and rifles and shotguns and was giving archery one last shot. I admired the gentleman but also felt sad that probably after 60+ years of being in the woods it was coming to an end for him. It almost made me want to tell him that I'd go out and cock the crossbow for him.

Watching him and his story made me think of my father. While he is only 59 he's had a myriad of health issues ranging from a bad back to lung cancerto the latest issue prostate cancer (thankfully his in full remission). How many more years does he have? That's the biggest reason I am returning to PA to hunt archery withhim.The past 2 years I didn't get a license for PA for the first time in 22 yrs of hunting with him and decided that I don't know how many more years ofhunting together we have.

Last weekend I sighted in his crossbow and it was enjoyable to talk to him about shooting andrazz each other about a poor shoot. I missed that and plan on spending the remaining years we have together enjoyingthe kind of camaraderie that you only get from hunting andfishing together. Sure, we talk about hunting and such on other occasions but there's nothing like actually shooting and hunting together.

This man taught me everything I know about shooting a shotgun and rifle and about hunting deer and field dressing game. Bought me my first guns. I still remember the first day of my hunting life hunting squirrels in the hills of PA. Sitting there in the dark waiting for the sun to come up and that first squirrel sitting on a branch like it was put there just for me to shoot. Taking aim while listening to my father go through the steps on breathing and aiming and taking that first shot and getting that first squirrel. The pride that I saw on his face I'll never forget.

He didn't hunt archery and knew nothing about bows but still realized that it was a passion of mine at a young age and bought me my first recurve and compound bows. He even took up archery in his late 40's I believe to hunt archery with me after all the stories I'd come home with about what I saw.

I think I owe it to him to repay all the time her spent teaching me to hunt and shoot by returning to PA.

Back to the end of the range day story: After setting each string up for him he qualified in4 arrows on 3 deer. I know that's not great shooting by our standards. However that was pretty cool and made me feel good that I helped him qualify and spend 1last year in the woods.

RE: The end of the road
 

Thats one helluva post man!!!!

We all owe to are old man, or else none of would be like we are today!

RE: The end of the road
 

Here's to you Dave ^5

RE: The end of the road
 

Thanks guys.

The guy kept thankingme for helping him out. I told him, "It's my pleasure. Don't worry about it. We all get older and that we are all going to be in that position sometime in life and need help ourselves."

I remember how invincible I felt in my teens and twenties. Now in my mid 30's I've had a back operation and foot issues. I know that by the time I am that gentleman's age I'll probably be in the same boat as him. Ijust hope that I will be that guy giving it 1 last year.:D

RE: The end of the road
 

wow

RE: The end of the road
 

I truly believe in that old saying---"WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND"
Way to go Dave--Paying back now so you can recieve later!!

RE: The end of the road
 

very, very good read ;)Respect to you from the blood!!

RE: The end of the road
 

Very nice post. People like you give hunting a good name IMO.

RE: The end of the road
 

I see a really nice buck in your future!

RE: The end of the road
 

Good stuff Dave, real good stuff!

RE: The end of the road
 

not to be negative at all but if he needed help to qualify how is he going to do it in the field? What if he gut shots a deer, there is a qualifying session for a reason. Mabey he will think that last year was my last year hunting.

NOT TO BE NAGATIVE BUT THINK ABOUT IT.

RE: The end of the road
 

I see that you arebarely 14 years old so I'll try to cut you some slack. Maybe when you get older you will understand this story and I really hope you do.

RE: The end of the road
 

Awsome story!! You have a good one coming your way!

If I would have been there and thought about it, I still would have helped!
Getting old and knowing you can't do the things you want to do isn't fun!!

RE: The end of the road
 

BHJ,

It is sort of like you getting your drivers license you have to have help to prove that you candrive as good as everyone else, to get your license to gain one step further in the passage an rights of life. Well the older gentlemanwas offered alittlehelp to prove the same thing that he can enjoy what he has done forover a half a century, one more year.

RE: The end of the road
 

That's one hell of a post Dave . Two thumbs up to you andI wish you and your father the best of luck this season , and I hope you have many more to come.

RE: The end of the road
 

Great Post!

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Good story Dave, actually awesome story.

RE: The end of the road
 

some people should not be hunting just like some people should not be driving.

this is going to be a long night.

RE: The end of the road
 

That's one of the greatest and most positive things I've ever read the internet.

GREAT JOB DAVE!!!

RE: The end of the road
 

Son....DO me a favor. Print this out....put it in a time capsule.....and read it when you're 40. Just do it.

That story is touching.....probably moreso on a sliding scale the older the reader. You did good,;)

For you guys who's heroes are your fathers.......who still have the chance to tell him that.....DO IT. You never know. I told a forum member who I think a lot of.....a little while back....

If my son came to me and told me that.....God could take me, tonight. What more could a man ever ask for?

On a side note......can you imagine the pride of that old man.....sitting in his stand, this season.....as upposed to the alternative? Kudos to you for helping him. Saluud.

RE: The end of the road
 

Man...that just about brought tears to my eyes.

RE: The end of the road
 

Dave,

Your parents raised you right. They should be proud.

RE: The end of the road
 

Great story, Dave. You dun good, sir.

RE: The end of the road
 

Kudo's to you Dave!!!! You showed what true hunters are all about!!! May you shoot a booner with your father this year!!!! Walt

RE: The end of the road
 

Great post. My father never took me out with him. He seemed to want to avoid it. I'm not sure why,but I think he just didn't want me with him. I can't identify withthe feelings but I can appreciate the story. Great post just the same. I have years to look forward to with my father in-law ,and [in a few years ] my son Jacob. He is 7 months old and already own a Browning BPS Micro. I don't plan on making my father's mistakes.


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RE: The end of the road
 

He qualified, why shouldn't he be hunting?...

RE: The end of the road
 

Thanks guys for all the positive comments.

I hope allof you have a great hunting season.

I really need to print this out and give it to my dad. I doubt I've ever conveyed my appreciation for what he's done and meant to me when it comes to hunting like I do in that story. I guess it's the whole macho male thing that us guys do.

RE: The end of the road
 

The night is not going to be long at all. I amgoing to bed in about 30 minutes.

RE: The end of the road
 

well, it may be a long night...but won't be spendin it in the forums.

RE: The end of the road
 

Wow. That was a very inspiring post.

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Wow, thats the closest i've come to tearing up in a verryy long time. You are a great guy Dave...that man will never forget what you did for him.

RE: The end of the road
 

Very good post. You should definately give a copy of the post to your dad because he might not be here tommorrow. I lost my stepdad 3 years ago and never had the chance to tell him. Died of a massive heart attack at 46 years old.

RE: The end of the road
 

That's awesome Dave!! To love something as much as we do and to get a chance to be out thereone more season is a huge gift.
I had stopped hunting over 16 years ago,there had been a tragic death of one of my hunting partners a couple of years earlier,I had become a partner in my business and was working 70 plus hour work weeks.My father who was 65 at the time called me during rifle season and said I want you to come hunting with me,he asked me to take a friday off and go out with him.I told I couldn't that I had to much going on blah,blah,blah,I hadn't bought a license.I called him after thinking about it for a little while and said Dad I want to go out let's plan on it.
We went out I shot a buck after about two hours of hunting.I couldn't believe being in the woods that morning and seeing what I had been missing,I missed it so much and I hadn't been conscious enough to realize it.From that moment on after family and business hunting became my passion.
I think we all have a weak spot for the entusiasm of youth and the love and passion of the elderly.High fives to you Dave that was a great gesture! I hope that gentleman and yourself kill the bucks of your dreams this year!

RE: The end of the road
 

Nice story . Makes you realize whatallot of us take for granted.

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Great post Dave. Glad to hear that you were willing to help and that he was willing to accept it.

I also hunt with my father every year. Try to always make it out opening day of rifle season with him.Its a tradition.

RE: The end of the road
 

Captain you make me proud, your a winner in my book. Oh how often I have dreamed of going on a hunt with my father. Enjoy every moment!!!

RE: The end of the road
 

Great story dave that is hitting home with me as well. My 69 yr. old fatherinlaw is in the process of selling his archery equipment because he is no longer able to draw and shoot his bows. In fact I sold his Switchback here in the Archery classified section. He is buying a crossbow and if he can't get it locked back he is adding a cocking mechanism(crank?). I'm sure glad he trying another route.......he is the one who started me shooting and bowhunting many years ago.

RE: The end of the road
 

Dave, I can honestly say that I probably would have done the same, but did you help the old man or did you just help him qualify ?
I am not the judge in all of this but if the man would be 30 years younger would you have helped him then ? Or if the man would have been disabled ?
I know it is a tough call, but like BowhunterJim said, some people shouldn't be driving. In this I mean to say that bowhunting or hunting in itself isn't a game.
This gentleman has found himself at a point in his life where he should decide for himself that he had a bunch of fine years of hunting behind him.
I there is a point in your life you should call it quits...
I would, my dad did......
I hate to see this old man shoot and hit poorly, not because of the deer he'll wound or make suffer but for himself and how this would make him feel.
I all so hope you didn't make him feel that confident again that he'll try and go bearhunting with his crossbow.
But Dave, I do understand your story. I can only say that I found myself in that position once and that that old man was more deer to me at that time than anything else in the world. My dad then had the guts to tell me he had hadit and that he appreciated my help. I lost my best hikingbuddy and tracker then....
I hope when the time comes and I can no longer draw or aim my bow that I'll gently put it down and try and pass it along to my son or grandson.
Because that is what growing old is all about, sharing your knowledge and passing it down....

Frank

RE: The end of the road
 

i would love to hunt with my dad im only 20 hes turning 50 soon but hes an animal lover but doesent mind that i hunt just that i stay safe but i did get him into shed hunting and he loves fishing so i do that with him whenever i can

RE: The end of the road
 

Incredible post, and a pleasure to read.

Reminds me of my grandfather. He taught me everything he knew about hunting and the outdoorsto the best of his abilities. He too went through "the end of the road". His last hunt was with an old friend named Stutz. They got up in a box together during shotgun week and managed to kill a decent 7 pointer. Niether one of them could hardly see, but what a way to go out. He never hunted again after that. One year later Stutz passed on. Pop lived for a few more years but was suffering from bone cancer and passed on as well. At the viewing my brother and I placed a picture of Stutz and Pop with their buck on his chest along with two veryold buckshot in his front pocket.

Thanks for sharing, It's good hear of anelder being helped to enjoy some more time in the outdoors.