I planned a trip to wisconsin for about a week and a half. This being my first planned hunting trip of our marriage, my wife was a little upset. We argued about it for a while when I told her how much it was going to cost me. I assured her all the money would be from my own saving not ours. Her final argument was "what if I took my own vacation for a week and a half, how wouold you like that?" and I said I wouldnt give a crap. End of story. I guess it made her realize that she was being a bit irrational, and that i really wouldnt care. If she took off for a week and a half, I would probably hunt the whole time. She was actually dissapointed for me when the trip got cancelled. Moral being, maybe you should tell her that this is what you want to do, if she has a problem with being alone, why doesnt she look for something that she likes to do.

Following mama's lead possibly and like said some other things going on. First try finding out what is bothering her at the root! That isif it is worth slavaging(meaning your happy with her in your life! Don't answer this question when your thinking about the grief she is giving about hunting! Rather re-count the entire year or years you've had... a broad spectrum look at your life together weighing the +'s and then looking at the -'s of the relationship.) If she is only focused on your hunting and it takes you away, then encourage her to get a hobby other than shopping to indulge herself in. This will give her something to do all herself but yet allow her to share it withthe family. Try setting up times where she can get away with her pals or whatever and have her own alone time. Being a stay at home Mom or wife is most certainly a job and can lead to depression and/or a loss of self indentity. We wisk off to the garage, woods, etcwhile the ladies are left holding the bag, so giving her a share is only fair IMHO. I am not saying men don't do things around the home, we all have our duties but try taking on her role as well just so she can have a day or few hours all to herself. I know dad's who have never bathed their childern...what makes them feel this isn't in their fatherly duties? What the heck is women's work? Really??? I do wash, cook most of the meals, clean the house (this includes dusting fella's), bath my kids, take them to and fro, etc. If I never had a wife who would do such duties? If I never had a wife who would pick up the slack when I was off hunting? Extent her the same graditude at least some of the time. Ok enough of my blah.blahing!

Tell her what hunting means to you. Tell her it is part of the man she married to xx years ago andit makes you feel like your inadequate to her byasking youto change who you are. Also tell her your concern about feeling like your choosing hunting over the family or vice versa. Be honest and forthcoming, their is no point sinking your emotions or true feelings deep inside as they will come back in bad way later. Deal with it before it is too late for you both and if that point has already come then better to end now then continue down the path your on. THE KIDS aren't a good excuse..they will suffer from an unhappy home more than mommy and daddy living apart!

I have been with my wife for 15 years of which 11 married, we have 2 girls and I will never say there haven't been tough times but we have endured through them by remaining friends first and foremost. Communication is often broken between men and women,as we see things differently being a male and female. However never stop striving to remain somewhat in tune with each other. I see her as an equal, she has every right as me and in turn we accept each other for who we are. I won't lie she gets miffed with my hunting obession but also knows that it is part of who I am and accepts this fact. I try to make up for it in every way possible by encouraging her to do things by herself and fuel her own interests. I believe our secret is common interests, individual interestsand communication. If you can believe it I opt to chat vs jumping in the sack so that she can get things off her mind.[] I believe a relationship is about give and take. Sometimes your the boot and sometimes your the butt but as long as it is shared you can endure!

Extremely tough situation and wish you all the best!

Take Care

PS: IMHO any one who loves you won't ask you to change unless it makes you a better person. So evaluate what the person is saying before making a rash decisionto see if it will indeed accomplish this goal. Ifonly abandaid then it will eventually fall of exposing a infected wound!

Just an after thought. . . .an ultimatum. . .let me see, a wife that gest to stay home and raise the children or she could be a single mom and have to work and then raise the kids. . . .

Call her bluff. . . .

Go in one night when she is asleep and get her purse and open it up an findyour testicles and put them back on. Be a man and stop being so whipped or shut up and stop crying about it and stay home and be her lap dog. Have fun.

When I go it's for 3 weeks and sometimes 4 and she's with me!!!Since 1967.

Man I wish I could give some advice but in the last three years I lost my wife of thirteen yrs. and two girlfriends, all due to my hunting. So, I'm in no place to give anybody any advice. GOOD LUCK!

P.S. If you learn the secret, let me know

Leave late and come home early.

Not in reailty, just present it that way. I always tell my wife that I am leaving on (insert day of the week) well before my trip. As my "departure" date approaches, I push it back at least one day and spend some QT with the wife. She feel pretty good that I sacrificed a few days of my hunt for her, but in reality, I get my full weeks hunt.

I often come home a day early too. I do the same thing as I do when I leave.....not really missing anything,it just appears that way to her. She is surprised and feels good that I came hoem early to her!


I know it sounds bad, but I really do it to make her feel better. She is a stay at home wife and mother, but she is very cool about me and my hunting passion. I really do not need to do this, but I have found that she gets excited everytime I do................Try it.......it may work

Hey Kybuckhunter,

How long have you been divorced and who is that guy raising your children. If you don't have anything to say that might help, Piss off! I'm sure in your little world things are just that simple. Just like you!