[newB]

Thought I'd add my 2 cents worth.

This thread is a little old but it pertinent. Each replier obviously had put some thought into the idea of hunting alone and hunting into the older years. I just recently turned 49 and for the past couple years have given thought to these ideas.

Hunting in/as a group has many rewards, I have found that often the hunt is because of an invite from one or the other of the hunting buddies in the group. Even if the group at one time or the other might have only been 2 people.

Because of the different connections each member of the group has this has enabled us all to hunt in places where we might not other wise have been able to as a single hunter.

As a single hunter it has lead to opportunities that other whys would not have been possible as a group because the group idea scared many land owners, mostly because groups perviously spoiled the opportunity given them. Also as a single hunter I have had more flexibility in making outing plans and certianly learned the hard details of hunting the animal I was after not just from the experiences of my hunting buddies.

Some of the issues about safety and health are pertinent. I have been out many times as a single hunter, even as youth, and came in thinking "that was kind of crazy" or "bringing the deks would have been easier with another" I don't want to take chances with my life but some times I/we do so because I/we enjoy the hunting so much that we kind of forget self preservation. Some times I go out because there is no one else to go that day... just something you've planned to do.

I've given thought to the old age thing and know that things start to happen in our bodies in the 40ies and don't get better. We all want to keep going like an old mountain goat, but just can't. I want to be able to hunt with my kids or perhaps my grandchildren, mostly because I want them to experience the joys I've had. I plan to hunt into my 70's -80's if that is what the Good Lord has for me, but if my knees give out or my eyes fail I will have wait on Him.

With the idea of getting older and thinking of potential harm that might come to me I've recently given more thought to hunting with others. In fact, because I feel that I am still able to go hunting, I'm offering to take older hunters who don't want to hunt by themselves and or perhaps have considered giving up hunting because of just such concerns.

I consider myself to be an avid waterfowl hunter and offer to any hunter 65-ish or anyone who considers themselves to be "older" the opportunity to join me someday on a waterfowl hunt in Illinois on the Des Plaines River at the confluence of the Illinois River.

For replies to the invite e-mail me at flethcrew433@att.net
. I am also willing to take disabled hunters of any age.