Dilemma!

P

PalsPal

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2012
Messages
12,827
Reaction score
8,017
Location
TN
This may come across as a "woe is me" type post, and I guess it is in a way.

My dad & I gained access to some great spots in middle Tn 3-4 years ago with an older gentleman who use to live in our area.

He loves to hunt with us, and we have a great time. However, his age and limited mobility really throws a cog into the hunts. He has to use a cane to aid his walking, so we can't get anywhere quickly. I help him cross fences, gates, etc., and also help him get up from his seat after a setup.

I have been successful in calling in one bird for him and he made the shot with my gun, after he had missed a jake with his gun just minutes earlier. It was an awesome hunt, but that was 3 yrs ago. We just have a hard time getting it done.

We had a great chance yesterday. However, his alarm hadn't gone off so we had to call him. In his hurry to get ready he forgot one very important thing.

We hadn't been sat up long when we had turkeys come into the field. Two strutters and hens were about 200 yards away in the fog. They slowly worked our way and got to about 120 yards. We had decent cover, but not great. Then it hit him. He HAD to take a leak and NOW!

Since there was no way for him to roll over and take care of it from his knees, I had to ease up, and help him to his feet. I glanced back over my shoulder while he was doing the deed, and we were still OK. However, in getting him back seated, they had spotted movement and moved off. Game over.

I have a plan for a mid-week hunt, so maybe we can pull it off then.

It gets a little stressful trying to get him a bird, and helping my dad, who thankfully can still get around great. Add to that, I have two young hunters who are going with me some, so I have spread myself a little thin.

OK, I feel better. Thanks for listening :) !
 
I feel ya but one day your not going to be taking him, then all you will have is the memories. I would surmise that what you are doing for him is what he looks forward to everyday, thats very important to gentlemen in his situation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I could only imagine how stressful that could be, but what your doing is great. We're all going to get old one day, no man can change that. I actually thought about this while leaning against a tree in the woods the other day. I wondered how old I'd be when I couldn't climb these hills anymore, what it would be like to know spring was here and turkey's were gobbling but I just couldn't get out there after them like I once did. Pretty depressing to think about. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll have somebody like you to help me just a little longer.
 
AT Hiker":h0rr65lr said:
I feel ya but one day your not going to be taking him, then all you will have is the memories. I would surmise that what you are doing for him is what he looks forward to everyday, thats very important to gentlemen in his situation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
What he said and one day the shoe may be on the other foot. ;)
 
I feel your pain, but I hope when I get to my later years someone is as kind as you are and helps me out. Sure it's frustrating, but you're doing good deeds every hunt, and that counts for a lot. I commend you for sacrificing your season to help others out
 
Good deed. Maybe you'll have to work a little harder to get him a bird but it'll be one that both of you will remember.
 
AT Hiker":qnkqow6k said:
I would surmise that what you are doing for him is what he looks forward to everyday, thats very important to gentlemen in his situation.
Click to expand...

That is an excellent point, and something that I need to remember. Thanks everyone for the comments!

I did forget to mention that without him, we wouldn't have this access to several farms in the area. And, on most hunts, he is usually done after our first couple of setups, so that gives my dad and I a chance to stay longer and hunt some great places.

I guess this morning got to me thinking that it was going to come together, and then have him whisper, "I gotta pee, I'm about to bust"!

I have often thought how hilarious it would be if we had a video camera on us when certain things happen in every day life to capture our facial expressions. I would love to see what mine was when it registered what he had said, and then realizing what we were going to have to do to make it happen, all-the-while having two strutters so close :D !
 
Great on you for helping him out. I understand your frustration, but I can about promise you that in a few years your will well remember the birds you help him kill more than the easier ones for you.

After doing this for a while, I have found that I still remember the hunts where the gobbler won, usually by me doing something stupid) more than the textbook ones where they march in gobbling to get whacked.

I have the utmost respect for those that take the time to get both kids and those on the tail end of their journey out into the turkey woods. It isn't easy, but it sure is special.
 
Consider your situation a blessing. How many opportunities do we have to make a difference in someone's life. No matter how young or old, your good deed will not go without merit. My hat is off to you good sir.
 

Latest posts

Back
Top