I'm losing it
I'm losing it
I'm an elderly man and my love for firearms is largely done. I don't want any more guns but don't want to sell the ones I have. What is this sickness called Old Age? The cure is worse than the disease.
Re: I'm losing it
I feel ya! What I have I love. They all filled a niche when I was hunting and shooting a lot. Now..... I haven't duck hunted in 12 years, have five bags of decoys, dedicated duck gear and shotgun, for what? I have a distance rifle when my long shot is 300 yards, why? I'm building a bullpup so I can continue to still hunt with a walking stick. If this works I won't need my 99 Savage. My children don't have an interest in my guns.... I'm wanting to sell but...
Re: I'm losing it
Is there a youth organization in your area they you can mentor young hunters? It’s tough.
Re: I'm losing it
I know how you feel Gene....with the exception that my love for firearms is still there. My gun safes are full, not only of long guns but full of memories. I can pick out any of the rifles or shotguns and they instantly bring back memories of past hunts, friends that have departed, places I have been etc etc.
Like Freezer, none of my young relatives like nephews/nieces, or younger are interested in any of them, being more interested in having their faces locked on their phones and what is trending on social media.
But I am blessed....blessed because Bloodhounds son who is in his mid twenties is a mirror of what I was at his age.....mad keen on firearms, hunting and the outdoors..... and he has a couple of friends that are the same...While I still hunt etc I am more interested in mentoring him and his buddies when I do hit the hills, and passing not only knowledge and skills but also a firearm or 2 to them to help them along.
In essence I guess I have become what my own mentors were to me. An old guy who has been up the hill and back again many times, someone they can hang out with that knows a bit about hunting, firearms and the outdoors, someone that will talk to them, who will take them 'up the hill' and back and share the knowledge gained over many years.
As an example, Before I went in for eye surgery I took the 'young Bloodhound' and his partner ( a lovely lady who also enjoys the outdoors) out for a hunt...planned a stalk and then watched him shoot a Red Hind for meat....while I went to get my vehicle he managed to cut the tip of his finger badly when he started to field dress the animal on a steep slope. I arrived back, gave him some 'bush' first aid, then field dressed the animal in about 9 minutes and hung it in a tree to cool down..... Him and his partner helped, watched and asked questions throughout the process and learned some new tricks.
I got far more enjoyment from that hunt than if I had shot the animal myself.
Having someone like that to help makes a big difference and keeps me going. I still enjoy the time I spend alone 'on the hill' and dont intend giving up what I love but paying it back to others, as was done to me, gives me more pleasure as I get older.
Like Freezer, none of my young relatives like nephews/nieces, or younger are interested in any of them, being more interested in having their faces locked on their phones and what is trending on social media.
But I am blessed....blessed because Bloodhounds son who is in his mid twenties is a mirror of what I was at his age.....mad keen on firearms, hunting and the outdoors..... and he has a couple of friends that are the same...While I still hunt etc I am more interested in mentoring him and his buddies when I do hit the hills, and passing not only knowledge and skills but also a firearm or 2 to them to help them along.
In essence I guess I have become what my own mentors were to me. An old guy who has been up the hill and back again many times, someone they can hang out with that knows a bit about hunting, firearms and the outdoors, someone that will talk to them, who will take them 'up the hill' and back and share the knowledge gained over many years.
As an example, Before I went in for eye surgery I took the 'young Bloodhound' and his partner ( a lovely lady who also enjoys the outdoors) out for a hunt...planned a stalk and then watched him shoot a Red Hind for meat....while I went to get my vehicle he managed to cut the tip of his finger badly when he started to field dress the animal on a steep slope. I arrived back, gave him some 'bush' first aid, then field dressed the animal in about 9 minutes and hung it in a tree to cool down..... Him and his partner helped, watched and asked questions throughout the process and learned some new tricks.
I got far more enjoyment from that hunt than if I had shot the animal myself.
Having someone like that to help makes a big difference and keeps me going. I still enjoy the time I spend alone 'on the hill' and dont intend giving up what I love but paying it back to others, as was done to me, gives me more pleasure as I get older.
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Wambli Ska
- Posts: 4084
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 3:09 pm
Re: I'm losing it
While I’m still shooting quite a bit I find myself doing more teaching and coaching of the younger generation. My older granddaughter loves guns and shooting and my SIL is almost as bad as I am with firearms and WAY worse on reloading, casting etc. My wife, son and daughter won’t pass an opportunity to go shoot. This all helps keep the “love” going.
But nowadays I spend more time pondering who’s getting one of my guns when I pass, than thinking about future purchases.
But nowadays I spend more time pondering who’s getting one of my guns when I pass, than thinking about future purchases.
Re: I'm losing it
Wambli, we are definitely related! I’m in the same phase right now; I created a bit of a monster when I taught my ‘son’ to shoot a couple years ago, and now his girlfriend is into it, along with both their little brothers! He’s better than me at Sporting Clays after only a year, and getting close to beating me on steel plates. And yes, he’ll inherit most of my collection someday.
But I haven’t stopped acquiring things or slowed down my shooting. In fact, these youngsters have gotten me back to the ranges more often than ever!
But I haven’t stopped acquiring things or slowed down my shooting. In fact, these youngsters have gotten me back to the ranges more often than ever!