doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Hunting Alone

She doesn’t call early. Our daughter-in-law might text about a sick child or a dead battery. But she doesn’t call early.

When I was young I had lots of hunting friends as well as invites to hunt with guys who, more often than not, turned out to be one & done deals. Sometimes it was safety attitudes. Other times just attitudes. Mostly, though, it was just that we didn’t “gee haw” (I came to understand that expression as a kid driving a team on my grandfather's farm.) I was bothered by this for years. I liked to hunt a certain way even though I didn’t understand why and I liked to hunt with other men who likewise did. The epiphany came late in life from John Madson in Out Home.

“The real hunter is probably as free as it’s possible for modern man to be in this teeming technocracy of ours. Not because he sheds civilized codes and restraints when he goes into the woods, becoming an animal, but because he can project himself out of and beyond himself and be wholly absorbed in a quieter, deeper and older world.”

Our daughter-in-law doesn’t call early but this morning my phone was saying otherwise. Had I not known what she would say I wouldn’t have understood through her tears. My last hunting friend (and her brother-in-law) had died before dawn.

He and I could pass a few quiet words before leaving the truck and then slip into the deer woods, set up on the ground with the wind, and not say a word until deep dark when we eased back out.

Maybe there will be another friend of kindred spirit. Likely there won’t. I get it. But it's alright and this new year will be alright in spite of its beginning because I also get what Gordon MacQuarrie said, “I left long before daylight, alone but not lonely.”

Sorry for your loss, FallCreekFan. I often hunt alone for the reasons you describe. This week I had the great enjoyment of hunting with my brother. We geehaw pretty well.

Larry

I understand completely.

I'ts a deeply personal thing, but thanks for sharing good memories FCF. Hunting alone, there are far worse things one might do.

I know exactly what you are saying, finding a companion you truly "click" with is a great gift. Being comfortable in silence with another is a mark of true friendship. My hunting and fishing friends have all been lost to moves or death.

My condolences and prayers to you.

Tim

I am also sorry for your loss. At the same time I understand your fascination and satisfaction with hunting alone. And with being alone but not lonely.

I felt a loneliness when my paternal grandfather died. He was most of my world. I am equally sure I would feel a similar loneliness if my wife of 53 years was to precede me in death. But, although I work alone often, all day, I'm never lonely.

I am surrounded by family and friends who love me and enjoy my company, and I theirs. But, there is a big part of me that needs to be alone, a lot.

I think it's a good thing to be able to enjoy solitude for a day, or days, and equally enjoy the reunion with loved ones afterwards.

Amen
Thank you for sharing

I have lost kindred souls and it is tough

I will pray for you and solace.

Mike

.

yeah, been there...

life is good...

death sucks...

none of us is here forever...

cherish those still in your life...

pick yourself up an git on wid hit...

I didn’t realize, exactly, how few my hunting partners were until my Dad died.

It was a difficult lesson. I am down to just a few, unfortunately one of those is 3 states west of me. I’m blessed to have Lloyd as a friend, hunting buddy is icing on the cake. I just had a conversation with my last local hunting buddy, who had a reconstructive surgery to one shoulder, that really didn’t deliver all that was hoped. We both hunted this week, just not with each other. We will, again, when our schedules align a bit closer. My son, will tag along if there isn’t anything else to do (I went through a similar phase with my Dad, as well, coming back in my early 20s).

My season ended on Tuesday, New Year’s Eve, just Louise and I. I worked until 10:30AM, and hit a spot I’ve hunted for most of fifty years, first with kids in my neighborhood, who, to a one, have aged out, and mostly by myself, of late. We got about 4 hours in, just us, the Federal Game Warden pulled in to check the locks on a few gates, and left with no comment. There was a bow hunter to the east, had the River bottom and birdy areas to myself. I made a note to myself that the dog is good for 1/2 to 3/4 of a day, she will be 12 in April.

I’ve been here, before.

We moved one rooster out the end of a dense wood lot, I tripped on a half buried piece of pig fence about ten paces later. I moved a grouse near the edge of the river, a doable shot, I even grabbed the tight choke in the Nitro Special 16, but, I missed. The birds are quite cagey this time of year, and really don’t have much time for pointy dogs.

The little gizmo that my son loaded a bunch of music on for me can take a picture, as well. I hope you all had a season of beauty and good memories.

Best,
Ted