Over 20 years ago I told my wife before we were married, "don't make me choose between you and hunting because I won't choose you". I told her it's because its part of who I am and I'm not going to give up my own identity to be married. I said getting married doesn't mean being controlled, like I saw happening to my friends.
She's never asked me to choose and doesn't make going hunting or spending gobs of money on hunting trip a guilt trip. She doesn't get jealous or angry of me being gone for weeks on end. She has been 100% supportive in every way. In return, I am supportive of the stuff she likes and wants to do. I don't question her, and I "pull my weight" around our home year round. I respect her and she respects me. Me being a hunter is just part of our life now. I walleye fish a lot less than I used to because I like to spend time with her and the kids, and it was my choice to do that.
I've always believed that things that start well, end well. Starting something well requires openly communicating each others expectations and goals. I did that and it worked for me.
The truth is that if she asked me to choose now, I'd choose her every time, but I won't tell her that!
She's never asked me to choose and doesn't make going hunting or spending gobs of money on hunting trip a guilt trip. She doesn't get jealous or angry of me being gone for weeks on end. She has been 100% supportive in every way. In return, I am supportive of the stuff she likes and wants to do. I don't question her, and I "pull my weight" around our home year round. I respect her and she respects me. Me being a hunter is just part of our life now. I walleye fish a lot less than I used to because I like to spend time with her and the kids, and it was my choice to do that.
I've always believed that things that start well, end well. Starting something well requires openly communicating each others expectations and goals. I did that and it worked for me.
The truth is that if she asked me to choose now, I'd choose her every time, but I won't tell her that!
. Remember that you are in a team and financially you are working together. If you discuss purchases ahead of time it goes a long way. I try to work extra and sell other things to make money so my $150/month is extended. Time is another hard thing. You can’t just leave and head to the hills. You learn to balance these things. I am always learning that my time is divided and I need to make the most of the time i have in the hills. My wife and life doesn’t allow for a bunch of time to hunt or family time so there is a huge compromise there as well. For me I get 15 days per year of vacation. I give 8 days to 10 days for family and 5 days to hunting. So far this has kept my wife happy. Find that compromise that makes you both happy and that is key. Now your going to screw up and be on a “four day hunt” that turns into a longer one and come home empty handed. Then the explanation to your long camping trip and honey due list is brought to your attention and how hunting is not bring home the “bacon”. Good luck and enjoy being married. It’s the best thing I have ever done.
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. I love my children to death and would do anything for them, but as soon as the sound of little footsteps start to echoing down the hall life will change. As a matter of fact baby number three is locked and loaded and due October 5th this year. I was supposed to go on a mule deer hunt two weeks after that with my wife. The A hole in me says screw it and still go, the responsible adult in me says stay home and help mama. Happy wife, happy life. 
