Limiting your hobbies

[Tejasbow]

I used to fish bass tournaments pretty heavily. That choked out as kids came along. That sucks more time and money than anything. Besides that not really. All my hobbies revolve around fishing and hunting. I duck hunt bow hunt canoe fish camp. Pretty much year round. Now I have refused to do things because I knew I would not stop. Bow fishing for instance. Heck last weekend went skydiving everyone in my group signed up for the course to become a licensed jumper. I looked, laughed and said I have enough hobbies.

 

[Ross]

Due to a poor original knee surgeon 25 yrs ago and not knowing anything about knee injuries at the time I eventually had to make a decision on my other hobbies and decide if I wanted to elk hunt for decades to come with my own knees. Starting in 2000 I have strictly dedicated to my hobby time to being in the mountains in pursuit of elk antlersYou could say I need to go rehab

 

[5MilesBack]

My problem is that I don't do anything half-ass, I go full-bore, and that includes work. So gave up the work option to have more time and effort for my hobbies. But golf, fishing, biking, hiking, traveling, and other activities are hobbies. Elk hunting and archery are just part of me, so those don't count as hobbies.

 

[nflesher]

I do a lot of working, try to fish when I can but not enough. Bought a mountain bike just to get some conditioning when I can. I haven't saw that bike in months. Kids/marriage will slow down the best of us. I have a fetish for using a chain saw and clearing brush/cutting fire wood. I make it a priority to hunt though. If all else fails or doesn't happen, I make time to go hunt. I know if I don't, I just won't go. Most times, I am trying to find time to sleep. I have a VERY understanding wife who let's me do whatever/whenever and doesn't say much. I was away for almost 7 weeks when we had a two year old and she was pregnant. Let me tell you that story another time.....

 

[FLAK]

I wish i could JUST HUNT.
Life gets in the way. Not much
time for more than a couple of hobbies.

 

[willidru]

Are you married? Do you have kids? If not I would keep some of those extra hobbies so you have something to give up later. I had some sacrificial hobbies. With a wife and 3 kids 10 and under I gave up the dirt bike riding, and slowed down on the spear fishing, snowboarding and my spring hunts. Mostly to watch my boys play sports.

Focused on my big game and duck hunting now.

But if you just trying to be great a something sure cut back or just wake up earlier to shoot your bow every day, cut out other things that you don’t love and push harder to get better at all of your hobbies. You can sleep when your dead.

 

[HighUintas]

Just wondering how many of you have cut down on hobbies to concentrate on hunting? I woke up this morning feeling cluttered in terms of toys. I have always been mediocre at most of my hobbies because I pursued so many. The only hobby I ever became a expert at was snowboarding because its the only hobby I focus on during the winter, which made me think, what if I sold all my kayaking, hockey, and brewing equipment to solely concentrate on becoming a more lethal hunter. I shoot my bow everyday, and when time allows I go and shoot at the local 3D range and local 3D tournaments, so why need the other stuff if I am solely focused on scouting and shooting all summer? Have any of you sold your less used toys and regretted it? I may keep the brewing stuff cause beer is awesome, but damn if it doesn't take all day to make 5 gallons.

I think it's nice to switch gears every once in awhile. I hit my hobbies so hard that I occasionally need a break from them. So, I'll just focus more on one of the others for awhile.

 

[Newtosavage]

Just wondering how many of you have cut down on hobbies to concentrate on hunting? I woke up this morning feeling cluttered in terms of toys. I have always been mediocre at most of my hobbies because I pursued so many. The only hobby I ever became a expert at was snowboarding because its the only hobby I focus on during the winter, which made me think, what if I sold all my kayaking, hockey, and brewing equipment to solely concentrate on becoming a more lethal hunter. I shoot my bow everyday, and when time allows I go and shoot at the local 3D range and local 3D tournaments, so why need the other stuff if I am solely focused on scouting and shooting all summer? Have any of you sold your less used toys and regretted it? I may keep the brewing stuff cause beer is awesome, but damn if it doesn't take all day to make 5 gallons.

I came to the same conclusion about 7 years ago. I had a lot of interests. I had become an expert at one hobby, but it was at the expense of several others that I truly enjoyed as well. I realized I'd never become a good enough golfer to enjoy a whole round of golf (who is after all) and I needed a break from that hobby. I found it in the form of a hunting lease and fishing boat, and I although I miss the good rounds of golf, and mostly the friendships on the course, I don't miss it as much as I thought I would.

I'm learning the same lesson about brewing beer. I've now brewed two batches (10+ gal) and am wondering if it really makes sense to spend that much time just to save what amounts to about $30 on two cases of beer, or $0.50/bottle. I'm not sure it is. I have learned however that I don't drink as much beer if I have to go to the store and buy it, and that's probably a good thing.

After 5 seasons hunting elk and mule deer in Colorado, I've learned a few things. 1) I should have been doing this for the past 30 years, and 2) I stay motivated all year by looking forward to those 2 weeks in the mountains, including motivated to work out which is a very good thing.

My deer lease has made me a lazy (locally) hunter, and it's it's just as much work (or more) than all the scouting I used to put in on public land. Except I enjoyed the scouting a lot more, and it cost me a lot less money. Next year, I'm handing over the lease and going back to hunting public land. I was much happier that way. Hunting public land is a stress reliever for me. A deer lease is a stress creator.

The past 10 years or so of my life has had one theme, and I suppose it's very common for men my age... Simplify. After working my tail off for almost 40 years and raising three kids, I look for ways to simplify my life now. Sounds like you are doing the same. It's a good thing. You will enjoy it and I am sure you'll become a much better hunter for it.

 

[rtaylor]

Prekids I had a ton of hobbies. Bass fishing, dirt bike riding, camping, golfing, snow skiing, hunting etc... Post kids I came to the conclusion that I had a choice to make, have tons of hobbies or be a good dad. I've axed alot of my hobbies and have held on to a couple that mean the most to me.

 

[Poser]

I’m hesitant about adding new hobbies, but I do have, have always had, and will continue to have quite a number of hobbies. I think that my interests and ebb and flow from season to season a bit depending on what I’m feeling motivated about, but once you have the foundation in place, it’s always easy to jump back in when the time is right.

 

[The Ri Guy]

Interesting thread, fun to read all the different perspectives.

I have the unique advantages of being as anti-social as Sasquatch and having worked in a family business since youth. Never had the time nor the resources for hobbies beyond daily exercise, the occasional video game session, and yardwork.

That leaves me looking for things to do most of the time, instead of hobbies to eliminate.

Nothing but family gets priority over hunting -- it's an integral part of who I am, not a hobby.