Smoking and high elevation

[njdoxie]

Totally depends on the person, everybody is different, I know a couple hard asses that hunt and smoke, they were born tough....most aren't like that. I don't smoke and train year around and they leave me. You have to determine if your bil is tough or not...try him on some stairs as mentioned. If you bring him make it clear that if he wants to leave early, he's 110% on his own!

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[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

You might have some explaining to do the cops as to why you had to quarter up your brother in law to pack him out. Just make sure you lable your elk meat so it doesn't get mixed up with your brother in law...

I figure most of the cops around there are probably high country hunters too so they'll understand, though they might frown on me boning him out.

 

[brewer427]

though they might frown on me boning him out.

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

Will certainly you wouldn't expect me to carry his bones out that's just extra weight

 

[dangerousD]

This is going to sound callous and it is, but I wouldn't jeopardize my hunt on account of the chance that he might not be able to perform. I've only been doing back country hunts the last couple years and trained all year for them. They are so important to me and I am so passionate about them that I can't see risking it by taking someone that isn't on the same level of dedication as myself because I don't know how many years or hunts I will be able to do. Life is short. I know my time is limited and I put so much into it that I become selfish in a way that I won't take someone along that doesn't have my same mindset. My first year I was unsuccessful and then this year in my second attempt I was very fortunate and "brought home the bacon" on public land DIY. After finding success, all of a sudden all my buddies now want to go with me. I know they won't share my level of dedication to it so I won't take them. Period. I'm a jerk I suppose. I also don't want to train someone else or babysit them. Soon enough, my boys will be old enough to hunt with me in the mountains and I'd rather spend time passing my knowledge (the little bit I have after only 2 years ) to them than some of my friends that don't share the level of enthusiasm that I do.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

After talking a bit with him, I am planning a scouting trip sometime next summer. If he can't hack it on that or just won't go for some reason then he can stay home.

 

[realunlucky]

While I don't personally smoke when I was in the service the majority of my unit smoked and some of guys could grind me into the ground. Of course that isn't typical of smokers but some guys on here are quick to judge.

 

[Broomd]

I never have understood smoking...
Thankful I never did it even once.

 

[mtswampfox]

young age not so bad but start getting a few more years and not only the breathing but circulation issues arise, always cold and nerve issues.this dummy quit probably thirty years ago but am going to start again when old enough for the wheel chair. going to start drinking jack again too. a churchill a day and a tankard of jack on the rocks,,,,,ah

 

[orionsbrother]

Well I won't sound calloused. I'll sound like a Dick, 'cause I am. "He's threatening" to go elk hunting with you.

Your hunt, your scouted ground, your rules, which includes keeping his mouth shut about the area and refraining from any whining.

He's got roughly a year to conform to your expectations or he can find his own ground, scout it himself and make his own hunt.

The hesitation in your post leads me to believe that you know that you have reason to be concerned about the outcome of his joining you. That same hesitation causes me to think that he may also be lacking other key attributes that could help offset his potential weaknesses.

Listen to your gut, not your wife.

 

[njdoxie]

^^^^ very good points! Is he going to bring all his buddies next year???? You got a lot to consider, especially if you have a honeyhole.

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

Well I won't sound calloused. I'll sound like a Dick, 'cause I am. "He's threatening" to go elk hunting with you.

Your hunt, your scouted ground, your rules, which includes keeping his mouth shut about the area and refraining from any whining.

He's got roughly a year to conform to your expectations or he can find his own ground, scout it himself and make his own hunt.

The hesitation in your post leads me to believe that you know that you have reason to be concerned about the outcome of his joining you. That same hesitation causes me to think that he may also be lacking other key attributes that could help offset his potential weaknesses.

Listen to your gut, not your wife.

Very good points! He is kind of my hunting buddy around home but lacks much of my dedication even on whitetail. I've only been elk hunting once and don't really have a honey hole yet but I do realize how tough it is and he doesn't.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Well I won't sound calloused. I'll sound like a Dick, 'cause I am. "He's threatening" to go elk hunting with you.

Your hunt, your scouted ground, your rules, which includes keeping his mouth shut about the area and refraining from any whining.

He's got roughly a year to conform to your expectations or he can find his own ground, scout it himself and make his own hunt.

The hesitation in your post leads me to believe that you know that you have reason to be concerned about the outcome of his joining you. That same hesitation causes me to think that he may also be lacking other key attributes that could help offset his potential weaknesses.

Listen to your gut, not your wife.

Spot on. When I read the OP's thread I was thinking the very same things.
His smoking would be the least of my concerns. Sure it will hold him back a bit, but that would be the least of my concerns. Personally I would make it clear that he has to earn his way into a high altitude back country hunt. Maybe start off w/ a lower altitude deer hunt or two first. Missouri & Colorado are worlds apart.
For the record I smoke, chew and drink like a fish. Hasn't held me back. (The extra body weight I carry, that's a different matter.)
Ability & drive is 95% mental, does HE have that?
Hunt'nFish