The Best Years of My Life

[PSB16]

Love the attitude in this thread. I just recently joined because I'm looking to head out west to go Elk hunting or Mule hunt. I'm 38 and I'm semi retired. I work when I want to and I can't just not work! Raised on a tobacco farm so no silver spoon here- just made some good decisions early. A lot of those decision were from my dad saying- "I wish I would have did this. "I wish I had of invested here.".....So I did that and it worked out. Back to the hunting out west....I'm completely new to it and I have been researching for months and I keep going around in circles as to what to do. Supposedly my odds are the best in Wyoming as far as drawing a tag. The other problem I have is similar to the other posts on here- my friends won't commit! As much as I would love to go on a solo hunt it doesn't seem like the smartest decision. It would most likely be a rifle hunt bc to be perfectly honest I don't have high confidence in myself that I could get the job done in archery season. Anyways, just introducing myself in case anyone was interested in finding a potential hunting partner or to share some more wisdom.

 

[AK_Skeeter]

Love the attitude in this thread. I just recently joined because I'm looking to head out west to go Elk hunting or Mule hunt. I'm 38 and I'm semi retired. I work when I want to and I can't just not work! Raised on a tobacco farm so no silver spoon here- just made some good decisions early. A lot of those decision were from my dad saying- "I wish I would have did this. "I wish I had of invested here.".....So I did that and it worked out. Back to the hunting out west....I'm completely new to it and I have been researching for months and I keep going around in circles as to what to do. Supposedly my odds are the best in Wyoming as far as drawing a tag. The other problem I have is similar to the other posts on here- my friends won't commit! As much as I would love to go on a solo hunt it doesn't seem like the smartest decision. It would most likely be a rifle hunt bc to be perfectly honest I don't have high confidence in myself that I could get the job done in archery season. Anyways, just introducing myself in case anyone was interested in finding a potential hunting partner or to share some more wisdom.

Whether it is the western US or in Alaska, I found one thing that consistently helped and that was to invest in
"sweat-equity" . Go where most others will not normally go. If you find yourself in a spot away from the competition, the likelihood of success is much higher.

 

[Yoder]

Unfortunately I believe the next ten years will be filled with pain and suffering. I've almost lost hope in the future of this country and I don't believe it will last another 10 years. If by the grace of God that turns out to be wrong, it will be awesome. My house will be paid off next year, I have no other debt and my wife and I make more money than we ever have. I'm also in better shape now than I was in my 30's and my wife is also in good health. We now have the time and money to do things we always wanted to do.

 

[AK_Skeeter]

Unfortunately I believe the next ten years will be filled with pain and suffering. I've almost lost hope in the future of this country and I don't believe it will last another 10 years. If by the grace of God that turns out to be wrong, it will be awesome. My house will be paid off next year, I have no other debt and my wife and I make more money than we ever have. I'm also in better shape now than I was in my 30's and my wife is also in good health. We now have the time and money to do things we always wanted to do.

The price of gas is below $3 per gallon , inflation rate has decreased substantially, we are near record low unemployment rate. Life is good.

 

[mtwarden]

The price of gas is below $3 per gallon , inflation rate has decreased substantially, we are near record low unemployment rate. Life is good.

Agreed- can't complain too much here at all (well I did have to eat elk tag soup!)

 

[Yoder]

The price of gas is below $3 per gallon , inflation rate has decreased substantially, we are near record low unemployment rate. Life is good.

It's $3.65 here. Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting the existence of Israel and think a terrorist group are being oppressed. Millions of people crossed the border this year. Who are they? Do you think Iran, North Korea, Russia and China sent anyone here? Public schools and colleges are teaching our children socialism and the hatred of America. Homelessness is rampant. Stores have so much theft that is just allowed that they are losing hundreds of millions of dollars and many are closing stores. Interest rates are crazy, vehicles and housing prices are completely ridiculous. I think after the Democrats win the next election, we are screwed. Everything is rainbows and unicorns out there.

 

[mtwarden]

There was this guy that moved to a new town. He asked an old timer "how is this town?".

The old timer asked" how was the town you moved from?"

The guy said "it was horrible- people didn't get along, the weather sucked, he had no friends at all"

The old timer said "this is the same kind of town"

A couple of days later another new guy in town saw the same old timer, he also asked "how was this town?" The old timer asked this guy "how was the town he moved from?"

He said "it was a nice town, folks were pretty friendly, had several good friends and while the weather wasn't perfect- plenty of nice days to enjoy"

The old timer said "this is the same kind of town".

 

[AKDoc]

There was this guy that moved to a new town. He asked an old timer "how is this town?".

The old timer asked" how was the town you moved from?"

The guy said "it was horrible- people didn't get along, the weather sucked, he had no friends at all"

The old timer said "this is the same kind of town"

A couple of days later another new guy in town saw the same old timer, he also asked "how was this town?" The old timer asked this guy "how was the town he moved from?"

He said "it was a nice town, folks were pretty friendly, had several good friends and while the weather wasn't perfect- plenty of nice days to enjoy"

The old timer said "this is the same kind of town".

Thanks for posting that for us, sir...it's a great reminder from a wise "old timer".

Our inner dialogues (our thoughts/self-talk) about what is going on around us has a significant impact on our emotional reactions and subsequent attitudes...and our inner dialogues/thoughts become habits...and like all personal habits, they follow us where ever we go. Fortunately, like all personal habits, we can change our inner dialogues/thinking habits with dedicated effort to do so...and thus change our emotional reactions and attitudes. Of course that is far more easily said than done...but thankfully it can be done.

The wise "old timer" said it waaaay better than I did above...LOL!!!

 

[AK_Skeeter]

Agreed- can't complain too much here at all (well I did have to eat elk tag soup!)

Yes no complaints. Physical fitness/health, employed or retired, family, faith, etc.
The last year was the best year of my life and the next may be even better!
If I had cancer or was blinded or fired or lost a family member or my faith,
I might be singing a different tune, but for me life is good!

 

[Yoder]

There was this guy that moved to a new town. He asked an old timer "how is this town?".

The old timer asked" how was the town you moved from?"

The guy said "it was horrible- people didn't get along, the weather sucked, he had no friends at all"

The old timer said "this is the same kind of town"

A couple of days later another new guy in town saw the same old timer, he also asked "how was this town?" The old timer asked this guy "how was the town he moved from?"

He said "it was a nice town, folks were pretty friendly, had several good friends and while the weather wasn't perfect- plenty of nice days to enjoy"

The old timer said "this is the same kind of town".

Over 3 million undocumented immigrants came across the border this year. What would the old timer say about that?

 

[mtwarden]

My house will be paid off next year, I have no other debt and my wife and I make more money than we ever have. I'm also in better shape now than I was in my 30's and my wife is also in good health. We now have the time and money to do things we always wanted to do.

^ How many folks would love to be in the position you're in?

You've been blessed, just enjoy it.

 

[AKDoc]

Over 3 million undocumented immigrants came across the border this year. What would the old timer say about that?

I routinely have mirror conversations with that old timer about issues such as that!

That old timer always helpfully reminds me that there are many things in life that are in my control and many things that are outside of my control. Take appropriate/responsible actions within my control on issues of importance to me, but don't mentally dwell on the things that I can't control because I'll lose focus on the many, many important aspects of my life that are in my control. That old timer always ends telling me to see and be thankful for the good in my life.

I'm so glad that old timer is always there in the mirror to call me on my occasional BS, and remind me how lucky I am.

 

[mtwarden]

Well said .

 

[bracer40]

Love the attitude in this thread. I just recently joined because I'm looking to head out west to go Elk hunting or Mule hunt. I'm 38 and I'm semi retired. I work when I want to and I can't just not work! Raised on a tobacco farm so no silver spoon here- just made some good decisions early. A lot of those decision were from my dad saying- "I wish I would have did this. "I wish I had of invested here.".....So I did that and it worked out. Back to the hunting out west....I'm completely new to it and I have been researching for months and I keep going around in circles as to what to do. Supposedly my odds are the best in Wyoming as far as drawing a tag. The other problem I have is similar to the other posts on here- my friends won't commit! As much as I would love to go on a solo hunt it doesn't seem like the smartest decision. It would most likely be a rifle hunt bc to be perfectly honest I don't have high confidence in myself that I could get the job done in archery season. Anyways, just introducing myself in case anyone was interested in finding a potential hunting partner or to share some more wisdom.

Re:solo hunt not being the smartest decision. I’d always hunted big game with others and didn’t think I’d enjoy solo hunting…until an out of state elk hunt where my partner had to cancel due to injury. I hunted 10 days in new territory ( truck camp), covering from 5-10 miles a day. Absolutely loved it! Sure there were challenging times as there are in any elk hunt in mountainous terrain. Carrying a Garmin satellite coms device gave me & loved ones at home addl peace of mind.
Now my son hunts with me and there’s nothing better for now.
Will be moving out of state and retiring at 64 in the coming months and will likely be doing much of my local hunting solo and know I can enjoy it just as much as with a partner. It’s just a different experience.
Give it a try before deciding it’s not for you. You’ll never know for sure if you don’t try it.

 

[bracer40]

There was this guy that moved to a new town. He asked an old timer "how is this town?".

The old timer asked" how was the town you moved from?"

The guy said "it was horrible- people didn't get along, the weather sucked, he had no friends at all"

The old timer said "this is the same kind of town"

A couple of days later another new guy in town saw the same old timer, he also asked "how was this town?" The old timer asked this guy "how was the town he moved from?"

He said "it was a nice town, folks were pretty friendly, had several good friends and while the weather wasn't perfect- plenty of nice days to enjoy"

The old timer said "this is the same kind of town".

I’ve been a firm believer in this philosophy. We bring our ideas and beliefs to wherever we go and they color our experiences for better or worse. Thx for the positive reminder!

 

[Nykki]

Life is good In my house, retired at the end of last year. This year I had my old garage torn down and a new bigger one built. Cost was a bit more than I wanted but wasn't way out of line. Everything is paid for and both of us are in reasonably good health. Getting old isn't for the faint of heart, but I'm blessed with a good wife and friends.