2009 Member Hunt

[Purebred Redneck]

Hunting Firearms has been up and running for 3 years now, although it seems like yesterday. Prior to this site, the old forum came into existance in 2001.

Over the years, a few of us have had the opportunity to meet eachother in person without incident; which I think is great and opens the door to much much more.

That is why I would like to extend an open invitation to the forum members to plan and participate in a get-together in 2009.

In the next couple months, we will be taking some initial polls and suggestions to get a feel for where we need to be. From there, we will progress step by step until we have plans finalized. Some people may have to put in for vacations at the first of the year; so that is our projected date for final plans.
I want this to be planned thoroughly and correctly to the best of our ability.

There is to be a lot of compromise going into this. We want to be open to all budgets, locations, accommodations, activities, etc to include as many people as possible but at the same time reaching the correct end decision.

Two people might be interested or twelve people might be interested...and that's fine. Based on initial responces, we can make additional specific plans. This is a work in progress and I urge all of those interested to give feedback and not rule anything out until we approach the end of the year.

I don't wish to jump all-in when this idea is so new. I'd like to give you some time first for individual thought so out of the gate this thing doesn't happen too quickly. Before you know it, we're going turkey hunting in Kansas on May 1st before all the members even have a chance to look inside this forum.
We're going to give everyone a chance to voice their opinions and concerns before we put anything together.

Thank you all for your interest

[klsm54]

I think it is a great idea. If I was able to, I'd definitely be interested.

But even though I can't physically participate, I'll hang around the thread and see if I can help in any way.

Something I would consider is easy access to those of all physical abilities, and ages. This would have been very important to me a few years back, when my mobility was limited but I was still able to hunt. I guess someone in my condition is more aware of this than those who haven't gone from normal hunting ability to not being able to hunt in a period of 6 or 7 years.

But anyway, there are other members here that have some limitations. And if we decide to allow guests, somebody may want to bring a parent, whose age may cause limitations. This of course would eliminate anything in overly rugged terrain, or a type of hunt that requires extensive walking.

My thoughts would be to try and make the outing so that as many members possible could participate. Of course this involves the cost as well as physical requirements.

Just food for thought.

[Purebred Redneck]

That's a great point Scott.

I think we need to avoid making this intimidating. Bottom line --- if someone here wants to go, I want to make sure that we construct comfortable and realistic plans.

[deputydon]

I think a family type trip would help make things fly w/ the home front easier if you know what I mean....

[Purebred Redneck]

In other words the wives might give you an easier time if you explain that you're taking you're father/son along?

[deputydon]

Hey if you have to bring mama along to get o make the trip then that's the way it is...........Course you wouldn't know abut that part of life ..........yet......... Maybe someday.....No I don't think soooooooooooooo...

[kragman71]

Thanks for the invite.
I would love to participate,but I;m 78 years old and in poor health.
This year,I'm trying to adapt to an inline MZL,so I can hunt a place nearby,that is easier to traverse.My old favorite place is mountains.
Have fun,I'll keep in touch.
Frank

[jabba]

Wow Frank... 78 and still keepin' at it! I am proud of you and envious as well. I seriously doubt that I'll live to be 78, let along still be out there gettin' it done.

Congrats man! I aspire to your example.

Jabba

[jimh]

as much as i want to participate i don't see me being able to go anywhere in the spring next year due to prior commitments. however if there is a fall hunt, that i just might be able to make. so Red, it looks as if your gas expense next spring just doubled, sorry bud. i will say though once you have an exact date i can check and see if i don't luck out and have a opening in my bullshit of a schedule next spring.

[jimiowa]

I can only tenatively commit to anything at this time.
My health has been pretty good since January, but there are good and bad days. But will keep monitoring and offer whatever I can.

[bullseye]

My wife Debby and I take our annual fall grouse hunt. While our trip is designed to be camping in the middle to the national forests of northern Wisconsin, there are motels available within 30-40 minutes of the places we hunt. Bill, DD, and Donnie found the trip enjoyable and we had a great time. There are enough areas to camp, we just need a small clearing to make home. The camping part keeps the costs down and while we kind of "rough it" not really. I carry just about everything we need including a generator for recharging batteries. I don't know if there would be any interest in this type of thing but the grouse numbers are up and I would be willing to provide some spots that there would be birds. All the land is national forest so there are no landowner issues or boundries. All that would be needed is the license.

The groups would be pairs and depending on the number of participants and dogs the pairs could be alternated so that everyone would get to hunt with each other. It is also a good time to just walk, talk, and shoot when birds flush. Then everyone meets up at the end of the day, sit around a campfire and spend the time together. Trails of various lengths can also be selected. In some cases the walk can be short or long, depending on what the individual wants to do. Another nice thing is that grouse don't get up real early. Most days I head out hunting between 7 and 8 in the morning. Some could also come along and even if they did not want to or were unable to hunt could still be involved in the outing. Just some thoughts.

[jimh]

bullseye, that is one interesting and inviting thought. if i am able to get away and go on one of these, while yes i would like to bag something, i would put more enjoyment in the meeting of new friends, listening to some stories and cooking up some great meals at camp.
if i pop off a couple of rounds at some game too it's a bonus. by the way a nip of some well aged spirits in the evening would be in order too for me, hope others wont mind.

[Purebred Redneck]

It sounds like an interesting time.

I think there's mobility concerns for that type of hunt though.

[bullseye]

Jimh: The campfire only warms one side of the body. The nip of some spirits help warm the rest. I would think the only issue you might have is if you weren't willing to share!!!

Red, yes there would be mobility concerns for those that would be unable to walk distances. As with pretty much any type of hunt that is planned there will be positives and negatives that will need to be considered and discussed.

This type of hunt would allow for each individual to determine the level of participation they would want to do. It is very low key and there is no timetable to meet. Everyone does what they want to and when.

Debby doesn't grouse hunt but looks forward to the time in the middle of nowhere. It has become the highlight of our year, even though we have many vacations throughout the year. Presently I have 6 weeks of vacation so while we take weeks off for fishing and deer hunting, the grouse hunting week is still at the top of the list. Even the years where grouse were few and far between we still had a great time. I am to the point where the gauge of the hunt I had is not how much game I bagged or didn't bag, it was if I enjoyed the time we spent.

While probably not this year, my buddy Jim and his wife Helen made our annual trips a 4 some. A lot of the quality of any outing, no matter what is done, is those we share it with. As we sit around the campfire and relive years past, the topic around our campfires never seems to center on how many birds were bagged. The same stories seem to get repeated from years past and somehow the funny ones seem to get better with time.

I think what you are trying to put together is great. In the end, it will be a matter of price, timing, game being hunted, and length of travel. There are a variety of hunting interests among all the members and what they would like to do. In the end, I think the final decisions are not going to be if someone would like to or not, it will be if they are able to considering all of the other factors involved.

[jimh]

the idea of several (2 or 3) hunts planned over the span of the year will give everyone an opportunity to not only go but to select the event that will be the most enjoyable one for themselves.