IT's Just not the same.......

Not getting to hunt with dad this year due to his disability from the stroke. He has very limited use of his right arm and has to use a walker to get around.

I haven't even been out that much with things going on....Last weekend made a run to Lubbock to help him around the house, thursday taking him to Waco for the funeral of his brother (my uncle) and then right back home on friday because he doesn't want to stay.

It's just not the same knowing he can't do the one thing he loves to do.........Kinda has me depressed....

Sorry for the rant....but it just hit me...

hey Kent I know where both of you are coming from,try using a wheelchair with him
I'm headed to Trents in the moring to try again from the wheelchair with a t/c pistol

Feel for ya fella......my dad quit going to the ranch around 4 or 5 years ago. Health reasons. I miss him terribly down there when we go. Miss his stories, miss his cooking, miss him!! It will NEVER be the same for me!!

I too know your pain, my father went blind and hasnt hunted with me in years. As for your dad, have you ever thought of building a nice ground blind that he can sit in with you? That way you can bs and tell some stories while both watching a feeder? Might be a thought.

He doesn't want to go....He feels like he is too much trouble.....

Kinda has me down because all the hunts I should have done so far I haven't.... Seems like I want to go, but the desire or drive isn't there....because he doesn't want to go.

I will get out soon, when I don't know.....but I hate it for my dad....

Those that have hunted with him can tell you how much fun he is to have around....sharpening knives for everyone, telling stories and picking on me.....

This past weekend I went on my FIRST hunt with my dad (I am 39). Waited a long time and it was worth the wait. He got two great dear, a wide 8 and a mature 10. I used to think I could understand the pain you are suffering. Now I know what you are missing.

Well, it is hard to fathom but, they all had dad's of their own that this same thing happened to. It is part of growing up and part of growing old. LIFE just ain't fair sometimes. I will always miss him. He will not go anywhere without my mother so hunting with him is out of the question.

I know the feeling. The last two years my dad has only been able to go out about two times. This year me and my son have insisited he go with us the last two weekends. One of us walks him to the blind and walks him out because of severe arthritis in his knees and he is not a candidate for replacement. He tells us it's too much trouble. I'm just glad I still have a dad I can walk to the stand. Good luck with your dad.

Last time I got to hunt or fish with my dad was 1982. 28 years later and I still miss him. Guys, do what you can for your dads while you still have them.

Agree with this fully. I lost my mother this past July and my Dad has Alzheimer's which has progressed rapidly this year. Enjoy everything you can with your parents, as part of the normal aging progression you should outlive them. Enjoy the time together and keep their memory close evn after they are gone.

I totally lost the desire to hunt deer after my father died. It was like turning off a light switch. In his waning months I did get him out to do some fishing.

Try your best to encourage him to go. Get him comfortable and share a ground blind.

When he is gone you will have nothing but memories......try to make some more while he is still here. At this time it is all about him......tell him why you want him to go.


Tbar

I do understand. Last hunted with my Dad in 97 before he died in 98. I spent alot of years in the Army so did not get to hunt with him as much as I would have liked. Still remember and practice the things he taught me. Trying to pass it on to my step son who loves to hunt. Dad was a lot better hunter and teacher than me. Miss him alot

Man this thread is a tear jerker, feel for ya Kent and everyone else.

I have always wanted dad to go with me to deer camp. I invited him this yr. My mom keeps him tied down. Her health has to be watched 24/7, so dad keeps tabs on her. He isn't a hunter, but just loves to get outdoors and spend time. One of these days I know I am going to look back and say " I wish I would have"

Didn't mean for it to be a tear jerker.....but it sure does make me think about all the good times.

It really is hard not having him there for the hunt....

All of this is true.... Cherish the memories that you have with your family.....you never know when they will end..

It sounds like you got some great memories to reflect on, Kent. I think it's awesome that you got memories to look back on. For me, it's a reason that I take my kids with me out there now every chance I can get and why I have the business. I didn't have that growing up and my kids know a lot more than what I did at their age. I'm sure your dad's taught you a lot and he did that for a good reason. Pass it on.

I hope you find a way to get him back out there with you somehow.

Amen: Mine's been gone almost 35years, and it still ain't them same. Having the sons along helps, though!

This is the way I remember my Dad.......

I feel for you Kent. I felt that way for two seasons after my father passed

Hope it get's better for ya bud, and your Dad also.

with a pistol???way to go Bob , Trent has a 13 point waiting for you

Kent, do whatever it takes to get your Dad back inside the blind with you. Convince him he is no trouble. Enjoy your time together and whether or not you shoot anything, is irrelevant.

Take some pic's and send it eastward. I see another plaque on your wall and this one's on me.

Just go over to his house and pack his bags. When he asks where your going just tell him the deer lease. IMO he doesn't want to go now b/c he feels like he would be a burden. Just tell him that you want to hunt but your not going alone.

I sure wish I made a firm stand with my grandfather. Too late for me now but not for you.

Can you have a heart to heart with your Dad and explain that hunting does not mean as much to you without him? If he hears this from you, he might be willing to try the ground blind idea , then maybe some of the sparkle will return for both of you. I am sure he does not want to be any trouble, but if he understands that the trouble is well worth it for you to have him along and that he is a necessary part of the experience for you to have fun, maybe he will realize that if he joins you, you both will be more happy.

If only for his OWN well being, keep trying to convince him to go. Some how, some way, deep inside he knows it will be good for him and for you.

I lost a step father a few years back, he felt a burden on the family and took his own life. He would always say he would not go because he did not want to burden, but I am convinced (right or wrong) that if we had pushed hard enough he would have realized what a burden it was for US not to have him around!

Still feel that way, lost my dad in 2003. It's not about shooting nsomething anymore, but watching nature and talking to dad and the big guy upstairs.

Ken, could you possible get him out on a 4 wheeler to a blind? I feel your pain!

+1 same here.

Hey, I feel your pain...in a different way, My Dad and I haven't missed too many openers except for a stretch when I was too old to be a kid on the lease and there wasn't an opening...now I am on the Lease and cherish every minute I spend with him out there, He's 65 and I'm 30 and this year I had to go to Ohio for work, my first hunt with him will be Dec 9-13 and I cannot wait, I've hunted with him so long and I know in this life you never know your next turn! I wanna puch my dad in a wheel chair on the lease some day, he used to bring me in a sleeping bag when I was two, and has gutted many a deer for me, I hope to return the favor asap! PS I now skin all my Dads deer!

I was on a lease withmy dad for over 25 years. I helped him kill a nice buck his last year on the lease and you're right Kent, after that it just wsasn't the same!!!

Definitely know the feeling. Lost my dad to cancer in '97, my grandpa in '98 and now my brother is having some major medical issues. I'm taking my brother with me this weekend. The way things have been going for him this may be our last. Basically, he's on borrowed time.