Contributors to this thread:
This is our 29th year in a row my Son & I have bowhunted together, 29 years we've not missed an opening morning of archery elk season! I sure hope we have many more God willing!
How about you folks, how many years have you had the privilege of having a good hunting partner?
ElkNut/Paul
Bow hunted with my long time friend Mike now for 24+ years and counting. What a work horse and consistent mind set. Always on the upside never down. Pushes me and him to the limit with a smile, wether dragging a Whitetail buck a mile through the pucker brush or battling extreme elements of weather conditions. So many great memories that were brutal work at the time. A great friend in life outside of hunting as well. Can’t wait for another great fall of camp sets and chasing Big game all over the Midwest. Very blessed to do it with a great guy.
I'm just barely 29 years old ;)
Wow....that is great! I am jealous, I only had 22 years with my Dad on this earth.
Awesome, your a blessed man.
It's a privilege & a gift to hunt side by side with friends & family for so may years, I hope I never take these times for granted! They're special times!
ElkNut/Paul
Been hunting elk with my brother since 1993, that's 25 years this year. We're going to Colorado probably about the 12th.
My Son is turning 21 this year,,,he started hunting elk with me in Colorado when he was 13. He worked for my construction company every summer to pay for his license. The school would get mad as Hell for me taking him out west for 10 days just 2 weeks after school started but it fell on deaf ears. We missed the last 2 years as We moved ourselves and our business across country. We are headed back on the 12th and there is no one I would rather experience it with, I am a Lucky Father! Sho0t straight!!!
Awesome, My Son & I will head out the 30th, Thursday for an all day hunt. He then has to work the next 6 days so I'll be a solo hunter for a few days, once he's caught up we will hit it hard!
ElkNut/Paul
Been hunting with my brother since 1973. I hope many more to come.
This will be my 65th season of hunting something with the last 55 chasing big and small critters. Obviously in that long period of time I've outlasted my Dad who passed away in 2011 along with several others that got too old to go. Now I have a 57 year old buddy who lives in Wyoming that I hunt with a couple months every year out there and I'm heading out there on Wednesday for all of September and October for the archery and rifle seasons for elk, deer, and antelope. I'm not sure what year John and I started hunting together, but I'd say about 12 or so. The longest with any one person by far was with my Dad since he got me started in 1952 when I was five with our two coon hounds and we hunted small game until I was old enough for a big game license for deer in 1963 . From then on until he turned 82 seven years before he passed away we hunted deer on his Texas leases every year and quite a few years up here in MI too.
This Guy will be in the field for the first time the first of September, chasing doves. The coolest part is he will get to hunt with his grandpa, who started me at about the same age. Looking forward to 3 generations in the field making memories together.
PoudreCanyon (grew up fly fishing the Poudre), that is awesome to see three generations out and about! I look forward to seeing photos as the season progresses.
Thanks folks, Topgun, my hats off to you sir, keep hanging in there!
ElkNut/Paul
Went out with my boys here in Co for opening day. I head out for Wyoming on the 31st for a week or so then back to Co to hopefully get the boys out for a few more days of bow huntin! Wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s just not the same without some quality people in camp to tease when needed, to help when needed and tell and hear the detailed stories of the day.
A little off topic but,,,,I love seeing these Pics of our youth in the field, I work with a group that mentors young men, and although good kids come from all walks of life and situations, Kids that are spending time in the woods or on the water surrounded by dads, moms, uncles, friends ect. seem to have a one up on the rest. I loved being teased in camp by my uncles and learning the ropes as they say. It made me a better person.
Good for you Paul and Fam-Fam!
That is a lot of years together with how life can sometimes put a wrench in any plans.
Good luck, Robb
Wow, 29 years in a row! That’s amazing Paul! Congratulations!
That is a very special record that you and your son have racked up. Hopefully you will keep it going for many more!
I have been blessed with many great years and experiences with my son. Had him in a backpack hunting elk when he was still in diapers. Heck, I used hunting to get him potty trained at 2 by telling him I wouldn’t take him hunting if he couldn’t pee and poop on his own. Had many awesome hunting and fishing experiences with him from Alaska to Peru. He definitely has a deep love of the outdoors and has picked up a few skills along the way. This year is a tough one with him out of state in college.
My Dad has hunted the NY Gun season opener every year since 1965. I've gone with him every year since 1996.
I have 2 older friends that I've hunted with since 1995. They were in their 40's and I was fresh out of the army in my 20's and full of energy. All these years later and I'm still dragging deer for them. Loving every minute of it.
Since we were 8 years old. So 56 years this season. Together a total of 79 elk (67 with bows, most from bows he made) plus a whole trainload of other big animals. And we're in yet another elk and bear camp right now...
Enjoy it. Last year was my first season without my Dad. Killed my biggest buck to date...i just wish he was there to see it. I don't expect this season to be any easier. As they say, "a new normal"
My son has heard several bugles but hopefully this year he gets a shot. It’s not a elk but my hunting partners are the best!
Paul, thats great for you and your son. I had hoped for that with my daughter but she went the other direction to the city. Savor it, because it's every father's dream.
That’s awesome Paul, my dad and grandpa have long since passed but have hunted with my buddy for (wow just added it up) 29 years! It certainly is the best of times when my son gets to hunt also.
Thats a good run Paul. The most important point is that you appreciate it, while its happening! My first hunt in '87 was with uncles and cousins. Have hunted 23 of the past 31 yrs with good friends. Although I will take the 31 hr drive and hunt alone, its better with friends or family.
Some of you are sporting some unreal times together, I hope most never end!
Yes, I'm very grateful for these times with my Son I couldn't have scripted it any better! Who knew 29 years ago we'd still be going strong, these aren't things you generally plan, it just happens! Thank you all for the kind words & encouragement, I'd like to echo them back to you! Thank you!
ElkNut/Paul
My elk hunting is kinda like my love life, mostly just me unless I can trick someone else into joining in..........
Seriously though, my son and I get out almost every year to do a hunt of some sort, and I have 3 more coming up, can anyone say pack-out crew!
I've not made that many trips but I have taken my son out west & N. Wis. since he was 3. Now in his 40s & an accomplished bowhunter we have shared many adventures. Hogs, Deer, Caribou, Mule Deer. Next year will be his 1st Antelope hunt & hopefully some shooting.. I've been there when he arrowed his 1st Doe, 1st Buck & we shared an awesome Caribou bowhunt when he was 16. Nothing is more enjoyable than seeing your kids get that 1st shot on a biggame animal. Been with bowhunting Daughter & 1 G-son on those occasions too. I also spent many years (40 at least) the 1st week of Nov. bowhunting Whitetails at home with my brother. Fun Times that have made my adventures so much more.. Good Luck & may we have many more of these times. Photo is my son at 10 on one of those Colorado trips 35 years ago.
First year I hunted I was 6, it was with my dad. He is now 75 and I'm 50. We've spent every year since hunting with each other. My sons first hunt with me was when he was 1 1/2 for dove and 3 for deer. He is now 18 and has never missed a hunt since. He is a very accomplished hunter and guide. I've been with him for his first deer, antelope, turkey, elk, javalena, coyote and plenty of fishing trips. I'm a very blessed man to have two partners to do this with and enjoy my life. My 2 brothers have also been a big part of our hunting family and love spending time with them. I was remarried 5 years ago and my new wife has never missed a hunt with us either. She's harvested 3 mule deer and 6x6 elk in that time. Good luck to everyone this year and keep making those memories. It's really something you never lose.
Got my son out elk hunting tonight. Hope it’s the first of many years we get to hunt together.