[coyotehunter]

what yah think

Senior Age Deer Hunt

I am seeking support for a senior age deer hunt to be set forth by the Missouri Department of Conservation Regulations Committee. The conservation department has set forth liberal hunting seasons for youth archery, black powder and handicapped hunters; however there is one group of hunters that may have been overlooked in the process; the senior age deer hunter.

Many older deer hunters have purchased deer hunting licenses along with spending countless millions of dollars and hours supporting this fine heritage in Missouri. On a personal note I have been hunting deer here in Missouri for over forty years and am certain there are a number of other older hunters who have either approached or surpassed doing the same. As a group we have been very blessed and enjoyed those times spent outdoors.

Having attained a senior age many are no longer physically able to hunt deer in certain ways they once were able to do such as climbing trees, traversing hills,creeks or other natural obstacles; nor can they walk long distances. There are senior age deer hunters who no longer have the strength to draw a bow,drag a deer,lift heavy objects or withstand the cold temperatures as they were once able to do.

Senior hunters are being left at home during the regular firearm deer seasons because they will need additional assistance. Many young adult hunters have already spent one weekend taking their youth hunters out and are now going to spend the regular firearms hunting for their enjoyment as well as they should.

Many senior age deer hunters are not disabled or confined to wheelchairs; but just need someone younger and stronger to take time out from their hunting schedule to go along with them. Many senior age hunters are not only veterans of the deer woods but are also veterans of foreign wars.

My dad was a WWII veteran and lived to be eighty-eight years of age before he passed away. He always loved to deer hunt be were only a very few times after he became older that he was able to go firearms deer hunting due to the cold weather and his physical limitations. The last time I was able to take him was eighty three years of age and a friend of mine built a wooden ground level box blind and let us put a small propane heater in it so my dad and I could hunt together one more time. I will always cherish and remember that last deer hunt with him.

Allowing senior age deer hunters to have special weekend hunt or be allowed to hunt alongside the youth hunters during their early season forearms hunt would not have any adverse affect on the deer population nor take away from the regular firearms opening weekend. Instead it just might enable and honor those who have passed this heritage down to us to enjoy what may be their last deer hunt in this lifetime. i believe there is no grater overseer and protector of a heritage than those who founded and funded it.

I thank you for the youth season as I now have four grandsons who are just beginning to hunt deer and they are so excited about it all.

I am asking you on behalf of all senior age deer hunters to consider supporting a special time to hunt deer or to coincide it with the early season youth hunt. If you watch and listen to senior hunters you can learn many things such as a greater appreciation for all of the great things nature has to offer her in Missouri, It is not just the kill that counts rather it is the experience God has so graciously blessed us with.

Thank you for your consideration,
Edwin L. Miller
email [email protected]

Please feel free to make copies of the blank petition form and give to those who may be in support of a senior age deer hunt. It is vital to provide the Missouri Department of Conservation with this information before March1,2010

 

[henry]

To be honest with ya,,that is something that had not crossed my mind. There are probably some out there without family to assist them like those of age in my family.:thinking:

:cheers::cheers:

 

[Refuze2falo]

GHS looks like a HS senior.......does he count

 

[riverbottomhunter]

Would be nice to see something like this done. Who knows, it might be their last hunt

 

[deerslayer75]

obviously i dont know yet about being old but it seems the focus of hunting these days is getting the younger generation into it which is a great thing because without them hunting would cease to exsist but as my dad is getting older i am trying to find places that he can enjoy beause he is past the poin of going to places to sit in old stands, sit in the extreme conitions, etc he has already down that for 35 years. So if something could get worked out for the older generation to go to someplace and be catered to like youth are then i think its a great idea. :cheers::cheers:

 

[MajorWyss]

I think it's a great idea. I too had not thought about that age group being left out. I can see where they might feel that way though. A lot of these people are veterans and I haven't met one yet that doesn't have great ethics. We should go out of our way to help them in any way we can, because without them we wouldn't have the freedoms and privileges we have today. :cheers:

 

[coyotehunter]

i sure like the idea of being able to hunt with some of them.can you imagine what fun it would be:cheers:

[Edited on 12-23-2009 by coyotehunter]

 

[Brander]

it sounds like pretty good idea to me.

 

[knockemdeadd]

GREAT topic for Ask the MDC :cheers:

 

[TrackerCasey]

I think helping an old timer would be a great way to learn a thing or two!!!

 

[Brian_J_BT_MO]

::: That is a great idea.

 

[DADAKOTA]

Awesome idea. It could be run the same weekend as the youth hunts. Make it Senior/Youth hunt. Would love to see the same thing for duck hunting.

 

[Chairman]

Awesome idea! :claphands:

 

[Chairman]

Awesome idea! :claphands:

 

[Rebel2]

Where do we stop? Before long we'll have nothing but special seasons every 5 days

 

[Ghost Hunter]

Due to my age I can tell you that the subject has merit. There are many of us that sit out the season even though we have the desire but lack the opportunity to hunt the whitetail deer. We join forums like this talk about it and wait for the opportunity that may come someday.


:cheers:

 

[Rebel2]

[rquote=1521132&tid=106014&author=Ghost Hunter]There are many of us that sit out the season even though we have the desire but lack the opportunity to hunt the whitetail deer. [/rquote]

Drive 45 minutes either direction from just about anywhere you live and you can find a place to hunt deer publicly

 

[ALMOST NORMAL]

Don't want to play devils advocate here but there is a big difference between the youth season and the proposed senior season. The yutes have to have a parent with them at all times during the hunt meaning the parent cannot go off and hunt by themselves, whereas the senior can be left alone after they are helped into the woods. There are a bunch a radios available to stay in contact with each other during the day. I don't think this idea will go far with the MDC. I do feel the seniors deserve every opportunity to hunt and should have access to hunt. I know a lot of CA's have handi-cap hunting areas designated. I also say shame on anyone who will not take their elders hunting.
ghosthunter, you are more than welcome to accompany me if you want to hit the woods. :wave:

 

[Ghost Hunter]

ALMOST NORMAL you have no idea what your offer does for people like myself. To be perfectly honest I had a opportunity or two this year that I could not take advantage of due to the wife's medical condition.


I am writing you down for next year.

Thank you sir


:claphands:

 

[ALMOST NORMAL]

[rquote=1521169&tid=106014&author=Ghost Hunter]ALMOST NORMAL you have no idea what your offer does for people like myself. To be perfectly honest I had a opportunity or two this year that I could not take advantage of due to the wife's medical condition.

I am writing you down for next year.

Thank you sir

:claphands:
[/rquote]

:2thumbsup::2thumbsup::cheers: