TUFF CHOICE SEX OR CHASING HOUNDS

[bob baldwin jr]

NO I am not trying to turn this into a PORN discussion SERIOUS TOPIC
I will admit this may have parts that sound funny to you young bucks ,but to us senior citizens it does raise some points to ponder. Yes I am looking for some advice and would appreciate your imput.I can't say I have seen this discussed here but may be wrong I do understand this is a family forum and If I offend anyone I do apologize
As some may know I am a disabled Vet and do all my medical stuff at the Louisville VA hospital. In the past 2 years I have had 2 mild heart attacks and have had 2 strokes.The VA is also a teaching hospital for U of L medical school. Not looking for any sympathy here but I am very annoyed that at this stage of my life when you reach the point when $$$ are not a concern but TUFF choices have to be made.
I have been an avid hound/bear hunter for almost 50 years now. doing most all in Maine.
Anyhow the Cardiologist and Neurologist at the VA are both teaching surgeons and both are houndsman . The cardiologist has a few Plotts and walkers the neurologists likes the blue dogs. They do coon hunt 2-3 times per month locally and make their annual bear hunts with hounds at different states around the country and Canada.So in essence have a pretty good understanding of what physical requirements are needed to chase the hounds.These Doctors are probly both in there early 60's
Well it took 4 months to set up this appointment with both doctors and their students/ residents in training to discuss everthing about what to do with my physical condition. I suppoe it is good to get a youg Doctors opinion on such matters ,but I am more likely to lean towards the teaching Doctors opinion as " they have been on more than a few hunts if you know what I am saying"
The unamimous conclusions were STOP the bear hunting and cut WAY back on the sex. My wife assured all in attendence that cutting back would NOT be a problem When questiond how long these sessions lasted I answered about an hour She responded it was actually closer to 10 minutes
The other conclusion was absolutely NO surgery for any reason as most likely 80% chance I would not make it off the operating table When I questioned if by Physically stopping running through the woods and using an ATV was acceptable , the decision was mixed voting wise suggestion was NO.
At this point it has NOT sunk in yet ,but not really willing to give up both yet.Although I suppose that If one has to go I really can't think of a better way to go.
I have tried to put in some comedic relief here to ease my decision making .But really at what point do you say you have had enough
Has anyone you know of had to make these decisions
Seems like it would be a difficult decision to make
Sort of like a drug addict going cold turkey
Any serious suggestions on how to make bear hunting LESS strenuos I suppose I could just sit in the truck and listen and keep on following the chase with an antennae keeping in touch with 2 way radio.
Thanks for your responses

[liontracker]

Bob, I am glad to see that you are up and around some. I was seriously worried after our last talk. It did not sound like you would make it this long. You may be tougher than the docs give you credit for. I believe the sex issue will take care of itself now that the wife is privy to the risks! Besides, it seems that the older a woman gets, the less she wants anyway. Maybe she should get in the drivers seat for awhile!LOL As for the hounds, a partner to follow them and gather them up would help tremendously. Also a handicapped sticker for the atv and driving it to the tree would be nice. Besides a lot of older houndsmen have assistants out of neccessity. Maybe you could find a young houndswoman and have the best of both?LOL So my vote is do not give up either, just be smart and exert less energy while doing it.

[Powder River Walker]

Bob,
I am no where close to being an "old wise one." But let me tell you a story of my dad. In the spring of '08 it was hurting him to ride his horse and rope ( which he loved to do) he sat out for a week or two and them would try it again. Each time it never got easier it hurt worse and worse. Finaly about August of that year he thought he would just sit back let me rope off his horse to keep it in shape and going for when he got better. October came around and he wasn't anybetter yet, at the end of october we finaly convinced him to go to the doctor. September 5 he was told he had cancer. For the past few years dad and mom went to the NFR. they started kemo and radiation on him asap by the time december came around he was worst then when they started. It wasn't in dads nature to be on some body elses schedual, little lone gods. Dad was set on making it to the NFR with mom. He was in a wheel chair and couldn't do alot on his own. He went from weighing 230 to 125, to tell you what kind of shape he was in. He was never the type to ask for help he was able to do anything he wanted or needed to get done. Anyway they went to the NFR dad in the wheel chair and all. When they came home they had to stope at the town where dads doctor and the hospital is at, and that is the close he got to making it home before he passed away. But he made it to watch the finals and that is what he wanted to do.

I guess is what I am trying to say is do what makes you happy. Choose both if that is what makes you happy. We can't hide from what all our final out come is. The thing we can do is make those close to use feel important and needed, hound or wife. I don't know you her or the hounds but I would guess they both need you and you need them both.

[bob baldwin jr]

LionTracker :You do raise some interesting points:
A standing joke between the wife and I has been that when we have disagreements I threaten to trade her in for a couple of 30 year old models Her response is usually that I could NOT handle it Unfortuneately for me she now has the proof from the Doctors .
When my son has not been available in the past she has been more than willing to sit in the truck with a 2 way radio do her reading and move the truck to abetter location for me as needed.
Now with my son retired from the air force and hunting with us most every time we go out she does not need to worry about helping rounding up hounds.
Sadly what started out as 5 guys including myself and son when he was out on leave is now down to 3 guys plus myself and son. we having lost 2 of my hunting buddies in the past year . While the 3 guys are getting pressured from their old ladies to consider giving it up.
I understand what you are saying about the handi-capped sticker and driving the ATV to the tree . Unfortuneately where we chase the bears in on North Maine Woods property which is a consortium of paper company properties They DO allow snowmobiling on certain trails but do prohibit ATV on their property . Only exception I am aware of is the wardens somewhat turn an eye if you are hauling game out of the woods. However my son is going up to NMW assoc offices to see if they will give me an exclusion or to grant me permission due to dis-abilities . I would be interested to find out if any Maine houndsmen or Maine Guides have been allowed to do that or not.
As far as my 2 budies that passed go we divided up 10 hounds we kept a blue rig dog and 1 redtick that was all we had room for right now the other 3 guys kept 1 0r 2 and gave the rest to younger guys just getting started on hounds and bears .We are only allowed to put down 4 hounds while chasing bears in maine .While I think you know where the other pup or 2 might have been coming from. Hopefully that may still happen not now though till I can get all other things sorted out .

[liontracker]

Yes Sir, follow your heart and things will sort themselves out...

[B.B.BD]

Get yourself some young kids and start them go to the tree the first few times just to make sure their good and the hounds will listen to them, Then start to ween yourself off slowly and stay at the truck and enjoy the sounds layed down by you hounds. When i had my leg busted up pins plates and such i uesd my quad as my wheelchair, mud , snow , nothing could stop me,... And if i had to give up something i think it would be the sex maybe

[briarpatch]

Bob, I do know a man who had to make that decision.......circumstances just like yours. IMO he made the proper decision.....to get rid of his hounds. He loved to bear and lion hunt, but he loved his family more. Remember, it is NOT just about YOU!

I, personally, have hound hunted for many years and have had no health problems, but when I do the dogs will be gone shortly.

Good luck.

briarpatch

[pegleg]

I think you have received some well thought and serious answers. I am not sure exactly what your health problems include with your heart but modern medicine can perform some impressive things and at times seems to fall short on some common issues. I would say if transportation is available continue bear hunting in a reasonable manner remember its something you enjoy not a requirement. so if it takes you a long time to get to the tree so be it your hounds will just have to learn to keep them bayed longer or tree more conservatively. picking up some young recruits would be great it would help pass on a sport you love to a new generation and hopefully they will keep passing it along as well. there is the option of sending them in with a camera to extend you involvement and have the video to watch of YOUR hounds when its not possible to go hunting yourself or just in the off season. most game departments do have special transportation regulations for people with Dr. supported disabilities that are very open minded even to the point of firing from the vehicle. you could consider changing game to something less strenuous. maybe pick up beagle's and rabbits. there are lots of options in the dog hunting world. and for sex well I sure wouldn't cut it completely out unless absolutely necessary. you can always slow down and make it more about the contact and don't struggle to get to the finish line if you don't feel like you can get there. my experience is this my father passed away at 52 from heart attacks he suffered over the course of a week and a half because he was to macho,stubborn and scared to go to the ER. while I loved those traits in him I would by far have rathered he let them slide and gone in because the chances of him still being here would have been so much higher. I myself have had some serious life changing events happen with a host of "disabilities" . so try and be sensible because once your gone thats the last time your hunting,having sex or spending time with your family. good luck with your health and may you enjoy whatever is in your future.

[bency]

Get yourself some young kids and start them go to the tree the first few times just to make sure their good and the hounds will listen to them, Then start to ween yourself off slowly and stay at the truck and enjoy the sounds layed down by you hounds. When i had my leg busted up pins plates and such i uesd my quad as my wheelchair, mud , snow , nothing could stop me,... And if i had to give up something i think it would be the sex maybe

I agree here, and by doing this you can help with the next generation of hunters, but you can teach them the right way of doing this sport.

[bob baldwin jr]

Liontracker : "Do not give up ,just be smart and exert less energy" Too some extent I will NOT give up . However being in control is sometimes a hard thing to do.From my first bear hunt to the last one this past fall . When the hounds are yapping treed or bayed my mind continues to jump into over-drive .Reguardless of what the body is saying ,the hounds and bear become the priority.

Powder River Walker : My condolences on the loss of your Dad. " Do what makes you happy , We can't hide from what our final outcome is, make those close feel important and needed hound or wife " Happyness to me is seeing my son and I enjoying the chase ,trying to figure out what is actually happening .Reguarding our final outcome .Only the Good Lord knows when our time is up . As someone said in a song ,Maybe Sinatra " Regrets I've had a few but than again too few to mention cause I did it MY WAY" Absolutely no choice FAMILY FIRST.

B.B. BD : " Get yourself some young kids and take them to the tree, make sure they are good and the hounds listen to them " Somewhat hard to do as we have a short training season and the hunting season is going on while kids are in school.which only leaves Saturdays to introduce kids to hunting as Sundays are Non hunting days in Maine . I am particularl most proud of my son trying to introduce kids to hunting and fishing. Though it does have some pitfalls bear hunting . He has tried to introduce some kids without fathers to it say 10-13 year olds they seem to be inudated on their first try later saying thanks but would have rather been on a computer or playing video games . Then you get the 16-17 year olds with the hormones kicked in discovering girls and you know what they would rather be pursuing It does take a special person to be interested in chasing bears .In that reguard he has had better luck introducing kids to fishing .

Pegleg : I am also sorry to hear you lost your DAD " I guess I may be a little like him at least my wife thinks so STUBBORN MACHO I would say my son better fits that description than I He does NOT think twice about running up to a bayed bear and starting to grab the hounds. While being older and wiser I am generally 2 steps behind him with hand-gun out letting him control the scene

Bency: " You can help with the next generation of hunters and you can teach them the right way of doing this sport " There is always an open invitation to kids-scouts to join us in any of our outdoor pursuits .Though we have even taken some teenage girls out with us to see what it is all about . As I said above we ,son and I like introducing kids to all outdoor pursuits . Besides hunting and fishing I would have to say that as a Father- son relationship I can not think of many other endeavors that has drawn us so close. The pursuit , the chase , the enjoyment it provides for family and friends is just hard to put into words .The killing aspect is way way way down the list unless need be would much rather they still be around next year to continue the chase

THANKS
BOB BALDWIN

[B.B.BD]

Well Sir i have 5 boys , twins 15 they dont hunt, i call them my girls... Its my 13 and 10 yr olds that go with me and their die hards some days their just to sick for school lol we tell mom and we hunt, I know its bad but theres just not enuff time in my life so we go when we can.. Then we have the lil man Tater hes 7mos he will be out some later this year as a ridealong.. You should do what you need to do and enjoy yourself.. My dad died on me when i was 18 and i wish i had spent more time with him rather than sayn see you later,that maybe why i will take them hunting and not make them goto school plus they have all As .... Heres the Tater with his girl Beauty

[pete richardson]

i hunted with frank hart for years , he had a bad heart , he drove the truck - supervised over the radio- sometimes he would get so frustrated waiting for me to get to tree, i dont know why he didnt have a heart attack

sometimes i wanted to smash that radio -
im not so sure that it was good for him , but he loved it -

i know theres places in maine with a great road system - you may be able to hear a lot of the race from the truck -a good truck man is a great help
--

if it was my decision to make-- i would give up bear hunting and get some beagles -or even some bigger hounds and train them on hare

teach them to come when called ---
hunt from the road or snowmobile
not the same adrenaline rush as a bayed bear, but basically , hounds is hounds-

i do it for the race--

you feel like you have to get to bear hounds -they will take you to the very worst place there is--

beagles may change the game to something you can do more safely -
no big hurry --i dont know what kind of a problem you have but if some exercise is good for you ,,following beagles may give you the incentive to do it-

ive had hunters shoot hare this week from 12 to 70+
saw a 70 + year old doing sort of an elvis dance after he got a hare the other day-he couldnt have been more happy if it was a grizzly bear -- saw the same look on a 12 year olds face --

--- its just a bunny , but its the same feeling ,hearing the hounds , seeing the game
hang in there bob-

[bob baldwin jr]

Pete R : Thanks for the response . I do know the point you are raising .The THRILL ,The FEELINGS , The Enjoyment one receives is probaly the same be it Bear ,Bobbers ,Coyotes ,Turkeys hare or Patty's . I will admit that the Adrenalin does seem to get more pumped up with bears than all other game .
I know you have hunted the Brownville Me area before . Hard to realize but at this point it is pretty hard to find a place where there is NOT a driveable road within 2 miles of where you might be as the crow flies.
The biggest issue my son and wife has is that SHOULD another Heart attack or Stroke arise TIME is of the ESSENCE . I recall 7-8 years ago one of my buddies had brought up his neighbor to join us for a few days . As luck would have it he broke his ankle while trying to navigate thru a slashy area . while not life threatening from the time of getting him stabilized ,put on an ATV ,taken to the truck and driven to Millinocket hospital it was right at about 3 hours . He successfully recovered from that but what would have happened if he had a heart attack or stroke
To lighten up the situation I have had a few guys sending me a PM suggesting that I get rid of the pick-up truck and buy a used ambulance using half for me and half for the hounds
Certainly with all the new tracking systems and modern communications available just about anything would be possible.
You do have my curiousity though Where do these Professional Bear hunting Truck driving ,Consulting ,Navigating , Jack of all trades jobs exist And most importantly HOW MUCH DOES IT PAY Any UNION BENEFITS
I guess I am too stubborn to give it up completely .My wife will certainly vouch for that . Kind of like the Sinatra song I like to do things " MY WAY " It just sort of Pisses me off that I busted my ass for 40 years to put ourselves in a position to have taken care of family and gather up the toys and retiring to a place I really want to be .Then have the Bad health issues arise
Not looking for any Pity or compassion .The wife marriage and kids have always been the priority. Up to this point I have always gone to sleep with a smile on my face. We don't know if we will kick the bucket tommorrow or 20 years from now .Best to take it 1 day at a time ,enjoy what we have and accomplished .If they can put you in the ground with a smile on your face and honestly say " He WAS A GOOD MAN " That is about the BEST we can do.