Difficult, but I'm coming to terms with the reality of life and health, and I'm thinking it's time to retire a few dreams that are no longer feasible and/or safe to attempt. To that end, for everyone on here who made that decision previously, for whatever activity, what was your deciding moment?

What exactly are you giving up?

I'm 65 and finally bagged that girl I always wanted in high school. Never say quit.

When it’s no long fun and even painful then decisions need to be made it’s your life your choice do what’s the best thing for you.

getting married or are you going to wait till she graduates?

If I quit it means I have given up so I am not ready yet. My wife shot a buck this morning plus her first coyote and she has severe R.A. The buck is skinned and hanging and the coyote is skinned. She is sound asleep on the couch now but we got it done. Outdoor pursuits are all I have done for fun my entire life. We sound like we are dieing but aren't ready to give up. I realize everyone has a different story but when I quit I might as well be dead.

Never quit,stay active just choose your game.

I saw the fire go out of my dad’s eyes about 8 months before he died. Up until then he was game for whatever … no judgements from my part. We all live out our lives on our own terms.

The old saying that if you have your health you have everything becomes more meaningful every day. I'll be sixty-two in a few days. I'm still climbing trees but most of my mountain climbing days are behind me. I had a good run.

Daniel Boone was met by the Hunt-Price overland expedition to Oregon on the Missouri River in I believe 1810. Ol ‘ Daniel was 78 years old and was rafting down the river with several packs of prime beaver plews after having spent the winter in a Mandan village in the Dakotas.
So… by golly….. I’ll try to hang in there for a while too!

I'll marry her after her husband dies.

Man, you got it all figured out Gary

tomorrow would be the day for my sons and I to hang deer stands. First time in many years I won't be going along. I injured myself 10-11 weeks ago launching my boat and it just won't heal. At 64 I found out I can't do the splits anymore.

I was still planning on going but after a day of trying out some new ladder stands, my son told me he was worried about me going. Didn't say so out right but I could tell what he was saying. I have decided to not go, or hunt, this year.

I aint saying I am done, just taking this year off. Hardest part was admitting to myself I shouldn't, really couldn't, make it this year. I won't let myself be a burden on them. I just don't wanna be "old" yet. I feel "old" alot, but I gonna let it stop me, not yet anyway.

If it doesn’t bring fulfillment to your life, hang it up.

If it’s something that you want to do, but you can’t realistically expect to perform at previous levels, just do less of it.


Love to garden, but don’t have the health to maintain 3 acre truck patches anymore? Try a small garden or even planter boxes. Love to hunt, but can no longer handle the amount of work that goes into preparation? Go on a guided hunt. You rarely have to completely give up activities that you want to continue, you just need to look at it differently. My opinion anyway, your mileage or opinions may vary.

I am 51 and have sold most of my traps. I wanted to do something else with my stuff, but with my injuries from work, I just could not do what I wanted to do. I can't do it any more. The risks of walking around in ice cold water by myself in sucking mud with a bad hip is just not worth it. I will be getting an artificial one at the beginning of January but I will never be able to get back to the old days. Plus, most of my trapline is no longer good for much and I just lack the ambition to go scout out more.The cold gets in my bones now a days too and that takes the fun out of it. I kept my griz getters and the related stuff, so a land coon line is not out of the question in future years.

As time goes on I will probably still trap a few beaver because I like to eat them and for the past few years, I care more about the meat than the fur. But, I decided that it was time to hang it up after a couple years of consideration.

Was crazy about waterfowl hunting my entire life. Gave it up several years ago. Trapped since 70s. Was one of the group that said I never did it for the money but now it’s so sad I hung that up. Not going to put up a product that no one want to pay for. Still squirrel hunt. Love popping them in the head with a 22. My fall is concentrated on fishing. Never knew how great it can be in fall. Was always to busy hunting. Never was a deer hunter but love eating them so I always shot 2-3 a year. Now I got a order in for one if he shoots more than he wants. Figure I will get a call in Dec. will turn 70 in about 2 weeks I feel everyone’s pain but we did it and there are a lot of other outdoor activities

The day I quit trapping or killing deer or catching bass, is the day life will be over.

Not sure I want to think about that.

Turned 70 this year and am on my second pacemaker. All of my old partners are decrepit or dead. Yard to interest younger people in my pursuits, most of which require effort. I have had to cut back a lot but still find satisfaction in what I'm able to do. I have a lot of "trophies" from younger days but at this point am just happy to participate.

At 72 and going 6 weeks into the covid virus I am a changed man sold my horses ,chickens,gave dogs away . My wife was almost wore out so I pulled the plug ,have not regretted it so far . Hope to be a better woods bum now as 72 years of horse stuff is now history .Now i will be a wandering around road hunter who sleeps in my mini van in any wide spot .on a USFS road that I like . Change it up some so you enjoy .My mistake of not taking those early shots has changed me probably forever ,Gods grace saved me from near death . smith

80 in January wore out a pile of snow machines over almost 50 years. Probably partially contributed to bad knees. I lived my bucket list!

Health issues and a trap line that got too populated brought on the decision to pass my line to a young guy.

I still have a family business and that keeps me going.

Absolutely no regrets, it was time, like I previously said I LIVED MY BUCKET LIST thanks to my lovely wife of 61 years!