Continuing To Decoy/Shoot As You Age

[colin lad]

my old man is 84 though he don't shoot any more he still fishes and carry's his tackle to his swim so at a mere 51 i best not start complaining just yet

 

colin

[Guest iFerret2]

Does old start at 50 or 60?

[DEADLY PLUMBER]

Make is a Charlie modified by Grandalf. Model number would be about a 1C or D.

I will explain. My mate Charlie was an engineer for a specialised motor company. He now has his own workshop doing light engineering to order. He made the trolley originally to get his sea fishing tackle along the beach. It had a flat platform. He used it a couple of times then hung it in his shed.

Whilst walking across a field between drives on Pavman's shoot I said to Charlie that I was investigating the use of some sort of trolley/barrow for fowling. Result was that he gave me his 'beach buggey' to have a go with.

Pavman delivered it to me and I experimented with it. Constructed of aluminium it was very light and the welding and other workmanship was superb. The folding handle worked superbly.

Major problem was the centre of gravity was all wrong with all the weight on the handle. I experimented and in the end fitted the wheelbarrow body further to the rear to correct the balance and tried it out on a gentle fowling trip on grazing meadows. A long way from my car the handle broke off! A passing fowler who I had never met before had a bike hidden near by. He went for his truck and came back and rescued me and all my gear. Such is the friendship of fowlers.

So back to the workshop. I rebuilt the handle attachment with 1/8" steel plate and made one or two minor alterations to the body. I also painted it and fitted wider tyres.

I have now used it for three, maybe four, seasons without problem.

The wheelbarrow body could be much larger. I have cut a slot in it so the handle folds up inside it. With a slight modification you could do away with the slots then the whole thing would float if not overloaded. You could add flotation around the outer edges.

Total weight is not very much - very easy to load/unload in my landy.

Light alloy welding is a very difficult art. Charlie is a master craftsman and I'm lucky to call him a friend.

Yes. Zooming in I can now see it is one of a kind.

I have a cheap carp trolley that I've sheared the wheel off a couple of times.

I've patched it up with bolts, wood and angle iron. But I fear it won't last the winter.

I'm going to try a wheel barrow this winter.

Thanks for the info.

[Maddaftspaniel]

I am 54 and was diagnosed with Parkinsons 5 years ago. It is gradually getting worse but I am determined not to let it get me down. I am out every day, rearing, feeding, shooting............................I don't like a day to go by without killing something!

The funny thing is although my right side has the shakes and gets stiff my shooting has improved no end because I am getting so much practise! I took early retirement 4 years ago and have enjoyed the past 4 years playing at being a gamekeeper more than any other period of my life............................every cloud has a silver lining!

[Grandalf]

Does old start at 50 or 60?

Neither, It must be somewhere beyond 75 because I haven't seen it yet.

Up at 0250 hours today to go fowling on the Broads. Two shots at pinks and missed with both. Nothing changes...

[birdsallpl]

Neither, It must be somewhere beyond 75 because I haven't seen it yet.

Up at 0250 hours today to go fowling on the Broads. Two shots at pinks and missed with both. Nothing changes...

 

Good on ya Grandalf

[12boreblue]

Or a harness and an Ox!

[maxie]

I`ve bought a three wheeled battery power fishing trolley,removed the third wheel and it works really well.It has a two mile range and it will go anywhere you want.It uses a golf trolley battery and once you get used to handling it, it`s brilliant.If you leave the third wheel in place it is next to useless however.

Edited November 19, 2014 by maxie

[cloudwalker]

The old boy i go with has just celebrated his 80th birthday. Fortunately like some others we can drive to most places so this saves a lot of walking.

However the old boy doesn't have a dog. so if he wings a bird I often see him running across the field after it (we always set up in different hides).

 

We also still go out ferreting and have 350 acres of land we have the sole shooting rights for. At the moment we are rough shooting that every 2 weeks for the pheasants and partridges. I do most of the walking and try and put a few birds over him so he gets a few shots most days.

 

I am 52 now and hope I am still shooting at 80 too!

[Grandalf]

Up 0300 hours yesterday.

On road 0340.

Arrive 0500.

Walk marsh to arrive chosen spot at 0600.

Hide up and pinkfoot decoys out.

0710 1 goose.

0910 1 goose.

0935 2 geese.

Pack up and do everything in reverse and get home at 1230 for lunch.

Not bad for a 75 year old.

Just got to keep pushing...

[Passionforangling]

"Not bad for a 75 year old"

 

Inspirational I'd say, especially wildfowling. And carrying back 4 geese!

 

You keep at it as long as you can Grandalf

[birdsallpl]

Up 0300 hours yesterday.

On road 0340.

Arrive 0500.

Walk marsh to arrive chosen spot at 0600.

Hide up and pinkfoot decoys out.

0710 1 goose.

0910 1 goose.

0935 2 geese.

Pack up and do everything in reverse and get home at 1230 for lunch.

Not bad for a 75 year old.

Just got to keep pushing...

Grandalf. Repeat what I have said before. Hats off to you sir. If I can continue as you have I will be a very lucky and extremely happy man

[Grandalf]

"Not bad for a 75 year old"

 

Inspirational I'd say, especially wildfowling. And carrying back 4 geese!

 

You keep at it as long as you can Grandalf

I can't claim to carry them - I have my trusted trolley.

Just so lucky to have kept reasonably supple and fit.

Edited November 27, 2014 by Grandalf

[Mentalmac]

I am only 59, but have had plantar fasiitus of both feet for the last 3 years plus arthritis setting in. I can walk on soft grass for a while, but hard ground especially rough stone tracks does my feet quite quickly. I walk when I can, but found my Tramper all terrain scooter has revalutionised getting about. It will do rough ground and grass a 1:4 hill and around 25 miles depending on terrain. It won,t do deep mud though, although I carry plastic tracks in case it gets stuck. It will carry quite a lot of stuff in the front locker and I sling the gun in its bag over the back of the seat and strap it on. I have also adapted a bicycle Winther donkey trailer for it which can carry 40kg. OH has a sturdy plastic sledge to cart stuff about on which slides quite well on grass. I have found when going round game fairs its good as it means we can spend all day there without my feet giving out and cart the purchases back to the car.

This is a contraption I think we need to see a pic of Lorius, sounds great.

 

Brings almost a tear to the eye reading all these posts and how our physically older yet mentally younger members get on with the sport we enjoy.

Keep it up, it's very inspirational.

 

I'm all but 25, but after a nasty motorbike accident a few years a go I damaged my cruciate ligament in knee and bearing surfaces and cartilage and since have had 3 op's to improve it to not much avail. I was told I would never do a marathon, ski, play rugby again... so I took their advice and binned it and since have done triathlons, enduro running, adventure running (including tough guy twice) But, after a long days walking, running, shooting etc... I find myself sat there with a smile and a achey knee knowing that it will only get worse and after reading the inspirational posts from you young lot, know that I will still be shooting and smiling - albeit likely with an inventive way of walking by then right until the end.

[Grandalf]

This is a contraption I think we need to see a pic of Lorius, sounds great.

 

Brings almost a tear to the eye reading all these posts and how our physically older yet mentally younger members get on with the sport we enjoy.

Keep it up, it's very inspirational.

 

I'm all but 25, but after a nasty motorbike accident a few years a go I damaged my cruciate ligament in knee and bearing surfaces and cartilage and since have had 3 op's to improve it to not much avail. I was told I would never do a marathon, ski, play rugby again... so I took their advice and binned it and since have done triathlons, enduro running, adventure running (including tough guy twice) But, after a long days walking, running, shooting etc... I find myself sat there with a smile and a achey knee knowing that it will only get worse and after reading the inspirational posts from you young lot, know that I will still be shooting and smiling - albeit likely with an inventive way of walking by then right until the end.

Fitness in old age is just a lottery. I have been relatively lucky.

The Memsahib is officially disabled. Blue Badge etc. She started riding at 3 and was hunting by 11. Riding, water skiing, squash and tennis have destroyed her spine. One foot comprises lots of rods, nuts and bolts.

She can't do a hell of a lot but she always does the maximum that she can in a day. Still walks her little dog up a country lane every day. Doesn't go far but as far as she can. Walks with a trolator on the roads. That is like a three wheeled Zimmer-Frame. Needs a crutch around the house and a stair-lift.

The thing is that she pushes herself to the limit. She is almost 79.

I am very proud of her.

[Mentalmac]

Fitness in old age is just a lottery. I have been relatively lucky.

The Memsahib is officially disabled. Blue Badge etc. She started riding at 3 and was hunting by 11. Riding, water skiing, squash and tennis have destroyed her spine. One foot comprises lots of rods, nuts and bolts.

She can't do a hell of a lot but she always does the maximum that she can in a day. Still walks her little dog up a country lane every day. Doesn't go far but as far as she can. Walks with a trolator on the roads. That is like a three wheeled Zimmer-Frame. Needs a crutch around the house and a stair-lift.

The thing is that she pushes herself to the limit. She is almost 79.

I am very proud of her.

good on her and you :-)

[ditchman]

In norfolk they say

 

 

"a creaking gate lasts longest"..............

[Harnser]

Fitness in old age is just a lottery. I have been relatively lucky.

The Memsahib is officially disabled. Blue Badge etc. She started riding at 3 and was hunting by 11. Riding, water skiing, squash and tennis have destroyed her spine. One foot comprises lots of rods, nuts and bolts.

She can't do a hell of a lot but she always does the maximum that she can in a day. Still walks her little dog up a country lane every day. Doesn't go far but as far as she can. Walks with a trolator on the roads. That is like a three wheeled Zimmer-Frame. Needs a crutch around the house and a stair-lift.

The thing is that she pushes herself to the limit. She is almost 79.

I am very proud of her.

So you should be . A proper lady by the sounds of it . Please give the good lady my regards .

Harnser

[Cyffyllog]

Grandalf, on 27 Nov 2014 - 10:46 AM, said:

Fitness in old age is just a lottery. I have been relatively lucky.
The Memsahib is officially disabled. Blue Badge etc. She started riding at 3 and was hunting by 11. Riding, water skiing, squash and tennis have destroyed her spine. One foot comprises lots of rods, nuts and bolts.
She can't do a hell of a lot but she always does the maximum that she can in a day. Still walks her little dog up a country lane every day. Doesn't go far but as far as she can. Walks with a trolator on the roads. That is like a three wheeled Zimmer-Frame. Needs a crutch around the house and a stair-lift.
The thing is that she pushes herself to the limit. She is almost 79.
I am very proud of her.

Exceptional, reminds me of many an oldie.... and I am on my way there!

[loriusgarrulus]

Our new permission is a 20 acre wood with a soft track leading to it. The owner doesn't want me to use the Tramper as it might cut up the track to and through the wood,which is fair enough. So I have gone to plan B. I use my trusty walking pole to get to the wood and take my air rifle cushion hung of the Viper and can use it on various tree falls through the wood to have a comfy rest. The new Viper is great as I can distribute everything I need to carry about it, much better than a rucksack. Just need to remember what is in what pocket (senior moments don't help). We have one permission adjoining the wood and shotfall and retrieval permission on two other sides. One major flightline goes over a farm on the other side and we managed to see the farm manager yesterday while we were there to ask about shotfall and retrieval. He was quite happy with that after he had seen our certificates and insurance and asked us if we would like to clear some of his rabbits. Going back today with the permission forms and a field map off google to sort out the boundries. Had to take some kapacke last night to get to sleep as the old feet were a bit throbbing with the walking,but well worth it. The new farm has a hard track so should be able to use the Tramper on there.

Edited November 28, 2014 by loriusgarrulus

[birdsallpl]

It's good to have a contingency plan Loriusgarrulus. Your new Viper sounds the business and it sounds like the new permission is generating into a good place to have with the added benefits you have established.

[Grandalf]

kapacke. In my case read a small dram of something warm and cuddly.

[loriusgarrulus]

kapacke. In my case read a small dram of something warm and cuddly.

Like that too, but can't have the malt and the kapacke too.

 

http://www.tramper.co.uk/

 

The Tramper website.

 

I have the older model which is the Model 1B which does do 4 and 8 mile an hour. I bought it off Disabled Ramblers website second hand so the price wasn't so bad.

This is mine. I have changed the mirrors for some Motorbike ones since this photo was taken and slung a Hi-Vis bag off the back.

 

 

http://www.wintherbikes.com/en/product/donkey

 

This is the Winther Donkey. I got mine Secondhand off eBay and repainted the paintwork and put a different tow hitch on to fasten it to the Tramper.

Edited November 28, 2014 by loriusgarrulus

[Mentalmac]

Like that too, but can't have the malt and the kapacke too.

 

http://www.tramper.co.uk/

 

The Tramper website.

 

I have the older model which is the Model 1B which does do 4 and 8 mile an hour. I bought it off Disabled Ramblers website second hand so the price wasn't so bad.

This is mine. I have changed the mirrors for some Motorbike ones since this photo was taken and slung a Hi-Vis bag off the back.

 

 

http://www.wintherbikes.com/en/product/donkey

 

This is the Winther Donkey. I got mine Secondhand off eBay and repainted the paintwork and put a different tow hitch on to fasten it to the Tramper.

Half expected to see a gun rest on the front and it painted in realtree camo :-). (please do this)

 

Looks cool, any good offroad?

[fieldcraft]

My dads 54 now and he rides his bicycle two miles there to go crow shooting every 2-3 weeks carrying a gun and big decoy bag hide and carts. But hes starting to feel the strain in the cold/damp.