Harnser Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Two years to renewal of my fac . I have held a f.a.c for the past 40 or so years and have shot just about every kind of gun there is or was . I was a very keen pistol shooter in the good old days and if i can say ,i was very good at it and shot at county level for many years . I loved full bore rifle shooting and again was a county class shooter and just loved all the big comps at bisley . The people you meet in the shooting sports are second to none and will always help out with good sound advice i have made many friends from being involved in shooting sports ,friendships that have lasted many years . But the clock keeps ticking on and we all get older . Due to an old injury and getting older i have difficulty laying prone to shoot my target rifle and have infact given up prone shooting about 2 years ago . But there we go the sands of time keeping slipping through the glass and every thing must come to an end . I will definately keep my shotguns and carry on pigeon shooting ,but i think the stalking will have to come to an end within the next couple or so years . Walking across farmland and climbing into high seats is a younger mans activity . I am glad that i have found this forum so that i can keep in touch with like minded people and still shoot the @@@@ with good old boys . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Thats a shame M, your a true gent. good luck to you what ever you do mate. all the best to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Very sad to hear. I'm certain there is always going to be someone there to take you out shooting their rifle, if you're missing a bit of shooting. Nevertheless, lugging all that pigeon gear across a field is no easy task either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 I carnt give up just yet , i have promised a younger forum member that i would mentor him for deer stalking .will have to get him up and running first . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAULT Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 the bloke i shoot with is 70 he has had a hip replacement the day he gives up his fac is the day he dies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted June 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Pault . Its not just a question of being to old to shoot or not fit enough to shoot . At 66 years old we all have our aches and pains and i have mine ,but i am still reasonably fit and every body will tell you i dont look my age ,especially the mature ladies . Some of us start to think just may be we have shot our share of deer over the years and dont really want to shoot many more . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 Pault .Its not just a question of being to old to shoot or not fit enough to shoot . At 66 years old we all have our aches and pains and i have mine ,but i am still reasonably fit and every body will tell you i dont look my age ,especially the mature ladies . Some of us start to think just may be we have shot our share of deer over the years and dont really want to shoot many more . Harnser . Then you have lived a good life mate Although you best think of a new time consuming hobby or the mrs will have you shopping with her every bloomin day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 (edited) . Edited September 22, 2009 by JohnGalway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted June 23, 2009 Report Share Posted June 23, 2009 (edited) im having none of it harnser theres plenty of life in the old dog yet, im sending this with built in rifle rest Edited June 23, 2009 by harv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Have you considered rabbit and fox control from a vehicle Harnser? I'm sure it won't be a patch on deer stalking but you'll still get out and about with a decent 4WD. Edited June 24, 2009 by Dave-G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Harnser, don't jack it in yet. Take a leaf out of the book of my grandfather, a chap who shoots almost every day of the year yet has another 21 years on you. He's still fit and robust, with sharp eyesight and good reflexes. He has circumvented the struggle of climbing ladders and into 4x4s, by stalking on foot or pottering around on an ATV or quad. He will be out stalking bucks this weekend on foot, and decoying as soon as we fire up the combine. He's made a clear point of asking to be humanely despatched when he loses his eyesight and/or can no longer enjoy a day's shooting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy33 Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Two years to renewal of my fac . I have held a f.a.c for the past 40 or so years and have shot just about every kind of gun there is or was . I was a very keen pistol shooter in the good old days and if i can say ,i was very good at it and shot at county level for many years . I loved full bore rifle shooting and again was a county class shooter and just loved all the big comps at bisley . The people you meet in the shooting sports are second to none and will always help out with good sound advice i have made many friends from being involved in shooting sports ,friendships that have lasted many years . But the clock keeps ticking on and we all get older . Due to an old injury and getting older i have difficulty laying prone to shoot my target rifle and have infact given up prone shooting about 2 years ago . But there we go the sands of time keeping slipping through the glass and every thing must come to an end . I will definately keep my shotguns and carry on pigeon shooting ,but i think the stalking will have to come to an end within the next couple or so years . Walking across farmland and climbing into high seats is a younger mans activity . I am glad that i have found this forum so that i can keep in touch with like minded people and still shoot the @@@@ with good old boys . Harnser . Harsner, I skipped this thread after briefly flicking through it then decided to come back and ask this question, " what started this train of thought, accident? simple trip or similar, maybe a quote from somebody ?, could you ask this question to yourself and answer it honestly !!, look forward to your reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullbore Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 I know what you mena about the deer, I have of late been watching them more and more and pulling the trigger less. But that still leaves a whole world of pest control. Whichever choice you make, I look forward to still seeing you on here and hope you decision makes you happy Take care John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 H you been on the sauce? Sounds like a melancholy G&T moment! Whatever don’t do it. Remember the aches and pains of growing old are simply there to remind you that you’re still alive Besides do you really want to end your days sitting in an armchair? If it’s a question of conscience, many animals killed over so many years, well stop shooting them yourself but pass on your knowledge to others. And if you do come back as a deer or some other creature well at least you’ll know how to stay out of harms way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Besides do you really want to end your days sitting in an armchair? Like 'Father Jack'? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Jack_Hackett (I note that Father Jack is a proficient Shot). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 don't give up the license - give up the deer stalking if you must, but you'll regret selling off all your gear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted June 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 im having none of it harnser theres plenty of life in the old dog yet, im sending this with built in rifle rest Harv , dos it have a commode . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted June 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Harsner,I skipped this thread after briefly flicking through it then decided to come back and ask this question, " what started this train of thought, accident? simple trip or similar, maybe a quote from somebody ?, could you ask this question to yourself and answer it honestly !!, look forward to your reply. I have no intention of giving up shooting as such ,but do have second thoughts about shooting deer now . I gave up shooting does some time ago and i suppose not wanting to shoot the bucks is a natural progression from this . I will still shoot the bucks if i have to but i find that i would rather watch them than shoot them . This is something that has been niggling at me for the past 5 years or more ,its not something that comes on over night and it makes you sit up and take stock of yourself . A good friend of mine was a very keen pigeon shooter and we shared many years pigeon shooting together . Out of the blue he said to me ,i carnt shoot pigeons any more and stopped shooting them . Any how i have another 2 years to make my mind up before the renewal of my ticket . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy33 Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 I have no intention of giving up shooting as such ,but do have second thoughts about shooting deer now . I gave up shooting does some time ago and i suppose not wanting to shoot the bucks is a natural progression from this . I will still shoot the bucks if i have to but i find that i would rather watch them than shoot them . This is something that has been niggling at me for the past 5 years or more ,its not something that comes on over night and it makes you sit up and take stock of yourself . A good friend of mine was a very keen pigeon shooter and we shared many years pigeon shooting together . Out of the blue he said to me ,i carnt shoot pigeons any more and stopped shooting them . Any how i have another 2 years to make my mind up before the renewal of my ticket . Harnser . I'm glad to hear your not chucking in the towel just yet but also you shouldnt give yourself time limits ie ; 2 yrs. Purely from my point of view its important that guys like yourself stay in the sport, forty years of experiance isnt to be sniffed at and more importantly younger guys like me ( 44 ) need people like you for tips and guidance. People like yourself owe it to the sport to keep tradition going as long as poss, shooting has many differant angles but nothing gives me more pleasure than to see an experianced shooter passing on his talents so keep the tradition going, 66 is just middle aged and the aches and pains only serve to remind us that everyday counts. I understand what you mean about the bucks, i think we all have that feeling from time to time it proves were human. Cheers Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
covlocks Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Giving up your FAC is a bad bad idea. I used to shoot in competition Full Bore Rifle and Pistol, Long Rifle, and Small Bore in the Services and then as a civvy at Bisley. I owned and shot just about every type of gun there was on, and off, the market. I went to work overseas and during that time I sold all my hardware and didnt bother renewing my FAC - well I was out of the country for a long time. I re-applied for my FAC and SGC when I returned back to the UK. Was turned down flat for my FAC. I appealed and was told I had to go on a course before I would be considered, but also had to fulfill a probationary period. Well as I used to be a firearms instructor, it went a little against my pride - and I told them to stuff it. I just shoot SG's and Airrifles now, its fun, but I do miss my "real" target shooting. My own fault, I seriously regret not paying up and renewing my FAC. So, for the sake of a few pounds don't give it up, you will end up regretting it if you change your mind and you can't get it back again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 I do not believe that for a moment.. Shooting and hunting are like having sex Are you will to give up the latter too :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted June 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Thank you all for your kind observations and comments ,you are nice men . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight32 Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Pault .Its not just a question of being to old to shoot or not fit enough to shoot . At 66 years old we all have our aches and pains and i have mine ,but i am still reasonably fit and every body will tell you i dont look my age ,especially the mature ladies . Some of us start to think just may be we have shot our share of deer over the years and dont really want to shoot many more . Harnser . Harnser, Have you ever considered taking on a younger woman? Go find yourself a nice full bodied farmers daughter at the next Norfolk show and all these thoughts will dissappear.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeinVA Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 Harnser, Have you ever considered taking on a younger woman? Go find yourself a nice full bodied farmers daughter at the next Norfolk show and all these thoughts will dissappear.......... You know the type? Corn bread fed, big boned? The kind of gal you would need to roll twice to get off her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlander Posted June 24, 2009 Report Share Posted June 24, 2009 I do not believe that for a moment.. Shooting and hunting are like having sex Are you will to give up the latter too must have something to do with those mountain gals you've got in VA Lee :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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