EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

Since I was a really young boy I've wanted to be able to do more things with my dad. He used to be more "able" should I say, but I was younger and didn't realize what I know now. I didn't realize that one day he would get to the point where he couldn't even if he wanted to. I've hunted deer with him, but that is different than what we all do. There is something about being in the woods with your dogs and friends/family that is unique. From what I've experienced, even just being in the woods by yourself, with or without dogs, still isn't the same. Maybe it's just me, but there is a certain feeling you get when you drop the dogs and you have close people that you can trust with you; whether it be friends or family. What bothers me though is I will never be able to experience hunting hogs with my dogs with my dad. He is a big guy, and has had knee surgeries, so running/walking through the woods at 60 years old on those things isn't an option anymore. I'm not saying he is an old man, no, you should meet him. LOL! Yes he is a lot older than me, but I feel "old" sometimes now too. ;D What I’m trying to say, and I’m saying it to mostly the younger guys, is to see if you can get more involved with your parents. It would be even better if you could get them involved and participate in what you do with you. When you get to the point where it really hits you that one day, maybe soon who knows, they will not be here anymore it really sits heavy. I guess I have hit that point… Maybe that’s when you know that you’re a man… When you realize, looking at your kids that one day they too will look at you and do the same thing. I don’t really know, and I don’t have the answer either. What I do know is that everyone that has the opportunity to hunt with their parents is blessed, and I envy you; and you one up’d that if you can dog with them! LOL!  I just wish I could go hog doggin’ with my pops. I am still a very blessed man to have this group of guys to hunt with though; and being able to say that you trust the person next to you with the safety of you and your dogs and visa versa, is a really good feeling. Sorry, just venting…

Im 31 and my dad hunts with me almost every time i go. I for sure do consider myself lucky. From diaper age on, i was stuck to him.  If he went, i went. Thank em while you got em!

That is why I take my boy. The only good memories from being a child with my dad was hunting. I know the day will come that I will not be able to run through the woods. Being a disabled vet I move slow already. It does not matter if my knees hurt when my boy gets tired I throw him on my back so it will be good memories. I love taking my boy hunting even though he is only seven he has been going with me sense he was five. He has messed up a couple hunts but those are found memories for me. I love teaching him abot hunting. I would tell any father that when hunting with a child it changes from hunting to teaching. If you forget that your child will not want to hunt with you. Maybe one day I will only be able to drive a four wheeler to hall dogs or hogs but I sure hope he lets me hunt with him.

My 9 yr old son hunts with hubby almost everytime the tailgate drops! Our 6 yr old dauhhter is wanting to go more also. Its a family thang!

I couldn't have put it better great post me and my dad do everything together I'm 32 married w two kids I know exactly Wht u mean ,thanks Ryan

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Thanks guys. I don't know why, but it just hit me hard last night. I really want to be able to do more with my dad, but he can't get around in the woods like I can. If we had big places to hunt, and had a 4 wheeler it would be different; but there aren't many places around here that are that big. I can still go sit in a deer stand with him, but that's like every other year. Even reading my post I feel I could probably do more with both of my parents, but this is more about being able to dog with my dad and for that matter my mom too. She doesn't want anything to do with it though... LOL! Thinks its too dangerous.  ;D This is the main reason my wife and I had our daughter when we did. That way when she grows up, I will hopefully not be too "anything" to be able to do what she wants me to with her. I pray that she will want to hunt with her daddy, but you really never know what kids will turn out doing... and I'm living proof of that.  ;D

I know what you are talking about all too well Ryan. It is tough to see your dad growing older. I have been trying for years to get my dad involved but he always has an excuse not to go. I have tried fishing, deer hunting, riding atv's and as far as the hog hunting goes I dont even ask. He is pretty BIG and has bad knees so he has given up on pretty much anything fun... I feel ya!

That's exactly where I sit buddy. He even had the gastric bypass surgery, and lost 180lbs... Gained a lot of it back though. It's tough... I think the main thing that bothers me is that he could have a heart attack at anytime because of being bigger and older, and there isn't anything that I can do about it. Preciate it Travis.

I have been trying to get my dad to do the surgery too.. he has just givin up i guess. ONE thing good about him giving up is that it gave me the strenth to get busy and get into shape, i didnt want to end up like him at 60.

I hear that man ... i lost my dad the same year i got my first huntin dog hell i wasn't even a teenager yet ... i started with hounds cause my dad always wanted me to have one so i started coonhuntin he passed when i was 12 an the only thing that could keep me calm an my head on straight was hearing them dogs roll out ... i would've loved for him to see them hounds or the curs i got today an i know he would've rather me be runnin these dogs all over texas then goin to a bunch of parties an gettin in trouble ... lol but ya i can't wait to take my boy to the woods an teach him everything i've learned in the past 11 years

Well Travis, I wouldn't advise it unless he is 150% motivated. If he isn't it will break him down. My dad is a food guru, and he can no longer eat steak. They make your stomach 2oz. That isn't very much room to be able to enjoy what you eat. He was about 440 when he had the surgery, and lost 180lbs in less than a year and gained quite a bit back. So it works, don't get me wrong; but it is/was really hard for him to stick to it so it didn't work properly. JMO

And Miller, Sorry to hear that buddy. One of my buddies doesn't have his dad around anymore either, and I bet that is tough. I know that when my dad passes it is not going to be easy. I don't want to sound like he is an old fart that can't move around or anything. He just "can't" go hunting with me... I am blessed to still have my parents around, but just need to MAKE more time for them. I do not want to regret it one day when they are gone. Thanks for sharing.

This was mainly me venting, but I felt that a few younger guys that still have their parents around or don't for that matter would maybe benifit from reading this... Thanks for reading.

My dad passed away 21 yrs ago this past January my best memories are from our hunting together , He started taking me to the woods when I was like 6 on coon hunts would give any thing to get to have him today on a hog hunt he always loved to hear good dogs and had his fair share. To you young guys and girls charish your dads and moms it will come a time when you won't have them . Thats why I cherish the time my son and I get together in the woods God has blessed us with the ability to be able to do something we can enjoy . Thanks and God bless you all

That's is one hell of a post. My dad was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer a few months ago. Nothing is harder then watching a man that i saw as indestructible losing a battle he can't win. I wish he could see pups that he knew as ankle biters turn. into the dogs the are today. All my best memories in the outdoors were with him or thanks to him in one way or another. I have thought about trying to set up a hint with the pups in a training pen so he can watch the dogs do what they love...hell might even invest in a coon dog so he can listen to it sing it song. The bond between a man and his father is often overlooked until its on it's way out. Just my two cents.... Again this was one hell of a post Ryan!

This is the exact reason I made this post... We never know when it is our "time", so cherish the moments you have. I'm sorry to hear about your dads guys. I truely am. I am blessed for still having my parents and one set of Grandparents still. Thanks for sharing though. Hopefully some body will read this post and call their dad (or mom LOL) up and see if they want to go hunting with them, or do something else. I just know now at an "early" age, from experience, that you don't want to regret loosing that time that is so precious. You won't get it back... So whether you're 18-40 and up, if you still have your parents, spend some time with em and let them know how much they mean to you.

Awsome post,,Make every second count because that secound might not be there!

well guys I was adopted at a young age , didnt even know my dad until 17 years of age , didnt get along with either [ was abused in many ways  and mom let it go on , I was a handful to be honest , I dont spend anytime with any of them and dont want to , I luv my boy and hes by my side all the time but as for my parents I dont need them , my past has made me really cold inside and not much sempathy for people when ther crying about this or that, I really wish I had parents growing up that I was close to and also wish I wasnt so dead inside but it is what it is , sorry  just another side of things LOL

Thanks katchum! and Bob, I can see why you would feel that way... Only thing I can say is that you said you have a boy, and I don't know how old he is, but i bet you one day there will be a time that he looks back and relishes what you've both done and experienced together. That should be enough to make up for part of what is missing. I don't want to sound all high or mighty or anything, just saying... You may not have/want your parents around, but I bet you that your boy does... just my $.02... Thanks for sharing either way.

btt because I would like to hear from some more people about what hunting with their dad/parents/family/friends means to them... Thanks for reading.

I understand Bob. I learned to be a dad by looking at what my dad did and I do the opposite. That is why I say when taking a kid hunting it is about teaching. I am also always willing to help a boy who's father ain't around much. It was other men that really let me get out and learn. Now I can't say my dad abused me. But I hate the words "quality time." My kids get "quantity time" from me. I don't want to be around my dad much at all. I sure hope my kids want me around. I am putting in the time now.

I have had similar thoughts lately that I wish my dad was still alive to go fishing or hunting with like we used to.  My dad was the only member of my immediately family that was/is not a lying piece of number 2.

If you have a good family that cares about you, NEVER take it for granted.  You are truly blessed beyond riches.  Cherish the time and take advantage of it, because the opportunity may not always be there.

heres the thing to watch out for...when abused or mistreated as a child then you become sensitive to what you experienced and may not make that mistake with your children...but you might over compensate or be abusive in other ways...it is a hard thing to overcome...

I thought my grandpa walked on water and he passed when I was twelve and then my dad when I was 14 and it was a hard thing...

so...appreciate your parents now and you won't have any regrets...

I'm 32yr old now and my father passed away two years ago at age 61. Most of the best memories I have with my father are the times that we spent in the outdoors hunting or fishing. Especially the trips we took while I was in high school to Montana and Wyoming to go fly fishing for two weeks. I remember killing my first deer or turkey with my father right by my side, but it is those fishing trips that I remember the most.

I took my first buck with a bow in the season after he passed, and I wished more than anything he could have been there to share it with me. I had taken several deer with guns while he was alive, and while he never bow hunted, he always had respect for anyone that could take a deer with a bow and he thought that was a great accomplishment.

Now that I am into hog hunting, I wish even more that the old man was still around. I would love nothing more than the opputunity to take him hunting with me behind some dogs. I like to think that he would be proud of me doing what I am now doing now.  My old man taught me nothing but respect for the great outdoors and I hope to try and pass that along to my children. I have a 10yr old daughter from my first marriage.I have tried everything I can think of to get her interested in hunting and the outdoors, but with little success. She likes walking around the woods with me looking for shed antlers and anything else we may find out in the woods, but she shows no interest in really hunting anything.  Although I wish she would go along with me on some hunting trips, I am okay with the fact that she shows no interest. She has her cheerleading and other things that she is interested in and I will fully suppoirt her in any way that I can and I am still proud of my little girl.

I have a boy, 1 1/2 yr old now, and I hope and pray for the days I can take him out in the woods with me. My wife is more "country" than I ever thought about being, so I think I have a pretty good chance with my boy. Even at his early age he wants to be outside all the time, and I couldnt be happier about it. I hope I am able to do my father justice and be able to pass along some of the knowledge of the great outdoors that he taught me, along with the little bit I have learned myself along the way. I never really thought about while he was alive, but since he passed, I take into consideration what my father would think with dang near everything I do every day.

For those that still have their parents, cherish every moment that you have with them. I feel my father was taken from this earth way too early, and everyday I wish I would have more appreciated the time that I spent with him. I would give up every worldly posession I have just to spend five more minutes with him.

I also envy those of you that have sons. I am an only child, and I have a beautiful daughter named Sydni Jean Shelton, but she is only 2 and cannot hunt YET... So I need a son, and will be working on that!  ;D I can only empathize with your loss on a close friend basis… although I’ve lost family; they were not as close to me as the best friends that I’ve lost. When I was 17, two of my best friends died within about a month of each other. This was shorty after just losing my dad’s mom, so it was super tuff. The first one (RIP Josh Gantt) drowned at his lake house in 3 ½ feet of water; got caught in a trotline. The second (RIP Christopher Ray Hall) was a head on accident on the Highway with an 18 wheeler, and he was in a little car. His truck sat out in front of my house for almost a month after he passed, and that drove me crazy! The first couple of times I came home from school it was sitting there, and I’d get a little excited thinking we’re about to do something fun or something, and then remember no, he isn’t here anymore. This has just about made me numb to death now; well along with the 4-7 other friends I’ve lost along the way since then. I am only 27, and to be surrounded with death like I have been for the past few years has made it tough.  I know death all too well, and unfortunately, even if you do everything in your power to prevent, it can come without warning. So don’t just cherish the people around you… cherish every breathing moment that you get on this wonderful planet because it could be your last! Thanks for sharing guys.