How to do the tough hunts into your 80's

Eddie_GE · Aug 9, 2026

JG26Irish_2 said:
I am not 80 but will share what I have learned.
View attachment 783217

I like your post

„3weeks before he died, he was in Las Vegas having a blast, eating, drinking, having sex with young women (they are all young when you are 97, lol). I am not saying that sort of lifestyle will prolong life but having a reason to live will and in his case, that was his reason.“

„Things like shooting, riding motorcycles, flying, and driving a stick shift.“

I think I am on my way

Tanks · Aug 9, 2026

I’ll be 70 during my buffalo hunt in Namibia next month. I row 5K+ daily. My partner and I have a trainer to come to our house 3X a week for resistance training. As far as nutrition goes no junk or processed foods and tons of protein.

There is no magic bullet, consistency is the key.

Red Leg · Aug 9, 2026

Huge said:
Question on the phrase “I hire myself to look after it.”

Is that a simply your word choice indicating you take care of your own land or are you using some legal structure/accounting positioning? I’m in a very similar situation in VA and wondering if I’m missing a way to keep more of my own money rather than having it stolen by the swamp beast.

No, nothing financially clever. I do all the work on the place unless it is catastrophic. For instance had to hire crew to help deal with the flood debris and damage last summer.

skydiver386 · Aug 9, 2026

Azklmsr said:
I’m 64. I’ve dreamed of Africa since a young boy. Career, family, church. God blessed me overwhelmingly. My wife of 42 years is a saint.

I’ve been a runner since late teens, weight lifter, breathhold diver . At 63 my left hip went south, I developed AFIB. Spent the last nearly a year getting healthier. New hip, Ablation, 1st safari (Buff and 7 plains trophies). Back to running and lifting. Working diet. Planning my next safari. Through this all, God has blessed me. I hope to fly till 75, dive till the same, hunt till 80. If I do or if I don’t, God has blessed me.

I think in 3 dimensions these days. Am I serving God, Am I serving my family, am I doing everything this life God gave me has to offer.

I get to serve a little at church. Huge blessing. 3 kids, 3 young in-laws, 6 grandkids. I live to help them. I absolutely adore my wife. Anything I can do for her.

Hope to do an elephant within the next year, some open area buff, perhaps a cat or 2, some other plains animals. If I make it or if I don’t, Gods blessed me beyond all reason.

I sure hope to hunt through 80. My parents were chain smokers, alcoholics with terrible eating habits. Died 5 days apart at 83. Hope to beat that by a bit

It was such a pleasure to see a couple in love like you and your wife.

That brings up a very good point, that it's important to have a spouse that supports you in your hunting and outdoor activities.

I've seen so many men that have wives that will henpeck their husbands until they give up any sport or hobby that they enjoy. The husband ends up with nothing to look forward to and no friends. It's exactly what I was trying to describe in my earlier post in this thread.

A man without hobbies and without friends is miserable even if he doesn't realize it, and his life will usually be shorter because of it.

I'm reminded of the Biblical parable of the three servants that were each given a certain amount of money before the master went away. When the master returned he asked for an account of what had been done with what was given to them. Two of the three had been wise, worked hard and used what was given to them, and were rewarded. The third was lazy, and was punished by his master because he did not use what he had been given.

God has given each one of us a life and wants us to live abundantly. It's up to us to make that happen.

Surgeon1 · Aug 9, 2026

M70375! said:
I don't put a hell of a lot of faith in what many doctors say any more. Fauci is just one example. I feel I get a lot more good ideas on longevity from some of the guys on YouTube , MDs , I just don't trust a lot of them anymore.

I retired last year after 40 years as a Surgeon working 100hr weeks. You are correct that the doctors being trained today are not well educated and as we have all seen our basic education K-12th grade decline so has health care education. When you try to educate the poorly educated individual, most which have no desire to be the best they can be, you get a product that is near worthless (and yes even doctors).
The decline in our educational standards, lack of competitive drive so everyone is "equal" and ingraining all of that into our Health Care system, your end result is a steep decline in quality.

When Barbara Feinstein convinced congress to limit the hours a doctor in training could work becoming a physician, that was the death of our health care system. Initially limited to 60hrs a week and only one night of call per week and max 14hr/day, from the time tested 90-105 hr/week and at least every 3rd night of call, the end result was a HALF ASS TRAINED DOCTOR.
I left medicine because of what was happening to the System I so dearly loved. Obama Care was the second death blow and the third was Covid. The nect blow will be "MediCare for All" and the fifth and maybe last will be socialism.
So, after over 65,000 medical procedures I completed in a 40 year career, I now strive to live life to the fullest and do as many of the things I missed out on as a result of my career. In 18 days I leave for Tanzania for a month to hunt DG (mostly multiple buffalo and out of water hippo). And God willing I will do that to the very end of this life.

"Eat Clean, Think Clean, Be Clean and Hunt Clean"

Betterinthebush · Aug 9, 2026

A few hunts after my leopard hunt in Nuanetsi, Adrian had a client that was 90 successfully get his leopard over hounds. I don’t know his background, but, for me, it was inspiring to hear about it.

My hunt gassed me and this old man took a ringer of a cat in the rocks. One tough SOB. I put nothing past any man’s desire to complete a task he assigns himself. Regardless of his age.

rsmurray · Aug 9, 2026

My previous post I said "just keep moving" and I believe that is key. Certainly all the info about medicine and nutrition on this thread is trending toward truth imo. I am a practicing veterinarian of 41 years. As a profession we have far more exposure to nutrition in college than your family physician for the most part (altho don't buy into the "cooking everything out of your dogs food" bs that is so rampant now). Mostly tho we work on the preventive side. For generations now our physicians have largely worked on the treatment side.....not proactive but reactive. Perhaps they were better on the preventive side when folks traded them a chicken or sack of corn for their services? I believe it is now trending back b/c God bless'em Medicare don't reimburse them jack anymore!!!! Only thing I would add to what keeps me at my college graduation weight is a diabolical invention I purchased some years ago called "Tonal". The machine is inhabited by a whole group of people that I am quite certain are trying to kill me via their workouts.........but I am addicted to it now and can't quit. It is a machine that works......and I have it installed on the wall in my study right in front of my desk where I have to see it every time I sit down. Presently I know that as soon as I get home from church, it's calling my name wanting to torture me again!

Hunter-Habib · Aug 9, 2026

steve white said:
We are all at different stages of getting older. We want to postpone hanging up the guns for as long as humanly possible.

What are your best tips for diet, physical fitness regimens and mental conditioning to keep you fit enough to hunt into your 80's? This is more complicated than it might seem due to new metabolic problems affecting weight gain and loss, environmental factors, as well as dietary plans for seniors (which WILL include more protein). What is the cutting edge, state of the art practice for maximum results?
I would be especially grateful for suggestions from those who have overcome setbacks, lost weight and kept it off, and what it took to win the battle.

Come to think of it, there may be a book out there with the title of this thread.

Turned 75 this year and this picture’s from 2023.

I’m fortunate enough to still be of sound mind and body.

My tips:
1) I don’t smoke.
2) I drink only on weekends but no more than a couple of glasses of wine or two cans of beer
3) I eat a balanced diet (I eat whatever I want but never overeat)
4) I go out every single day for at least two hours (I just can’t stand spending an entire day at home)
5) I keep myself very physically active on a daily basis (swimming in the morning, walking in the evening and tending to my gardens in-between)
6) I do a doctor’s check up once every three months just to see if everything is alright with me.
7) Always read a book every day and try to memorize a page as this keeps your mind sharp

Two final words of advice that are very important:
1) If you don’t learn to take care of your body during your youth, it will come back to haunt you in your advanced years.
2) NEVER allow yourself to get lazy or inactive even for a day, otherwise you will soon find yourself more & more reluctant to partake in physical activity.

HankBuck · Aug 9, 2026

steve white said:
We are all at different stages of getting older. We want to postpone hanging up the guns for as long as humanly possible.

What are your best tips for diet, physical fitness regimens and mental conditioning to keep you fit enough to hunt into your 80's? This is more complicated than it might seem due to new metabolic problems affecting weight gain and loss, environmental factors, as well as dietary plans for seniors (which WILL include more protein). What is the cutting edge, state of the art practice for maximum results?
I would be especially grateful for suggestions from those who have overcome setbacks, lost weight and kept it off, and what it took to win the battle.

Come to think of it, there may be a book out there with the title of this thread.

@steve white - a starting point would be to achieve a Healthy weight — Diet is rarely easy But if over weight - LOSE IT - in a controlled manner because it will make everything more difficult (plenty of Diets on internet or see a Doctor and get a personalized diet and medical opinion before trying on your own) - it requires discipline and commonsense - weigh your self daily to measure progress (Scales ALWAYS tell the Truth).
If exercise and hitting the Gym are New to You - I’d suggest using a Personal Trainer for the first few weeks and have him evaluate You, determine your goals, and have him put together a progressive program for you….then follow it on your own for a few months. Legs & stamina are much more important then upper body muscle — core strength (abdominal muscles & stretching & lower back) also more important then upper body strength. If you don’t like the Gym then my opinion is obtaining and maintaining a proper weight, plus hiking 3-4 days a week then work up to adding a “light backpack” (10 to 20 lbs.) is a great way to stay in ‘Hunting shape’. Any 45 minute to one hour hike (especially up & down some hills) builds cardio, respiration, leg strength, & stamina —-and it’s Not as boring as a treadmill or stair master. Start with twice a week and work up to 3 to 5 times a week, increase slowly but don’t make it so strenuous that you hate it……any exercise is better then none.

Huge · Aug 9, 2026

Red Leg said:
No, nothing financially clever. I do all the work on the place unless it is catastrophic. For instance had to hire crew to help deal with the flood debris and damage last summer.

Thank you. I was hoping you had found the loophole.

cwpayton · Aug 10, 2026

Surgeon1 said:
I retired last year after 40 years as a Surgeon working 100hr weeks. You are correct that the doctors being trained today are not well educated and as we have all seen our basic education K-12th grade decline so has health care education. When you try to educate the poorly educated individual, most which have no desire to be the best they can be, you get a product that is near worthless (and yes even doctors).
The decline in our educational standards, lack of competitive drive so everyone is "equal" and ingraining all of that into our Health Care system, your end result is a steep decline in quality.

When Barbara Feinstein convinced congress to limit the hours a doctor in training could work becoming a physician, that was the death of our health care system. Initially limited to 60hrs a week and only one night of call per week and max 14hr/day, from the time tested 90-105 hr/week and at least every 3rd night of call, the end result was a HALF ASS TRAINED DOCTOR.
I left medicine because of what was happening to the System I so dearly loved. Obama Care was the second death blow and the third was Covid. The nect blow will be "MediCare for All" and the fifth and maybe last will be socialism.
So, after over 65,000 medical procedures I completed in a 40 year career, I now strive to live life to the fullest and do as many of the things I missed out on as a result of my career. In 18 days I leave for Tanzania for a month to hunt DG (mostly multiple buffalo and out of water hippo). And God willing I will do that to the very end of this life.

"Eat Clean, Think Clean, Be Clean and Hunt Clean"

I respect surgeons more than most others ,when you need one, you need one , just not into all the elective surgery stuff. have a friend who was an MD and he retired several years ago ,closed his business because too much time staring at the computer instead of helping patients.
O

ne thing I do to stay active is train wild mustangs its chalenging to say it mildly

DLSJR · Aug 10, 2026

cwpayton said:
I respect surgeons more than most others ,when you need one, you need one , just not into all the elective surgery stuff. have a friend who was an MD and he retired several years ago ,closed his business because too much time staring at the computer instead of helping patients.
OView attachment 783903ne thing I do to stay active is train wild mustangs its chalenging to say it mildly

What part of Nevada are you located? That photo looks very similar to out along the state line in 015. I’ve spent a lot of time wandering around that lonesome country. Love it out there.

And God knows there’s tons of mustangs all over that region.

Rare Breed · Aug 10, 2026

cwpayton said:
I respect surgeons more than most others ,when you need one, you need one , just not into all the elective surgery stuff. have a friend who was an MD and he retired several years ago ,closed his business because too much time staring at the computer instead of helping patients.
OView attachment 783903ne thing I do to stay active is train wild mustangs its chalenging to say it mildly

While I have had no replacements because I listened to common sense on things like power walking versus continued jogging I will tell you I do not hesitate to get things fixed that medically can be fixed which includes things like blood pressure and cholesterol medications. At my 5 year this past January I had my heart scan MRI done to see if any blocks or calcification and I am at 0 at 67 which astounds my doctor. It is due to three things 1. Eating more carefully with high protein low carbs. 2. Daily exercise. 3. Taking medication I mentioned without letting stupid stubbornness stopping me from listening to expert advice

Brian · Aug 10, 2026

I am 81. Will be 82 on my next water buffalo hunt on 10 cows in Arnhem Land, NT Australia.
I should be much more active on my physical exercise, strength and balance training. I am very strong on my mental and emotional attidude/health.

I hunt with a .500 single shot rifle and premium bullets. My specialty on buffalo is one shot kills.
I am physically much weaker with each passing year and have had two serious bouts of cancer including heavy chemo treatment. I love life, family and every second of buffalo hunting.
I will probably not hunt buffalo after 90. Oh well. Happy hunting! Brian

Flbt · Aug 10, 2026

For me it’s not so much the age.
It’s the mileage.
To many accidents to many fights and way to many injuries

rsmurray · Aug 10, 2026

I have the ultimate respect for many of my RD friends (real doctor). Usually it is the “team” they gather round that is the missing link in their practice in small town USA

Tanks · Aug 10, 2026

Rare Breed said:
While I have had no replacements because I listened to common sense on things like power walking versus continued jogging

I did have a hip replacement as I had worn out my cartilage and the joint was bone on bone and cortisone shots were not helping any more. Prior to the surgery I was limping and taking 4 Advils every 4 hours to manage the pain when hunting.

Now, no limping, and no pain. Unfortunately, I had to give up tennis etc. as I am not allowed to do any high impact exercise.

Brian · Aug 10, 2026

Tanks said:
I did have a hip replacement as I had worn out my cartilage and the joint was bone on bone and cortisone shots were not helping any more. Prior to the surgery I was limping and taking 4 Advils every 4 hours to manage the pain when hunting.

Now, no limping, and no pain. Unfortunately, I had to give up tennis etc. as I am not allowed to do any high impact exercise.

Good man!.. Isn't awesome what medical science and surgeons can do to day. We are very fortunate.

Happy hunting, Brian

rsmurray · Aug 10, 2026

Nice to have replacement parts available these days……and its only gittin started!

cwpayton · Aug 10, 2026

Rare Breed said:
While I have had no replacements because I listened to common sense on things like power walking versus continued jogging I will tell you I do not hesitate to get things fixed that medically can be fixed which includes things like blood pressure and cholesterol medications. At my 5 year this past January I had my heart scan MRI done to see if any blocks or calcification and I am at 0 at 67 which astounds my doctor. It is due to three things 1. Eating more carefully with high protein low carbs. 2. Daily exercise. 3. Taking medication I mentioned without letting stupid stubbornness stopping me from listening to expert advice

Good on you ,I speak only for myself, my VA nurse has been on me for years to take statin drugs, I refused ,so on my tombstone they can say we warned him. actually there is plenty of info against taking them , so each to his own.

How to do the tough hunts into your 80's

Eddie_GE

Tanks

Red Leg

skydiver386

Surgeon1

Betterinthebush

rsmurray

Hunter-Habib

HankBuck

Huge

cwpayton

DLSJR

Rare Breed

Brian

Flbt

rsmurray

Tanks

Brian

rsmurray

cwpayton

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