OK, so I have to ask..... how old do you have to be to be an Old Duffer?

I am 78. I started considering myself an old person a couple years ago. I had to give up my 60# limbs. Now it seems 55#'s is to much. Heart issues, back issues, don't help.

Thanks for bringing this back up Terry.  I love looking through all those old pictures.

Sure thing Jake, I just was wondering about the age. Because I have allowed non bow hunting pictures on this thread, which is very rare for me to allow.

That being said, I have a picture to add as well. That is non-traditional Bowhunting. And I want to know how old you have to be to qualify to post on this thread.

Therefore I am asking the members for an age before I post and break my own rules. My post would be to show a picture of why I turned traditional which is a big deal for me.

Not knowing you, I doubt that you qualified for that title.

Myself, I'm 71 and have taken back up marathon canoe racing. I gave it up 35 years ago, but last July I beat half the pack.

My draw weight has dropped to 45 lbs. in the last few years, so maybe that would be a sign.

Perhaps when your body starts to tell you to back it off a tad.

I'm 75 now but started in 1965, here's one from 67

Catalina Island 1970. I spent 3 yrs in So.Cal with the USAF

I think age is a matter of mind.... If ya don't mind...It don't matter.  Id say after age 65 comes and goes you have your young days, and you have your feeling old ones more often. I shot 80# bows until i was 55 and had to turn it down a few notches after that. At age 68 my 60 pound bows wear me out quickly, and are not used very often. But.... i was fortunate to stay in pretty good shape over the years with very few shoulder and upper body strength issues.....But If ya dont use it, ya loose it. Now days it's my legs and lower back giving me issues. i have my good days, and my bad days. 

But I don't think i'll ever wrap my head around being called an old duffer though. I'm still young at heart...    Kirk

Kirk;
You're right at 65, I still backpack on AT, Mt Bike, shoot fairly heavy bows.  Until this last Mt Bike "drop" I have been fairly lucky to stay healthy.  Seem to be rebounding fairly quickly, Christmas Day will be two months and I am already drawing a 60# recurve.  Taking it easy and hanging.  Hoping to get back to the 66-71# bows.

This thread is just too good not to revive it.....

I'll have to post on it soon as I guess I'm now approaching duffer status. 

Quote from: Wudstix on December 20, 2023, 10:25:34 AM
Perhaps when your body starts to tell you to back it off a tad.

Well that hasn't happened yet for sure, and for that I am thankful.

To quote Butch Cassidy; after looking for himself: "They're beginning to get on my nerves. Who are those guys?"

Still working at it like I was thirty.  I know the day will come when that will change.  Just keep going until it does.

Enjoying this thread 

At 80 I'm an old duffer.  Have had to drop down in draw weight a good bit but still in the game after 60 years of bow shooting.  BUT, when I say 80 I just can't believe it.  I still feel a bunch younger than that on the inside--like about 45  I am in great health for my age but dealing with some shoulder impingement at the moment.

I might not be a "old duffer" just yet, but I did hit the big five o this year so I'm working on it!

Keep after it everyone!!

David I know exactly how you feel. I read about different adventures of hunting exotic place and fishing trips to the Dry Tortugas, surfing big hollow tubes on a tropical location etc. and Yeah, I want to do that!
NO NO Bob remeber your age (70) and that you've been thrown under the bus a few times in life and have arthritis all over too many surgeries (this summer included) and I can't do that stuff anymore.  Fortunately my shoulders are holding up and I'm shooting way less poundage but I'm shooting.

Dang, reality sucks sometimes. Do it while you can I've always said. At least one day when you can't...you'll have the memories anyway.