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[KidWalleye]

Let me start by saying I'm not looking for prayers or sympathy. I lost my dad suddenly about 3 weeks ago. He was only 53 years old. We had started talking about deer hunting and what to bring up. When we were going to leave for the cabin. Who was brining what for their dinner night. etc... All these questions we all look forward to asking and getting answers to this time of year. Things we take for granted. What I'm getting at is don't take the little things for granted. Enjoy the whole experience begause you never know when you won't have the old man to hunt with any more. We decided to go hunting just as we had every other year, because my old man would have liked it that way. Thank your dads and never forget the lessons they taught us. I loved my dad and will miss him forever. Good luck hunting. And be safe. Jeremy

[Kallista]

I have a daughter who is dying from cancer so i learned long ago to cherish each day and don't take thing for granted and to stop and look around, life's to short not too..

Sorry to hear about your father, its hard, but hes always with you .. in your heart, looking down at you and being proud of you, just remember that..

[BoxMN]

Kid and Kallista,

Thanks for helping us all keep things in perspective. My sympathies, and my wishes for having the best days ahead that you can. I am sort of on the other side, with my Dad who survived some transplants to hunt with us longer than we had hoped or expected. Every trip is a gift, thanks to a donor named Joe from Mankato, and his generous family.

Relish the trips, the planning and every day we all have. I know I do now.

[daydreamer]

Thanks for posting KidWalleye and I'm glad you chose to still go hunting because if your dad was anything like my dad is that's exactly what he would have wanted. Thanks for the friendly reminder as I couldn't imagine losing my father who is 57 right now as he's taught me everything I know.

[Augusta]

Amazing this subject would come up. I took my daughter (12) pheasant hunting this weekend, she shot her first pheasant, and boy, talk about an excited and proud girl. I'm thankful I brought my camera, and this afternoon, I will be printing off the picture and framing it for her. On a side, note, we asked a farmer for permission to hunt his land, and much to my surprise the said "yes" and right after that, he told me how good it was to see a parent taking his kids hunting... that made my day....what a great weekend I had....

[Bassboy1645]

Not unlike yourself I learned that the hardway too. My dad passed away at the young age of 42. I was only six. He was a fisherman and even though it was only fishing he taught me to love the outdoors as he had. Though I went further and much more serious into it than dad ever had I bet he would have been right in it with me if he was still here.Even hunting though I guessdad wasnt into it that much. Im 19 yrs old and second yr college now. It was hard growing up without dad but its made me a stronger person and I know he would have been proud of who I am today.

[Johnny_Namakan]

Kid - Sorry to hear for your loss, buddy. I too lost my Dad at the same age of 53, back in the Spring of 2004. That first year of deer camp was the toughest but if there is any place he would be watching us it would defintely be there. I shot the largest buck of my life that year, so maybe if you ask him nicely, he'll send a big one your way just like my Dad did. It still brings a tear to my eyes, but if I can offer a piece of advice that someone had told me. Don't waste your time thinking about the things that you and he won't be able to do together, but rather think of the wonderful things that you did get to do together. I'm sure that's the way he would want it. Take care, and toast your old man this weekend. I know all of us at our shack will be raising our glasses and toasting mine.

[smilee_54]

I also lost my dad this past may too cancer. It will be different without him here. He wasn't able to go hunting with me when I first started because he knees were to bad. When we would come down from the hill he would always be outside to hear the stories and give us a little ribbing. Man how I will miss those times. Now I have my own kids and I will be in the woods with them when they get old enough too go hunting. My daughter already at the young age of three asks me if I am going to shoot deer with my gun. Sorry to hear about everyone family member that have past

[TroyMcClure]

My dad never hunted or fished much when he was a kid, but I really got into it. I just went with him to buy his first shotgun two weekends ago. He doesn't get out much and it was nice to get him started on another hobby. I now get to take my dad out and get to see him get his first birds, and fishing get his first bass (we are still working on that walleye thing).

I cherish every moment with my father and I am thankful that I get to make his life brighter every single time that I take him out in the boat or walk with him in the woods. I love that guy.