Probably five years ago I decided that I wanted to try and catch a coyote. I trapped when I was a kid, I’ll be 73 this year, but all that I trapped were muskrats. I have only set a few traps in the last thirty years, catching a few nuisance coon and a few muskrats that were causing a problem, where I used to work.
My brother gave me a couple of traps, that were the proper size for coyotes, to use, and a kind person sent me some lures. That fall all it did was rain and I wasn’t going to try to catch a coyote in the mud.
Then something happened to my ability to walk, my feet did not move properly, I could barely walk. I started getting around with a cane. I finally went to the doctor and he sent me to rehab. Rehab helped very much. I got to the point where I still didn’t walk very well but only needed a cane in the morning.
Then I fell a couple of months ago and dislocated my shoulder. I really screwed it up. So now my right arm does not work very well. I have lost a lot of range of motion and it still hurts.
So, I still don’t walk very well and I have an arm that isn’t much.
I never did get a chance to try and catch a coyote and there is a coon that is causing me problems now, but I am unable to set a trap.
I just had to hire a local hand handyman to come over and do some stuff for me that involves climbing a ladder, which I cannot do anymore.
That’s my sob story.

I guess what this all boils down to is that you better enjoy things while you can. This getting old and losing the ability to do things is frustrating.

never give up

It sure isn't the Golden years.

Yeah getting old is the pits. Still its better than the alternative. I can't praise God if I;m buried in the Silent City. Having kids to help fill in with stuff would be great , but we don't have any. Some things I used to think was important aren't so much anymore. I'm finding setting my priorities to get the best out of what I have left seems logical. When I'm feeling down counting my blessings seem to pick me up !

Keith you ARENT old your MATURE !. I have same problems though only 78, dont give up . As a MATURE person we are slower.....older..... smarter! Now a bit of advice at least works for me..... lmprovise ...Adapt..... Overcome !

Shoulders take a long time to heal over a year sometimes just keep using it as much as you can. I tore my left shoulder about a year ago it’s at about 90% now that 10% is coming slowly. Reaching over my head is the last challenge now but the strength is coming back it’s come a long ways from a year ago.

My therapy is to just keep moving and use it as much as possible the no pain no gain saying applies here. Getting a box of laundry detergent off the upper shelf was impossible 6 months ago now it’s doable. Be like a shark never stop moving.

fixed both mine when pt failed...swimming helped alot.

I have a very good friend, great trapper, Turkey hunter and fisherman that’s fighting the same thing. His heart and his mind are still in his twenties but his body is in his late eighties. I’m turning 60 this year and I’m trying to stay in shape to participate before, if I live, my body starts breaking down.

This past week I trapped 3 beaver. The largest one weighed 61 pounds. I had to carry it about 100 yards. I'm in my 80s. I made it with a few stops to catch my breath. 30 years ago, I wouldn't have needed to stop.

I know how you feel, Sullivan K, and I'm only 64 & Change !!!

Just keep moving as best you can & don't stop !!!

Hope you get to feeling better.

walleyed

Keep on trucking.

If you eat right when growing up and stay attractive your body will take care of you in latter years.

A friend of mine explained to me years ago that the only thing golden is your pee

Physical working for a living when young,takes its toll when you are older.
Injurys of all sorts heal fast when you are young.Injuries when you are in your 60s or older take a lot longer to heal.
Wear and tear on joints when you are young and working hard all the time can come back to give you a little grief when you are older.
The better shape you are in the easier everything will be.
Walking a few blocks worth every day in good shoes is one of the best things you can do to keep limber when you are older.

I agree with you. I started going to health clubs in my 30s. I still go Monday - Friday, take weekends off. I lift weights for 25 minutes and do aerobics for 25 minutes. That and not being sedentary has made all the difference.