Going out with a bang!

[Bowland blades]

I packed in for a period years ago and got back into it , that was a lot to do with my time available though work wise . Its just worth keeping copies of your licences etc especially how things are going

 

[cohannon]

Hi Neil .... Knowing when to quit is a manly decision, good luck for the future. Fond memories of the pitch black night on Arran you talked Gary and myself off the hill by radio after his dusk double on stags and twilight gralloch. Scary biscuits but those little headlamps were a great help. The next morning it was Alan's double and the beast in my avtar is still the best stag I have ever connected with. Those were the days, shame about the the quad course fail

 

[finnbear270]

That pic reminded me of a pillion ride behind Griff, Goose flighting session on Arran, not shiny side down, just a wet arse when we got bogged.

 

[harry243]

Well have finally decided to hang up my boots, its a decision that has been festering since November of last year. Its taken around 6 months for me to become weaned off the desire to go. Contracting was the killer, it deadens the pleasure of being out in the countryside, you become completly immune and a dont have the time to appreciate the outdoor environment, combined with some serious family health problems the decision was made for me. Family is more important as you get older, and I was guilty of been oblivious to the struggles they were enduring. The maelstrom which is deerstalking for me was all encompassing and nothing, and I mean nothing would get in the way, my whole life revolved round deerstalkers and contracting, to the detriment of what was becoming my estranged family..
I did however pursuade my partner to have one last go over this weekend, I had sold most of my kit and had to borrow a scope off a friend to even have a functional rifle. So we set off last night for one final throw of the dice, little did either of us know what an evening it would be. Perfect night, little to no wind we sat in a box tower eating chilli con carne, for the first time just enjoying scenery and the sounds, then this happens, 4 hours lugging this lump(141kg) 800yds to the truck, covered in blood sweating like a rapist, got home at 2am exhausted, and chuffed, scope off the rifle this morning returned to its owner, and now cataloging all my gear to sell some on here and some to the Leukeamia charity. View attachment 361854View attachment 361851

Sorry to hear you have retired but what a way to finish will last a long time in your memory as they say time wates for no man its n ever appealed to me the contracting side of stalking its a numbers game pleaser stalking you take in much more of your surroundings and enjoy the country side ,hope you have lots of great memory's

 

[griff]

Hi Neil .... Knowing when to quit is a manly decision, good luck for the future. Fond memories of the pitch black night on Arran you talked Gary and myself off the hill by radio after his dusk double on stags and twilight gralloch. Scary biscuits but those little headlamps were a great help. The next morning it was Alan's double and the beast in my avtar is still the best stag I have ever connected with. Those were the days, shame about the the quad course fail View attachment 377339

Remember that very well, banking gave way and parked it on its roof, just got rid of the quad recently and it still had those tyres on it with bplenty of tread left.