How do you balance off-season?

[Alan]

How do you balance off-season? Do you go hard on family time since hunting takes you away? Or are you in the garage working on gear year-round? I think we all struggle with this balance, let's discuss how everyone manages it.

 

[K9TXS]

I've been retired for 10 years so I have plenty of time for family and normal household things.

I've been prairie dog hunting in June each year for quite awhile. Around September, I'll start my reloading process in stages, cleaning brass, inspection of cases, etc. My favorite caliber is a 20 Vartarg which takes quite a bit of time to make brass for it, so I start working on that since it takes the longest time to process. Luckily I don't have to make brass every year. I shoot a lot so there's always something to clean or reload for. Between January and the middle of May, I've double checked everything, made the needed reservations, etc. The Friday before father's day I head to WY. I've only lived in NJ for 4.5 months so right now I'm way behind on everything I normally do throughout the year. Waiting on a barrel to come in now and it when it does, I'll get into full swing again.

 

[Just_Matt]

I try to split it..family time first, then gear work or practice sessions when I can.

 

[Alan]

I've been retired for 10 years so I have plenty of time for family and normal household things.

I've been prairie dog hunting in June each year for quite awhile. Around September, I'll start my reloading process in stages, cleaning brass, inspection of cases, etc. My favorite caliber is a 20 Vartarg which takes quite a bit of time to make brass for it, so I start working on that since it takes the longest time to process. Luckily I don't have to make brass every year. I shoot a lot so there's always something to clean or reload for. Between January and the middle of May, I've double checked everything, made the needed reservations, etc. The Friday before father's day I head to WY. I've only lived in NJ for 4.5 months so right now I'm way behind on everything I normally do throughout the year. Waiting on a barrel to come in now and it when it does, I'll get into full swing again.

That’s an incredibly dialed routine...retirement clearly lets you plan, prep, and enjoy every phase.

 

[Alan]

I try to split it..family time first, then gear work or practice sessions when I can.

That balance sounds ideal, family first, then squeezing in gear work whenever time allows.

 

[rfd]

"Off season" is no longer about hunting, for me. It's about Winter weather conditions that force hibernation for about 5 months of zero outdoor activities. Some will poo-poo that, but those some aren't at age 80 and above.

 

[Alan]

"Off season" is no longer about hunting, for me. It's about Winter weather conditions that force hibernation for about 5 months of zero outdoor activities. Some will poo-poo that, but those some aren't at age 80 and above.

That’s completely fair...priorities change with time and listening to your body matters more than any season ever could.