I started deer hunting in the early 1960s.

I had a spot in Grundy County that was loaded with deer, squirrels and rabbits. I had three companions that I worked with at Caterpillar, and they always went hunting with me. It was no problem taking deer in that woods. The animals would feed in crop fields just south of the woods and come in to bed down in the wooded area right after sun-up.

We always hit the woods before sunrise and were in our stands well before the deer entered the woods. There were a lot of big bucks in that area. It almost seemed that the Good Lord guided our hunts, as we were all finished by the end of opening day. Of course that’s when the work started. It was at least a half-mile drag back to our vehicles, and this was through heavy brush, downed timber and ravines.

By the time we got to the check station, we were aching all over. I finally reached my truck on the road and almost fell over with exhaustion. I firmly remember saying to myself, “You know, Fred, you don’t have to do this.”

I think back then it was a macho thing. It was something to talk about at breakfast at a restaurant the next morning. We also would speak of it near the coffee machines at work for the next month. We felt we were the greatest deer hunters in the world.

Well, as time passes, so do my companions. Several moved out of state. Three died of cancer, and now one goes to Florida from November through April. That puts an exclamation point on “all good things must come to an end.”

As I age, did I have sense enough to quit? I have no help getting a deer out of the woods now and will be close to 80 years old in May. I don’t know what drives one to continue. It could be in my blood. I firmly hope I will continue to be able to do this for another few years. My four-wheeler helps drag an animal out of the woods now, and the new shotguns with a fully rifled barrel are extremely accurate. The venison still tastes just as good as it did back then, but I sure miss my companions.

They were very good hunters as well, and it sure helped to have them bandage my blistered hands after that half-mile drag. My wife continues to worry about me hunting by myself. Thank God for cellphones. I can always keep in touch with her by phone. I just thank the Good Lord I can still go to the gym to work out.

Fishing report

River fishing has been hampered by ice and now heavy stained water. I grab a breakfast sandwich and go to the river bank to check the water every day. I still have new fishing companions who call constantly asking when we are going back out. They have been very patient this year.

Usually, I fish the entire winter on the river. I know I mentioned that most of the fish are in deep holes now, and that many times requires some travel. One needs to dress accordingly for the weather and try to stay dry.

This is not the time of year to get wet with several miles to travel in 20-degree weather. That can definitely take the fun out of a fishing trip.

• Fred Krause is a Shaw Media correspondent.