My Argentina hunting buddy is 85 this year....Said to tell you to liven-up!!!

I hope all is well and good!

Now stir-up some S#iT so we can all go to bat!!!

JW

There's one flaw in your stages of life analysis. You can't teach everything you know to everyone who wants to learn. So, as long as you are healthy and able, those of us who still need to learn can benefit from your knowledge, wisdom, and experience.

i couldn't imagine my grandfather ever saying
Son, I'm of no use to you anymore.
I'm old tired,wore out and useless.

A mind full of experience and hunting tales is a terrible thing to waste.

Mac
i don't know you from adam
but sounds like you need a good swift kick in the seat of the pants.
did your grandfather teach you to quit,
to give up,roll over and show your belly???
for those of us who have never shot a double or tasted the dust of africa, YOU are our link.
Your job is not done.
love to read of some of your adventures.
how bout re-posting some on "hunting reports"

Sir, I continue to learn from you. Plus which I just like what you have to say.

Mac,
My fondest memories of hunting will always be hunting with my grandfathers. You might be getting nearer to the finish line but the race aint over yet!

Mac-I wish I was half the man you still are. You have been one the fellows who I feel has enriched my life having met and gotten to share a hunting camp or 3 with you. You are tougher than a 50 cent steak. Cowboy on dude.

Perry

Life is not always easy. However, this doesn't mean that we should just roll over and play dead. According to the famous Chinese philosopher and strategist Confucius, success is not measured by the number of accolades we have hanging on our walls, but by the number of times we forced ourselves to get up and try again.

Mac,

Say it ain't so. Your expertise and advise is required. The hunt is still fun eeven if you cannot get around like you did many years ago.

BigB

I don't really know how to respond, Mac. I guess, suffice it to say that I have enjoyed the hell out of your contributions here for more than 10 years, and have learned a lot from you. I hope there is not more to this story than you are telling. I have to say that I don't really buy into the "steps". They seem generally true, but it neglects the fact that there are always folks that can learn from you. And I don't think anyone is useless, unless maybe their mind is completely gone, or they are.

I hope this is a passing phase Mac. If not, you will be sorely missed.

Best regards friend,
Chris

Mac
I can't believe that the same guy who has posted so much valuable information over the years now feels that he has nothing to add. The vast majority of us are still trying to gain enough knowledge to hold up our end of a conversation with you. In addition, newbies sign on daily, all of whom need the benefit of your wisdom and counsel.
You don't need to sit back, you have to renew that passport, give the double some range time, get your ass back to Africa where it belongs, than come back and tell us the story. Hell if 60 is the new 40, you are only 54!
Seriously, unless there are health issues beyond the normal wear and tear of aging, you are way too young to throw in the towel. As for retiring to the back bench, now is the time when you should be more vocal. Pull you chair up to the fire, pour a beverage of choice, and tell us youngsters of 60 about the good old days.
Looking forward to your next post

TerryR

Get well soon Mac.

quote:

Originally posted by TerryR:
Mac
I can't believe that the same guy who has posted so much valuable information over the years now feels that he has nothing to add. The vast majority of us are still trying to gain enough knowledge to hold up our end of a conversation with you. In addition, newbies sign on daily, all of whom need the benefit of your wisdom and counsel.
You don't need to sit back, you have to renew that passport, give the double some range time, get your ass back to Africa where it belongs, than come back and tell us the story. Hell if 60 is the new 40, you are only 54!
Seriously, unless there are health issues beyond the normal wear and tear of aging, you are way too young to throw in the towel. As for retiring to the back bench, now is the time when you should be more vocal. Pull you chair up to the fire, pour a beverage of choice, and tell us youngsters of 60 about the good old days.
Looking forward to your next post

TerryR

Amen!!!

Mac, I meant to add that I have also always appreciated the civil and good humored tone of your posts.

Besides the substance of your contributions, your cordial and gentlemanly style will be missed as well.

So again, please don't retire!

Well gentlemen, don’t worry about the steps, nobody has selected pallbearers yet! I’m simply burned out and tired, so am taking a break from including my thoughts here or anyplace on the Internet. Lurk I will, but I think, for at least a while I’ll bow out!

Good hunting and shooting! (rifles & $hit) here on AR! I thank you for the flowers, however!
…………………………………………………………….I’ll see you, as they say “ON THE RADIO!”

Are you gonna let me and Oryxhunter come and shoot with you when he comes up with his new .500???

We are in despererate need of a good ironing-out!

Mac, we all still can learn from you..please continue teaching.
Your student,
David

MAC,
I will need a 2nd pair of eyes to handle Lane....he's like a kid in a candy store at a gun range! This is for the good and safety of those living in the DFW area! Don't bail on us now!
jd

Thank you Mac, I had concerns, feel better now

Dear MacD37

You are only 12 days into a 14 day safari.
Lots of game seen nothing taken.
How it ends is up to you.

1. Give up
2. Press on and give it 100%

Things change a hole lot in a days hunting.
Keep up the fight and give it your all.

Kind Regards
Mark

C'mon Mac. You can't hang it up yet. You've been a mentor to many, and these young pups need you around a while longer. Obviously your mind is sharp as a tack at 74 years young. My uncle is 87 years old and still climbs a tree to bow hunt every year. You're just suffering from the winter doldrums. Cheer up and carry on.

Mac, whether you simply lurk or decide to stay engaged... Thank you for the contributions you've made. People such as yourself are what has made AR the best forum on the internet for those of us who love African hunting.

Mac,

Although I have posted very little, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts. And partaken of your immense knowledge of doubles. While it is certainly your choice to do as you will, I, for one one, will certainly feel deprived!

Warm regards

Esskay

Saeed Ansari

(Saeed_Ansari om Skype)

Mac, I've learned a lot from your posts here, as many others obviously have as well. I hope you reconsider your plan. My father, when he was a year younger than you are now, came to the same conclusion regarding hunting. A few months later he "snapped out of it" and we were still hunting whitetails together more than a decade later. He often scoffed at what he had come to refer to as his "maudlin phase".

Besides, I've stolen your "smoke of Africa" signature line and I use it shamelessly, elsewhere. I would miss the frisson of guilty pleasure that comes with quoting it if you were to stop posting!

So...."snap out of it!"

John

Hey, Mac! You can't go anywhere, yet! I'm just not up to finding and traning a new hunting buddy.

One of the greatest pleasures of my life is getting to share a campfire with you and my DRSS brothers!

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Hey, Mac! You can't go anywhere, yet! I'm just not up to finding and traning a new hunting buddy.

One of the greatest pleasures of my life is getting to share a campfire with you and my DRSS brothers!

+2

We've never met, which is my loss. If you need time, take it. It is amazing what time spent with Grandkids can do. It's never wasted.
I will miss your experience and your explanations. AR will be less in your absence. But when one of us posts something absolutely stupid, which we will, please come out of retirement and correct us.
Thanks for being around.
Bfly

In South Africa amongst the black tribes(Zulus) you are a(Groot man) senior man now. You are " Madala". Also called a "Ringkop" Ring Head, by the way traditionally they plaited their hear. This means you have reached the age were you may sit in the council of the(Amakosi) kings. The wisdom that members of the tribe has when they reach your age is much respected. Eyes may fail, knees may buckle but while you have clarity of mind you have wisdom. You are obliged to pass this wisdom on to the "Young Turks" with clear eyes, strong knees but little wisdom.
Hlala Gathle Kethla. (Stay well old man.)

Mac,

It is no great secret to many on this board that you and I had a little punch up (via the board and PM’s) some years ago as a result of some differing opinions. What they might not know is that once I had time to use what small amount of grey matter I have been given…I PM’d you and apologized and you (the ever constant gentleman) accepted. I will be forever grateful to you for extending that acceptance.

I am somewhere between your description of Stage Two and Three. I know just enough to know I am nowhere close to even knowing a quarter of what I should. And I am content to live and learn and make my mistakes and hoe the hard row…But I am also more than willing to have an old dodger like you impart a little more wisdom than I have heard (and accepted) thus far.

“Many things in life are inevitable, and one of the last is the step where one finally realizes his race has been run, and his usefulness comes to an end.” – You are right; almost…Your usefulness only comes to an end when you decide it has. Not everyone will think so, but the majority will (I hope) side with me when I say, you are damned far from having lived long enough and imparted enough wisdom here to consider yourself useless.

“…have decided to sit in blinds, fishing boats, and around campfires with my kids, and grand kids, and enjoy what is left of my life…” – Great. Do that…Your kids, grandkids and all others lucky enough to share those experiences with you will undoubtedly enjoy being able to pick your brain and listen to your tales of the past…

“It’s been a good run, but has ceased to be fun anymore, so I think I’ll sit out for a while!” If this is true, it just isn’t fun anymore; I understand and respect your decision. But you will be missed. I don’t comment on your posts very often these days because I don’t want to attract the negative attention of those who live in that place on the internet where they only remember the past and know nothing of the present, who will cause us grief over past harsh words, which fell between us and have since been resolved. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t read (with interest) your posts and am now smart enough to shut my mouth and open my ears so I can learn a little something.

At the end of the day, AR will be a bit less interesting without you (and your kind) around. And I will miss your contributions.

"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!" (qt by Damon (Mac) McCartney) – May we all remember these words, as they will forever ring true…

Cheers Madala...I am raising a glass to you...

Brian

Mac,

You sound like you might be depressed, and I hope you're not feeling sorry for yourself. We all get old, but we don't have to die on our feet.

First, time to see your family doctor, depression can be treated effectively. Also, other illness may have developed - ? heart failure ? - thus, another reason to see your doctor.

Second, once you've been treated or ruled-out depression or illness, if you have the money, schedule a Cape buffalo and elephant hunt in Africa - best cure for depression I know of.

Regards, AIU

Mac,

Sounds like you like to sit in a boat and fish. I am going down to El Salto next month to chase some of those 10 lb bass I missed last year. Why don't you join me to share the boat? We can eat mexican food, drink tequila, fish for bass and sit around in the evening and tell each other lies about how good a hunters we are. If that doesn't refresh your spirit, nothing will!
465H&H

quote:

Originally posted by DoubleDon:
C'mon Mac. You can't hang it up yet. You've been a mentor to many, and these young pups need you around a while longer. Obviously your mind is sharp as a tack at 74 years young. Cheer up and carry on.

With all due respect, what he said +1.


When I first came to the DR/DRSS world via AR, I always considered you to be the one of the (very few) most knowledgeable and gentlemanly people here.

So far as I recall (a few years), you have always expressed you opinions without peronal insult, and (almost ; ) always bias. You (unknowingly) tought me more things than I can count about DRs, and I thank you for that.


I know whatever I/we dicuss on the Double Rifle page, I will always think: "What does/would Mac think?".

I hope you don't stay gone too long, I will eagerly anticipate your return.

Come on Mac, you got to get to 10,000 posts! You are sooo close! And didn't Saeed say he was giving away free buffalo hunts to all members who hit 10K?

And although I don't venture there, I do believe that you do not partake in the AR Political Forum. You know, I think for every post one places in the PF, two posts should be deducted from their count!

Seriously, not reading into your post anything other than what is stated, if you are burned out of the Internet forums and/or holding on too tight (it is supposed to be fun!), by all means take a break and step back for a bit. I hope and suspect that maybe in time you will regain the enjoyment. Or, you'll find that you don't miss it. Whatever you decide, I respect it.

Best regards, Bill

I am truly sorry to see you go.

Dave

Wow, Mac. First thing I thought of was my favorite quote, which appears on each post.

The big mystery of life: where lies the final harbor?

It is healthy to be introspective once in a while and to think about things other than hunting.

I often say that if I knew I was going to die within a year, the last thing I would do is go on a big hunt. I would spend it with my family, doing the things they enjoy.

Good luck to you.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas

Mac, come on, cheer up.
You need to make a trip down here to South Louisiana and let me feed you some boiled crawfish, crawfish etouffee, charbroiled oysters, community coffee, and finish off with some King Cake. That should perk you up.

Seriously, come see me, my treat.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:
And didn't Saeed say he was giving away free buffalo hunts to all members who hit 10K?

Know I know why Rich makes so damn many posts!

Brett

Mac will be back! Boredom of not being involved here anymore will set in soon.

Class act, true gentleman, double rifle authority. When he typed, I read and I learned. He will be missed.

Mac,
Take some time and spend with the kids and grandkids, sit around a few campfires or your fireplace and tell them your tales of hunts past and start a good book or two... give yourself some time to contemplate what you have accomplished. And then come back, we all need a break from the routine every now and then and you still have plenty of wisdom to dispense. See you soon...