It never gets old for the young at heartby Paul Smith, Outdoors Editor, JSOnline
Posted: Nov. 14, 2009Some cultures honor their elders. Twenty-first century America, not so much.
Some cultures value hunting. Mainstream America tolerates it at best.
I had the privilege of meeting a pair of Wisconsinites recently who, though not out to inspire cultural change, are shining examples of the wisdom that comes with age and the healthfulness of an outdoors life that includes hunting.
And since America is into 'extreme,' these two might actually draw some attention.
Meet Dolores Wilhelms, 90, of Dotyville and Fred Schmidt, 92, of Waukesha.
Dolores Wilhelms, an avid 90-year-old
hunter in the Fond du Lac area, lives on
her farm in Dotyville. (Paul A. Smith
Photo)
Fred N. Schmidt, 92, formerly of Mukwonago
shot this 11 point buck on Oct. 28 with his
bow. (Courtesy of Fred Schmidt)Though the two don't know each other, they have much in common in addition to being in their 10th decade of life.
Both are life-long hunters, love to hunt deer and recently took up the crossbow. Hunting from ground blinds in October, both also took their biggest bucks ever.
Both are physically active, live independently and drive almost daily.
As far as Wilhelms and Schmidt are concerned, 90 is the new 60.
Is hunting responsible for their excellent health and longevity?
"I don't know, but I've hunted my whole life," said Schmidt, former owner of F.N. Schmidt and Associates in Mukwonago. "Getting out in the fresh air and taking part in nature just has to be good for us."
Take note of that, America.
"Hunting is a thrill, I tell you," said Wilhelms, a mother of three and former nurse's aid. "I think anything that is natural and healthy like hunting has to help you live better and longer."
Ageless advice.
The pair also provides a lesson in the "you're never too old to learn" category.
Schmidt grew up a gun hunter who thought bows of any sort "only wounded" animals.
He owned a plane and would fly west every year to hunt. His trophy resume includes elk, mule deer and moose.
After a hiatus to care for his ailing wife, he decided to start hunting again. He bought a crossbow to take advantage of the long archery season and milder weather.
He hunts primarily on land in Dousman owned by his son, Joe Schmidt.
"I hunt every chance I get," said Fred, who also enjoys golf and walking. "I was out a couple weeks ago near Holy Hill and I saw a nice 6-pointer. But I wanted something bigger."
Hunting in Dousman Oct. 28, Schmidt sat all day overlooking a grassy opening. A half-dozen turkeys entertained him with their grazing and preening in the afternoon.
Then a little after 5 p.m. a lone doe came through, followed by a very nice buck.
"I waited and waited and I took the shot," said Schmidt. "It was probably only 4 minutes, but it seemed like an eternity to me."
His 35-yard shot hit the buck, which bounded away. Schmidt then called his son to tell him he'd hit a deer.
"I told him to sit tight, but he didn't," said Joe, 47. "When I got there, he was looking for the deer."
They found it after a short search, a thick-bodied 11-pointer. At 92, Fred Schmidt had taken his biggest American white-tail.
"I'd never seen him that excited," said Joe Schmidt. "Like a kid."
Fred Schmidt took the next day off. But just the next day.
He's hunted most days since. And he's looking forward to the gun season so he can hunt with his grandchildren.
Wilhelms grew up on a farm in Fond du Lac County and has always lived close to the land.
With her late husband, she would hunt and fish often at their Florence County cabin. Wilhelms was especially fond of trout fishing and bow hunting for deer.
"We have paradise right here on earth," said Wilhelms. "I love it. I love all the outdoors."
The couple continued to enjoy outdoors activities together until her husband died two years ago. She no longer made frequent trips up north. She grew grumpy.
A neighbor, Ron Haessley, noticed.
"I said you don't have to go away to hunt," said Haessley. "You can hunt right here on my land."
Wilhelms then bought a crossbow and quickly gained proficiency with it. Her first year she shot a 3-pointer. And this year, hunting with Haessley at her side, she watched a dandy 9-pointer walk into view.
Her shot found its mark and she soon was tying her tag to the biggest deer of her life.
"Some people say it's nuts and ask 'Why don't you act like a woman?'" said Wilhelms. "Well I am acting like a woman. Some like to shop and watch TV. I like to fish and hunt and garden."
Her outdoors pursuits have gained some notoriety in the Fond du Lac area and beyond. About a week ago she received a phone call from the Jimmy Kimmel show.
The show's producer wanted Wilhelm to fly to Las Vegas for a taping. She said "if they want to talk to me, they can come to my farm."
She's too busy for such television nonsense, anyway.
Last week, with a full moon streaming through her bedroom window, she arose from bed and walked out to the high spot on her back forty to better appreciate the view.
"I'm so grateful I can do what I do," said Wilhelms. "And lucky I have brains enough to appreciate it. It's a great life."
Send e-mail to psmith@journalsentinel.comhttp://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/70044697.html
