Hanging with your buds

It's occurred to me that not all guys have an opportunity to hang out with a group of their buddies OR it's just not their thing?

I can't imagine what it's like to NOT have a group of friends to go shooting with, camp, drink some beers and verbally joist, aka: shoot the shit.

I can't imagine not something on the radar for some guys?

Heading out shortly to camp with 20 of my friends from the neighborhood. 3 nights of Beer, Brats, and Ammo. Life doesn't get much better than that!

 

You sound like you are or will be a good family guy. Social bonds can become important for well-being.

But you are correct, some, me included, would rather camp alone. My only exception is shooting with two good friends, I have known for decades.

 

Just came back from 3 days of hanging out camping with 20 of the guys, not all my closer friends, some I see by chance here or there during the year.
Most all are from a sports club in the neighborhood (Soccer) Camp host is a regular camping buddy. 3 nights out in Shelter Valley, Saturday weather was fantastic.
Got to spend 3 hours all to myself on the range. We had some great food provided by meal time teams. Light misty rain here and there as well as some pretty good
wind gusts. Start relaxing with a couple of beers and moved on to J.D. at the campfire. All the result of hard work and good planning....

 

No, I don't have a group guys I hang out with regularly.
Most of them died.

I've always been the young guy of the group.
I'm pretty sure I died in the early 70's and was reincarnated in 1983......

 

Dang, 20 people, that’s a lot.

Do you have to get a permit for a group of that size?

Seems like a party. Good times.

 

If you had asked me this in my 20s yeah id be inclined to agree

Now, people and their shit are too much effort. Especially going shooting with large ass groups, that just sounds unsafe with too many uncontrollable variables, aka effort, as in who isnt cleaning up their shit, who is getting too drunk, etc etc.

Come to think of it my first experience with alcohol and guns in the same place was pretty terrible thinking back on it, resulting in two full auto sks being ripped back to back multiple mag till fail, predator style. And at least one person if not more proving bullet bemding is real.

But hey that was my crew im sure yours is much more structured and organized (I remember saying the same)

 

NO "Permit" for this group of 20. Private land and shooting range. Invitation only....and not everyone shoots. But everyone sure as heck drinks!
If one of the invitees makes too big an ass of themselves they don't get another invitation.
This is not even the largest group that goes out annually. The other camping trip is usually around 30, gun range IS NOT open for the larger group.
None what so ever!

 

Very nice. I like that.

Private property and private range; that’s where it’s at. Looks like a good crowd.

We’ve been enjoying a private range in Northern California for the past five years. Wonderful camping facility in the woods with steel targets out to 700 yards.

Full speed ahead.

Edit: At first, I thought you meant Shelter Valley in Canada. No shirtless campers this time of year up there.

Sunny So Cal for the win.

 

Ah yes…. 762x39 was cheap back then. Metal containers filled with stinky Chinese ammo.

In the late 80s we bought a few of those SKS’s with detachable 30 round mags. The magazine conversion was poorly executed on these rifles. Both rifles would jam, if the magazine was not held in place during firing.

pew...

 

They were definitely worth the $200 thats for sure

 

Since 2002 I've had the great privilege to be part of an annual 5 day golf trip to Bandon Dunes on the Oregon coast. 30-40 guys, 20 or so that are there every year. I've always appreciated that it's a very special thing to be a part of. It's something we look forward to every year and it'd be a bummer not to have it.

Funny thing is, the wives in our group of four were totally supportive, but after 5-6 years started to wonder if we were going to go EVERY year. We actually talked about it. It was decided that we have momentum and precedent on our side now, and to miss a year would present a chink in the armour. So yes dear, I will be going to Bandon again this year.

 

Yup, I've been going to an annual camp, off-road, shoot, drink, hot spring, explore, etc. trip for 28 years now. A bunch of us head up to the sierra's near Nevada, usually late January/early February for fun. There's nothing like hanging out in the snow with great food & drinks with friends & no one around for miles for a whole week! Lots of great memories over the years!