Off Season Poll: How did you get your start into hunting?

[rikard78]

10 y/o sling shot a squirrel in our backyard. Pops said, "You kill it, you eat it".

No other way

 

[B&CTom]

I was born into a life of hunting. Mom and Dad had 6 kids; I was in the middle and the age gaps really resulted in 2 groups of 3. By the time I could take in much of what was going on, my older siblings and cousins were cutting their teeth by participating in the hunting itself. I used to dream of the days I could finally earn a chance to go along. It was really a right of passage. Familiarization of, and later proficiency with, firearms was a prerequisite, as was maturity. Beyond all, the animal and the meat it provided was sacred. The privilege of fair chase hunting is still foundational to my ventures afield, though the opportunity to simply be out there now far outweighs the honor of punching another tag and the weight of a heavy pack. Best of all, I'm still able to share the experience with family, including my own children, and God willing, maybe a grandchild or two one day!

 

[AaronPMiller]

Fellow Hunt Talkers,

I did not grow up in a Hunting family or even a Hunting culture but for some reason I always wanted to go hunting. I begged my my non-hunting mother to take me hunting and finally my whines were answered with a $50 dove hunt in Uvalde, TX when I was 12. My very supportive mother watched me miss a lot of birds that day but I have been hooked ever since. Since then we have shot quite a few things together (deer, birds, alligator) but I eventually started hunting solo.

I imagine I am the minority of hunt talk and the overwhelming majority of you got started hunting with your hunting family members. Maybe your Dad or an Uncle took you to show you the ropes when you were young. Feel free to comment below with how you started your hunting career.

 

[AaronPMiller]

I grew up in a hunting and fishing family. It was and is our primary form of recreation. We were fortunate that these were big events where family and friends would get together for the season openers.

I’ve been really fortunate and enjoy this more than anything, which has inspired me to introduce others to hunting and fishing.