Welcome Gp.
I find hunting&firearms in general& the outdoors& no crowds etc, are Special/injoyable things to me also.Glad you found themto - its never to late as they say.

How come you cant shoot your rifle in ohio? No ranges(or public lands?)around to shoot at?

I dont own any semi auto shotguns myself - but there many good brands out there. mossberg, rem, winchester etc& many ppl here who know a lot more then myself on what one is good/better /best.

(maybe you can post some of your wildlife etcphotos sometime?)