shot my first doe last year with a shotgun at age 12, got a 97 on my hunters education course, highest in the class and i purchased two crossbows this summer. i plan to hunt by myself with the xbow all during bow season. i also bought a 20 gauge to hunt with my dad during gun season to fill a tag. i feel that i'm ready and prepare myself by hunting small game such as groundhogs with my xbow practicing shots and such. it's great fun.