RE: How you got your start hunting?
I grew up not hunting; no one in immed family did, so no opportunities. I'd have liked to have gone, but no opportunities. I was always a bit of a gun nut; bought a Winchester 120 shotgun in early 20s (1984 or so) and went rabbit hunting a few times. Moved to NC, met a guy who hunted - I wanted to go - bought a Savage 110, he took me hunting - I was 28yrs old. Ended up killing first deer - spike buck - witht that Winchester 12ga using buckshot.
No more hunting for near tenyears... then met up with an Uncle I'd not seen since teen years - he took me pheasant hunting in Minnesota. I was jazzed (I shot a pheasant with my old 120) and joined a deer club upon return to NC. I've been obsessed with deer hunting since that year, 1999.
Went this evening; no deer. As I walked into the woods I realized I left ramroad for ML at home; found a straight twig and made one!