An excellent thread SBG,

Here's where I started because I didn't have the luxury of the internet, this forum, educated bowhunters around me, treestands etc..etc everything you mentioned.

At 15 I had a Bear Black Bear II, plastic stick on shelf rest, fingers, 2117 GameGetter II's FULL LENGTH and 160 Grain Thunderheads, 3 5" Straight vanes, talk about underspined, out of tune and arrows flying everywhere. I didn't drive, I rode my bike. No one to teach me about tuning and everything else that has to go with a bow. I shot it instinctive and was getting good at hitting my mark when my arrows didn't fish tail. I shouldn't have been in the woods but what did I know? I didn't have anyone to tell me differently. I cringe when thinking back, I have experiences. I try to share so others don't make mine.

From that begining I've matured in bowhunting so when I answer questions it usually comes from a long line of painful failures.