I was basically on my own. i remember my first hunting encounter. i was really young, probably 6-7 and wanted to go deer hunting with my dad. Both my mom & dad told me "no". I tookit as achallenge. I would teach myself and become a better hunter than my father. when i was old enough i was allowed to go hunting with my dad and uncle. I expected to be taught lessons about deer hunting...nope. we set up a blind and that was about it.No real strategy to it, just picked a spot that seemed good.since then i've taught myself the ins-and outs through reading and listening to seminars.

the one mentor that i did have that i can appreciate was a neighbor who lived next door for about 3 years. He taught me the proper way to shoot a bow. now i'm the 1st and only bowhunter in the family.