Everyone has been telling their story...here is mine. I was and still am a die hard fisherman. Finished up college in 2005 and moved home to Northern NY. After college, I thought "geez I'm bored, what is there to do besides fish inthe blustery crappy weather"? The answer:Hunt. My buddy happened to ask me if I wanted to go in the woods w/ him for an evening hunt. I went and the rest is history (eventhough we didn't see a thing). The feeling of being one with nature was great. You get to sit there and enjoy everything...all the animals, colorful leaves, the peice and quiet...it's great. I'm sure this will never get old after two seasons and three deer.

I don't know that I really have a mentor. I have somebuddies to talk to about hunting, but I feel a mentor would be an older experienced hunter with more than 10 years under his/her belt. I respect my hunter friends, but not as much as I would respect the experience of someone that would be older. Just a respect thingI guess. Wish hunting was more of a tradition in my family, but maybe it will be sometime.

Like some of the other people, I have no problem with hunting by myself because that's kinda how I've learned. I also have no problem with hunting side by side with friends. My soon to be fiance's cousin and I hunted together quite a bit this fall. He, my brother and two other friends will most likely be great hunting partners in years to come.

Websites like this are great though. Lots of information, no intimidation factor if I have to ask a dumb question here& thereand lots of people.

Everyone should have the opportunity we have being hunters.