I hunted four hard years before I took my first buck at age 15.
My older brother hunted TWELVE years before he took his first buck.
This was back when we would see 25 deer in a group and not a legal buck in the group. I know that parents and mentors want to provide some gratification...and FAST, to their young studys. But this isn't always the best thing. I think that we are raising a lazy, uncommitted, dis-interested crop of younger hunters in many cases. The good times of being in the wild with family, and participating in a primal activity together is what it was always all about. Not killing a deer NEVER disappointed me, even early on. I was always a happy hunter and sad when the hunt ended, no matter the bounty or lack therof.