I agree with the OP. I'm 26, and just getting into hunting. My Dad and I used used to go out, but really all we ever did was go for a hike and maybe take a potshot at a squirrel or little bird with the .22 or pelet rifle. I got a squirrel, once. In 26 years. So most everything I've learned has been through trial and error, and that's not much. In a few months I'll be moving to a nice new area in the middle of the woods with nothing else to do, so I'll be teaching myself. It's not like I have anyone to teach me or mentor me, so I'll be making a ton of mistakes, and the kind of harsh critisism I get from some of my peers can be really aggrivating and discouraging. It's true that most people making these mistakes are just inexperienced with no way to know better. And as far as size goes, if I take ANY size deer, I'll be happy. Hell, I'd be happy if I got a rabbit!