Hi y'all.
Start off with some background: I'm in my late 30's and have taken up deer hunting for the first time ever this year. For various reasons I won't get into, growing up nobody in my family or any friends were into hunting, so I never had anyone to show me the ropes. Not trying to start a pity party, just is what it is. Still though:
Even so, I've always been an outdoor enthusiast and have done my fair share of primitive camping, hiking, outdoorsy stuff and whatnot.
In the past couple years, I've settled with my family in a little more "hunter-friendly" area of the country: Central Virginia in the Blue Ridge foothills (literally 20 minute drive from an entrance to the SNP)...literally somewhere I've always wanted to be and raise my kids. So in my enthusiasm for my new environs (and the desire to perhaps pass on the tradition to my boys as they get older), I've taken up hunting.
I'm pretty much set for gear (.30/30 [good enough for this area], camo outfit, hunter education course, license, video on how to field dress, whole 9 yards), but my "hands on" knowledge is at the basic level. Of course, I've scouted the internet for tips and how-to's, but I'm wondering if anyone out there has been in the same boat in terms of a similar background and how you went about learning how to hunt & harvest?
Seems that the industry, as a whole, kind of gears their newbie workshops/sessions/special newbie licenses, etc. to kids/teens (which is understandable and, for the record, I don't have a bit a problem with that), but if you're a little "advanced" in the age bracket, and don't know anyone who hunts (as I say, I'm relatively new to the area so I've yet to know anyone well enough to know if they hunt), seems you just have to suck it up, learn what you can, and just do it. Am I wrong?
Point is, if you can share any ideas for "older" guys just starting out in the field, I'd appreciate it. Just thought I'd throw this up on the wall and see if it sticks with anyone who can share some ideas or lessons learned.
Thanks in advance.
