My hunting buddy is my son. This year he is 4, but hunted with me last year. We were able to take a small 4 pointer that normally I would have let walk, however because he was with me we took him. He was SO excited and helped load it, clean it, and cut it up. He's hooked now and is getting very excited about deer season already.
I am very lucky. My wife will also be hunting with me this year which is just awesome.
Wanna get by shopping at BassPro and Cabelas all the time?? Get your wife to hunt and see what all she buys. Then they understand!