Hello everyone,

Would like to introduce myself. My name is Brian. I am almost 35 years old, and have only been hunting once in my lifetime and that was Coyotes in Southwest AZ at the age of 16. My dad had gotten out of hunting by the time I came of age to be interested in it. Also, I played 4 sports a year from the time I was 9 years old, so we didn't have a whole lot of time for hunting. I have met a wonderful lady since being divorced and her 2 brothers are what you would call hardcore hunters. They seem to hunt year round mostly bow hunting, but some shotgun for birds etc. Meeting them has bitten me with the hunting bug. I spent 5 years in the military and did quite a bit of target shooting in my early 20's, so I know gun safety and spent quite a bit of time in my youth on Shasta lake in Redding, CA. So I also know about wildlife and conservation.

I have 3 children, my oldest 11 (a girl), my middle one 8 (a boy) and my youngest 5 (a girl). They are all pretty excited about Daddy getting back into shooting and possibly hunting. My son wants to take the hunters ed course, my oldest I am not sure about, I would like her to, but will not push it on her. However, my youngest is probably the most excited about hunting and the outdoors, and is too young to take hunters ed at this (IMHO as she cannot read to take the test).

Also, my oldest brother was very much into hunting, mostly by bow, he is sending me all of the stuff he hasn't sold off. His old compound bow, tree stand, camo etc... not sure if any of it will be worth keeping or not.

I have read nearly every thread on the forums concerning hunting and bowhunting already. I am really looking forward to learning more about hunting in general. But, I don't want to get into any bad habits, etc. Does anyone have any advice on how to go about getting into the hunting game without looking like a total idiot? How to get my kids involved as soon as possible?

I look forward to your replies.

Brian