My step dad introduced me to hunting small game when I was a kid, but to say he was really my mentor......Not really. Don't get me wrong, he took me hunting quite often, but as far as learning anything, I'm really self taught. I'm grateful to him though.

My real mentor was a gentlemen name of Darrell. I met Darrell at work about....5 or 6 years ago. He taught me a heck of a lot about the outdoors, and was just a facinating man to talk to. The man wasn't wrapped tight, but you just couldn't help but love him. Anyway, I lost Darrell one day while he and I were fishing but will forever remember the hunting, and life, lessons he taught.

As for Hunting in General My Dad !! Thanks Dad.

Now as far as Bowhunting, I get to repay him..and mentor him.

Parents bought us BB guns as 10 yr olds. (we had lesser guns, but at 10yrs we got Crossmans). It was a family thing to shoot together.

Got a rifle the same year (.22)....and have been small game hunting since then......mostly with friends. Got bitten by the bird hunting bug when I lived in SC....and the waterfowl bug shortly thereafter. Bowhunting came in 2005.....and my "mentors" list is long....including many of you, here.

Thank you.

My dad got me into gun hunting when I was young. I returned the favor and bought him a bow this spring when he retired. I can't wait until Sept. 15 when bow season opens in WI.

My mentor passed away one month ago. My hero, my dad. The man had more courage than anyone I have ever seen. He stuck to his convictions even if they wern't the popular thing to do. I loved him and know that he is in Gods presence now. If someone is your mentor or just someone you really look up to, tell them. I have no regrets with my dad, he knew I loved and thought the world of him.
Chris

I said this to you before, Chris....and I'll say it again. That's all, as a father,a mancould ever ask for. If a man knows those things.....his heart is full.

Ditto for me too. He took me squirrel hunting when I was old enough and took me hunting as much as I wanted to growing up.

When I wasabout 8 he showed me how to shoot a little recurve and after that bought me my first compound. However, from about 15 on I learned a lot on my own and now set-up his equipment for himand help him out with archery.

I got into bowhunting on my own and this board was a great mentor in general - and still is - in terms of learning from others' experience. Especially helpful was signing up for the contest the first year and lots of wise advice from AntlerEater and Extreme1.

My mentor is my hunting buddy........ TED(not the NUGE). I worked with this guy and we just ended up hunting together. He hunted the same woods as me already but for many more yrs. He has shown me alot. Now I am a mentor(I like to think) for several other hunting buddies.