It's something I always wanted to do as a kid, but never did. I got my first bow from a friend (at the age of 29). It was an old BEAR bow. It had no sights, but I loved shooting it (even though draw length was way too short). I shot it all summer long and became pretty consistant with it. At first, I was happy just to hit the taget--by the end of the summer, I was able to hit the bullseye (or pretty close) at 20 yards. The following summer, my father-in-law gave me his old Hoyt bow. It has a sight, and shoots a whole lot faster than the old BEAR did. I would guess this bow shoots approx. 200fps.(there is no cam on this bow either) I've been using the Hoyt for 2 yrs now. Still far behind todays modern bows, but I love to shoot with it, and still do to this day, although I don't think this bow fits me properly either. This is the first year I went hunting, and fell in love with that too. I have not harvested any deer yet, but I did get a chance to see many in the woods. That was my goal for this year. The season is not over until the end of Jan. and I'm still plugging away. I am saving now for a new bow that I hope to get sometime in Jul. or Aug.. I just recently joined an archery club and am looking forward to shooting all summer long. I am reading every article about archery that I can get my hands on. I hope to one day be able to build my own bow and arrows. I don't think I've ever taken a hobby as serious as I am taking this one! Have fun shootin everybody.

My dad was never into the hunting scene. But I have my wonderful boyfriend of almost 2 years to thank. He really got me into it and I was unable to complete the hunters education course due to a car problem but I can't wait to go this year. So thanks to him.

Well my dad has never been here for me and well...i really dont care. I dont know him and dont want to. I have my grandpa to thank for a lot. He was there when i killed my first deer, first rabbit, first squirrell...well you get the point, LOL. I can never thank him enough and my whole family as far as that goes.

These stories are great. Keep em coming<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

My decision to bowhunt (my first season will be 2002) was based on family concerns. I am a grouse hunter @ heart. W/ dwindling numbers & two young boys it seemed a good choice. To see good numbers of birds we've had to hunt Wisconson. That takes me away from helping @ home w/ my older son who has cerebral palsy. There are plenty of deer in the woods behind my house so I can walk out the back door & hunt. I won't need to be gone over night. At least that's the plan. My 5 yr old already has a bow I got for him & is having a ball flinging arrows out back. He's too small to shoot a shotgun so the bow is something we can enjoy together. Again I can do this @ home. I'm really enjoying the bow shooting and it's quiet. So the neighbors don't even know what I'm up to. LOL. I really enjoy this forum & look forward to shooting 3D this summer & meeting other bowhunters. The people I've met @ the shop where I bought my bow are very friendly and helpful, as are the people here. Have fun everyone!!

Phil.

I was raised by my grandparents, pap took me hunting with him since I was old enough to walk. He taught me about gun hunting, but as far as bowhunting goes, I read a book about Fred Bear when I was 13. I got a bow the day after I finished reading it. Pap would take me to camp, and let me go out back while he sat in the back yard. He would laugh at me for thinking I could kill a deer with a bow. He only got to laugh for one year. I shot my first buck with a bow when I was 14. That was 27 years ago, and I could`nt imagine a life without bowhunting.

Dear ol Dad. Took me into the outdoors from the time I could walk around. I started bow hunting 2 years in to my hunting career.

Me.

The Tazman

I've told you who got me into archery (my Dad), but forgot to mention my best friend Steve. He's my wife's best friend's husband. The girls were maids-of-honor at each others weddings this last May. You got all that?

Anyway, when Steve and I met I had been shooting for 20 years but never hunted with a bow. He had been into archery for only 6 years and had been hunting with his bow for 5.

We hit it off right away, because the main reason I never got into it, was that I didn't know anyone else who did it. I didn't know where to go or what the regulations were. I had only heard how much power Game Wardens have and what they can do if they find you doing something wrong.

I guess that was a little silly, but I wasn't willing to take the chance and find out the hard way. Now that I've been hunting for 2 years, my wife can't get me out of the woods. My friend Steve has a job with a lot more flexible hours than mine, so he gets out there a lot more than I do. But, about half the time I go we hunt the morning together, grab lunch around 11:00, and end the day with some scouting for future setups.

I want to teach my kids to shoot a bow and to hunt, but I guess I would need to have kids first. I think my wife would like that too. It would get me AND the kids out of her hair.

Keep 'em all in the Bull.

My Dad bought a sporting goods store thst sold archery equipment that we knew very little about, so I bought a bow & joined the local club, to learn how to shoot & about archery, which was about 25 years ago.
My Dad had taught me about hunting & I tagged along with him as long as I could remember & he also trapped which I got involved in. When I was 15 I had my own trapline & just kept enjoying the outdoors ever since.

I have to thank my Dad for teaching me at an early age & teaching me the ethics of being a good hunter.