For me, having other experienced hunters encouraging me was a HUGE part of it... Here isa letter i got fromour local game warden, and fellow hunter(someone i really look up to in the hunting field) when i shot my first deer @ age 12... I have learned so much from these guys, andi really owe alot of the passion i have for hunting to them.

"Congratulations you young buck!!
It must have been and exciting experience. You will no doubt have many more of them. Remember to respect the wildlife that you hunt. As you already know, critters are wounded sometimes. However, we must make every effort to recover the animal, and not to shoot in the first place unless we can place a good shot.
Happy hunting"

Some day I hope to have the opportunity to pass this on to my kids and other beginning hunters, as i know how much it meant to me!
Gerard

Young Buck, I am now passing hunting on to my 7 year old daughter and she was able to take a long horn spike last year with a rifle. I found that to be more rewarding than the largest deer I have taken with my bow. I quit hunting for 2 season's back in the early to mid 90's, I was bored with the style hunting I was doing. I was introduced to archery and have been full throttle every since that day about 15 years ago. To answer your question, archery kept me into hunting back then and archery along with my kids showing an interest will keep me into it for as long as I am able!!!!!

I've never not wanted to hunt, lol.....As long as i can wake up with the woods, see the wildlife i see, hear the sounds i hear,hang out with my buds after the hunt, being able to share in hunts with others, I'll be out there...
Wildlife Officers are great role models.....

You got it girl!

I can't remember a time when I did not want to hunt. I just love the challenge, the woods, the smells.....well pretty much everything about it really.

I too have never needed a motivater to keep me hunting. I'm obsessed. I'm passing it on to my two boys. This picture was taken today - Opening day of Dove in NC. A very slow day, but still enjoyable

Oh ya for sure! I'm not saying it is the only reason i still hunt, but they still were and are ahuge encouragment especially when i just started... I too cannot get over the sights, sounds, smells, and the rush of gettin close to any game animal... there is so much to enjoy in God's creation!
Gerard