What's everyone's experience?
 

It may sound a little off, but I think it pertains to the purpose of this forum. I was wondering what everyone's age is on here. It seems like there's a good mix, of young, old, inexperienced, and weathered hunters on the board, but when some people ask questions of different calibers, some can be answered by younger hunters, but in cases the "old salts" are needed for guidance. Im trying to write this as PC as possible. I just want to know who knows what and how long everyone's been in the woods. I'll share my history...

21 years old, working on my 9th year as a hunter. Hunt most anything.
Ive missed some deer, but have gotten my fair share. I have some experience but still look foward to learning more everyday. I admit to having some youthful pride, yet I am humble enough to let words from experience ring true as opposed to going in one ear, and out the other.

RE: What's everyone's experience?
 

Phade, welcome to the board!
I am 45 and have been hunting for more than 35 years. I've deer hunted for about 25 years now and I am always learning new things about deer. I live and hunt in the pineywoods and thickets of East Texas.
Anyways again, welcomr to the board!

RE: What's everyone's experience?
 

thanks for the welcome!

RE: What's everyone's experience?
 

I'm 18, been hunting for as long as I can remember. Old man gave me my first bow when I was 4, and I stalked and killed rabbits with it, still do, but I like rifle hunting a lot more than arching. I started going deer hunting when I turned 6, but I never carried a gun until I finally decided I wanted my own deer 6 years ago. I've hunted everything that Kansas has to offer, save Elk, since that's not a cheap tag and I have to buy all my own hunting related stuff (a new rifle or a tag, ya know?). On an average year, I get two or three deer, 15 or so coyotes, countless rabbits and other small game, and at least bag out on one day of bird season. My favorite small game is coons, my dad and I get between 100-200 a year, depending on the winter. I employ 11 firearms (8 long guns and three handguns), 13 if you count my pellet guns, which I often stalk rabbits with, 4 recurve bows, and two compounds. I'm using the bow for the first time deer hunting this year, never had a desire to use it before for deer. I absolutely love the history of arms and rounds, and I love the techniques and methods of hunting. I tend to agree a lot more than not with the "old salts" as I have always been around guys like that, and have learned that they make a lot more sense than my generation usually does, even if they do tend to stick to old ways even if you prove new is better sometimes. I'd usually rather listen to guys who have some experience than guys with ideas. That said, I believe most guys like me don't get enough respect because old guys don't think we have enough experience, and I believe there are too many idiots my age out there that don't listen to reason.

Screw the 10 ring, keep them in the zero!!!

RE: What's everyone's experience?
 

Welcome aboard, glad to have you here.

I'm 34 yrs old, this is my 20th year of deer hunting. My harvest goals have changed since I started hunting, but every deer I kill, is still a trophy to me. Hunting has changed alot since I began hunting. The large deer drives are almost a thing of the past (though I wouldn't trade my memories of them for the world!), we plant food for the deer, and bag limits are much more liberal. All good things as far as I'm concerned.

Its great to get input from all age groups, thanks for posting.

RE: What's everyone's experience?
 

I am 42 years old and took my first deer at 12.have taken ten different north american species of big game.Have been handloading for over 20 years.

RE: What's everyone's experience?
 

Welcome to the forums,Phade.I'm 40 yrs old and have been hunting for almost 29 yrs now.I hunt just about everything that Pa. has to offer me.I use rifles,shotguns,flintlock and traditional bows(which is my real passion).I agree with JagMag,I'm always learning everytime I go out hunting no matter what the game I'm after.Looking forward to any input and experiences from you in the future.

RE: What's everyone's experience?
 

Let me start off by giving you a "Welcome" to the board! Alot of interesting topics, and more interesting people here!

Now, I am 35 years old, and have been hunting in some manner since I was 5. My father bought me a new and different firearm every year since I was born, for every birthday and Christmas, up until I was 16 years of age. Then I was taught how to start buying outdoor gear or needs for myself.(ammo, camo, ect.) Now the &quot;student&quot;(me) takes the &quot;teacher&quot;(my father) hunting every chance I get. I have not hunted many different animals as far as elk, bear, ect., just the ones that pertain to my region here in the midwest. I like to think I know it all, but, I also get sat down on my keister by the critters too.<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle> Message to self;---Nobody knows it all, if they did, it wouldn't be a challenge to hunt anymore. I like helping out a fellow hunter with some answers, but only if I know the answers. Besides that, I will listen to someone elses answer and put it to what ever use if possible. I have been bowhunting for about 15 years, but I am still not what some would say a crack shot. I never stop learning in the outdoors no matter what I am doing, and make it a point to learn some little thing each time.

I love it and wouldn't trade it for the world!!!
Good Luck in all your hunting endeavors!!



P.S.---Thanks Dad!

RE: What's everyone's experience?
 

51, and been deer hunting since I was about 15.

RE: What's everyone's experience?
 

I'm 35 years old and heres my resume!

Age 3-5: hunted anything I could with a sling shot and my daisy. No bird was safe!!!
Age 6-8: same as above but I had graduated to a Coleman pellet gun!
Age 8: started hunting birds in rural Kansas with a bolt action 410. Harder than heck to hit em but it sure made me a good shot!
Age 12: started deer hunting with a rifle
Age 32: started deer hunting with a bow

To date I have hunted all upland and migratory game birds, all small game, whitetail, elk and pigs.

I'm looking into a moose hunt for next year and may throw in a black bear hunt to boot!!!!!