Jeff Thomas
New member
I'll confess ... my Dad never took me hunting, or taught me to shoot as many of you relate happened in your lives. My uncle took me hunting, but drank more beers than birds shot. Too many hunters I have met are in the 'let's go kill somethin' category. I've known one bird hunter I greatly respected. And, I've 'lurked' in this forum noting the professionalism of TFL's hunters. I've always enjoyed the outdoors, camping and hiking. Just never learned how to hunt.
So, in my fifth decade of life, I want to add this to my skills and experience. My great-granddad gave me a mount of a 'button buck' he took in PA at age 19. I'd like to add one of my own, albeit with a real rack (with apologies to granddad!). In AZ I can imagine hunting deer, elk and Javelina (pig). I'll probably pass on Big Horn for now, and I'll have to think about bear. Birds aren't high on the list right now, but we'll see.
I really don't want to go out on my own - I would prefer to avoid as many stupid mistakes as possible, and I know that learning from an experienced hand is invaluable. And, in my position at my office I'm not likely to meet other folks who are skilled in this area. So, how should I proceed?
It is important to me that I do this right, score clean kills, abide by the game reg's and hopefully find success in the hunt. I'm certainly willing to be patient, but I don't want to just stagger around out there, looking for deer / elk in a place no self-respecting deer / elk would ever be found. And, I don't want the guilt of tracking a wounded animal for miles while I'm chastising myself for making such a stupid error. Thanks for your ideas.
So, in my fifth decade of life, I want to add this to my skills and experience. My great-granddad gave me a mount of a 'button buck' he took in PA at age 19. I'd like to add one of my own, albeit with a real rack (with apologies to granddad!). In AZ I can imagine hunting deer, elk and Javelina (pig). I'll probably pass on Big Horn for now, and I'll have to think about bear. Birds aren't high on the list right now, but we'll see.
I really don't want to go out on my own - I would prefer to avoid as many stupid mistakes as possible, and I know that learning from an experienced hand is invaluable. And, in my position at my office I'm not likely to meet other folks who are skilled in this area. So, how should I proceed?
It is important to me that I do this right, score clean kills, abide by the game reg's and hopefully find success in the hunt. I'm certainly willing to be patient, but I don't want to just stagger around out there, looking for deer / elk in a place no self-respecting deer / elk would ever be found. And, I don't want the guilt of tracking a wounded animal for miles while I'm chastising myself for making such a stupid error. Thanks for your ideas.