I did not grow up hunting. I did fish a lot as a kid and if we had a good catch we did clean them and eat them. Even though I lived in town, I did experience the outdoors a lot and always felt a deep connection to experience nature more. I also didn’t have much experience with firearms. I did have a BB gun as a kid, but that’s about it. I felt my calling after high school was to pursue my interest in nature, so I studied Biology in college and received a BS in Wildlife Biology. Many of the people I met in this program were hunters and had been hunters since they were kids. I still never got into hunting mostly because of my inexperience with firearms. It wasn’t until 4 years ago (2008) that I finally felt it was time. I got access to a deer caliber rifle (Marlin 30-30) from a family member and soon after was given a Thompson Center Hawken .50 cal muzzleloader from another family member. I didn’t harvest a deer my first season. I had a couple of friends that helped me out that first season. They taught me a lot about how to hunt and helped me get comfortable with my rifle. I harvested my first deer during my second season and was unsuccessful last year. My son (12 years old at the time) was successful during his first hunt last season. As of November 22nd 2011, I have harvested 2 deer (1 doe and 1 buck) so far this season.
