Hi everyone, I just wanted to see if my situation is common at all.

I'm currently 36 and this will be my first hunting season. My Dad tried to get me into hunting at 13, but a near-miss accident that would have killed him put me off of it. I didn't touch a rifle again until I joined the Army, but I didn't do any hunting while in the Army. It's been about 15 years since I got out of the service and I decided to take up hunting this year. I've been to the range several times and feel like I'm prepared.

Normally though it seems like people I read about have been hunting their whole lives. It's weird feeling like such a novice at my age. Is anyone else out there in the same boat?

Tom

Yep. Fished all my life with my Dad and Grandfather. I still do with my Dad. My grandfather hunted and wounded a deer once and was unable to locate it. Never hunted again and therefore my Dad never did. I met a wonderful girl who I married. Her family has about 300 acres in Eastland Co. Been hunting with her Dad and brother on the family place for 10 years now. I started when I was 28 and that was 10+ years ago. My wife was all for the idea as she thought it would help my relationship with the men in her family. It did, but I don't think she thought I would become so addicted. She now thinks it was a bad idea Now I have other buddies that I bird hunt with and the circle becomes a little larger each year. Welcome back and pass it along.

Welcome to THF.

Welcome
and you are not alone.

Thanks for the welcome messages. I'm really looking forward to getting started. I hoped to start with some squirrel hunting in early autumn and switch to hogs and deer during the general deer season.

Yeah I am in the same boat as you. I fished ever since I was little but was never introduced to hunting. I have a very anti-gun mother and a step-dad (who I thought was my father at the time) who wasnt very involved. Went to someones house one day and got to shoot a .22 which sparked my intrest in firearms. Didnt really start going to the firing range till I graduated from high school since I had a job.

Couple years down the road my mother tells me my step-dad wasnt really my dad and gave me very little information on who my father really was. Once I found him and got to know him I started my collection of firearms and then went on my first deer hunt this past January in Virginia where he lives. Didnt get anything while I was up there but this year I am going in November and plan on filling my tags.

Humannpower,

It's great you're spending time with your dad. I wish I wouldn't have let my bad first experience keep me from trying again, but I was never pushed on the issue and I discovered girs. That took up most of my time.

Funny thing is I am the opposite when it comes to women. Have had bad experiences and I'm focusing on hunting.

Don't worry about it, your here now, welcome.

I hunted birds & small game since I was in high school but just started deer hunting 8 years ago. I am 65 years old.

Welcome , I started when I was 35 so my son and I could spend more time together

I hunted with dad and brother when I was a kid stopped when I was 18 kids wife ect. First wife always didn't like hunting and said I couldn't aford it. Current wife of 8 yrs supports my hunting and goes also running hog traps deer hunting now she's gonna try duck hunting with me my buddy and his wife. Been back in for 5 plus yrs now. We fish alot togather also she loves wadefishing but give me space cause sometimes you wanna hang out with the guys

TEXAN1970,

Wow, you got a real keeper there! My current wife (similar situation to you) encouraged me to think about getting into hunting, but she doesn't participate. Same situation with fishing.

I started at 44.

I don't think that it is ever too late to begin doing something that you enjoy. I feel someone who starts hunting a
later in life appreciates the sport a little more. I started hunting by myself at age 7 and sometimes I take the right to hunt for granted, I am spoiled.
Adios,
Gary

Welcome to the THF I started bird hunting at 12. Didn't start deer hunting until 16. Didn't shoot a Deer until I was 19. I walked around thinking that's how you "Spook one up"

I hunted a lot when I was young, but job, family and broke got in the way. After a divorce I was single for about 5 years, (no hunting with firearms) it was DEAR hunting a little different . Remarried at 35 and 7 years later she came in one day and out of the blue said"I found you a deer lease today". We stayed on that lease about 4 years lost it and did not hunt any for several years. About 4 years we got on another lease and she went almost as much as I did. We moved to Austin last summer and about the same time lost that lease.

I hunted a lot when I was young, but job, family and broke got in the way. After a divorce I was single for about 5 years, (no hunting with firearms) it was DEAR hunting a little different . Remarried at 35 and 7 years later she came in one day and out of the blue said"I found you a deer lease today". We stayed on that lease about 4 years lost it and did not hunt any for several years. About 4 years we got on another lease and she went almost as much as I did. We moved to Austin last summer and about the same time lost that lease.

I guided an older gentleman who was over 80 yrs old on his first hunt. Said he wanted to try it to see if he would like. He did enjoy his hunt and took a couple of doe, but not sure if he kept hunting or not after that year.

Yep I did. Didn't get to Tx till I was 26 and hunting in Hawaii is only for rich people. I have had some successful bird hunts but still haven't taken a pig or deer. Hoping to change that this year.

Don't worry about when you started, just know you're here now and really get to start enjoying life!

I'll be 21 in september and im just now getting into hunting. Been deer hunting once with my uncle when i was 11 or 12 but wasnt very outdoorsy back then and didnt really get hooked. Since then I got into handguns and a 22 rifle for a few years and finally got invited to do some real hunting this year on 700 acres of timberland. already have a tikka t3 in 30-06 picked out just waiting to find one in stock or untill i can get back down to bass pro shop. also got a 1977 20g wingmaster from a member on here and cant wait for dove season!!

Your not alone, I began hunting two years ago at the age of 38. When I was younger I grew up on a farm in Missouri and enjoyed shooting, but since my dad didnt hunt neither did I. After I got married that all changed, most of the men in my wives family hunted, so I got the invite and figured I would try it out. I havnt looked back since, and I consantly wonder why I didnt start a long Time ago.

I too got a late start. Didn't shoot my first buck until I was 12.

Welcome aboard.

I have helped a lot of airman from Dyess AFB get into hunting. Lot of these guys grew up the city up north, they never had the opportunity to try hunting. Some didn't last a season, one that I will never forget got so hooked on hunting he volunteered for Alaska, got his transfer and 40 years later he is retired USAF and is still in Alaska.

Started at 35. Dad and uncle tried to get me into hunting when I was a kid, but I was more into sports and never stuck with it.

Fast forward to an introduction to the husband of a friend of my wife... He is big into archery and talked about hunting... Next thing I know I have a bow and heading out to hunt pigs. That was last September. Now I'm on lease and looking forward to deer season.

Matt