I was thinking about the Duck thread while showering this morning and it came to me how lucky I am when it came to hunting. I was basically raised by my Grandparents and my Grandfather, and his 4 brothers were HARD core hunters and fishermen. They all usually hunted their favorite species alone but would have "group" rabbit and quail hunts at times.
The oldest, Uncle Oscar was a dedicated deer hunter and used to take me and that's where I was taught the skills needed to be successful. He was a VERY successful hunter in the woods.
The next, Uncle JC was a HARD core duck hunter and that's where I learned those skills, while freezing my butt off in the rice fields and pin oak swamps of Arkansas and Louisiana.
Then Uncle Coy was the gentleman upland bird hunter and he took me on many memorable hunts in AR, MO, KS and SD. Pheasants and quail mainly, back when quail were plentiful. I still have the bird vest he gave me for Christmas one year, it no longer fits but I hang onto it just the same.
Then my Grandfather (George) was the quail, squirrel and rabbit hunter of the bunch. Many trips with him taught me how to be quiet, stealthy and patient.
Lastly, Uncle Virgil hunted anything that was in season and I've had many hunts with him that still linger in my mind to this day. Funniest trip would be when he shot himself in the foot while loading a semi auto .22 while it was on the toe of his boot. Couple of damaged toes and seriously damaged pride.
Most kids learn to hunt whatever their father hunted and that's about it.
Did I mention I was very LUCKY??
The oldest, Uncle Oscar was a dedicated deer hunter and used to take me and that's where I was taught the skills needed to be successful. He was a VERY successful hunter in the woods.
The next, Uncle JC was a HARD core duck hunter and that's where I learned those skills, while freezing my butt off in the rice fields and pin oak swamps of Arkansas and Louisiana.
Then Uncle Coy was the gentleman upland bird hunter and he took me on many memorable hunts in AR, MO, KS and SD. Pheasants and quail mainly, back when quail were plentiful. I still have the bird vest he gave me for Christmas one year, it no longer fits but I hang onto it just the same.
Then my Grandfather (George) was the quail, squirrel and rabbit hunter of the bunch. Many trips with him taught me how to be quiet, stealthy and patient.
Lastly, Uncle Virgil hunted anything that was in season and I've had many hunts with him that still linger in my mind to this day. Funniest trip would be when he shot himself in the foot while loading a semi auto .22 while it was on the toe of his boot. Couple of damaged toes and seriously damaged pride.
Most kids learn to hunt whatever their father hunted and that's about it.
Did I mention I was very LUCKY??