Geedub,
Becoming an archery hunter at a young age did more to hone my hunting skills as anything else. Having a grandfather who loved to trap didn't hurt.
I got my first thirty-five pound recurve bow at 11. Where I lived there was a boyou behind us and a woods/cow pasture that was a half mile deep and about three miles long. The western border was a railroad track next to a State Highway. I started running the bayou and woods with bb-gun,bow and sling shot.
Later on I was death on swamp rabbits, armadillos and hogs.
Now my rotator cuff on my right shoulder give me fits, so I use a crossbow. Still have my Matthews FX, but it mainly collects dust.
Best,
GWB
