Thread: How did you get interested in hunting?

Must be getting bored, am on the internet too much.
My father worked in the bush logging and was in the Army after the war as an instructor.
A mates dad also worked in the bush, and family were keen pig hunters.
Mum bought the NZ Outdoor which I read repeatedly.
Got to going rabbit shooting and camping around the hills at Upper Hutt, eventually tramping in the Tararuas. The Tauherenikau valley seemed to have half the kids from the Hutt Valley in it, during weekends. They got the nickname of Tauherenikau Cowboys. Tahr here was probably one of them to.
seemed like most kids I knew at school had a 303. it was the thing to do. Even though we were all townie kids
Unlike now
Father never took me hunting, but he got me a 303 at 14, and then was going further into the Tarries, every weekend. except that sport interfered a bit. school holidays were spent in the hills.
Got to going alone, mates started work. or couldn't go, and covered most of the range by time left college. Organized a fly in trip to the Waitoto when 15, spent summer holidays in there. met up with meat hunters Mike Bennet (Bonehead) and Rod Rudolph. Saw 100s of deer, in the head of Te Nahi, one day bout 100 crossed the flats in the head. bombed up a few. Picked the Waitoto causeof article in NZ Outdoor, and read up Miors Guide book, Mr Explorer Douglas etc. stayed in Rock camp Charles D used, I think.
Had cousin at Hokitika who ran the culling in the whitcombe etc, took me on trips back of Hoki. When 17, he sent me into the Whataroa for 3 weeks alone to shoot Tahr. Probably called child abuse now. Was good experience, but bit scary. I cut the first track up the Butler to the present Top Butler hut. wasn't that great a track, but last time I came down it, it follows the same route. stayed in the new Butler hut.
met a lot of cullers in the Tararuas on my trips, and eventually left college and went hunting for the NZFS, began in the Ruahines then Tararuas.
was fortunate to have a mentor like my cousin, taught me a lot.
57 or so years later, still going. (just) Got more lots fancy gear, which is good, wish I had it back then.
I suppose its a wonder I never came unstuck, in the hills. when alone. And had to be rescued. My sons did likewise.
Probably not seen as the thing to do now.