Advice for a young hunter?

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

What advice would you give for a young man or lady of high school age; who absolutely love to hunt?

This is to include anything from hunting tactics to  career/education choices.

[jsweka]

Hunting - Have fun, be safe, be ethical and don't make it too complicated.

Career/education - go to college for something in the medical field.  Lot's of baby boomers getting up there in age and there is a shortage of doctors, nurses, therapists, and technicians.  Dang near guaranteed job when your done with school and that can't be said of most other occupations.

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

Agree medical field would be a good choice. A regular MD has lots of options on where they live. At the same time they tend to be really appreciated in remote areas.

An MD with a pilots lic would really have it going. Decent pay, travel, hunting, and the ability to live anywhere they choose.

[Sam McMichael]

A friend of mine majored in a branch of biology, all the way to PhD. He then became a college professor, because after a few years he had enough seniority to be able to schedule classes to suit his purposes. He left early mornings and late afternoons open so he could hunt/fish  nearly every day of the season.

What is also significant is that he did a lot of contract work on the side doing wildlife habitat improvement for landowners. He mentioned once that he actually made more money some years doing this consulting work than he did in his teaching job. Plus, he made a lot of contacts to get access to some good hunting properties.

His income was sufficient to allow him to make many nice hunting excursions, and you never saw him with anything but the finest of equipment.

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

When it comes to careers one thing that always stands out is the importance of mathematics.

A lot of people who are naturally attracted to fields like Forestry and wildlife management later become discouraged. They lack the math skills to tackle university level science.

Same with the trades, Electrician apprentice (test). I don't think you can over emphasize the importance of math to a young persons future.

I did my best to avoid it, and feel I paid the price.

[jsweka]

Originally posted by PUDDLE JUMPER:
When it comes to careers one thing that always stands out is the importance of mathematics.

AMEN!!!!

When I was in high school and preparing for college, I was deciding between engineering and biology.  I had calculus my senior year and decided that there was too much math in engineering, so I went for biology.  Well, 10 years later I had a bunch of letters after my name saying I was a real fish biologist.  But guess what, I turned into fish stock assessment scientist and spend nearly all my time behind a computer doing statistical analysis and developing mathematical models for how to best manage fisheries.  I ended up doing the math I originally wanted to avoid.

Don't get me wrong, I've got a great job that I'm successful at.  I'm not rich, but I don't worry about paying the bills and although I can't afford to go on exotic hunts, I do have the extra cash for bow building supplies and arrow shafts.

I got into this career because I loved to hunt and fish.  However, I got lucky by being in the right place at the right time with I finished graduate school.  The job market right now in wildlife and fisheries is really bad due to both state and federal budget cuts.  If there are any permanent jobs open they are highly competitive.  I think it's great that a young person may want to pursue this line of work, but be warned that the job market is VERY limited and you need to really set yourself apart from the rest of the pack.

[LKH]

jsweka's advice applies to all young people entering the adult world.  So often kids go to school and acquire a degree that is marginally to completely useless in today's job market.

[ChuckC]

Regarding hunting, fishing and all things that are not your job.  ENJOY it, and that means do not make it a contest with deadlines and limits.  Learn to enjoy the whole of the thing, kill or no kill, catch or no catch and it will be forever your love.  

Once you make it a chore, it will eventually devour you.

If you can find a job that you can love, that supplies enough money to keep you going, and keep it that way, you are one of the few and truly blessed.

CHuckC

[Bjorn]

Medical field is great advice. There won't be enough young people to look after all the old people who just keep getting older and older.

[Jasper2]

I can't remember who first said it to give proper credit but, I'm reminded of a quote that I believe wholeheartedly:

"Choose a job that you love and you will never have to work a day in your life"

Money isn't everything, and if you chase it.....you may pay with your happiness.

Overall, kids don't seem genuinely interested in the outdoors anymore.  If someone is passionate about hunting and nature, then an outdoor career may be a better fit.

[Bobaru]

Interesting how this thread has morphed...  I agree with the math thing.  Also public speaking.  Oh, and how to write a good business letter - effective writing.

But, as for hunting, my advise for young people is not to limit yourself to treestands.  That's particularly good advise for young people with lots of energy who can get lots out of teaching themselves how to stalk game.

[NY Yankee]

Dont get cuught up in all the gadgets they advertise. Just get a bow you can shoot, make sure the broadheads are sharp (and your knife), keep the wind in your face and get out there and hunt! 90% of life is just showing up. You think the weather is a little rough? So what, just get out there. You wont kill a deer sitting on the couch! (Guilty here) haha. Lastly, Take the first legal animal that presents an ethical shot and is within "YOUR EFFECTIVE RANGE".

[PUDDLE JUMPER]

Bobaru; you beat me to the punch on the treestand.
Lots of advantages to staying on the ground and not just limited to new hunters.

A good pair of hip boots or waist high waders can come in real handy.

Find good cover in a place where its hard to hang a stand. Often overlooked even on public land.

Absolutely hunt every chance. I need help with this in cold weather.

[elkken]

Go to college in Montana