Who can you say Thank You to

[FerretWYO]

We were having a conversation this year in camp about who has helped us along the way in our hunting ambitions. I learned a long time ago that we very seldom do anything alone. I started thinking about all the people that had spent time to teach me, help me, and guide me.

My Dad has truely been there for me through and through. I cherish every hunt we enjoy together. For he has taught me more than I can ever repay him.  There are many others who have done so much as well. There are many people on this sight that have taught me so much. Some of them have no idea how insperational they are.

Here are some pics that include a small few of the people that have been there for me.

My Dad and I with this years elk.
       
Dad and I packing an elk of mine
   


This is a crew of some of the greatest people I have met on this site. They made this week in Texas a highlight in my hunting memories.
       

A camp that is more like a family. This is what I cherish most.
       


My Girlfriend
       

One of my Best friends for years.
       

Marty the MAN. This man taught me a lot in a few short days. I was an honor to meet him and learn from him.
       


This is by no means all the people in my life that I have to be thankful for and to.

Very seldom is anything in life which is done well; done so without the help, support and caring of another.


 Who can you Thank, Who has helped you along the way.

[Bjorn]

You have some great friends! Nice feeling sharing your post, thanks.      

[vtmtnman]

My dad who started my love of hunting,and Dave Knipes,who taught me how to shoot and tune bows better.

[magnus]

If only we could thank them all! The cool thing is it never stops. Especially with the folks on this site. For all those who have helped me in one form or another. THANK YOU !!!!!

Keeping the Faith
Magnus

[cacciatore]

Congrats for your good friends,for sure they can count on you in the same way!

[DW]

COOL Thread Randy!

[droptine82]

This a a great thread.  First I want to thank you for starting it as we seldom give enough thanks.  Second I want to thank God for giving us the right and the ability to pursue something we dearly love.  I also want to thank my parents for doing everything in their power to help me along lifes journey and establish great morals as a person.  I also give thanks to all the people who toted me around the woods chasing coon, coyotes, deer, and turkey.  I also thank my fiance for being so patient and understanding when November rolls around.  And last but not least I thank everyone on here for all the support you have given me with traditional archery!

Thank you all and God Bless,

Jarred

[Mike Vines]

Nice set of pics.  I would have to thank my dad for inspiring, and not discouraging me in any outdoor activity I ever wanted to try.

[Bowwild]

My dad made hunting an important part of my life. He wasn't a bowhunter but we started with rabbit, squirrel, and he took me rifle hunting for deer at 13 and 14 years old (never saw a deer on any of those hunts).  My uncle Wayne also took me hunting some when dad was out on the railroad for a few days.  

My best friend Jim lives 240 miles from me.  However, we've been hunting together since 1976 and we talk about hunting 3-7 times per week by phone. I hunt with him in Indiana 2-3 times per deer season and we try to make it on an out-of-state hunt every year or so.  Still planning on what we'll do in 2011.

[Mudd]

I only have God to thank since there wasn't anyone in my family that hunted but I have the gene that makes me a predator.

It was evident at an early age when I would try to make traps and finally succeeded at catching some rabbits. My mother knew good meat when she saw it so we ate rabbit every time I'd catch one or two.

Errol Flynn as Robin Hood got me mesmerized with archery.

I am thankful for everything and everyone that helped or at least didn't prevent me from doing things that felt so very natural to me.

My dad never took me hunting or fishing but he never discouraged me from trying, for that I am grateful

God bless,Mudd

[seabass]

i want to thank my grandfather who i lost this year at 88 years old.the only guy i know that could get two shots off at a running rabbit with an old single shot 410.he wasn't a bowhunter,but he raised me when my father ran off.he encouraged me in all my hunting and fishing.for that i thank him.i also want to thank all the people that i have met on tradgang.i am not a good hunter and will admit to that,but i am getting better with all the advice that i have gotten on this site.i want to thank all of you.you guys are the most generous and kind people i have ever had the chance to talk to.thank you,steve  

[Brian Krebs]

I would first like to thank the egg that succumbed to the charm of my wiggling tail.

 My father was not a hunter; but he shot his bow once at a bird; and hit and killed it. He felt profound sorrow in that he had killed something.
 I think the importance of 'one life'; was instilled in me by that. He was not a hunter.

 My late Uncle Dan - Dan Robbins; who instilled in me how hunting with ethics: made the experience of hunting a wonderful experience.

 My friend Mike Hinkle; who just gave out donuts to friends in an attempt to please the monster that has kept him from taking a deer with his bow for so long.
 He instilled humor into my misses; and the love of bowhunting into my heart.
 He took me on my first real bowhunt for deer in 1977 - and for that I owe him a lifetime of experiences.

 Fred Bear who moved my spirit so long ago in his films and his persona.

 The tradgang in keeping me on track and humble.

And that buck I saw when I was six- and that I can never forget.

[kennyb]

This is a great thread and true we do not give thanks enough! I want to thank God first and foremost! I, too, was the only one who hunted in my family and they always encouraged me. I also want to thank my cousin, Mark, as he is a great teacher and mentor to me! Cannot forget my wonderful wife as she is so understanding this time of year!! lol Thanks.
Kennyb

[59Alaskan]

This is a great thread.  I will keep it to a few folks:
1.  My lovely wife who is going to go beyond encouraging me and will be in the blind with me for the first time this weekend with her bow.
2.  My cousin, who introduced me to bow hunting.  He still has his wheels, but I am working on him.  He is coming in to town this weekend and will be in the field with us.
3.  4runr, Jack Shanks and many more here on TG.

My father was a bird hunter that pretty much gave it up by time I came around.  He loved the field and dogs but the pheasants were gone.  I love dogs too.  Hard to tell what I enjoy more, working a dog, or shooting an arrow.

[Tater]

Great thread, it takes me back alot of years and alot of memories.

     So many people have touched my life through hunting and archery it would be hard to thank them all here.
 
     First and foremost my Dad and my Grandfather for starting me out right.

[GWC]

my father was the one that got me interested in hunting from when i was real young.really looked up to him,he was one of the best hunters iv ever met.and even my mother,when i was headn out the door to hunt she always told me to kill a nice one.my parents died three years ago,they were only 52 and 53.my dad got cancer but even when he was weaker from it he still went back to the woods with his bow and killed a big 8 pointer off the ground.it hangs proudly on my wall with a couple other bucks he harvested.but he put the spark in me and im passn it on to my son and daughter now.also in the few days iv been a member on here,iv been surprised how many are so willing to help,even with the dumb newbie questions i ask.i really appreciate this site and all the down to earth people on here.Ross

[Greyfox54]

I'm with Mudd , no one in my family hunted but I pestered my Father and older brother to no end till we all took up hunting together . I was 8 or 9 when I got my first bow and all I could think about as a kid was either shooting or catching something . I even trapped birds with a string and a box , really works ! I thank my father for putting up with me and I Thank God for giving me the oppertunities and desires which have made me who I am , as insignifigent as that may be .
      Randy I am humbled by your kind words and even getting in a picture with you and the guys in Texas . That was a great hunt and you got a great deer  too ! Don't forget you have been a positive influence to many on here , myself included .

[NorthernCaliforniaHunter]

Hey Toby *BTH on tradgang*

THANKS BUDDY!

[champ38]

My father without a doubt, the mans killed over a hundred whitetails, serveral elk and tons of small game, all with an old 55# Bear..he has always been mt hero.

[S.C. Hunter]

My Grandfather was a very positive influence in all that I am today. A father, Husband and he was a influence in my military service. My hunting was greatly influenced by my uncle and granddaddy. I was raised in a Christian home and that has been my rock to get me through all of the little bumps life throws us.