Hey more power to ya Dan! I'm 16 years old right now, started hunting when I was.... ahh I was 8. The instructer told my dad not to put me in the class, that I wouldnt be able to comprehend all the questions. I didnt score as good as HBP, but I did score better then my bro, who was 13 at the time. I missed three total.

I started out duck hunting, and made very few mistakes "safety-wise". A few sharp words from my dad set me strait, and now me and my brother are very selective who we hunt with, with safety being foremost concern... Well, subconciously that is. For the most part we're really just thinking about the birds.

Last year was my first year deer hunting. Many adults told me I would probably shoot the first deer I saw because I'd get jumpy. I was in a 3pt zone at one time, and passed up a 2 pt the first time, as well as many does who followed. Later I was in an "any deer" (because I had my youth tag then), and passed up two does for size.

This year I'm planning to go all out with bear, cougar, deer, and elk, along with my ducks and geese of course! My brother and his father in law are the only ones who big game hunt with me, so I'm new to just about all of it, gathering information from whoever and whatever I can, which has been quite controversial for reasons unknown to me.

Also, I'd like to make this last paragraph a thanks to Dogfish for pointing me into some areas. I haven't checked all of them, but with a few tips you included I've been looking around Enumclaw for bears and cats. No sightings quite yet but I think I'm close!

Curtis