For me it was my good friend Jim. He is much older than me and always has been a father figure to me as my father was very sick and passed away far too young. Jim is an avid hunter, he has put it all down, waterfowl,deer, upland, rabbits, you name it. I started pheasant hunting with him when I was 25 or so and I was kind of like his second or sometimes third bird dog when in the field. Jim can get around real well so it seemed like when he let his shorthairs out they would run with me in the deep cover. Jim also breeds world class shorthairs and has several on the trials scene. I started out very reserved as the group of guys that I hunted with were great shots! me...not so much back then and not so sure now. I have great days where I cant miss and others that seem like my gun is bent. I have a lot of respect for him and the group that brought me in as they always put the "new" guy in for the point. The helped me set up and follow through. I have shot a lot of birds with that man and I am honored to know him and walk through the woods with him. He is in his 80s now and im not sure how many years he will keep it up but i sure hope its plenty more. He helped me train my labs to be calm and steady in the woods and people cant believe how well my female works with me. She was a natural. Since the i am not the "new " guy and it is wonderful to watch the progression of a new hunter. Its intersting to think back on how much of an impact one person can make on your life
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