I can't tell you all how much I enjoyed reading this thread.
Funny, too. I expected that most people had their dads take 'em out. Mine died when I was really young, mom never remarried, and I grew up in a non-hunting household in the city.
I was an anti-hunter for many years, although I fished, and I'll never get those years back that I missed, while I was bitching about things I knew nothing about.
My grandfather was an active trapper and woodsman in northern Michigan. My best memories were with him, although I regret not having many many more with that man. He was too old to continue hunting by the time I was old enough.
I turkey hunted once in my 30's, and now, in my 40's, consider myself a new hunter. I certainly don't feel I have the skills to teach others to hunt, but I do take them out to watch game, pick mushrooms, and teach them to fly fish. I try to teach at least one new person a year, and I try to get out as much as I can.
15 months ago, I brought home my first bird dog, a Vizsla named Tanner, and we started training for upland birds. We had pheasant for Thanksgiving. Awesome.
I live in Washington now, and have changed my life a LOT. The only people I really associate with are outdoorsmen. My spare time is spent hiking, fishing, or reading forums. This one, the Kifaru forum, Backcountry Hunter, and the Washington Fly Fishing boards get much of my time.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your stories.
Michael