I'm a teacher and right now we are reading the Odyssey in my 12th grade English class.  As such, I began thinking about 'mentors' when the goddess Athena appears as Mentes and Mentor to the young son of Odysseus, Telemachus.  I have 3 hunting mentors and one who taught me how to hunt with a bow.  My grandpa Whatley left a legacy of hunting in my family.  My first hunt ever was with him.  Still remember it to this day.  It was several years later that I set out again on my own with his bow (which I inherited) and thus began my love of bowhunting.  My father was a huge influence as well.  He is an avid gun and turkey hunter and I have learned a lot about birds talking to him.  The biggest bowhunting influence and mentor is my dad's best friend Brian.  He really took me under his wing and taught me how to shoot a bow (though a compound), where to look, set me up with 'start up gear' and continues to be my go-to-guy for advice and stories.  Without those 3 men, I would not be doing this now.  

Thanks you to the mentors who teach and encourage us!

Good thread Erik!

To my best hunting and fishing buddy, Bevan, many thanks!  Taught me and my son archery and lots of wood craft.