Posted by Scott Kessler on November 26, 1999 at 10:04:40 a.m.:
I am 30 years old with a great wife Debbie and a new 3 month old daughter Madeleine. We moved to Huntsville last January (1999) from Salt Lake City, Utah (where I was born and raised) so I could take a job I've always wanted to do. I am a Mechanical Engineer and have always been interested in working in the space industry. I transferred with my company from Utah to work in Huntsville. I work for a private contractor who contracts to the Marshall Space Flight Center here. I perform structural analyses for International Space Station components and I love it.
I have been a trout flyfishing addict for many years. In the West that pretty much means trout only. Obviously trout are a little more scarce down here so I decided I need to learn to hunt while I'm down here since the hunting opportunities are much better here than in Utah. I met a friend from Tennessee through common trout fishing interests who is an avid hunter. We have been goose hunting in TN several times, deer hunting currently, we're also building our own "duck pond" on the Hiwassee River (sshhhhhhhh) where he lives, and we plan on hunting turkeys in the Spring. I LOVE HUNTING and I know it will be a big part of my life for as long as I live. I will be hunting both in Alabama and Tennessee.
Although I'm pretty green relative to hunting, I am very interested in learning more and love to get out. I have always been, and will always be, a very safe and ethical sportsman and have a high level of respect for other hunters/fishers, the law, and most of all - the resources that we need and use.
As far as duck hunting gear goes all I have right now is a Mossberg 835 12 ga pump, 3 dozen decoys, and a float-tube. I know thats a pretty slim duck hunting gear list but I'm adding to it all the time. Got to ramp up slow or my wife would blow her top. One thing out of the many things I've learned is the toys for hunting are much more expensive than those for flyfishing - ha ha.
Well anyway I'm glad to have found this board and I have to thank Barry Nicholson for recommending it to me and for offering to help show me the area around North Alabama. I think thats a very generous and outward thing to do for a complete stranger.
Good hunting to all!!
Scott Kessler