Many of those belonging to my generation got an introduction to hunting as youngsters. Often that apprenticeship came with a little .410 or 20 gauge single shot or maybe an old, reliable pump gun, and whether one's youthful scattergunning involved quail, pheasant or other game bird, the shooting was always fun. Maybe you look back with longing to those simpler days and youthful ways, wondering how you might-even if only for a brief span-recapture them.

Or perhaps you come from a quite different background, one where living in a city, being brought up in a non-shooting or hunting family or some other factor meant you never had a chance for exposure to the joys of wingshooting.

Whatever the case, chances are excellent that you live within an hour's drive or less of a hunting preserve where it's possible to sample and savor the varied joys of shotgunning. Why not take the simple step to get started or renew your acquaintance?

Perhaps the thoughts that follow will help you take that simple step to open up new recreational horizons or travel the path to delights you once knew.

1. 1. Research Hunting Access. Check the classified ads, phone book or the Internet-especially the Web site www.wingshootingusa.org-to learn about local bird hunting preserves. They may be private, open to the public on a pay-as-you-go basis, belong to a local sportsman's club or operated by the state wildlife agency. Whatever the case, a phone call or e-mail inquiry should be enough to inform you about whether the site welcomes newcomers (most do). Also, your local library might have the current edition of "Black's Wing & Clay, Waterfowl," a comprehensive shotgunner's guide that covers close to 3,000 shooting and hunting destinations. The guide also lists shooting schools and companies, many of them National Shooting Sports Foundation members, which provide shotgun-related products.

2. 2. Read (and View) Up. There are literally hundreds of books available on the art and science of shooting a shotgun with proficiency, not to mention many, many more on various types of hunting with a shotgun. You can find many videotapes and DVDs that offer instruction, too, but be sure to see what your local library has to offer, and perhaps check local bookstores or a large sporting goods dealer to see what their shelves hold. As someone who cherishes the literature of sport, I hesitate to recommend books, but one you can't go wrong with is the late Bob Brister's "Shotgunning: The Art and Science." Not only did he appreciate and understand shotguns as few did, but he also was one of those rare individuals with a knack for teaching in print.

3. 3. Get the Right Gun and Gear. Try to make a decision, fairly early on, about the type of bird hunting that interests you. It may be classic upland bird hunting or waterfowling. Both can provide plenty of pleasure. The best gun for one, however, won't necessarily be ideal for the other, and the accessories connected with the two vary appreciably. Maybe you own a gun that has been in the family for years and you're comfortable using it, but it might be better to see if a local shooting range has a "loaner" gun available. With a bit of experimentation, backed by the kind of professional advice you should be able to find at both commercial shooting operations and locally owned sporting goods stores, you can determine what gun fits your needs best. It might be a pump, semi-automatic or double shotgun, with factors such as price, intended use, and how the gun fits your physique entering into the equation.

4. 4. Learn to Shoot and Have Fun Doing It. No matter what your background, whether you once did quite a bit of shooting or if you are as green as a gourd, some instruction at the outset is advisable. If you have a family member or friend who has done a lot of hunting and shooting, informal guidance from him or her-especially during a round or two of skeet, trap or sporting clays-may suffice. However, one of the real benefits of being exposed to a trained teacher, such as an instructor with certification from the National Sporting Clays Association, is that they can help break bad habits as well as shorten the learning curve for tyros. Formal instruction will also be of great help when it comes to figuring out the reason if you miss more than you should, ultimately making your day at the shooting range, as well as the bird hunting preserve, much more enjoyable!

5. 5. Put It All Together: Book a Hunt. Once you've assessed local hunting opportunities, learned a reasonable amount about your preferred type of sport, acquired the basic gear and become proficient, it's time to enjoy the hunt. Check out the article "Ten Tips for Choosing a Preserve Hunt." The only thing left is to find a hunting buddy, or group of buddies, contact your local preserve and make arrangements!

   Bird hunting can be an expensive passion, but such doesn't have to be the case. My Grandpa Joe never owned anything other than an old single-barrel 12 gauge and a battered Remington Model 870, but they brought him countless hours of pleasure over the course of a life that included more than 80 years of active hunting.

   Give bird hunting a try and you may well discover, like millions of others, you've found a sport to last a lifetime.

   EDITOR'S NOTE: Jim Casada is a full-time freelance writer. To learn more about his work and the many books he has written, visit www.jimcasadaoutdoors.com.