I did give up all other hunting and went head first into upland. I shot bows for big game and the only thing I ever really killed with my bow was time. I am of the type that likes to move around. I am impatient when it comes to big game hunting, plus all the time scouting, hunting, camping, cleaning, and the money. I would rather walk with my dogs in pursuit of wild birds, with the cell phone in the truck! So peaceful, I enjoy fly fishing and I got into that big time and one of my fishing partners said it best, "it's a mental bath." It is a mental bath hunting birds with dogs, especially by yourself, you don't have to be anywhere but there and no one can find me, bliss at it's finest. There is nothing like a dog pointing or flushing wild birds. It is man working with dog on the same team. I have never hunted coons, bear, or mountain lions with hounds, but I think I would enjoy also because it is active. Maybe a good analogy is poker vs. blackjack. I would rather play blackjack because it is faster than poker, if I did partake in such sinful activity. The ability to hunt in the good Ole' USA is tremendous, you can pursue (if you have the means) upland birds from Sept to Feb-almost a full 6 months. And if you are blessed enough to be endowed with funds and time, one could go south of the equator and hunt even more.
I consider turkey hunting big game hunting since it is almost like elk hunting to me. It is easier to do and a lot less on the pocketbook, but not the same since there normally is no dog. Upland also adds the shotgun. I am into collecting them and find them fascinating. You can get some nice older side X sides for 1/2 the price of an elk expedition. In the off season you can train in the backyard, countryside, with birds(catch pigeons), use quail, and it gives a man a purpose when he has caught up on all the honey-do's, or gives him an excuse to get away from the honey-do's.
God made us all different, thank goodness! But if you're like me, I would suggest going all in on upland birds, forget all the other noise and especially those men that say, "birds, I'm after meat". If they were really after meat they would skip the hunt and go to the local Sam's Club, it's way cheaper. It is all about the hunt and there is much more action, stress free, exercise, comradarie with man's best friend, and beatiful places that can be funded all season long for the price of an out of state elk hunt. To each his own-my 2 cents!