In my city, no. In my county, yes. Not many kids hunted at my school(s), but in the neighboring city, their high school had marksmanship, sporting clay, and hunting clubs sponsored by the school.
Come to think of it, the only friends I had growing up that were into hunting/ angling/ bushcraft were the ones I met through the Boy Scouts.
LOL I'm from a Northern California suburb and have a very similar experience. No AK, but I did get a 12 gauge for my 12th birthday (grew up hunting upland game birds) and got my grandfather's .30-.30 passed down to me when I was 13.
It is not unusual. There are around 15 states with constitutional carry and CCW reciprocity laws and counting. Additionally, the vast majority of states that do have CCW licensing requirements are loosening the requirements for approval. Not training requirements, mind you, but the requirements for your "reason." Hell, even in CA there are only 3 counties that aren't "shall issue" at this point. Even LA loosed restrictions like 2 months ago.
> I didn't know it was legal anywhere in the country to carry any kind of gun without a license.
Have you heard of hunting? There are millions of people carrying their firearms around in the wilderness every year.
Come to think of it, the only friends I had growing up that were into hunting/ angling/ bushcraft were the ones I met through the Boy Scouts.