Good point on the scars, though it doesn't lend much to authenticity.

I dunno either. It might be something they learned from Pastor Jim if/when they stayed with him.

He takes them hunting (dangerous) because he wants to keep them safe.

Yeah, I guess he figures it's even more unsafe for them not to know, but still the dangerous situations. And yeah, drinking to not-deal with what's going on, which makes things worse, then drinking to not-deal with the guilt and all, and poor Bobby trying to fill in the parenting gaps and John getting pissed at him for it.