Uptonogood
PNW raised
I was looking through the incredible photos of hunting experiences. What an array! I loved it, especially the photos of kids, their firearms, and game taken. It took me back to my youth in Yakima when I could walk through my middle class residential neighborhood with my 20 gauge shotgun, hunting vest, and long sleeved shirt or heavy coat and not draw a second glance. I had a few real adult mentors. My father was really damaged by jungle fighting in Burma, wounded by two machine gun bullets and grenade shrapnel. He encouraged me, told me his stories but, except for two or three dove hunts, never spent a day in the field with me. My only guide was the book “The Old Man and he Boy” which I read and dreamed as a kid.
A 20 minute walk from our house had me in brushy draws beating the bushes for a covey of quail. I had a friend who hunted with me occasionally but normally I was alone. And once in a great while I might stumble upon a rooster pheasant but only rarely. It seems a good pointer or Lab would have helped!
I’ve been shot at, towards, and around and came within seconds of drowning twice so it wasn’t all dropping birds and doubles on doves!
Now I’m in my later 70’s and my hunting days are done. My last hunt was an old traditional mule cartridge drawn quail hunt with incredible pointers, my bucket list finale for sure! I have no children of my own but I mentored some young people who’ve told me I was there grandfather of choice. That’s a hell of a compliment.
I was blessed with hunting in Canada, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Mexico, South Africa and Zimbabwe. I never ever even dreamed all that would happen! I didn’t plan or even dream any of it. I lived, to some extent, Robert Ruark’s life, something I never consciously thought. The main difference is alcohol killed him in his late 40’s. I quit drinking 39 years ago.
My hunting stories are endless but my memory is growing a little problematic which is functional in a sick way. I don’t bore folks quit as much!. That’s where that wonderful Hunting Photos thread came to help. It triggered more and more memories again and really brightened my day. I’m still an “outdoor dawg”, walking two miles every morning. with my wife and no shotgun. I don’t feel sad for myself at all. I live in a senior center among folks who didn’t get half my life opportunities or live a magical outdoor life.
So thank you all for your photos and stories. They made my day…again!
A 20 minute walk from our house had me in brushy draws beating the bushes for a covey of quail. I had a friend who hunted with me occasionally but normally I was alone. And once in a great while I might stumble upon a rooster pheasant but only rarely. It seems a good pointer or Lab would have helped!
I’ve been shot at, towards, and around and came within seconds of drowning twice so it wasn’t all dropping birds and doubles on doves!
Now I’m in my later 70’s and my hunting days are done. My last hunt was an old traditional mule cartridge drawn quail hunt with incredible pointers, my bucket list finale for sure! I have no children of my own but I mentored some young people who’ve told me I was there grandfather of choice. That’s a hell of a compliment.
I was blessed with hunting in Canada, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Mexico, South Africa and Zimbabwe. I never ever even dreamed all that would happen! I didn’t plan or even dream any of it. I lived, to some extent, Robert Ruark’s life, something I never consciously thought. The main difference is alcohol killed him in his late 40’s. I quit drinking 39 years ago.
My hunting stories are endless but my memory is growing a little problematic which is functional in a sick way. I don’t bore folks quit as much!. That’s where that wonderful Hunting Photos thread came to help. It triggered more and more memories again and really brightened my day. I’m still an “outdoor dawg”, walking two miles every morning. with my wife and no shotgun. I don’t feel sad for myself at all. I live in a senior center among folks who didn’t get half my life opportunities or live a magical outdoor life.
So thank you all for your photos and stories. They made my day…again!
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