A new story. Hunting, My Dad and I

[solo1]

                         A thousand years ago.... well that it what it seems like.

As I approach my 90tth on this world, I look back and remember my youth.  During those years my Mom and Dad were quite an influence on my life.
Mom had to show restraint since I was the only son in a houseful of  four sisters.  I must admit there was some spoiling going on . The Army knocked that out of me but that's another story.  Mom did her best to spoil me.

Dad, not so much. There were a few times where I didn't come up to Dad's expectations and for that I was on the receiving end of Dad's razor strop. Those were the days of 'tuning' to teach a lesson, it was not bullying, not abuse of a child, not “Son, you're my equal”.  The dad to son relationship was for the son to be taught responsibility and good citizenship, not for the dad to acquiesce to the son's inexperience.

My inexperience was given a head start in learning about responsibility. Dad did something that seems to be almost totally absent in today's society................He gave me a gun at the tender age of 10. It was a single shot model 59 Winchester .22 rifle.  Along with that gun came lessons in respect for it and also responsibility. In the process, I learned how to be a good citizen.  There is  no other sport that teaches responsibility more than the shooting sports. There is no other sport that teaches good citizenship better than the same.  There is no other sport that teaches about the outdoors and nature better than the shooting sports combined with hunting.  Never mind the snide remarks about guns fulfilling the absence of something else in the lives of young men.  Misinformed people will never understand.  However, I did when my father took me squirrel hunting. I was informed by my dad that any mistake in gun safety would result in taking back his gift. I was told never to shoot unless there was a backstop to keep the bullet from doing harm to property or others. I was told to unload my rifle when I climbed over a fence. I was told To NOT climb a 'rickety' fence and I was told to close all gates on the farmers property if they were closed and to leave them open if they were open.

In all of this instruction, I didn't realize, at first, how sneaky Dad was in teaching the requirement for respecting others, taking responsibility, and , in general, getting me ready for life's experiences.

Dad and I hunted together quite a few times. He told me that the limit for taking squirrels was five and gave me five .22 cartridges to do it with.  Another lesson in life, don't squander!

Some years later, I found myself walking Dad down the farmer's lane to the woods.  His steps were slow since severe asthma was robbing him of the ability to walk. He did have his Campbell's bean sandwich with him as well as his coffee in an old whisky bottle wrapped in newspaper for insulation.  That was the last time that he carried his Model 69 Winchester with the Lyman 438 scope.  We enjoyed our last hunting experience together and I thought “Full Circle”   Dad died a few years later, a victim of asthma at 70 years old.

Today, although my kids don't hunt, we do engage in the shooting sports together. I do believe that ,just like my Dad and I, the shooting sports have contributed to MY kids outlook on life. 

Unfortunately, today, we find that we are apt to be more passionate about our lessons in this world.

Oh well, We haven't gone 'Full circle” yet.

Wayne, solo1

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

A very good story. My father, a Korean War Vet, was not a hunter. Well, he was as a kid in the 30s and 40s in western MA where he grew up (also the only boy in the family), but not in suburbia where I was raised. We had a shotgun in the house, but it was presumably for home defense if the need were to arise.

I learned about firearms on my own, after he passed away (I was 13 at the time). I didn't seriously get into guns until my early 20s. Im now 44, and I do hunt and fish. My son is 7. He already knows more about gun safety than most adults. I would like to propose the NRA's Eddie Eagle safety program to his school system, but the current mood may be less than receptive. Sadly, I worry that his schooling is trying to undo many of the things I am teaching him. Sadly, that seems to be the norm just about everywhere these days.

[NewValker]

Wow!! That story brought back memories...
Learned them lessons from my Dad too. I didn’t realize at that time how important they would be.
Thanks, Craig

[cookiedough]

good reading, thanks for sharing.

The good old days are gone unfortunately where nowadays if you raise a hand to your child it is child abuse and you end up in jail.  Even scolding the kid is not allowed,  form of child abuse the so called 'experts' would say.

I vaguely remember when I was age 5 or 6 my Grandma took a bar of soap and washed my mouth with it since I said the F word.   Although I swear way too much, I NEVER did it again in from of Grandma...

[Oldfishguy]

As a farm kid we had an array of guns near the front door for family use.  I preferred the bolt action 22 for small game as one would walk for miles and the 22 was the lightest of the bunch.  And then, everything one shot, was brought home to eat.  One learned very quickly it was senseless to shoot baby bunnies and chipmunks. 

I hunted alone as a kid a lot: taking a few naps in the deep woods after school.  One can snuggle up next to a 100 year old oak, face in the fall sun, with gun in hand, and knowing that no one else is in the 100 acre wood.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Great story, thanks for sharing it my friend!

[DDT (12)]

Wayne,

Good story on many levels! As I read your reflections, it struck me that the struggle between the 'wisdom of the ages' and 'advancement' is still alive and well... What things are important to transmit from one generation to another, and what errors of the past should be replaced with enlightened 'adjustments'...? I suppose that ancient conflict will never change or end!

Another thing struck me, as well... I've been reading your posts for many years, and I've always found it easy to connect with their deeper meanings. But, it just occurred to me that you make your points so respectfully! Something seemingly out of style nowadays...

Today it is fashionable to 'get in someone's face', to insult them, or otherwise try to browbeat or cajole others into seeing things our way. You always state your points matter-of-factly, simple and straight-forward points of view, and you seem to respect the readers enough to allow them to see things the way they will... I truly like that!!! Well done...

DDT

[solo1]

Thanks to all for your kind words. In the midst of that 'enlightenment' by my dad, I was also given the pleasure of sitting back against an old oak or maple tree with gun in hand,  sun on my face, waiting on Mr. Bushytail to chatter.  What a relaxing time! Thanks for reminding me of that., Oldfishguy!

 I most certainly miss my dad, he was taken at an early age, and I also miss hunting.  I won't get into the foibles of older age but I'll just say sitting with my back to a tree, today, would be a quite long siesta if I had no assistance to get up  

I find that I've mellowed  over the years. We all have a limited amount of energy available and I find that I must ration the use of mine by trying to  respect others instead of trying to change their point of view.

I've been having a disagreement with one on this board and I need to remind myself of what I just
said.  So be it.

[Alpha Dog]

Loved the story Wayne.  Sure brought back memories of my Father taking me out into the outdoors at early age, first fishing often, usually Saginaw Bay, and then hunting.  Michigan rules at that time were 12 for small game and 14 for deer.  Our middle school had mandatory hunter safety class during 7th grade gym, I doubt any schools still do this.   What wonderful times those were.

[Pappy!]

My Dad only made it to 56. I had just turned 18. My memories of he and I fishing or the rare hunting trips are golden to me. He taught me about guns the same way you learned and I agree that it teaches much more than just marksmanship.
Another great story, sir ! thank you!