Season's Memoriam -- The Guns

[Woodcock survey]

Originally Posted by Paul Fletcher

New guy here….first post. Garry, I find this so inspirational. I’ve got a “how I got into this side by side thing” story but this isn’t the time for it. I love to take these important pieces of Americana out into the field where they were meant to be. I’m pretty sure I’ll never assemble such an impressive collection so thank you for sharing yours. I can’t explain why it is so much more satisfying to bag game using a vintage gun but I just know it is. Cheers!

In my opinion the reason it is so satisfying is that we are using the best tool ever devised for the purpose. The creation of the side by side to its configuration in the late 1800's brought it to the epitome of usefulness for the purpose. The balance and handling qualities of it can not be duplicated in any other configuration for the purpose of shooting flying game birds. From the duck blind to the pheasant fields to the grouse woods no other can match it.

My opinion ,others may differ but a fellow from Georgia has shown that even in the clay target world they can not only hold their own but win.

If you are of a different opinion please do not waste your time trying to change my mind. Too old and too set in my ways.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Paul Fletcher

New guy here….first post. Garry, I find this so inspirational. I’ve got a “how I got into this side by side thing” story but this isn’t the time for it. I love to take these important pieces of Americana out into the field where they were meant to be. I’m pretty sure I’ll never assemble such an impressive collection so thank you for sharing yours. I can’t explain why it is so much more satisfying to bag game using a vintage gun but I just know it is. Cheers!

Paul, “inspirational” is a great word, and using these wonderful pieces of history is a privilege.

Don’t worry about sending this thread in another direction. It was intended to incite others to offer their own “memoriam” for their past season(s) and the guns they used. So consider this thread an invitation to tell us your story. As my friend Dan so eloquently stated a case for the merits of using fine doubles in his previous post (thank you, Dan), you see you are a part of a passionate community.

[Craig Larter]

Garry I will take the bait, a few from my past season. I opened in September on the Rosebud Reservation for sharptails and Prairie Chickens-DH 20/28 straight grip.
Then duck hunting during the early season at my duck club- DHE 12/30 straight grip choked IC/F and LC Smith Crown with duck engraving 12/30 IC/F, plus others LOL.
Then pheasants in South Dakota with the DH 20/28
Finished with geese and ducks in Nebraska with a CHE 12/32 #3 frame XF/XF and a C grade Super Fox 12/30 XF/XF.
No late season ducks this year our marsh was frozen sold early.
And Miss Mollie-first year duck hunting

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Craig Larter

Garry I will take the bait, a few from my past season. I opened in September on the Rosebud Reservation for sharptails and Prairie Chickens-DH 20/28 straight grip.
Then duck hunting during the early season at my duck club- DHE 12/30 straight grip choked IC/F and LC Smith Crown with duck engraving 12/30 IC/F, plus others LOL.
Then pheasants in South Dakota with the DH 20/28
Finished with geese in Nebraska with a CHE 12/32 #3 frame XF/XF and a C grade Super Fox 12/30 XF/XF.
No late season ducks this year our marsh was frozen sold early.

Thank you for posting! Your guns, and your hunts — especially the reverence you clearly have for waterfowl hunting — are nothing short of amazing. I hope you have many more seasons for those guns, and your pup.

[Reggie B]

Great photos of your trips afield Craig!

[Craig Larter]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

Thank you for posting! Your guns, and your hunts — especially the reverence you clearly have for waterfowl hunting — are nothing short of amazing. I hope you have many more seasons for those guns, and your pup.

Yes I am a very fortunate man. At 76 years old "many more seasons" is a relative term LOL.

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Craig Larter

Yes I am a very fortunate man. At 76 years old "many more seasons" is a relative term LOL.

Truer words were never spoken.

[Double Lab]

I missed most of this hunting season through no fault of my own. When I do hunt it's strictly with a SxS.

[mobirdhunter]

Thanks, Daryl. Fox and Parker are a great combo, especially with an old friend.

[Rick Roemer]

Craig, very nice assemblage as well.
My favorites are the Superfox (maybe someday for me). And the Crown with ducks. Very nice.

Rick