A Fox vs Parker opener
 

I told my brother n law, let's do a Parker / Fox day to start the season. I chose my favorite Sterly 16 and a BE 12. He shot a VH 16 & 20. Then I made him a gift of an old VHE 12 about halfway through his limit. He finished things up fast with his new toy. Just a great Arizona morning! The birds came fast, and we hit hard. The Eurasion didn't really fly as we expected, we did take a few White Wing with the Mourning. Limited a little before 8am.

That's a nice pile of birds AND guns!

Thanks David, im eating them tonight. Doing them on the grill. Im helping my brother n law build his Parker arsenal. Im going to shoot my Foxes during the next couple weeks. It's crazy, I've some nice graded Foxes, but my little Sterlys shoot the best.

Same here Chris. I've got graded Foxes but my Sterly 20/30'' is my best shooter. Looks like you guys had fun.

The best pic of all, and AZ sunrise...

The birds are ready! For sure Daryl,I'll shoot my straight stock Sterly 30" next Saturday. I thank the good Lord above for every day I have in the field! Happy opener guys!

How many of those were Eurasian ones ?

My Fox accumulation wasn’t big . An HE one 1930 A 16 then Sterlingworths in 12 and 20 I think six of them over the years . I also had an A 12 30” that someone had put a pile of effort into restocking and engraving back in I’d say the 20’s or 30’s . Of them I shot the 16 A grade the best . But all the Fox and Smith guns have left my accumulation . At present all I have are an IJ 410 a W&C Scott 10 and a dozen or so Parker’s .

Craig, only 2 Eurasion today. Didn't stay to shoot the Eurasion, as they're late fliers. We'll get them another day
My Fox collection includes an HE custom, some 12 A's, a BE 16 & 12, a few Sterly 16s, maybe 4, a sterly 20 ejector, a minty XE12 which i may shoot next weekend. I've Parkers, Smiths. Ithacas in small bore, but the Foxes are my favorites.

It was a great opener for sure. That’s my three year old golden retriever, Parker, out picking the birds having fun. Thanks for helping me with my Parker collection Chris! It’s a memory I’ll always have. Dinner looks awesome too.

Chris, my 1913 28 inch 16 gauge Sterlingworth is my constant hunting companion for over 30 years. I've hunted with Parkers, L. C. Smith, LaFever and multiple English doubles but my Sterlingworth is always my first choice. You have handled this gun many times! It'll be the last shotgun I own.

PS: Hope to see you in late October.

I believe i recall having that gun in my hands Scott. I've traded mine to Dave Miller 3 times over the past few years. I asked for it back last year. It's not my nicest, but like you, its my go to, my best. Along with it, I'll bring another Sterly straight stock 16 with 30" barrels this Saturday. Traded Dave for it last year. Parkers are great, but a Fox just feels like the perfect fit! I'll see you in my garage soon. We'll see what's new in the safe!

Great pics and a great hunt !

Thank you Gary, I can hardly wait for tomorrow! My Fox arsenal is ready to go!

Chris, you really know how to make a good hunt — friends (two and four-legged), good guns, and fast flying birds…followed by a gourmet meal. Congratulations.

Chris, what do you put on your birds when you grill them?