A Bo Whoop pilgrimage
On our recent trip to the Southeast, I talked Elaine into stopping by Memphis on our way home so that I could visit the Ducks Unlimited Headquarters to view their display on Nash Buckingham. In particular, I wanted to see his famous Super Fox, Bo Whoop (if you don’t know of the famous gun's history, google it, there’s plenty of information). I was not disappointed. The display included three of Nash’s Fox guns, including Bo Whoop and Bo Whoop II, along with a beautiful 20 gauge Fox. I got to see some of the scrapbook pages from his time at Harvard, and his old button-festooned hats. Seeing Bo Whoop has been a bucket list item for me for some time, and as an aficionado of sporting literature, having the chance to view the books and related items from his life was a real treat.
I also visited the DU Heritage Museum at the Bass Pro shop at the Pyramid. I thought of all of my big bore loving colleagues as I viewed the displays of 4 and 8 gauge guns (Charlie and Milton, I have some photos for you if you like) and punt guns. It was a nice end to our 9 state tour that offered us a chance to escape the cold weather of North Missouri.
It’s hard not to be moved a bit while viewing those now relics of the past.
Photos:
1. This diorama shows pages from the shooting log at Beaverdam and the proof of Nash’s autobiography.
2. Nash’s scrapbook from his time at Harvard.
3. His published books, including the much sought after Derrydales
4. One of his signature hats.
5. Bo Whoop…need I say more?
6. His sweet 20 gauge (if only it had had two triggers, Reggie!)
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"Doubtless the good Lord could have made a better game bird than bobwhite, and better country to hunt him in...but equally doubtless, he never did." -- Guy de la Valdene (from A Handful of Feathers )
"'I promise you,' he said, 'on my word of honor, I won't die on the opening of the bird season.'" -- Robert Ruark (from The Old Man and the Boy)
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