I'd love to have the run of that place and invite some of the boys from the forum to shoot with us. But Mr. Russell has his invite list set, Dad and I are just lucky enough to be on it every year. To have a running dove invite in Southern Illinois on a place that actually has doves is rare as a hen's tooth these days. When our friend in Ewing, IL passed away years ago we figured our dove shooting days were over unless we got lucky and just happened onto a field. Nobody in our family farms anymore or owns any amount of land.
Then, about 8 years ago, I was out in Pennsylvania for the Labor Day Pigeon Shoot and just happened to call Dad to tell him how I'd done. He said I've called you a half a dozen times! We've got an invite to shoot on my friend Russell's farm tomorrow if you can get here. I hung up the phone, got in my truck, and drove 10 hours to make it. We've been on the invite list every since. I didn't know Mr. Russell then, but he's become a close friend in the years after. Some years he doesn't shoot on the 1st, he waits till the 1st Saturday. This year it happens to actually fall on the actual 1st making it a special holiday.
We also have a standing invite on his place for the opening day of duck season and anytime thereafter if he's holding birds. To say he's a good friend to have and as generous as the day is long would put it mildly. He likes my old doubles and I think I've got him talked into going back to his vintage Browning A5 for the ducks. I got him a steel shot friendly barrel for it last year, hope he uses it opening day.
Destry
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I was as virtuously given as a gentleman need to be; virtuous enough; swore little; diced not above seven times a week; went to a bawdy-house once in a quarter--of an hour; paid money that I borrowed, three of four times; lived well and in good compass: and now I live out of all order, out of all compass. Falstaff - Henry IV
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