Some shooting finally.......

[MarketHunter]

Finally got into a little shooting today, my season has been off to a slow start. No geese in Michigan, no doves in Indiana, and on it's been.

Had the news when I got home that an old squirrel hunting friend had died the night I arrived, that sort of threw a damper on the trip. I'd found out he was in the hospital last week and that it was very serious but never dreamed he'd go before we had a chance to see one another a last time. Went on a small dove shoot the same day with Dad but my heart wasn't in it, tried a few shots and killed one bird.

Made a squirrel hunt with another old friend yesterday and killed a couple each. Used the 10 gauge lifter for them that I got from Austin last year at the Vintagers. First time I'd had a chance to use it on game and I was pleased. Many thanks to Austin, it was a pleasure to carry.

Went to the big annual dove shoot today but it was bittersweet as well. Grandpa had said that he wanted to come along last time we talked but he called last night saying he just didn't feel up to it. He was 91 on our birthday so he's getting well along in years, it sure was a disappointment to not have him along. I went out and borrowed his little J.C. Higgins (Stevens 311) straight grip 20 gauge and shot it myself so he was there in spirit anyway.

My shooting wasn't up to par when they first started flying, took me a full box to get my first three birds. But I warned up after that and managed to knock down 14 before the quitting time bell rang and only used up one more box of cartridges thankfully.

Mama's birthday this evening so Dad and I just helped clean birds and headed home so we could take her out.

That's it for my shooting on this trip, staying an extra day to go to my friends wake them I'm headed back to Michigan.


Destry