Hunting With Pop

[Tennessee Dave]

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

I grew up “still” hunting squirrels and/or with a redbone hound. I remember my relatives using mainly single barrel hardware store shotguns in 12 gauge. They used to claim that a .410 would not kill a squirrel in the top of a Tennessee hickory tree.

Thats the truth. I traded a 28-gauge single for a 16 gauge single when I was growing up because the 28 wasn't powerful enough. I wish I had the 28 back. (I do still have the 16)

[mobirdhunter]

Okay—so what is your childhood squirrel gun…and do you or a family member still have it?

[Joe from MO]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

Okay—so what is your childhood squirrel gun…and do you or a family member still have it?

Savage model 24 20ga/22LR. Christmas gift when I was in about the 4th or 5th grade.

I no longer have it, my dad was notorius for selling guns. It was left with him when I went to college, I had not used it in years, so he traded it on some other gun he wanted......

I've debated several times buying one, but the prices on them are high for the quality of gun they are IMHO, and to be honest, I'd never use it anyway.

[Joe from MO]

Dad & I circa 1966 I think....

That should be a JC Higgins 12ga Autoloader in his hand... Polychoke on end..

My first dog, Dutch in the foreground. German Shepard mix.

[Frank Good]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

Okay—so what is your childhood squirrel gun…and do you or a family member still have it?

Squirrels were not on the list for my father growing up in Northern Ontario as they were red squirrels and horrible eating by all accounts and they are also a fur bearer by Ontario regulations so only trappers may take them so Dad grew up hunting grouse. He bought his first shotgun when he was 14(1956), a Mossberg 183-DC in 4.10. He bought it used from an older fellow whose doctor told him he'd have to give up hunting and shooting due to health reasons... Dad said the old fellow was really heartbroken to have to sell his "partridge gun". It was recently handed down to me as my father has shoulder issues and can no longer lift a gun and hold it in place to shoot ... As you can see my father takes great care of his stuff...you should see his old cars! And he had a few boxes of ammo to pass along. Those CIL slugs likely date from the late 50's to early 60's, they sat in the drawer at my Grandparents cottage as long as I can remember and they built the cottage in '61...

[Frank Good]

My first ruffed grouse. October 1973 at my Grandparents cottage in Northern Ontario. Taken with my Grandmothers single shot Iver Johnson Champion 410. As a young girl my Grandmother and her sister(they were the the 2 oldest of 13 kids) each carried a 410 single shot to school each day to shoot grouse during season. I have the gun now and should take it out to shoot a few grouse with it for old times sake.

[mobirdhunter]

Very interesting accounts of folks’ early hunts and first guns. Thanks again to all who have contributed and, please, send more. I’m going through end of season withdrawal.