2024 Pheasant Fest

[Kirk Breier]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

John, we had a a gentleman drop by and show great interest in the guns on display. When he asked me about single barrel trap guns, I realized we had none. We’ll need to remedy that next year.

Any lack in SBT guns is made up for with the number of your representatives who own and hunt Gordon setters. Outdoor writing through decades would have one thinking Parker owners are all Yankees who wear ties in the field and only hunt behind white setters!

Your display was a great opportunity to see a range of frame sizes together in one place. It's one thing to read about differences in the guns and imagine from there, quite another to see them individually. Well done, and easy to see why your booths attract so many visitors.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Kirk Breier

Any lack in SBT guns is made up for with the number of your representatives who own and hunt Gordon setters. Outdoor writing through decades would have one thinking Parker owners are all Yankees who wear ties in the field and only hunt behind white setters!

Your display was a great opportunity to see a range of frame sizes together in one place. It's one thing to read about differences in the guns and imagine from there, quite another to see them individually. Well done, and easy to see why your booths attract so many visitors.

Thanks, Kirk. You sound like a member-in-the-making, and a Gordon Setter admirer. Parkers and Gordons are a great combination, and I can tell you from observation, that a Parker complements any good hunting dog.

Please consider joining our group, we'd love to have you.

[mobirdhunter]

With those unique guns all packed and headed back to their home safes, we closed a successful Pheasant Fest. Success can be measured in ticket sales (thanks to Matt!!), the sharing of Parker knowledge, and the fellowship of members who were there to represent the Association (thanks guys!).

Next year I understand the Fest will be in Kansas City. I hope I'll be there and can meet even more of our group to help spread the work of The Old Reliable. See you there!

Some last photos:

1. I missed getting a good photo of Dean Weber on the first day. Dean lives in Sioux City, and was a good host/representative for his fine city. Being close to home, he also had "grandpa duty" -- an extra busy guy during the event. (Ask him about his last time staying in Kansas City )

2. The girls were able to travel with some of us and they helped out and provided great support. Here are Bruce Day's wife, Katie, and my Elaine, having "bagged" a wandering Mearns quail. (Note: they sold tickets to the bird.)

[John Bastiani]

Looked like a nice event! Does anybody know what Parker gun(particulars) that Mr. Wooden and Mr. Day are holding in the pictures?

[Reggie B]

Originally Posted by John Bastiani

Looked like a nice event! Does anybody know what Parker gun(particulars) that Mr. Wooden and Mr. Day are holding in the picture?

I am sure Garry will let you know for sure, but I like to make a fool of myself guessing. So I am guessing Bruce is holding a CHE 20 gauge and Tom looks to be holding a VHE 28 gauge. Both look very nice too!

[John Bastiani]

Originally Posted by Reggie Bishop

I am sure Garry will let you know for sure, but I like to make a fool of myself guessing. So I am guessing Bruce is holding a CHE 20 gauge and Tom looks to be holding a VHE 28 gauge. Both look very nice too!

Tom looks to be holding a VHE 28 gauge skeet but can't be sure. Have no idea on Mr. Days Parker. Somebody also mentioned a couple of 410 Parkers but I didn't notice any in the pictures. Maybe somebody will come forward and let us know!

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by John Bastiani

Tom looks to be holding a VHE 28 gauge skeet but can't be sure. Have no idea on Mr. Days Parker. Somebody also mentioned a couple of 410 Parkers but I didn't notice any in the pictures. Maybe somebody will come forward and let us know!

John, picture number 5 from my initial post features Tom's two .410s. I think they are the top most gun and the third one down. I honestly don't remember which gun Bruce chose. He had so many nice ones, but we spoke most about our love of Bernard Steel 16s (he and I both have one).

[Kirk Breier]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

Thanks, Kirk. You sound like a member-in-the-making, and a Gordon Setter admirer. Parkers and Gordons are a great combination, and I can tell you from observation, that a Parker complements any good hunting dog.

Please consider joining our group, we'd love to have you.

Garry, I've had too much time with pump guns and other doubles to switch entirely to any one brand or type, I'm a lost cause in that respect! I did own a Parker Reproduction at one point, and when I went looking for a bench vise I wound up with a Parker. Couldn't be happier with it, and I only need the one although if I did have a need for another, it's at least cheaper than buying a shotgun.

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Kirk Breier

Garry, I've had too much time with pump guns and other doubles to switch entirely to any one brand or type, I'm a lost cause in that respect! I did own a Parker Reproduction at one point, and when I went looking for a bench vise I wound up with a Parker. Couldn't be happier with it, and I only need the one although if I did have a need for another, it's at least cheaper than buying a shotgun.

Kirk, we call ourselves the Parker Gun Collectors Association, but there are guys with extensive knowledge (and collections) of other Parker items. You would be very welcome in the group, and would find other Parker vice aficionados among the group. Many of the members are also involved in other groups, so don't let the fact that you don't have a Parker gun (yet!) stop you from joining us.

In any event, thanks for posting!