Let's go down Memory Lane - Who inspired us to treasure double guns, shooting sports

[C.O.B.]

I believe I was born into this life of guns and hunting from my maternal Grandfather who I never had the privledge to meet as he died early in the year I was born. Grandpa shot trap with a Parker and hunted birds over a pair of English Setters. I MUST give credit to both of my parents as they recognized my passion and introduced me to their friends who showed me the ropes. Mr. Wid McCready got me started shooting skeet with a M12 28ga and Mr. Vic Calderone took me on my first deer hunt. I also read everything I could that pertained to guns and hunting. It has been a wonderfull journey so far and I hope it continues.

[Jim DiSpagno]

Great stuff guys. For me, it was my Dad. He hunted long before I came along and started with the neighborhood guys as a teen. His passion for the outdoors was complete. Upland and waterfowl,big game and freshwater, saltwater and deep sea fishing were all part of his relaxation along with horses, both racing, breeding and pleasure. My first experience with hunting came about the age of six when we all went duck hunting in Staten Island,NY. For those who are not familiar, It is in NYC and in 1958, you could hunt in Richmond Cty.[Staten Island] but if you discharged a firearm, it was a $5 fine. The old man and friends thought it was five dollars well spent if you got caught. After that, providing my marks in school were up to dad's standard, Grouse in the Catskill mtns, pheasants in Dutchess Cty. and rabbits in southern NJ and Staten Island.
First gun was a Marlin model 100 in 22rf gotten from a friend by dad for me I was 7. Then came a Sears 410 ss bolt at 8 At 10 was an Ithaca 66 in 20ga. and at 12 came a Savage Fox modelB in 20. ga. After that, I bought my own with permission of course and always liked the classic guns, SxSs and single shot rem EB Win leverguns and highwalls. As a southpaw, bolt guns were uncomfortable to me and learned to shoot with either hand. Dad did so too as to not pass up a shot. I have his Parker GHE he bought at an estate sale in 1951 and never fired because he didn't want it to lose value. We hunted together every year until 2001 and he passed in 2003 at 89. He took all the kid who were interested in either hunting or horses and gave them the same opportunities as he die me. All guns were passed down to friends as needed and still enjoy use today. My first gun, the Marlin 22 went to the great nephew of the man who gave it to Dad for me. Than was 12 years ago on Tommys 8th birthday. It still looks new and is cherished as he told me that it will go to his first child. Just imagime the ruckous it would cause today, to see a 10 year old riding a horse down a main street with a SxS and hounds following him. I miss those days and the Old man. And the GHE was shot for the first time since in at least 53 years at pheasants in 2004. I'd like to think Dad enjoyed seeing that.