Old GH on a new Rabbit!

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Michigan is having a long winter this year with March 23 being just above freezing with traces of snow remaining. At Hausmann’s Hidden Hollow last summer I acquired a tight but troubled GH 12 with a couple deep dents in the Damascus barrels next to the top rib. This old Parker had sat in my safe for far too long! Today I pulled out my Hosford Dent Remover Tool and carefully removed what were 1/8” depressions in those barrels. I can’t say enough good about Jon Hosford’s gunsmithing tools!

With this #2 frame, 30” barreled Parker, choked strangling .042” in each barrel, my trusty old friend Radar and I took our “new” shotgun for a walk. Once outside I stuffed factory “promotional” loads in the thick old Damascus barrels. After 20 or so minutes we were rounding the border of a 5 acre field and approaching home once again. I was lollygagging with the Parker grasped in my non-shooting hand and honestly not really hunting. Whoosh went a streak of brown and white just inside the edge of the brush! Radar saw something and smelled an ever elusive quarry for a 95 pound Chesador, Rabbit! We were a couple of Elmer Fudd’s caught off guard.

Quickly we traversed forward for 10 or so yards when I saw ol’ long ears streak further into the briers. I waved my left arm toward the thicket and commanded, “Radar!” Into the brush he went! Now Radar is not a beagle by a long shot. He picked up the strongest scent which had him backtracking where bunny had been. I then crouched down to peer through the thick stuff and there was our prey. Whoosh again old rabbit went but this time he was followed but an once and an eighth of number 7 ½’s! I must have shot low for the rabbit jumped a foot into the air but continued to move away from danger. Forward I moved and then spied tomorrow’s dinner. Boom beckoned Sir Parker. Dead Rabbit. Now, where the heck is my retriever. “Raaa-Dar” I called and my faithful friend was once again at my side. “Fetch, Raaabbit” I commanded and Radar had the furry-pop in his mouth as we walked the short distance home.

Time spent with and old friend and an older new gun. It doesn't get much better than this on a late March afternoon…