Aldo Leopold's Fox (and legacy)

mobirdhunter · 09-14-2024, 12:11 PM

Another bucket list pilgrimage for me that we just completed -- a visit to Aldo Leopold's farm, his shack, and, as an unexpected treat, a view of his Fox shotgun.

I know there are folks here who appreciate what Leopold has meant to the conservation movement in the U.S. and beyond. The fact that he was a hunter helps to highlight the role that hunters have played in leading this movement. It was a worn out farm in Adams County, Wisconsin that provided Leopold the inspiration for his seminal book, A Sand County Almanac which, if you've not familiar with it, is a must read for all hunters and those that love the land.

I had remembered the Double Gun Journal article about Leopold's Fox, a safety-less XE that was a bird taker. I didn't know the gun was on display at the Leopold Foundation Center, but was delighted to find it and his Winchester there. It's so nice to not see the franchise conservation thinking so prevalent today that assumes hunting and hunters cannot still be a part of conservation.

If you have the chance, you should stop in for a visit.

Drew Hause · 09-14-2024, 12:29 PM

I believe the gun is on the left; with Gus, near The Shack, 1943.

"The Story of Aldo's Gun"
https://www.aldoleopold.org/blogs/th...y-of-aldos-gun

With the gun outside The Shack
https://savagearms.com/blog/post/who-was-aldo-leopold

mobirdhunter · 09-14-2024, 01:28 PM

Thanks, Drew! It was interesting that in some of the virtual tour videos available on the Foundation site, hunting (and the guns) were featured. A small -- but pleasant -- surprise.

Mike of the Mountain · 09-16-2024, 07:28 PM

Very nice! Garry, my favorite book from AL is "For the Health of the Land". Plenty of in depth conservation practices in that book. You'd enjoy it and put it to use if you don't already have it.

mobirdhunter · 09-16-2024, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

Very nice! Garry, my favorite book from AL is "For the Health of the Land". Plenty of in depth conservation practices in that book. You'd enjoy it and put it to use if you don't already have it.

Thanks, Mike. I’ll check it out.