My Dad was not a hunter, nor fisherman, either. However, I had the shooting bug from virtually day one. Don't really know where it came from, but I just loved the outdoors, shooting and fishing! Started at early age with a succession of Daisy BB guns - all lever actions. Like others, the songbirds suffered sorely. I do regret that, though. I did have a wonderful uncle, my Dad's brother Mike that "took pity" on me and gave me a new Ithaca Model 37 16 gauge for my sixteenth birthday. I still have her in the cabinet. I had a few .22's and single shot shotguns, two of which I still own, but the Mod 37 was my pride and joy! Uncle Mike and I were kindred spirits but unfortunately we never hunted nor shot together as I was in Virginia and he in New York. He did, however, take me trout fishing and taught me how to fish with a fly. My maternal grandfather was a hound man that had various types of 'coon hounds and some great beagles for cottontails. I shot my first feathered game with him one afternoon out scouting rabbit country. I was carrying an old Steven's .410 single shot and a crow came a bit too close to us. Both my grandfather and I were surprised when the crow fell to my shot! I was hooked! Shotguns were it after that. (This was somewhere around age 12 or so.) I went rabbit hunting once with my grandfather - a day that I still remember well. I chased the Appalachian Ruffed Grouse around the woods and every now and again actually bagged one. I went to college and hunted on weekends. Everyone else was in the stadium watching the Va Tech Hokies' football and I was out in the woods with my shotgun. After college I was drafted into the service, and went into flight school with the Air Force. Found myself flying AC-130 gunships over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. I was an infrared sensor operator shooting cannon at the targets of opportunity. I really enjoyed those missions - I went into the Intel shop hours early to study the latest intelligence reports for target study and we went after 'em with gusto. I traded 40 mm cannon rounds with the anti aircraft guns a few times which was a real exciting thing. The adrenalin really rushes when someone is trying to shoot you as you are trying to shoot them. I won. While serving my tour in Southeast Asia I got the urge to get a double barrel shotgun when I got back....kindof a gift to myself, I suppose. My gunshop owner friend, Mr. Toxvard, had a beautiful little Beretta BL-3 all waiting for me and I have cherished her for the last 34 years. She has had a bit of bluing worn off but otherwise is in great shape and I really enjoy carrying her. However, a few years ago I got the side by side bug. I now have a few nice side by sides in the cabinet - but am still awaiting the arrival of my RBL from Galazan! I am a very fortunate guy in that I have had some great times and some great friends, too, to share them with. I have hunted virtually all feathered game in the States over the years, but not all. There is a Himalayan grouse (Himalayan Snowcock?)of some sort in the mountains of Nevada that I haven't hunted yet...maybe someday? I have some nice guns and fly rods and sports cars, too, so really cannot complain too much. Wish I had the deniro to get into Ken's LeFever project gun....that really interests me a lot! However, I doubt I will as the daughter is getting married and I had a real big shock when we started pricing the wedding! So, anyway, that is about it for now.
