I'm right at home among the older timers here, but glad to see a youngster like Storms on the board. Born 1952 in Waconia, MN. to a family with hunting history. Lived there through high school, and home my whole life has been within 100 miles.

Maternal grandfather was a waterfowler, paternal grandfather a prairie grouse hunter before the pheasants arrived. My pump gun carrying dad and uncles pooled their funds to lease some pheasant hunting land in the Soil Bank days, but the Soil Bank and most of the birds were gone by the time I was big enough to really participate. Most vivid memories are riding with a lovable but untrained setter in the back of a station wagon, tagging along with a BB gun, and lunch break cold-cut sandwiches laden with butter that melted in a wash down of thermos-hot coffee.

After marriage in 1975 I came back to the pheasants, bought a field-bred springer (registered name Gunflint Charlie) in 1983 and my first double gun (20 ga. Citori Sporter) the same year. Started hunting ruffed grouse soon after, and for the past 25 years have been chasing birds over a pair of spaniels just about every weekend from late Sept. through Dec. Those hot blooded dogs get my blood up too!

We bought several acres in the southern Black Hills 10 years ago that will be retirement home in a few more years. Spring Merriam's are in my future!

Fun to read everyone's story!

Jay